Podcasts about his spirit

Sadly Self-Employed I've been thinking a lot lately about greed. That's because in our short break from Song of Songs, we've studied salt covenant in our weekly Zoom classes. Although it's only about eight weeks of material, it's been packed with very practical ideas to improve our spiritual life today.   In particular, what's been weighing in my thoughts is the premise that unsavory salt, the kind that has lost its savor, is at its root, greed. In short, our study has dug into Yeshua's question about salt losing its flavor. How do you make it salty again? The salt had savor at some point, but then lost it.   If you review the last newsletters, Scripture specified that salt is something that comes from within a person. It is a softness and tenderness toward the Word and one's neighbor. It's the best part of our sacrifices for the Kingdom and Covenant that fulfills it, and without the salt, commandment-keeping is lacking:   • Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. (Le 2:13)   We can't put unsalty salt on a sacrifice or work of the Word:   • “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.” (Mk 9:50)   “Have salt in yourselves ? be at peace with one another.”   So if we lose saltiness, we aren't tender any longer.   We can actually keep the letter of the commandments, but when it doesn't come from a tenderness within us, it doesn't create peace. That's salt without savor, and those commandments are not acceptable sacrifices for the Covenant, which must not be lacking salt. Defective salt is like a defective animal. No go. Unaccepted.    • Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. (Mt 5:23-24)   Leave the gift at the altar, go get salty again, make things right with your neighbor, then return, and the gift will be accepted because it came from tenderness toward the Father, which in turn made you tender toward His creation, your brother:   • “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” (Ge 4:7)   Kain was told to put his happy face on with Abel, and then his gift would be accepted. Kain had short-changed the sacrifice by not bringing his best. He didn't bring first fruits; instead, he brought "of the fruit of the ground." Produce, just not his best. Begrudging, for sure. Instead of repenting of his greed, putting on his happy face, and bringing his best, he simply took out his anger and frustration with Elohim by killing his brother.   Put another way, we can be about the Father's business diligently, keeping His commandments, and because of worry and distraction about our income, we find ourselves self-employed, like Martha, who resented Mary's relationship to Yeshua in receiving the Word. Daily we have to remind ourselves to make an "upper room" in our twenty-four hours to simply sit before the Father's Word and soak up His Presence in study and prayer.   Doing things is important; it is the sacrifice we make for our families and the Body of Messiah. Without the salt from within, however, those works of the Covenant are lacking. The very meaning of sacrifice is "draw near," korban.    Does doing a commandment draw us closer to the Father?   If not, it may have become our business instead of His. That's unsavory salt and greed.    When we salt the mitzvot of the Covenant, we exert ourselves, just as savory salt comes from “within yourselves” to make peace with others. We must exert ourselves commensurate with our “wealth.” While money is the example, the object of our desires is obtained with currency, which can be money, yet we might traffic for influence, power, manipulation, etc. to obtain our desires. Money is simply the currency most commonly used for the transaction to satisfy our greed. Greed is undisciplined and un-discipled desire. Sin. Idolatry of self-serving.   It is easy to construe greed as a desire for money, or mammon, yet the less tangibles are nonetheless greedy: knowledge, esteem, security, attention, pleasure, etc. I have seen believers so drunk on the power of Scriptural knowledge that they habitually beat up their fellow servants with the Word. It is no longer the Father's business; instead, they have become self-employed.    They use His Word not to draw people near the Father, but to enrich themselves. Maybe with donations, maybe with product sales, maybe with just a shot of self-esteem in soliciting invitations to speak or posting controversial statements designed to create a public dust-up for attention.   How can we know when someone is unsavory and self-employed, but they've hung out the shingle of "Kingdom Business"?    It's more important to know when WE'VE done it.    Remember, unsaltiness is an inside problem. You won't always see it on the outside. The sacrifice may look just perfect on the altar.    And Yeshua took donations...a group of women followed him throughout his ministry all the way to the upper room, "ministering to him." They loved him all the way to death (Mt 27:55; Mk 15:41; Lk 23:49,55) Yeshua said controversial things, was a highly-sought-after speaker, and he was definitely in the middle of public dust-ups.   The difference is that Yeshua always did what he did and said what he said on actual Kingdom business. He was drawing people closer to the Father or exposing their self-employment in the commandments. His Spirit will help us to search our own hearts so that we don't become "moneychangers," encroaching on the holy places for our personal enrichment and deceiving people who think we're there to serve and help them draw close to the Presence. Instead, we're self-employed, working on our self-esteem needs or securing donations to fuel the fire of our pleasures.   This is something ministries need to soul-search daily, and it's something a royal priesthood should soul-search daily. That's all of us.    As in my example of the "Nuts" in last week's newsletter, sometimes we have to decide whether we're occupied in interests and ministry we've chosen according to our desire, yet the actual fruit ready to harvest is in a different area. It will be a true sacrifice to do business there, but it's where the Father needs us, not where we want to work. At first.   The phenomenon is that if we will adjust our desire to His, sell out completely to draw near to the Father, our desire will actually change. Really! It will!   This is what Yeshua tried to tell the rich young ruler when he told him he still lacked one thing even though the young man had kept all the commandments since he was a boy. He lacked the savor of salt with his commandment-keeping. The young man did not have enough faith in The Word, Yeshua, that the desire in his heart for his wealth would be changed by selling it:   • "But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Mk 10:22)   Salt is faith in the Word. It is what prevents us from becoming self-employed in unsavory commandment-keeping. The rich young man would never know the wonder and joy of finding a coin inside a fish's mouth or sharing a simple breakfast on the beach with the resurrected Messiah. A righteous king.   A truly rich man is one who is satisfied with what the Father puts in his hand from above, whether little or much; a truly poor man is one who is never satisfied with what he possesses below, whether little or much.    A truly rich man rejoices in exerting himself and his resources in his Father's business; a truly poor man goes away sad.   Yeshua asks what we are anxious, worried, sad, and distracted about, even in doing the commandments, for they are how we withhold ourselves from him. These things dilute our salt. They may be our desire, but they are not the "best part" that brings peace, the part that we spend at his feet learning, talking to him, lingering in his Presence. This requires us to exert ourselves to bring the lacking salt. Maybe it means selling off some wrong ideas about things that mean a lot to us.   Mary sat at Yeshua's feet. She had to look up to him before she went to work. Martha did it backward. She worked, but because she was self-employed that day, she took out her frustration by blaming Mary and looking down on Yeshua's willingness to "discipline" her sister. She couldn't see he was discipling them both that day. She needed to look up first with joy in his presence.   Start with salt, the best part within. What we do each day is His business.   When we go into the world to give charity, be kind to others, speak peaceably, reconcile the world to their Creator, and shine the light of obeying the commandments, it will not be a labor of convenience. If we have prepared with salt, though, the exertion will be rewarding and change our taste.   Do I mean how we taste to others?   Or how we savor our labor for the King?   Yes.

Today on Sound Doctrine we discover that if you're in Christ, you're no longer condemned, but free! And God has supplied all the power we need to live the Christian life, through His Spirit. We begin a mini-series today in one of the greatest chapters in the bible, Romans chapter eight. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/621/29?v=20251111

Because we live and walk in this drunken sin sick world, may you find the miracle of peace in your life to pursue brotherly love and fellowship, if you have trouble finding the miracle of peace and love consider the Word of God, as from cover to cover 66 books of the Bible is His-story, full of miracles and mystery is based on His story, the story of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Though the books are complete but it's effects is still being written from every baptism, newborn child of God to prove to us that come into the world, that His death on the cross was not in vain. As we write another living chapter of His-story that can never be changed as long as there is a world: "The Word of God's stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8)I found another place in scripture it says: "The Word of the Lord endures forever" (1peter 1:25). Read it.: Please allow His Spirit during this season of the year to endure in your life, bringing you His miracle of peace and goodwill toward all men, we know that we've had some bad characters in the year 2025 but we don't have to carry that into 2026 just know let His Spirit of peace comes from God and let that mind be in you where you desire to live peacefully with all men this day forward, that you show kindness, and pursue peace regardless what the enemy/Satan does outside of your house/heart of peace. Because that's where the miracle starts, the miracle of peace starts in your heart.Contact: heavensprayerlink.com, we love to pray with you, God bless you.

The story of Christ’s birth is filled with divine reversals—moments where God chose humility over grandeur and simplicity over splendor. Instead of being born in a palace fit for a king, Jesus entered the world in a lowly manger among livestock, revealing a Savior who draws near to the humble. The Magi, guided by God’s star and later by His Spirit, demonstrate how no one finds Jesus on their own—He leads us to Himself. This season, we are invited to return to the manger with hearts open to wonder, worship, and the profound meaning of Christ’s humble arrival. Main Takeaways You’ll learn why Jesus’ humble birthplace reveals God’s upside-down kingdom and His heart for the lowly. Discover how the Magi’s journey shows that God Himself leads people to Christ. Understand the prophetic connections between Isaiah 53, Luke 2, and Matthew 2. Reflect on how the Holy Spirit guides believers today to continually rediscover Christ. Be encouraged to seek Jesus wholeheartedly and worship Him with the same joy and reverence as the Magi. Bible Verse References Luke 2:7 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/2-7.html Isaiah 53:2 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/53-2.html Matthew 2:1–2 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+2:1-2 Matthew 2:3–6 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+2:3-6 Matthew 2:7–8 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+2:7-8 Matthew 2:9–12 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+2:9-12 Your Daily Prayer Dear Father,As we enter this Christmas season, lead our hearts to the manger—to Jesus. Open our eyes to the wonder of His humble birth and the beauty of Your plan. Help us seek Him wholeheartedly, like the Magi, and worship Him with joy, awe, and reverence. Soften our hearts to lay our treasures before Him and guide us by Your Holy Spirit to know Him more deeply and to lead others to Him.In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily devotionals delivered straight to your favorite podcast app. Leave a rating or review to help others discover biblical encouragement. Visit LifeAudio.com to explore more faith-building podcasts. Read more Christmas devotionals and Bible studies at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. Relevant Links & Resources Christmas devotionals, Bible studies, and spiritual reflections:Crosswalk.com – https://www.crosswalk.comChristianity.com – https://www.christianity.com Scripture study tools for today’s passages:BibleStudyTools.com – https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/2-7.html Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Pastor Mike encouraged us to walk in the spirit of might.The spirit of might is God's power working through yielded hearts. It gives us power to obey, to stand fearless, and to carry out God's assignments in total victory. We are no longer victims. We are empowered believers.All we need to do is ask in faith for God to fill us with His Spirit so we can walk in bold, faith-filled obedience.Scriptures: Isaiah 11:2 Acts 4:31 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 Ephesians 6:10–19 Ephesians 6:18 Luke 11:13 1 Samuel 17:45–50 Philippians 2:8–9 Deuteronomy 28:1–2

Before the cross, Jesus gathered His closest friends in an upstairs room. What He shared there would change everything; words of love, unity, and the promise of His Spirit. In this series we step into that room to experience the heart of Jesus and what it means to walk closely with Him today.

Hearts Made Ready through Confidence | Advent at Divine SaviorZechariah's Song: Celebrating God's Faithfulness Before ChristmasAfter months of silence, Zechariah's first words were not complaints—but praise. In this powerful message, Pastor Ben Kuerth reflects on Luke 1:67–79, where Zechariah rejoices in the faithfulness of God. Despite his doubts and silence, Zechariah saw God's promises unfold, culminating in the coming of the Savior. His Spirit-filled song reminds us today that even in uncertain times, God is merciful, faithful, and always at work.Support the showMoved to give? http://dschurch.link/givedoralFor more info about our church please visit our website: https://divinesaviorchurch.com/dscdor/

Sermon Series: Seeing Christ in the Old Testament: Types, Shadows, Prophecies & Promises   Speaker: Pastor Josh Sherrell   ________   Christ is the Righteous Branch, born to reign far as the curse is found.   ________   I. God will raise up a Righteous Branch on whom His Spirit will rest (11:1-5)   II. God will reverse the curse of sin through the Righteous Branch (11:6-9)   III. God will display his glory among the nations through the Righteous Branch (11:10)

The holidays can be a season of joy, but for some families, they come wrapped in worry, fear, and unseen struggles. In this "Best of Raising Godly Girls" episode, we revisit Episode 223: "How to Support Your Daughter Through Suicide, Self-Harm, and Mental Health Struggles" with Dr. Jessica Peck, also known as "Dr. Nurse Mama." Originally aired on May 29, 2025, this episode offers practical, faith-filled guidance for parents navigating one of the most tender and frightening seasons of parenting.  Melissa Bearden and Rachael Culpepper open the conversation with heart and honesty, reminding listeners that God equips parents to shepherd their daughters even in the darkest valleys. Dr. Peck shares compassionate strategies for recognizing warning signs, building trust, and creating safe spaces where difficult conversations can take place—because the most important healing often begins with being seen, heard, and loved.  This episode is a gentle call to action: the holidays are not a time to ignore or delay addressing your daughter's mental health struggles. Instead, it is a time to step forward in courage, anchored in God's wisdom and grace. Parents will be encouraged to walk alongside their daughters with a balance of truth, empathy, and prayerful guidance, modeling the steadfast love of Christ even in moments of fear or uncertainty.  Scripture References:  Psalm 34:18   Romans 15:13  Three Things to Remember:  God equips and sustains parents called to guide daughters through seasons of deep struggle.  Creating a safe, trusting environment opens the door for healing and honest conversation.  The best time to walk in truth, love, and prayer is now—not later, not when it feels convenient.  This "Best Of" episode is an invitation to pause, pray, and listen closely—God is present, and His Spirit brings hope even in the midst of pain.  Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.   Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org. 

Jesus Says “Self-Denial” Is Required of Jesus Followers: “let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" MESSAGE SUMMARY: In a time in which we hear so much about self-help, self-image, and self-actualization, Jesus is saying self-denial is the way to life. Jesus tells us, in Matthew 16:24, that self-denial is a key element in following Him: “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'". “Taking up one's cross” means to die to self-ambitions. When we die to our self-ambitious and put them on the cross, Jesus' life moves through us: “Not my will but Thy will.”. By denying self, we become alive in Jesus; and His Spirit flows through us – we experience eternal life and abundant life.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, everything in me resists following you into the garden of Gethsemane to fall on my face to the ground before you. Grant me the courage to follow you all the way to the cross, whatever that might mean for my life. And then, by your grace, lead me to resurrection life and power. In Jesus' name, amen.   Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 100). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be ashamed of the Gospel. I will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (including me). From Romans 1:16 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 16:24; Mathew 10:38-39; Galatians 6:14-17; Psalms 141:1-10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Day Is Coming – Part 2” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

(This podcast was previously published on January 22, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...    John 6:28-29  Then said they unto HIM, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on HIM whom HE hath sent.   Examples:   *  August 5, 1975   The following came into my mind.  It was God speaking to me by HIS Spirit:  "Joan.  You know those mistakes you've been making all these years?  Those weren't mistakes.  Those were sins."   SINS!  I had no idea they were sins.  But I knew this word I had heard was true!   (With that I was born again.)   ***   * 1977   I was scheduled to testify at a court trial.  I heard:  "Don't testify."  I believed that was a word from God.   I told my lawyer I was not going to be able to testify.  He said he thought we would win the case anyway because Flo had also witnessed the event and she would testify.   Now the persecution is going to come "for the Word's sake", to try to drive me away from obeying that word which I believed to be from God.   When Flo learned I would not be testifying, she became very angry with me and said:  "Now all the burden will be on me since you won't testify.  I replied, "What can I do?  I believe God told me not to testify so I can't testify.   Then the man I was dating said, "Joan you aren't doing this woman any good by not testifying."  I replied, "I'm not trying to do her any good.  I believe God told me not to testify so I can't testify."   Then during the court trial, my lawyer came to me and said, "Flo's testimony wasn't as strong as I had hoped for.  But if you will testify we will win this case."  I replied, "I'll see."  I went into the ladies room at the courthouse and prayed asking God what HE wanted me to do and I heard, "Don't testify."   I returned to the court room and just shook my head indicating "no" to my lawyer.   The court case proceeded.  I did not testify.  We won the case.   More examples of believing you've heard from God and doing that word will be recorded on this Podcast.   ***   *  1978   I owned a small business in American Indian Arts at the time I was born again.   During this time, an itinerant salesman of Indian arts filed a lawsuit against me.  I hired a lawyer to defend me. But the legal fees were eating up all the profit from my business, and God had shown me to get out of debt and to stay out of debt and I had done that.  Now I was faced with the prospect of having to go back into debt because of the bills from my own lawyer.   The Holy Spirit called the following scripture to my attention:   Isaiah 54:17   No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of ME, saith the LORD.   I looked at that scripture and began to reason:   I'm a Christian now so this promise of God applies to me.   This weapon of this lawsuit cannot prosper against me.  So why am I having a lawyer represent me in court.  I can stop the legal bills by dismissing my lawyer from the case and I can go to court without any human legal counsel.   I was a very new Christian at that time so I decided to make an appointment with my pastor and tell him my plans.   As I drove to meet my pastor, I was praying, asking God to give the pastor wisdom.   James 1:5   If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.   After I told the story to the pastor and revealed my plan to him, pastor said:  "Joan, I perceive you have faith to handle this situation this way."   I released my lawyer.   Lawyer said, "Joan, you don't know how evil these courts are today.  You can't do this."     Then lawyer said, "We're willing to work with you.  It will only take about $10,000 more to try your case."   I was shocked and screamed, "$10,000  MORE ... Gordon,   STOP ... Don't do anything else!"   A week later, Gordon came to my business to speak with me.  He said:  "Joan, we have decided to try your case without any further legal fees."   But I didn't hear God mentioned in this plan!   So I told Gordon I would need to get back with him with this.   What is going on here?   One week it is going to cost $10,000 MORE to try the case.  The next week it is free to me.   I began praying, asking God what HE wanted me to do.   The Holy Spirit reminded me of a scripture to show me the will of God in this matter.   Genesis 14:21-23   And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.  And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:   I knew God was saying:  Turn down the free legal service and plan to go to court without any human legal counsel.   (After seeing what Abraham did in setting his life for his provision to be from God, I wanted my life to be where my provision was from God!)   I refused the free legal counsel.   During those weeks before the scheduled court case, God reminded me of many scriptures.  I wrote down each scripture and kept it before me day and night as I had learned to do from Joshua 1:8.   God said to Joshua:  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein 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.  (Joshua 1:8)   I knew this same thing applied to us today.   Also I knew Psalm 1.   1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.   2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.   3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.   God, by HIS Spirit, had reminded me of several scriptures during this period of time.  I recorded each of these scriptures over and over on a cassette tape on both sides of the tape.  When I would go to bed I would turn on the tape and hear these scriptures and fall asleep to the scriptures playing.  Then when I would awaken in the night, I would turn the cassette tape over and play the other side and fall asleep to scripture.   I did this all night each night to build my faith in what God had said to me and also to fight fear.   Six days before the trial was scheduled in US District Court, the man suing me dropped all charges.   It was over.   But God taught me a lot about having faith in HIM and in HIS Word and how HIS WORD given by the Holy Spirit will never fail.   ***   During the next 40 years, God spoke to me many times by HIS Holy Spirit who brought information to my mind concerning the situations of this present life.  

Mama, whatever darkness surrounds you—corruption, confusion, or chaos—you can find peace under His leadership and direction through His Spirit!“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” -Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)From the patriarchs to the prophets, from shepherds to wise men, this Advent journey traces the radiant thread of promise woven through some of Scripture's most luminous figures. Join us for Day 5 of this journey Beneath the Starry Night.

As we study the Word, we see Jesus was ever-present with His disciples. He spent a lot of time with them, teaching and showing them how to endure every challenge that life would present. We can all benefit from someone who will help us in our time of need, a friend that sticketh closer than a brother; we need Christ in our world! The Lord promised to be there for us every step of the way! But how do we take Him up on this offer? Only through His Word and His Spirit, of course!  Focus: Matthew 28:20  All Verses Covered: Matthew 28:20, John 14:26-27, 15:7, Galatians 5:22  Original Air Date: December 11, 2025  We have bible studies via Zoom every Monday at 7 pm Central Standard Time. Here is the meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86546164133?pwd=R3IwVTdJN3E1Wm1kU2JNOU1ZZlVJdz09  Access all of our messages: https://www.jmsbible.com/messages  Got a topic you want us to cover in our Facebook live streams? Fill out our form here: https://www.jmsbible.com/requests. We go live every Thursday evening at 6:30 pm central time. Join us LIVE on our Facebook page to ask questions and get live answers! Even if you disagree with something we say, mention it to us so we can see what the scriptures say!  If you have any questions about a specific scripture or topic and would like for us to discuss it on our Facebook live streams, please contact us at https://www.jmsbible.com/contact. We are open to any and all questions or concerns.  If you would like to donate, our CashApp tag is $JoyStorm12. Thank you for all of your support!  Joy in the Midst of the Storm Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JMSBible/

Questions? Thoughts? Comments? Leave me a voicemail message to use in a future podcast episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/timschmoyerComment on the full post here: https://read.timschmoyer.com/p/you-dont-have-what-it-takesA podcast listener named Christopher sent me a voice message and asked a very critical question about how we, as God-fearing men, actually gain the ability to live out a vision of fathering our homes, eldering our cities, and preparing for rulership in the Kingdom to come.“On this path of biblical eldership and male community leadership—in our homes and in our communities, with our families and those around us—where does the power come from to carry that out? I'm wondering if you could talk more about the Holy Spirit and inviting the Spirit into your life.”I love this! Christopher is asking the question that exposes whether Elder My City is actually biblical or just another self-improvement program with Scripture verses attached.Where does the power come from to live out this vision for men?Unfortunately, most Christian men approach leadership the same way we've been taught to approach sin: through self-management. Try harder. Get educated. Find accountability. Develop a strategy. Build better habits.I don't know about you, but I've found that it doesn't work. I tried it for decades.When I read about the elder qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 as someone who is temperate, self-controlled, respectable, able to teach, able to manage his household well, etc. I know it's easy to treat them like a checklist of Boy Scout merit badges, but I don't think these qualifications are merely accomplishments. They're describing fruit. And fruit isn't manufactured. It's produced.I Spent One Full Year Focused on Galatians 5There was a season of my life where I took this very seriously.For an entire year, I read Galatians 5 every morning before my feet touched the floor. Before I got out of bed. Before I went to the bathroom. Before I did anything. I wanted to embed this into my belief system. I intellectually agreed with the passage, but if my belief in it was low. Maybe at a two or a three. I wanted to believe it at an eight or a nine and experience the transformation I knew would come with it.Consider what Paul says:“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:16-18)Paul then lists the works of the flesh—sexual immorality, fits of rage, rivalries, envy, all of it—and says those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Let that sink in. We can talk about the Kingdom, but if we miss this thing, we miss it.The way I read the passage is that the issue isn't the specific sins. Like, “Don't do these things.” Rather, it seems to me that the issue is that you're not being led by the Spirit.From there, Paul leads into the fruit of the Spirit.“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)We lose something in English here: “fruit” is singular, not plural. We don't divide this up like, “Okay, I've got love, joy, and peace down, but I really need to work on patience.” That's not how it works. You have the singular fruit—the love-joy-peace-patience-kindness-goodness-faithfulness-gentleness-self-control fruit. It's all one package. You get the whole thing when you're living by the power of the Holy Spirit.This list as well as the character that qualifies a man for eldership are not something you manufacture through effort. It's something the Spirit produces through dependence. Which means the path from father to elder to ruler isn't primarily about trying harder to reduce sin and increase righteousness. It's about deepening dependence on the Holy Spirit.My Risky PrayerSo this became my prayer every morning:“Lord, teach me how to walk by your Spirit and not gratify the desires of my flesh. Teach me how to hear your Spirit's voice. I don't want to try harder to force more peace into my life. I want it to be the byproduct of having the Spirit active and alive and leading.”I'll tell you—if you pray that prayer and ask Him to teach you, be ready for what comes next.Here's what happened.I Failed My First TestI was walking through an airport terminal, on my way to catch a flight to speak at an event. And I look down ahead of me. I see some saltine crackers crushed up and ground into the carpet. And I had this little voice in my head. Not audible, but this strong feeling: “Clean those up.”What? No. I've got to get to my gate. I'm that guy who likes to arrive right when boarding starts. I don't want to sit at the gate forever and then sit on the plane for even longer.I'm staring at these crushed crackers as I walk toward them, and it's getting stronger. “Stop and clean up the crackers.”No, that's weird. Not my job. Someone else will do it.I walk past them. It gets stronger. “Turn around and go back and clean those up.”At this point I'm kind of yelling inside my head: “No, I'm going to just go get on the plane. This is weird.”I didn't do it. Got on the plane, flew away. The voice goes away.Then I asked: “Okay, was that you?”Immediately: “Yes.”“Why did I need to clean up the crackers?”I have no way of verifying this, but here's what came to mind: “There's someone back there who is now going to lose their job due to no fault of their own because you didn't clean up those crackers. And they really needed that job.”Okay. Give me another chance.The Second Test Was a StruggleA few weeks later. I'm walking into a store in a strip mall area. As I'm walking in, that feeling comes back: “Stop and pull those weeds you see outside that store.”What? Come on. When I think about the Spirit, I think about the magical fireworks from Bible stories. Not pulling weeds.“No, I don't want to. That's weird. I just want to buy my thing and leave.”I walk past the weeds, go into the store, do my thing. The whole time I'm wrestling. I passed up the crackers. Now you want me to pull weeds? Why does this Holy Spirit stuff start with cleaning?I walk out of the store. Walk past the weeds. Still having this little argument in my head.Then I stop. “Okay, I'll obey.”I turn around, go to the weeds, pull them, clean up the little area, throw them in the trash. I'm looking over my shoulder the whole time thinking people are going to think this is so weird. Security cameras. What's that guy doing?I get in my car. Slam the door a little extra hard because I'm a little irritated and I say out loud: “There, are you happy?”I'm embarrassed to tell you this, but that's the truth.I hear: “Yes. Was that so hard?”“No, but it's weird. I thought this would be different.”“This is how you learn to hear my voice. You start by obeying in the little things.”This is exactly the pattern of Luke 19. The servants were faithful with little and later the Master entrusted them with cities to rule. God was teaching me to recognize His voice in the small things so I'd know what it sounds like in the big things.I'm Learning to Hear His Voice and ObeyFast forward several years. I'm still practicing. I don't have a great batting average, but I'm getting better at listening and obeying. I know what His voice sounds like now, even when what He asks is uncomfortable.I'm doing a YouTube channel consultation with a very popular creator—hundreds of millions of views a month, making millions of dollars. She gets on a call with me because her channel is starting to decline.I look at her channel. I can find a few things to pick at, but nothing that explains the decline she's experiencing. I go through those things.Then in the middle of the call, I get that feeling. That thing comes back. And it says: “Tim, I want you to repeat after me.”My first reaction is, “Oh no. This is going to make me look bad… Okay. Not my will, but yours. Let's go.”So I repeated it as it came to my head. I had no idea what I was about to say.“I've never said anything like this before in a consultation. But here's what I think is going on with your channel. As a Christian, I believe that the Bible says in Job that ‘the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.' And I think maybe the Lord gave you this channel for a certain season of your life. But now that season is over. It's behind you. And that's why the channel is declining.”I stopped. I had no reason to think she had any faith background. She just kind of stared for a second, then kept talking like I hadn't said anything.That was so weird. So uncomfortable. So awkward.The next morning, I wake up to an email from her.“Tim, I'm writing this with tears in my eyes. I've been crying all evening and this morning. There's no way you could have known this.”She told me her husband now is not her first husband. Her first husband passed away on their honeymoon. It was the most difficult time of her life. She started exploring faith. She had a Bible, and she had underlined that exact passage—”the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.”She said she'd totally forgotten about that. She'd wandered from her faith, hadn't really practiced or thought about it.Then, sometime after that, she started having medical issues. She wasn't making much money and didn't know how she'd pay for the medical bills. So she started a YouTube channel, and it grew quickly. She started making money and paying for her treatments. A friend told her, “Maybe the Lord gave you this channel for this season of your life so you can pay for these medical bills.”She wrote: “When you quoted that verse and said ‘for this season of your life,' all of that came flooding back. You're right. The medical bills are behind me. That season is over. And I need to pursue my faith again.”I read that email and thought: I'm so glad that worked out. Because I have plenty of stories where it just ended awkwardly. But this is what happens when you learn to hear His voice in the little things—you recognize it in the moments that actually matter.What This Has to Do With EldershipHere's what's interesting. When Jesus talks about leaving to return to the Father, He says this:“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you… When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...” - John 16:7, 13Jesus didn't say, “I'm leaving, and in my place I'm giving you a textbook to memorize so you can pass the final exam on judgment day.” He didn't give us a list of rules.He said the Spirit of truth would come and guide us into all truth. Paul says to walk by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit.He gave us a relationship. He gave us a Person. He gave us Himself, not just a book.And like any relationship, it takes time to build trust. You start with the little things. Crackers in an airport. Weeds at a strip mall. And it builds to the bigger things, like the words you speak in a consultation that bring a woman to tears, the decisions you make in your family, the wisdom you offer to younger men who are wrestling with the same things you've walked through.This is how we develop the character to manage resources and responsibilities and relationships. We learn to steward these things for the King based on His help, His partnership, literally being guided by Him, learning to depend on Him in every way, keeping in step with Him.Where the Power Comes FromSo, Christopher, back to your question: Where does the power come from to carry out this vision of biblical fatherhood and eldership?* “Walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:16)* “Be led by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:18)* “Live by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)* “Keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)It starts with that feeling of “this is weird, this is uncomfortable,” and it grows from there into confidence—knowing that when it's uncomfortable, that's often how you know it's Him. When it's weird, that's how you know it's Him.Galatians 5:24 says those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. That's not a passive thing. Crucifying the flesh is active and ongoing. But we don't do it through white-knuckling. We don't do it by trying harder. We do it by living through the power of the Spirit.A man who feels fully capable of leading his home in his own strength will fail at inheriting the Kingdom. A man who knows he can't, who fathers his children and leads his wife and serves his community in constant, desperate dependence on the Holy Spirit, that's the man who's actually being prepared for greater responsibility. The practice of ruling with His Spirit now is preparation for ruling with Him in the Kingdom to come.Father your home by the Spirit. Elder your city by the Spirit.That's the only way any of this works. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit read.timschmoyer.com

We have to seek to know what God's Plan and Purpose is for us. I've known almost from birth, from my earliest conscious days, that God had a Plan and a Purpose for my life. And all I've tried to do, all my life, is to be OBEDIENT – to hear the call and to go out and do it. It takes an enormous amount of faith, that's why I seek the Holy Spirit! There are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit – but the gift that I asked for above all others is the gift of faith in order to be able to do what God says! In my life, going to Ukraine, going to Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Poland – is only in OBEDIENCE to what God is calling me to do.  I am determined, TODAY God will pour out His Holy Spirit on ALL flesh, and ALL who call on the Name of the Lord will be delivered. He has promised, He HAS to do it… This is why I can go to any country where there has been no revival and EXPECT God to fulfil His Promise to pour out His Spirit on whoever, on ALL flesh. 'Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it,' (John 14.12-14, NIV). 

Welcome to Newbreed Christian Community!The journey deepens. The veil lifts further.As PNEUMATIKOS 2025 progresses, we step into DAY TWO – MORNING SESSION, a moment designed for clarity, alignment, and activation.Today's morning teaching with Pastor David Oghenerobor is titled:✨ “THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT”The Spirit of God is not hidden, silent, or inactive. He is expressive, demonstrative, and intentional. Spiritual gifts are not for display, but for manifestation—the visible, tangible expression of the invisible Spirit for the edification of the Body and the advancement of God's purpose.In this illuminating morning session, Pastor David unveils:What the manifestation of the Spirit truly means according to ScriptureWhy every believer is a carrier of Spirit-expressionThe difference between indwelling and manifestationHow spiritual gifts function as channels, not identitiesThe purpose of manifestation—for profit, edification, and divine orderWhy the Spirit chooses expression over suppression

In this powerful message, Mark unpacks the supernatural reality of sonship — the miracle described in Romans 8:14–17 where God adopts us into His family and places His Spirit within us to lead, empower, and transform our lives. He explores four attributes of spiritual sonship and the four phases every believer journeys through: Revelation, Consecration, Activation, and Manifestations. Together, these truths reveal what it means to walk not as slaves, but as fully empowered sons and daughters who carry the authority, identity, and love of the Father.   If you're hungry to understand your kingdom identity and step boldly into your God-given purpose, this teaching will ignite your faith and awaken the Spirit-led life within you.

As the holiday season draws near—a time filled with lights, celebration, and connection—this special "Best Of Raising Godly Girls" episode steps into one of the most tender topics facing families today: how to navigate self-harm with wisdom, compassion, and Christ-anchored hope. In this replay of Episode 222, originally aired on May 29, 2025, listeners revisit a powerful, heartfelt conversation designed to equip parents walking through the fear, grief, and questions that often accompany a daughter's struggle.  Melissa Bearden opens this episode reminding listeners that December can heighten emotional and mental strain for girls who are already hurting. While the world celebrates, many families carry unseen wounds. This "Best Of" series is a way to rest, reflect, and re-engage important truths—because even in seasons meant for joy, God invites us to shepherd our daughters with attentiveness and grace. This episode offers clarity about the signs of self-harm, practical guidance for parents, and biblical encouragement for moments when hope feels fragile.  As you listen, you'll be reminded that God has not abandoned your girl to patterns of destruction—His Spirit is near, attentive, and able to restore what feels broken beyond repair. Whether your family has recently discovered a struggle with self-harm or you've spent much of 2025 navigating emotional highs and lows, this episode encourages you to hold tightly to Christ's promises. His healing is real. His love is constant. And His presence goes with you into every conversation, every fear, every quiet moment of worry.  This revisited conversation is an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and allow God to strengthen you as you walk beside your daughter. If little ears are nearby, you may want to save this one for a private moment—this episode includes themes best discussed with maturity and care. But whenever you listen, may the truth settle deeply in your heart: you are not alone, your girl is not beyond hope, and Jesus is faithfully present in every season, even this one.  Scripture References:  Psalm 147:3   Isaiah 41:10  Three Things to Remember This Week:   Your daughter's struggle does not signal God's absence—He is already at work in the hidden places of her heart.   Your calm, compassionate presence can become a lifeline that models the tender nearness of Christ.   Hope and healing are possible, even in seasons filled with overwhelm; Jesus meets families in the midst of their pain.    Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.   Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org. 

Many times there are people who get saved by accepting salvation offered by Jesus through the cross, but they continue living their lives in their own power and trying to fix their own sin. God empowers us through His Spirit to overcome sin if we would just submit our lives to Him every day.

Many times there are people who get saved by accepting salvation offered by Jesus through the cross, but they continue living their lives in their own power and trying to fix their own sin. God empowers us through His Spirit to overcome sin if we would just submit our lives to Him every day. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/640/29?v=20251111

Finding vs. Building: The Truth About Becoming #RTTBROS #Nightlight"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17You know, I keep hearing this phrase everywhere I turn: "You need to find yourself." It's become the mantra of our age, plastered across Instagram posts, repeated in self-help books, preached from stages. The message is clear, just look inward long enough, dig deep enough, and somewhere buried inside you'll discover your "true self" waiting to be unearthed.But here's the problem with that whole idea. It turns life into an endless archaeological dig, always excavating, always searching, never building anything. People spend years, even decades, looking inward, asking "Who am I?" while life passes them by. And the irony? The more you stare at yourself in the mirror of introspection, the blurrier the image becomes.The Bible has a completely different approach. It doesn't tell us to find ourselves, it tells us we're lost and need to be found by God. It doesn't say there's some perfect version of you buried inside waiting to emerge. Instead, it says something far more radical: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."Did you catch that? A new creature. Not a discovered creature, a new one. God isn't interested in helping you excavate some hidden self. He's in the construction business, not the archaeology business.Think about it this way. When Nehemiah saw the broken walls of Jerusalem, he didn't sit around trying to "find" the walls. They were rubble. Instead, he said, "Come, and let us build" (Nehemiah 2:17). That's the pattern God uses. He takes what's broken, what's incomplete, what's lost, and He builds something new.Here's the truth our culture doesn't want you to know: looking inward is exhausting because you were never meant to be your own reference point. But when you stop the endless navel-gazing and start moving forward with God, everything changes. You and God together begin constructing who you're meant to be. He's the master builder, you're the willing worker. He provides the blueprint in His Word, the power through His Spirit, and the purpose that makes it all worthwhile.Paul understood this. He wrote, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). Notice he didn't say "I dig inward." He said "I press forward." That's movement, that's construction, that's building something.Stop wasting your life trying to find yourself. You're not lost in some internal maze. You're right here, right now, and God is saying, "Let's build something together. Let's construct the person I created you to become."The difference between finding and building? Finding looks backward and inward. Building looks forward and upward. Finding asks, "Who was I meant to be?" Building says, "Who will I become with God?"So today, stop digging. Start building. Partner with God in the construction of the person He's calling you to be. Because history is just His story, and you get to be part of what He's building in this world.Let's pray: Father, forgive us for wasting time trying to find ourselves when You've been waiting to build us into something new. Help us stop looking inward and start moving forward with You. Give us the courage to partner with You in becoming who You created us to be. In Jesus' name, Amen.#Faith #Identity #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #NewCreation #BiblicalTruth #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #NightlightBe sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Is God's law contrary to His promises in Christ? Many think Jesus came to abolish the law, but Paul emphatically says "absolutely not!" Drawing from Galatians 3:21-22, Dr. John explains that the law never gave life—only Christ does. Yet the moral law still stands. Jesus didn't come to make us lawless; He came to fulfill what the law demanded and empower us by His Spirit to live righteously. This message reveals the crucial continuity between law and grace.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming was absolutely necessary. Through the book of Galatians, this series traces God's plan from Abraham's promise through the giving of the Law to the arrival of Christ. Discover why the Law was never meant to save us but to diagnose our condition, how Jesus fulfilled what we could never accomplish, and how Christmas opened the door for all people to become sons and daughters of God.

Crystal Rivers | Open Book | Dec 9, 2025 Settle your heart before God and recognize the privilege of being invited into His presence. Still yourself, pour out your day before Him, and allow His peace to quiet every distraction. Keep your heart tender, yielded, and moldable—like clay in the hands of a potter—willing for Him to add, remove, break, or rebuild whatever He desires so that you may be aligned to His will. Ask for a unified heart, a heart that fears God, a heart that remains planted, pliable, and responsive to His light. As you prepare for seasons of prayer, fasting, or spiritual assignments, do not stand in the way of God's work in you; instead, welcome every stretching, remolding, and purifying He brings. Pray for divine hunger—an unquenchable longing that draws you and others into deeper pursuit of God. Ask that God Himself plants holy questions, dissatisfaction with lesser things, and supernatural curiosity in those He is calling, so that nothing else can satisfy except His presence. Desire the kind of hunger that breaks through obstacles, persists past resistance, and leads straight to encounters with God. Believe that God can stir longing, guide footsteps, and orchestrate meetings, signs, and pointers that lead people into His purpose. Call upon the Holy Spirit to brood over every environment, gathering, heart, and moment. Ask that every detail—words spoken, songs sung, lights flashing, equipment functioning—become instruments in God's hands, carrying revelation, instruction, and transformation. Pray that God's power overshadow everything as He did in biblical times, making it clear that what is happening is “of God and not of man.” Pray for revival, for generational rescue, for youths and children to be awakened, delivered, healed, and shaped into mighty instruments of righteousness. Intercede for every person involved in teaching, leading, or serving, that they be full of the Spirit, full of wisdom, full of discernment, and able to speak exactly what God wants said—nothing less, nothing more, and always in the right measure for those listening. Pray that every message will carry life, revelation, and divine precision, and that every teacher will discern the spiritual maturity of their hearers so truth is delivered in its proper measure. Recognize that you are called to walk in the resurrection life of Christ even now. Understand that death, sin, sickness, and bondage no longer have dominion over you. Affirm daily that you are dead to sin and alive to God. Present your body as an instrument of righteousness and refuse to share your temple with anything that belongs to darkness. Let the word of God become flesh in you—shaping your thoughts, habits, desires, and responses—until your life testifies of the power of the age to come. Pray that the blood of Jesus covers every space, every arrangement, every person, and every circumstance connected to God's purpose. Send the blood ahead to cleanse, protect, disarm darkness, and secure divine order. Believe that angelic activity increases in places where God intends to move, and that His presence disrupts everything contrary to His will. Declare that oppressed people will not return the same way they came. Speak freedom, healing, restoration, clarity, and destiny alignment over all who encounter God in these moments. Proclaim that hearts will be mended, bodies healed, covenants with darkness broken, addictions destroyed, and lives redirected toward God. Finally, commit to being built up yourself. Do not limit your spiritual growth or accept stagnation. Lay hold of every truth available to you, train yourself in the word, and labor in faith toward every divine promise. Affirm boldly that you are the dwelling place of God, covered by the blood, filled with His Spirit, and unavailable to darkness in any form. Zoom every weekday : http://www.caveadullam.org/zoom

Advent invites us to slow down, quiet our hearts, and prepare for the coming of Christ.In this guided Christian meditation, you’ll reflect on Scripture and rest in God’s peace as you anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Be Still: Advent Meditations for Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love helps you create space in this busy season to experience the presence of Christ and the peace He brings.Download your FREE Advent Guide here. This week, we focus on peace—the peace Jesus came to bring.Peace with God.Peace within ourselves.And peace with one another. In this meditation, we’ll move slowly through several short passages that remind us of the peace Jesus offers—peace that’s not the absence of trouble but the presence of His Spirit with us in the midst of it.Take a few quiet moments today to be still and let His peace settle over you. Helpful Links:Download your FREE Be Still Advent guide here.This journal includes:• All the Scriptures for this series• Weekly reflection prompts• Space to record what God is revealing to you Additional links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Guided Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. Scriptures Read in This Meditation Luke 2:13–14 (NIV)Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” John 14:27 (NIV)Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 16:33 (NIV)I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Revelation 21:3–4 (NIV)“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We all have places in our lives that feel dry, stuck, or long gone—marriages running on fumes, faith that's cooled off, habits we can't break, or a heart that feels more numb than alive. Most of us try harder, push more, or attempt to “fix” ourselves, but Ezekiel shows us something deeper: the problem isn't that we're weak—it's that we're spiritually dead without God's Spirit. And dead things don't need advice; they need resurrection. Tune in as we walk into the valley with Ezekiel and discover how God uses His Word and His Spirit to rebuild what's broken, breathe life where hope has collapsed, and raise us into the people He created us to be. If you've ever wondered whether the dry places in your story can live again, this is your invitation to find out.

In the first message of Learning to Swim, Pastor Daniel Stevens emphasizes that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is an invitation to live fully filled with God — not just experiencing Him from a distance. You don't just dip your toes in; you jump into the deep end and actually learn how to stay in the water. God calls us to live continually empowered and led by His Spirit. Throughout the Bible, the Spirit's baptism is shown to be important and available — from prophecy in the Old Testament to Jesus' teachings and the early Church in Acts. Pastor Daniel also highlights that being saved and being filled are different steps in the believer's walk. The Holy Spirit is already moving in your life, but God has even more — and His promise of the Spirit is still for every believer today. #HolySpiritPower #LifeInTheSpirit #GoodHopeChurch #LearningToSwim #BaptismInTheSpirit #FaithInActionSermon Notes: https://link.goodhope.ag/spirit-1Giving Information: https://goodhope.ag/givingSTAY CONNECTEDYoutube: https://youtube.com/GoodHopeChurchInstagram: http://instagram.com/goodhopemnFacebook: http://fb.com/goodhopemn 

This message looks at what John means in chapter 4 when he says that children of God have overcome the world. We see that in Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension, He has overcome. Therefore, when we accept Him we are given His Spirit and through His Spirit we have already overcome the world. As we then partake in communion, we are reminded that our job is not then to reform the cultures, technologies and systems of this world, but to speak the Word of God to those who are trapped in those systems and invite them to receive Jesus, the Word of Life, so they can overcome. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: 1 John 4:4-6 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on December 7, 2025

Christmas is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year… yet for many of us, it can also feel like the most chaotictime of the year. In this message, Pastor Jason unpacks the very first Christmas story and shows how Mary—highly favored yet greatly troubled—felt the same tension we often feel today.In “Tis The Season for Peace and Chaos,” discover how God meets us in the middle of our mess with three unshakeable promises:His Spirit is with you. His power protects you. His promises are for you.If you're carrying worry, stress, or uncertainty this Christmas, this message will remind you that you are highly favored even on the days you feel greatly troubled.

This message looks at what John means in chapter 4 when he says that children of God have overcome the world. We see that in Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension, He has overcome. Therefore, when we accept Him we are given His Spirit and through His Spirit we have already overcome the world. As we then partake in communion, we are reminded that our job is not then to reform the cultures, technologies and systems of this world, but to speak the Word of God to those who are trapped in those systems and invite them to receive Jesus, the Word of Life, so they can overcome. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: 1 John 4:4-6 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on December 7, 2025

Great Restoration and Revival (3) (audio) David Eells – 12/7/25 Do you know why God speaks to us in parables as in Jesus, the Man-child's day? He said, To hide these things from the wise and prudent that He may reveal them unto babes… I want to share with you some revelations to help you and encourage you to be spiritually prepared for tribulation and the outpouring of the latter rain anointing.   Terrorism, Spiritual Invasion and Apostasy Don Lett - 06/22/2008 (David's notes in red) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph.6:12) (At first, this appears to be a physical terrorist attack, but the further you read on, the more it is revealed to be a spiritual invasion and attack on the U.S. and Christians.) Somehow, I found out about a terrorist attack that was going to occur on an Air Force base where I was staying. Although this base seemed like a normal civilian area. (The U.S. is the eagle of the “Lion with Eagles Wings” of Babylon. It is called this partially because of its air superiority. I believe the U.S. is the air force base in the “normal civilian area”.) I was in a bathroom hiding, and I could see that a group of Caucasian, American-looking men had captured most of the leadership on the base. (The enemy looks like average Americans but has a foreign ideology and spirit.) I looked behind me and saw that the General of the base was incapacitated and a little bloody. He wasn't able to stop this attack. The terrorists were looking for him but couldn't find him. I decided that he was OK and that he would be safely hidden in this bathroom. (The corporate beast spirit body from the pit has infiltrated and captured the minds of most of the leadership of the U.S. and is using them for their one world order purposes against the saints.) In another room to my rear, I could see a baby being watched by an adult. They were safe for the time being in a glass room, but I had no idea what was getting ready to take place. (The alien terrorist attack is happening to raise up this dragon/beast entity over the U.S. and bring down the freedoms we have known in the past. The baby is the newborn corporate Man-child that the beast entity wants to extinguish, as Herod attempted in the Gospels and the dragon will attempt in the Rev.12 end-time parallel. However, this baby, although visible, is safely caught up to heavenly places in Christ. The beast that is taking over all nations is the real terrorist that will make war against the saints.) I was scared, but I also noticed there was an escape route to the rear. I had to warn the authorities on base. I went straight to the guard shack at the check-in point. When I told the guards that I needed to talk to someone immediately about something that was going to occur, an MP car pulled up. They suggested that I inform the MPs who were in the car. They rolled down their window, and I leaned down to begin to tell them about the terrorists. But then I remembered that part of the plan was to infiltrate the base with other terrorists. I wasn't sure if these were real MPs or terrorists in disguise. I asked the MPs in the guard shack if they had ever seen these individuals before. They said no. (We really don't know who can receive our warning of this invasion. Some whom we think are brethren we find out are really the enemy.) I went and spoke to another MP whom they did recognize. As I was explaining to him about the terrorists, several people from my past were walking by and casually listening with interest, but not alarm, like J____. The MP seemed interested but not alarmed either. But it appeared that he would take someone to investigate these claims. (Most authorities will not take this spiritual alien invasion seriously, and others have already been taken over by it.) Next thing you know, I was sitting at a long table with a group of other civilians who were eating. Most of them, it seems, knew that I had found out about this terrorist attack. Some family members then began to brag about T___, who they said was getting these amazing words from God. The method that she was getting this word was from occult spiritualism or witchcraft-type practice. (Many times masquerading as Christian gifts.) They thought of her as a white witch. When they explained this to me, I told them right away that this is not the way that God works and that she was being influenced by a familiar spirit, but they didn't believe me. Just then, a very old friend from my past, S____, began to tell me what a hypocrite I am because of something I had done to him when I was a teenager (30 years or so ago). I told him that I was sorry and explained to him about forgiveness and how I had completely forgotten about this incident that had held him in captivity for so long. I asked him to let it go. (Many will be taken in because they are turned over to the tormentors for their own unforgiveness.) I turned my attention back to T____. My family members continued to press me about how God was speaking through her and that she was a good witch. And I reiterated that God didn't work this way. I told them that if they would meet with me outside, I would lay hands on her and cast this demon out. They still didn't believe me, but decided to meet with me, probably to prove that she was getting the word from God. (Many today pay no attention to the source of knowledge and power in these fakes since they are infiltrated with the enemy, but if we hold fast to the scriptures, we will know them.) While walking to meet with her, I got mixed up in a Catholic procession. They were singing “Amazing Grace”, but I could not get in tune with the way they were singing it. I tried several times and eventually got frustrated and stopped walking and singing with them. (The righteous will not assimilate into the larger end-time Universal, meaning Catholic, religion of the new world order that turns grace into lasciviousness.) I ended up in a different room. I noticed T____ walking with the group as they were walking in a line up a ramped corridor. The wall between us had an opening about one foot high at the neck so that I could see the faces of those walking. T____ was walking with them. I remembered that she looked pretty, but something was very odd about her countenance. Everyone seemed to be walking in an almost trance-like state. (Those who are into the witchcraft of rebellion to the Word will be assimilated by the alien spirits.) I had to go downstairs to meet with her and found myself on an elevator with a bunch of other people. This elevator was wide open without even a handrail. As I was going down the elevator, I was praying that God could do this work through me. I was concerned that I had not been close enough to God lately to cast this powerful demon out. (Closeness to the Lord enables us to be useful in the deliverance of our brethren.) When I came downstairs, there were a lot of activities. A lot of people I knew were playing basketball. I wanted to join them, but I had to take care of this first. I was still very concerned that I wouldn't be able to cast this demon out. Several people stopped me on the way to that side of the room to say hi. I quickly said hi and continued to move toward my cousin. (Most are caught up in the game of competition and scoring points between the sects of Christianity and are unaware of the spiritual alien invasion in their midst.) When I finally made my way past the basketball court, more acquaintances whom I had not seen in a while wanted to say hi. I gave a friend of mine a hug and said hi, and continued to move on. Finally, I got face-to-face with T___. I told her that I was going to lay hands on her, and just as I began to lay hands on her, a very shapely woman, whom I had never met, dressed in a turquoise stretchy dress that was cut very low at the breasts and high on the thighs, came out of nowhere and approached me to hug me. None of this made any sense to me that such a beautiful lady, whom I had never seen before, would come up to me and decide to hug me. I knew this had to be the work of the enemy. (The harlot of apostate Christianity seeks to seduce those who seek to deliver its adherents.) I thought about some of David Eells' teachings, and I held my hand out and said, “Lord, take this demon away from me”. (Or maybe, “Don't allow this demon to touch me”.) I was astonished by what happened next. This lady was lifted off the ground about an inch or two and slid backward about 10 to 15 feet and landed in a chair. She had her back arched, and you could see spiritual demonic activity above her chest. This startled me so much that I awoke from the dream. (The Word will cause the elect to recognize strong delusions of apostasy.)   My Interpretation: The Air Force base is the U.S. “This building (the Pentagon) will be attacked 3 million times today”. It is protected by the Air Force from cyberattacks. Terrorists are not Muslims; they are ordinary-looking Americans. Christian babies are somewhat protected, but they are totally unaware of the dangers. They are protected for a time, but the room is made of glass. These people have infiltrated a large part of our police forces (and government organizations). People will listen mostly out of interest but not out of concern. People have no problem listening to false prophets, but don't believe the Word of God. Satan will attempt to divert us from our mission by using: False prophets Past wrongs you committed Family members False religions You question your confidence in your walk with the Lord Extra-curricular activities Friends Lusts The Personality Profiles: J____- nominal but professing Christians, with very little biblical knowledge and virtually no relationship with Christ S____ - former Christian having fallen from the faith. Atheist or agnostic at best T____ - little or no biblical knowledge, professing a relationship with God   The Cross Revives the Church  Eve Brast - 10/04/2016 (David's notes in red) I dreamed that my son Elijah and I were making our way through crowds of frustrated people in an airport. (Elijah represents the John the Baptist ministry calling God's people to repentance.) (Without repentance God's people cannot live in heavenly places above this world. (Mal.4:5) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come. 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. The children don't know their fathers in the faith. All they have known is Babylonian false prophets and haven't grown up.) The people were angry and frustrated because an announcement had been made overhead that all flights were "delayed" and no one knew why. (Flights being delayed are representative of earthly bondages continuing.) Why do earthly bondages continue? They don't know their need because they don't know their spiritual fathers. (Eph.1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ... All of our needs are supplied in heavenly places by abiding in Christ, Who is the Word. When we do not depart from the Word, we are a heavenly creation with heavenly benefits. Right behind John's repentance came Jesus and the church fathers.) (I asked Father for a word concerning the announcement of the delayed flights in the airport and received (Isa.1:25) I will turn my hand on you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin. 26 I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors (Fathers) as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called 'The city of righteousness, a faithful town'.) As we came up to the last terminal (time is running out), an older woman with blonde hair that had streaks of gray throughout, wearing a head covering, came up to us and pleaded with us to come and help her daughter, who was being a rebellious teenager. She was concerned because her daughter would not obey her concerning staying home and helping her clean the house and her bedroom. (Representing sanctification or "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord".) She kept sneaking out of the house to hang out with her friends at the mall and go shopping. (This woman represents the original church whose daughter has gone astray [in immature rebellion]. I believe there is one daughter in this dream because she represents the elect of God who will return to the true church. (Time is running out for the rebels to escape the power of this world before the judgments come. (Rom.2:3) And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? (The rebellious teenager/church is about to miss her plane to safety.) (Luk.21:34) But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare: 35 for so shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth. (Meaning those not in heavenly places in Christ.) 36 But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Heb.2:3) how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard. (Heavenly places is to be caught up to the throne of God's authority over this cursed world.) 4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will. 5 For not unto angels did he subject the world to come, whereof we speak. 6 But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8 Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet. (To be in the heavens is to have everything worldly and all of the curse under your feet.) For in that he subjected all things unto him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him. (Whose fault is that? Jesus said that we have heavenly authority over this earth and its curse in (Mat.16:19) I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Rev.3:21) He that overcometh (the teenager rebellion and lust), 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.) While the woman was lamenting to us about the daughter, I noticed an escalator off to the side of the terminal. I noticed that there were many people packed onto the downside (falling away) and only two or three individuals going up on the upside (those ascending to heavenly throne authority) to the next level. (Only one out of the four bore fruit in the parable of the sower.) (We are called to heavenly places, which are in Christ. Much of the church is earth-bound because they have not learned to abide in Christ, Who is the Word.) Then the woman's voice came back into my focus and hearing as Elijah was agreeing that we would go with her to her house and help her daughter. (The Bride will bring repentance to the rebellious church but not before some judgment arrives.) The scene changed as we found ourselves standing at the entrance to the daughter's bedroom from within the house. The mother was opening the door and gesturing for us to enter. Her daughter's room looked like a shop at the mall. (Love of the earthly stops one from receiving love of the heavenly places.) Shoe displays and mannequin torsos were displaying risqué teen clothing. (Many are in idolatry [and lust] with the world.) The mother explained that the daughter was hardly ever home, choosing to be at the mall and with her friends over home life with the family. (The heavenly family has been departed from, for earthly pursuits. We all know people like this who are full of excuses, but they will find out too late that they didn't eat their Word.) Elijah and I (Eve, the Bride) began to walk around the room to get an idea of what to say to the daughter and how to help her. I noticed a white door with glass panes in the top half, and on the other side of the room, which led into the room from the outside. There was a short hall entryway between the room and the door. (The door is Christ and represents salvation.) I noticed some activity going on in the entryway. (This is where most of the Church stops, not bearing the fruit of Christ in their soul and ministry.) David was busy doing something. Then Michael came up to us and began explaining about a project that David had been working on for a while for this girl. Michael showed me a few of the nails that he had helped gather for the project. He had quite a few gathered in a small silver metal bucket near the wall of the entryway. (The nails are to hold our flesh on our cross so that we may have the resurrection life of Christ in heavenly places of throne authority.) (David and Michael are representative of the Man-child ministers who have been prepared and are preparing for this end-time harvest.) Suddenly, a bunch of the Local UBM brethren came into the room in the same direction that Elijah and I had entered. I saw that everyone was cooperating with one another to transform the daughter's room. (The apostate Church will see a role model in the Bride that they never did in their leadership.) I saw M. L. consulting with the other ladies to alter all the clothing into more appropriate things for the daughter to wear. (The mature don't flash flesh, they crucify it. Modesty is a necessity.) The men were discussing how to move around some of the shelves (too many of God's things are on shelves) and bring in appropriate furniture for a bedroom. (To rest in faith in God's promises.) (Being in one accord and one Spirit with body ministry for our little sister.) (It appears a little sister was matured and glorified. (Psa.45:13) The king's daughter within the palace is all glorious: Her clothing is inwrought with gold. 14 She shall be led unto the king in broidered work: The virgins her companions that follow her Shall be brought unto thee. 15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be led: They shall enter into the king's palace. 16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, Whom thou shalt make princes in all the earth. And it appears that she became a spiritual mother to many.) Then the door to the outside opened, and David stepped over the threshold carrying a large, lightweight transparent cross over his right shoulder. (The Davids will first bear the cross to death of themselves so that they may give it to others. (Heb.12:2) looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.) Michael said excitedly, "There it is. That's the project!" I asked Father for a word concerning David and Michael and the project and received 1 Timothy 2:5 (context: 5,6). (1Ti.2:5) For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne in its own times. (Just as Jesus paid the price for us to be freed, so will He do it in the Man-child, and much fruit will be borne. (Joh.12:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit.) David knelt down and gently laid the cross down with the foot at the threshold and the head where the room began. He reached over the cross and pulled the bucket of nails toward him as Michael went over and handed him a heavy hammer. As David pulled the nails out of the bucket, they began to light up a beautiful sky blue like neon signs. He nailed them in groups of three at all four points on the cross. (Giving others an example of death to self. There were 12 blue nails representing discipleship. This cross bridges the gap so that those who are without can enter the house. (Representing the now-holy house and place of heavenly provision. No cross, no crown.]) Once David had finished, the daughter came home, and as she stood looking in amazement at the entryway, she couldn't believe that David had cared enough to do that for her. She was so touched that she had to come in and see the rest of the room. (The Church's eyes will be opened through the crucifixion of the Man-child, and they will enter into the Kingdom life.) She was amazed at how we had all worked together to transform her room, and she really liked what she saw. Everything was so new to her as she walked around admiring the transformation. I went over to her as she stood in front of some shelves that the men had restored. I watched her pick up some sort of tool off the shelf, wondering what it was. It had a part of it that glowed blue like the nails in the cross. I began to explain to her what it was and how to use it. Her face was filled with wonder as I watched her transform before my eyes into a young boy with beautiful blonde hair. (The transformation of our little sister into Christlikeness through our witness and examples. Showing her how to use the tools of the Gospel in order to overcome.) Then I woke up. I asked Father for a verse or text for this dream and received by random John 20:19 (context: 19-23). (Joh.20:19) When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. (Proofs of crucifixion and resurrection.) The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (Through spiritual crucifixion and resurrection.) 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit (The great power of God to lose our life to gain Jesus' life and ministry.): 23 whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.   Spiritual Food for the Tribulation Janie McManus - 04/30/2009 (David's notes in red) Generally, I wake up early, by 6:00 AM, to pray and read the Word, but this morning when I awoke, I wanted to sleep some more. It was my day off and I had a long list of things to do, and I thought, Oh no, what will happen if I stay in bed? Then I sensed the Holy Spirit say, “Sleep. I want to give you a gift”. I drifted off into sleep and dreamed I was within a group of people being herded along urban streets, and jostling among folks. (This is in the hard times of tribulation when the World Beast will take charge of people's lives.) I realized that I was not among people I knew, but we seemed about the same middle, lower-middle class crowd -- no one too fancy, and basically healthy. So I am standing in the middle of all these sacks of grain, and we have to move, suddenly, like we were being driven, so I asked the ones around me, “Can you help me carry these sacks?” (The Word we need to live by), and they laughed, saying, “No need to drag that along; we get plenty to eat”. (Those who set aside obedience to the scripture.) But I figured, this is perfectly good grain, and I am not going to just throw it away, so I loaded my pack and pockets, and we walked and jogged on. (Revival among the poor, outside the camp of mainstream churchianity, who will “load up” on the grain of God's Word.) Soon we stopped, out on this country road, and long board tables were set out, and we were instructed to line up on the sides, and then plates were put in front of us filled with this mush, which, on closer inspection, was filled with maggots. Looking up and down the length of the table, I saw people just pick up the plates and start shoveling it in. (The Beast and their false prophets will feed their corrupt teachings to the spiritually starving.) Needless to say, I was NOT hungry, so I wandered away from the table and snatched a few grains to chew on.  Immediately, I could hear the boots of these uniformed troops as they rushed up to the table to see if the food was eaten and all the plates were empty, except mine. In a gruff voice, they asked, “Whose plate is this?” and everyone who had been alongside me turned and pointed to me, but the troops just stormed past me, as though I wasn't there. (Martial law will enforce the harlot's wishes on the multitudes, as in Jesus' day. Our site has testimonies of people being invisible to the enemy as they served the Lord. Jesus passed through the midst of those who would kill Him. Peter passed two trained guards as an angel led him out of prison.) This wearying trek of meals and marching kept being repeated, and I just munched on my grain and shared with anyone who asked for some. (The righteous will carry the Word to those hungry for life.) At first, everyone liked the sweet taste, but they didn't like chewing it, so they spit it out, preferring the gruel. (The clean beasts chew the cud until the Word is thoroughly digestible and useful to the body.) The ones who did eat from both sources became sort of shadowy and wispy (spiritual), but also fearful, and they began to hide. (Those who begin to mix the Word in with their traditions become more spiritual, but their corrupt lives are condemned, and they fear the Lord without an understanding of grace.) Then they refused to eat what I offered and they became “solid” (fleshly) again but everyone had sort of an oily, flabby, fleshy muscle tone, and they wheezed in an unhealthy way. (Those who hear the Word and turn back to walk in the flesh will be cursed. (2 Pet.2:20) For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. 21 For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.) Eventually, we came to a small strip mall that had already been looted, and all the folks rushed into the ransacked stores to see if there was anything they could yet steal. Some were stuffing CDs and techno things into their packs, which was dumb, since they had no electricity or batteries. (The mall represents the buying and selling of the merchants of Babylonish Christianity. They don't know that they have been plundered of anything useful and what is left is useless and powerless.) In the strip mall, I saw that there was a Christian bookstore and, although the windows were smashed, the shelves had been swept clear (no knowledge of God left) and piles of books were on the floor. (What knowledge was there was on the lowest level. The smashed windows represent no clear vision.) I went and picked up a book off the floor and, when I lifted it, all this ash fell out; I looked at the pages, and they were completely empty. When I sifted through the ashes, I found a few little stones. When I licked one off, it proved to be a tiny diamond, hard and translucent. (The only value in the teachings of Babylon is when they quote the scriptures. Nothing else will endure the fires of tribulation.) I wrestled with whether I ought to pocket the tiny diamonds or leave them behind. I searched for some Bibles but found none. (The Word will not be found in the government-approved churches.) I went up to a full bookshelf and opened a standing book. Instantly, the printed words crumbled and slid off the page -- all of them except some bold-print quotes. Suddenly, these leapt off the page and coiled up like microfilm (hidden treasures) and fell at my feet. I realized these words were direct Bible quotes and they were the tiny diamonds. So I scooped up as many as I could gather before the marching orders were barked out. (The Bible will be treasured by the hungry and destroyed by the wicked.) The people were gathering out in the front parking lot of the mall, so I went out to join them. They saw all the diamonds I had, tackled me and looted me! They were shaking me down and gulping down the diamonds by the fistful, without even chewing them, and then left me on the curb, in the middle of nowhere, and went on. (Those apostates who hear but do not digest the Word of truth will persecute the righteous. (Mat.7:6) Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you.) I saw that the back door of the store was standing open, and I dragged myself over to the door. There was an enormous interior space that was floored like a warehouse, and there were people in low wheelchairs scooting back and forth, from one end of the mall to the other. I felt afraid for them, realizing that they were the ones who would be culled from the herd, but I “understood” that these were below the radar: “In their weakness, God's strength is made perfect”; so, even though they were physically handicapped, they were rather healthier than the others. (Those whom the world considers crippled and unworthy of its company, God chooses and protects. (1 Cor.1:26) For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; 28 and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, [yea] and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are: 29 that no flesh should glory before God.) On the far end, there was a kindly woman who was feeding the handicapped handfuls of the diamonds. The kindly woman was spry and very old (strength and maturity); she came up and asked me if I was a Christian. I said yes, and then she asked, “How do you know?” I began sobbing and saying, “I was hungry and thirsty” (I felt like a little child who was over-tired). I then said, “Because I only want to eat diamonds” (You know you are a Christian when you hunger and thirst for the pure Word. (Mat.18:3) and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.) This made me cry even more because I felt I had given the wrong answer. I started wailing and weeping and saying, “I gave all the grain I had to the others, and they hate me. I try to walk with them and I share what I have, and I don't make trouble”. (Many “on fire Christians” have had the sad experience of trying but failing to fit in among the apostates and being persecuted for it.) I went on and on about all the stuff I had done, knowing it all sounded so foolish, and I was overcome with exhaustion and was sobbing uncontrollably. (Failure to reach many lost souls with the true Word will be a grief to many saints.) She gently put her hand on my shoulder and said, “You must go on now”. Suddenly, she paused, turned and asked me, “Do you know how to get more diamonds whenever you want?” Before I answered, she held up a single page of NT scripture for me to see. The page was almost sheer, and the lettering was moving like tiny rivulets of water (as “living water”) and she asked me, “Do you recognize any of this?” I began crying and with such intense joy that it hurt, and I could not even see through my tears. I reached up to try and grab the whole page to try to stuff it in my mouth, but she would not let me lay hold of it. (Reading it too fast and missing the details.) Laughing, she said, “No, you sit still and read the words so you can hear what they say and see what they mean”. Calming myself down, I sat to read, and whenever I came to words I knew, they suddenly froze and became like a sticker or label. (As we meditate on the Word, it becomes real to us -- digested into our being.) She said, “Peel them off and eat that,” so I did just that. Some passages I ate 10 or 15 times, but immediately after peeling off the label/passage, they were replaced. So, like a hungry man, I gorged myself and thought I could eat until I fell asleep. She said, “Now, you can keep eating whenever you want, or you can lug the grain sack around”. I was puzzled and asked, “Where will I carry it?” and she said, “It is in your mind and in your heart, but you must stand still and look for it and ask for it; there it will be”. (There is a time when we only carry the Word of God in our hand, but as we digest it, the Holy Spirit is able to bring it up out of our hearts to meet the needs around us.) Then she again said, “You must go on now”. Now I was greatly strengthened, rested and fed. I even began to wake up, ready to conquer the day, but I heard her voice say, “Wait, there is more”, and I fell into sleep again, into the same dream. I was being dragged out of the crowd in the middle of a campground by some of the people I had fed earlier, and they began dragging me toward the troops. I didn't feel a bit afraid and I wasn't resisting. I said to them, “Let's just stand here; they can come over to us”, which they did immediately! (The apostate church will use the beast government to persecute those whose doctrine doesn't please their flesh.) The troops asked, “Where is she?” and the others said, “Right here, between us”, which I thought was odd; they would have had to be blind not to see me. (God will, in some cases, physically blind the wicked to protect His saints. They are “hidden with Christ in God”. The spiritual blindness of the OT law and the letter of the Word “veils” the eyes and mind of apostate persecutors.) So they instructed the ones holding me to restrain me, but I calmly stood up straight and tall, and watched as one of the troops lifted an enormous sword (like in the movie Braveheart) high above his head, and in slow motion watched it drop to the crown of my head. It sliced me right in half, all the way to my ankles, and there at my feet were all my clothes and all around my feet was a pile of these diamonds, like I was some sort of grain sack that had been slit open. (Just as Jesus was “the Word made flesh”, so it will be with His disciples. The persecution will reveal this to those who have eyes to see.) I felt the embarrassment of a dream when you are completely naked, yet no one even saw me, so I stood still. The ones holding my arms let go of me and dove on top of my clothing and started tearing them, eating them, ripping them up, and passing them around. (When Jesus was naked and crucified, they parted His garments. The garments of the righteous represent the “righteous acts of the saints”, as in Rev.19:8,14. The apostates devour the righteous through their denigrating words and accusations. (Gal.5:15) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.) Oddly, everyone wanted some of the fabric, and everyone was gobbling up the diamonds, but completely forgot about me. (In the same way, they will criticize the truths of the Word that the saints have become, but God will reprobate them.) When they turned away to march on, I noticed that no longer were they people, but almost like half-pig, half-human, and the feces that fell behind them were loaded with the diamonds -- unchewed, undigested, and unharmed -- just dirty. (Like sows that had washed, they return to wallow in the mire. The church world and its greedy leadership have polluted the truths of God's Word. They have not digested the true meaning of the Scriptures. Please read all of Eze.34. Verse (Eze.34:18) Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have fed upon the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture? and to have drunk of the clear waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? 19 And as for my sheep, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet, and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.) I reached out, hesitant to touch the “stuff” but saw my hand was covered in a white glove, so I looked for something to put the rescued diamonds in and wondered where I would get water to wash them off. I squatted down and saw (to my relief) that my knees were covered in this satiny, sheer curtain-like fabric, and low down I could hear water trickling. (The humble may go to their knees to find wisdom from God to turn the polluted hearts of the deceived to the pure Word. The white glove represents works of righteousness, as you take the clean water of the Word and Spirit.) I noticed then that ALL OVER the ground lay bodies of dead people. I was horrified and astounded. So I stood up and began to sing. The more I sang, the more clearly I could see the bodies. Some were being eaten by grubs, but others were rather like fertile ground, and when I flipped them over, they were filled with earthworms. In those bodies, I “planted” some of the diamonds, just out of curiosity. Suddenly, I watched the diamonds unfurl, and all the letters began sprouting roots and tendrils; they were alive! I became engrossed in putting out the diamonds, like one planting seeds by hand in a furrow. (The true gospel saves, heals, delivers, and resurrects those who are dead in sin.) When I looked back, the field was filling with people coming out of the ground, who immediately turned to begin tilling the ground and planting bodies! We were all quite busy and a multitude was coming alive. (The sowers of the Word will sow the seed and bring forth life in others, who in turn go to work in the field.) I woke myself up, shook off sleep, got out of bed, and went to start a load of laundry, thinking, ‘Now that was weird!' (We have been exhorted by this dream to clean up the garments of our works so that we are not partakers of the defilements of Babylon by their religious spirits. (Exo.19:10) And Jehovah said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to-day and to-morrow, and let them wash their garments... (Num. 8:21) And the Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes... (31:24) And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean; and afterward ye shall come into the camp.) I have a little box of scripture verses that are about 70 years old, from my grandmother's house, next to my washing machine. So, waiting for the water to fill the tub, I chose a card at random to read; it was (Mat. 7:7) Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.   Wolves and the John the Baptist Revival Eve Brast - 04/27/2016 (David's notes in red) Wolves of all kinds wait to pick off the new believers in this revival before they can mature. Pray for them, brethren, and do spiritual warfare against the demonic enemies. This repentance revival must succeed, or a great curse will come upon this country. John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah, according to Jesus. (Mal.4:5) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come. (6) And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Are these apostate leaders the children's fathers? No, the early Church fathers are their fathers. And the Man-child, Bride, and witnesses are their fathers. This revival will point them to these fathers. I dreamed I had just given birth to my son Elijah on top of a large white round table in the center of a cafeteria. My husband was standing to my right and holding my hand. (Her husband represents the Lord.) He was so happy and proud of his new son. We both knew the baby was very special. (I believe this represents the Bride birthing through prayer the John the Baptist revival, which precedes Jesus in the Man-child reformers.) Then, some cafeteria workers posing as hospital nursery employees came to take Elijah to the nursery and asked us if we wanted him circumcised. (Cafeteria workers are they who feed spiritual or, in this case not spiritual food. They are acting as though they are ordained to take care of this revival, to cut away the flesh, but it is they who are flesh. The false leaders always try to hijack any true revival trying to impose their unscriptural foolishness. We must do warfare against this.) My husband emphatically said, “No. That's not necessary anymore”. So they left the room with Elijah. I assumed they would take care of him. (We bind this leaven masquerading as Christianity from this repentance revival.) I then went and got in line with some other people to get a tray of food. The cafeteria workers all had disposable white hair nets. A young, tall, lanky guy and a short woman put various food items on my plate and handed me the tray. I saw that they had put shredded pork on my plate, and I said, “I'm not allowed to eat pork. My husband doesn't allow it”. (This is spiritual. Our Lord does not allow us to partake of their unclean fleshly nature, words, spirits and teachings. Like pigs, their god is their belly.) When my hand touched the tray, I had an open vision. I saw Elijah lying on the floor in pain in another room. The cafeteria workers who had posed as hospital nursery workers had circumcised him and botched the procedure in addition. They had also stuffed pork into his mouth and he was lying there half choked from it. (These apostate ministries cutting off what they call “flesh” from this revival. Their unscriptural, overindulgent lives prove they do not know what flesh is. Adding their pork as a type of their unclean demon doctrines to choke the revival.) When the vision ended, I was back over at the table where I had given birth to Elijah. I was telling my husband what they had done to him, and then the “nursery worker” came up with the dried foreskin in her hand. She had a strange necklace around her neck with many others hanging from it, and she placed Elijah's dried foreskin onto her necklace, too. It was like a bizarre trophy necklace or something. (The demons in the false revival people want to claim this revival as their own for selfish ambition.) My husband was so angry that they did this to his son. I hurried into the room where they had left him to suffer and choke to death. I quickly picked him up and performed the infant version of the Heimlich maneuver on him that I had learned in a CPR class that I took at the hospital. (They must not be cut off from the breath of the Spirit.) I took a white baby blanket and wrapped him up in it, and carried him out of that cafeteria building and walked with him on a white covered concrete walkway over to the large UBM warehouse next door. (Just as John said in (Joh.3:30) He must increase, but I must decrease. The John the Baptist revival will morph into the Man-child revival of the Unleavened Bread and signs and wonders. But for God's people to escape the judgments promised, there must be repentance. This revival must succeed.)   THE CONDITION FOR PROPHECY TO COME TO PASS OR NOT AND THE CURSE (Jer.18:1) The word which came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying, (2) Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. (3) Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he was making a work on the wheels. (4) And when the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. (5) Then the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, (6) O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith Jehovah. Behold, as the clay in the potter's hand, so are ye in my hand, O house of Israel. (This pot has to be handled roughly to get the clay back in a moldable form. This remolding of the clay historically has involved judgment until the clay is repentant.) (7) At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy it; (8) if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. (9) And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; (10) if they do that which is evil in my sight, that they obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. (11) Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings. (12) But they say, It is in vain; for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart.   Great Holy Spirit Revival & Escape Eve Brast - 05/04/2016 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was in the spirit, floating right above the waters of the Red Sea. (This is after the Passover that brought death to the Egyptians and freedom to God's people just before the wilderness tribulation on the other side of the sea.) I was looking toward the bank on the shore, which was dark. (The way of escape from Pharaoh's army or martial law is not clear.) I saw a small tongue of fire come down out of heaven and alight on top of the waters. (The tongue of fire is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Act.2:3) And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. This individual tongue of fire is the anointed Man-child from Heaven. This is the Man-child revival that follows the John the Baptist revival. Like Moses they are to bring the people into and through the wilderness tribulation.) Suddenly, all the waters were set on fire and they parted with great force and power as if Moses himself had struck them with his staff! (Jesus in the Man-child by His Word and anointing will divide the sea and make a way of escape from Pharaoh's army and his FEMA camps, as Moses did. (Exo.14:16) And lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go into the midst of the sea on dry ground.) They became two flaming walls of fire, and between them, the tongue of fire landed on the dry seabed, and it lit up the shoreline. (The anointed Man-child made the way of escape clear when it looked impossible.) I could then see a set of 12 stone steps (representing the 12 tribes of New Testament Spiritual Israel) leading down from the top of the shoreline to the seabed. Then all these modern-day people from all the different denominations were lit up in the dark, and they began descending the steps to go across. A man who was also dressed in modern-day clothing was the first to descend and was at the head of them to go into the wilderness and on to the Promised Land. Then I woke up. (What would it take to unify all the true people of God to seek Him and spiritually leave Egypt, as a type of the world, and head toward the promises of the Promised Land? The John the Baptist repentance revival would have wised up many to the bondage of the Pharisees and Sadducees and their dead religion by then. Pharaoh had made slaves of the people of God, somewhat like our Pharaoh, and fierce judgments had fallen on the worldly at Passover. Could this be engineered economic collapse, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and martial law? The judgments on Egypt so the people can escape. I asked the Lord, “Will martial law come?” and got two heads for “yes”. I asked, “Can it be overturned by our faith?” and got two tails for “no”. And this was fulfilled for we are in it now. Pharaoh's army was about to bring them into bondage when God divided the Red Sea. At this point, they were unified by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (1Co.10:1) For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud [baptism of the Holy Spirit] and in the sea [water baptism].) I asked the Lord, if we went the Trump route, would the earthquakes not come and He said, “No”. In other words, the quakes are coming. They are a sign of the coming Man-child reformers.   White Glove Inspection Sandy Shaw - 2/11/18 (David's notes in red) At the beginning of this dream, I am standing in front of an extraordinarily large white house. In real life, there is no way that you would see a house this large on Earth. (At this time, there are no people who this white house can represent but the Bride. Certainly not the larger Church. But the Bride's job is to bring this purity to the Church as did Jesus' early disciples.) The steps leading up to the door were made of gold. (The steps of Gold are the most valuable steps a person could take to go through the door who is Jesus.) But the top step had an adjoining white marble floor that ran throughout the whole house. There are two pillars that start where the gold ends. There were two double doors, bright white (Lampros garment of the Bride) made of a substance that I didn't know. (This entrance represents righteous acts Rev.19:8 And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright [Greek: Lampros] and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. The gold plates around the door handles had an intricate design around the edges. The handles were of round crystal. I opened the doors and in front of me is a huge room. And I strained my eyes to see how far it goes. Then I looked to the left of me, and there were hundreds of doors to the rooms and the same on the right. I'm wearing a white robe with white gloves to the elbows. (The Bride cleaning her house, representing righteous Works) I went to the first door and went to the upper right-hand corner, and then went diagonally down to the left corner. I opened the door and went into the room and closed the door. And did it again on the opposite side. Then I opened the door. And then I inspected the walls. I took my finger and by my height, I slid it across to the corner. (The white glove inspection. If dirt comes up on the finger, there is unrighteousness in the house of the Bride.) Then, from the wall, I bent down to inspect the floor. It passed inspection, so I walked to the bed, bent down, and put my hand under the bed and then I stood up. Then I looked at the bed. (Representing the rest through faith) It was made up of white satin-like fabric. I can see my handprint from kneeling down, so I took my hands and smoothed out the wrinkle that I had made. (The Bride is the first of the Church to be without spot and wrinkle.) The three white pillows were soft and very inviting. Then I walked to the nightstand and gave it the white glove test. There was a beautiful crystal vase. In it were a dozen white roses all at the perfect stage of openness. (Fruit born through water of the Word – A present from the Groom. Rev. 22:1 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, The fragrance of them was throughout the whole room. Then I looked to see the amount of water in the vase. The only color in this dream was the stems. Then I walked to the window and pushed aside the curtain. The window was so clear that you couldn't see it. (Pure of sight) Then I took my finger and went from the upper right corner to go diagonally to the left. There were two windows in the room. They were open an inch each. A slight breeze was coming in. (Breath of the Holy Spirit) Now there was a coolness that blended with the warmness, and you felt it together to make a perfect temperature. I then checked the curtains, and then I walked to the door. I turned around to look at the room for the last time. I noticed that the curtains were barely moving with a slight breeze. Then I remembered to look up at the ceiling. There was no ceiling...just a beautiful deep blue. (Heavenly perspective. Son shining in.) I did this in all the rooms on the right and on the left. In the huge room, I ran my finger over the floor while walking to the kitchen. The kitchen has a white swivel door. Everything is still white. The first thing I saw was a row of ovens. (To bake the pure unleavened Bread of the Word and Body of the Bride.) I know that there are forty ovens. I walk over to give them the test. Then from there I went to the four vintage farmhouse sinks, and they passed inspection. Then I went to the four huge refrigerators, and I opened them. There was no food in them. (To be pure and white, you must have eaten the food of the bread and wine of the life of Jesus.) Inside was only a rectangular glass container that held water with a silver spigot. (Silver kills contaminants in Water. The Water of the Word must be clean of leaven.) All four refrigerators were the same. Then I did the floor test again. There was a door on the right side of the kitchen that went into a very small hall. This led into a big room. At the other end of the room was a huge chair that looked like it was made for a giant. A man was sitting in it with pure white hair and garment. (Rev.1:13 and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle. 14 And his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire.) I walked slowly and said very softly, “Sir,” and he said, “Yes.” The inspection is done.” And he said, “OK.” Then I woke up. My feeling was one of total relief and acceptance from Him, and He was pleased. I received by faith at random this text for this dream: Finger was on vs 26, “he made.” Acts 17:24 The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: 28 for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. 30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:   Worldwide Holy Spirit Outpouring  Samuel Paguaga - 09/21/2010 (David's notes in red) I think this dream tops all my spiritual dreams in its intensity and revelation. In it, I was in a small gathering of sorts. We were talking and then praying. A bit more had happened before that, but I think the point of this event is that none of what had happened before this mattered. All of a sudden, it was like when you step out of your home straight into the sun at noon. I was overwhelmed with light/energy, not as much as to blind the eyes, but more of a light/energy that penetrated to every cell and fiber of my body. I felt I was no longer physical or fleshly but a new being. As I looked straight forward in front of me, the physical world began to fade, but not because it was disappearing; it was because I began to perceive it in a new way, with new senses, and everything became almost transparent. I looked up and began to speak words in a new language. I was confessing something. Although I could not understand the words, I could feel them in my being. The words were energizing and vibrating my being, my frequency, my entity, my spirit. It was as if all of me became one: my spirit with my mind and my body. As I began to speak, my perception of my surroundings grew. I could feel, perceive, and see all those around me who were experiencing the same thing. First, the two people beside me; then, outwardly, the people in the place; then the whole block; then the city, and then the whole Earth. We, disciples of Christ, were all one and not because we perceived each other, but because we were confessing the same words and because the same flow of energy and power of the Holy Spirit was flowing through us. Although there was a worldwide outpouring, only the vessels of glory, the vessels of light, were filled to the seal. (This could be the first-fruits outpouring at the beginning of the tribulation.) I could feel the power and energy flowing through me, vibrating every part of my being. I spoke words and feelings became more and more intense, so much so that I could not even begin to describe them. I saw everything as white, yellowish, and orange lights, as if everything was transparent. I felt one with the source, at one with the words, and as one with everyone confessing these words. All these feelings of oneness occurred at three distinct levels. All of this along with a feeling of peace; it was as if this was a new nature, and I knew what it was. I experienced the whole thing even when I awoke. It seemed like I knew what was happening. I knew what the source was, what the energy and power was, and the meaning of the words. I woke up shortly afterward, possibly on the last word spoken, although in the dream it seemed like from that point on things would not be the same. As I awoke, I could almost feel the vibration of energy in my being as it dispersed into the normality of my awakened state. I always wondered, what does it mean to be one with God and His Christ and His Spirit ... and now I know. 

Before the cross, Jesus gathered His closest friends in an upstairs room. What He shared there would change everything; words of love, unity, and the promise of His Spirit. In this series we step into that room to experience the heart of Jesus and what it means to walk closely with Him today.

Thankful for the Holy Spirit and Fire • Friday Service Website: www.toddcoconato.com | www.pastortodd.org To give and support this ministry and these broadcasts: www.toddcoconato.com/give FULL SCRIPTURES (NKJV): 1. 1 Kings 18:38 (NKJV) “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust; and it licked up the water that was in the trench.” 2. Matthew 3:11 (NKJV) “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” 3. Acts 4:31 (NKJV) “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” 4. Acts 1:8 (NKJV) “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 5. James 5:17–18 (NKJV) “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” 6. Galatians 5:16 (NKJV) “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” 7. Romans 8:11 (NKJV) “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” 8. Acts 2:3–4 (NKJV) “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” 9. John 14:16–17 (NKJV) “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” 10. Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) “So he answered and said to me: ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.'”

Our emotions may shift, but God's will remains steady. Instead of letting feelings rule, we choose faith—trusting His wisdom and surrendering to His Spirit. In every moment, may His peace guide our steps.

We were created in the image and likeness of God, and through Christ we have become His body on the earth. On the day of Pentecost, God poured out His Spirit so that His people could walk in His mind, His wisdom, His character, His power, and His authority. The same Spirit that was in Jesus now lives in us—not because we earned it, but because of grace. Fasting and prayer don't qualify us for anointing; they simply bring our hearts closer to God so that His Spirit can move freely through us. Jesus is the perfect example of the fivefold ministry—apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher—and His characteristics shaped everything He did. He was passionate, compassionate, loving, forgiving, interruptible, truthful, and full of authority. Because of who He was, He healed, delivered, restored, taught, and commanded the world around Him. That same supernatural power is not found in the natural man but in the Holy Spirit working within us. Though we are not perfect, God still chooses to use us because of grace. As His followers, we are called to extend His work in every area of influence He assigns to us—from the local to the global—living out His character and continuing His ministry in the world today.

In today's message, Pastor Jack encourages us to believe for greater “latter day blessings” in our lives—more joy, health, provision, and spiritual growth—just as God promised to pour out His Spirit in the last days. He warns us that fear, which makes us believe our losses are permanent, can delay or hinder these blessings. Using examples from Scripture, such as Israel's delay in entering the Promised Land and Sarah conceiving past natural age, Pastor Jack urges us to choose faith over fear, to speak words that align with God's promises, and to actively believe for more, because God works through our faith to restore and increase what has been lost or delayed in our lives.Tune in now!Join us for service every Sunday at 9 and 11am (PST) and Wednesday at 7pm (PST)If you received Christ through this message, text JESUS to (253) 859-0832We would love to hear how God is touching your life through this ministry! Tell us your story in the comments!If you would like to partner with us financially, online giving is available through PushPay:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theriver.church/give/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.theriver.church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.facebook.com/riveroflifekent ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.twitter.com/riveroflifekent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.instagram.com/riveroflifekent ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.theriver.church/app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Crystal Rivers | Kingdom Mysteries | Dec 3, 2025 Step into this season by deliberately dedicating yourself, your time, and your inner life to the Lord, knowing that nothing done in the flesh can produce the fruit heaven desires. Yield fully to the Holy Spirit, who alone empowers true prayer, lifts you beyond distraction, and aligns your heart with the purposes of God. Approach Him with the awareness that small moments of surrender often become the ignition points of great spiritual acceleration—tiny sacrifices that open the way to extraordinary encounters. Let the Spirit make your heavenly seat tangible to you; as you pray, allow the truth of Zion—your place among angels, the righteous perfected, and the blood that speaks better things—to reshape how you see yourself and your authority in the Spirit. Recognize your identity as one born from above, privileged with divine access, wealth, inheritance, and nearness to God Himself. Delight in the Word of God until meditation becomes both instinctive and irresistible. Affection gives meditation its strength, so cultivate joy in Scripture by immersing yourself repeatedly until your soul erupts with hunger and revelation. Refuse spiritual superficiality—do not settle for leaves without roots. Instead, push beyond inspiration into transformation, crossing the threshold where encounter becomes explosion and the seed of God produces fruit after His kind. Plant yourself deeply in the rivers of living water, allowing the continual flow of the Spirit to renew your mind, stabilize your emotions, and empower consistent obedience. Embrace the discipline that binds the sacrifice to the altar—structure your life, guard your atmosphere, silence distractions, and create rhythms that keep your soul anchored in devotion. Offer yourself without reserve, trusting that the consuming fire of God refines, purifies, and reshapes you into His likeness. Let your worship become identity: become the sacrifice, become the offering, become the fragrance that rises continually before Him. As you do, His Spirit works within you, removing blemishes, uprooting rebellion, burning away resistance, and imprinting the realities of Christ upon your soul. Expect peace, clarity, instruction, and stirring as you dwell in His presence. Expect joy in the house of the Lord. Expect cravings for communion to rise within you like holy instincts. Stand in watchfulness and priestly responsibility, lifting intercession for believers in dangerous regions or under persecution. Call forth divine intervention, angelic deliverance, supernatural warnings, and miraculous protection. Pray that their strength is renewed, their spiritual senses sharpened, and their lives preserved by the mercy of God. Even for those who may face martyrdom, pray that their journey aligns only with the perfect will of the Lord and that heaven's purpose is upheld without fear or interruption. Stay sensitive to spiritual signals—those warnings sent repeatedly by the Spirit—not treating them lightly but responding with urgency, discernment, and readiness. Ask for ears that hear clearly, hearts that respond quickly, and minds that understand heaven's timing. Reject dullness. Reject delay. Embrace spiritual intelligence, alertness, and obedience so that the purposes of God are not hindered by distraction or slothfulness. Live every moment anchored in your heavenly identity, rooted in the Word, bound to the altar, empowered by the Spirit, and devoted to the purposes of God. Allow consecration to shape your decisions, hunger to shape your habits, revelation to shape your worldview, and worship to shape your posture. Walk as one who knows their place in Zion, who moves with authority and tenderness, who intercedes with power and compassion, and who steps boldly into every day as a living sacrifice saturated with the presence, wisdom, and fire of God. Zoom every weekday : http://www.caveadullam.org/zoom

Stéphanie welcomes friend and author Cynthia Ruchti for a heartfelt conversation about an often-overlooked key Person in the Christmas story!Inspired by Cynthia's book, The Spirit of Christmas: Discovering His Presence throughout the Advent Season, Stephanie and Cynthia weave together the truths of the gospel with the unique work of the Holy Spirit through the Christmas season.Cynthia beautifully outlines how the Holy Spirit is present at every turn in the story of Christmas. From the Spirit's role in Jesus' conception to His comfort and guidance of Mary on her journey to Elizabeth, we see that God's presence is not limited to grand, miraculous moments but extends to the quiet, unseen steps we take in our lives. Cynthia also notes that even in the last moments of silence preceding Jesus' birth (the 400 years between Malachi and the Gospels), the Spirit is waiting and then speaks to unlikely people—Mary, Zechariah, Elizabeth—signaling God's readiness to move.Both Stéphanie and Cynthia share an affinity for observing—paying attention to the details that God reveals. Cynthia describes herself as an “observer” who seeks to notice God at work, longing to discover and dig deeper. She invites us to do the same: to live lives marked by holy expectancy, always searching for evidence of God's presence through His Spirit. The conversation encourages listeners to be lifelong learners of the faith—not settling for what we've always known, but continually growing in our understanding of Him.Cynthia offers to expand our understanding of the gospel: it is not only about Jesus or the Father, but involves the entire Trinity. The Father sends the Son, and the Son sends the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is integral, taking the words of Jesus and illuminating them for us, deepening our comprehension far beyond what we might realize. This broadening view challenges us to recognize the Holy Spirit's involvement not just during Christmas, but throughout all of Jesus' ministry and in every aspect of our faith journey.So, Stephanie and Cynthia invite YOU to make space for the Holy Spirit during this Advent season. Cynthia suggests that we sometimes need to let go of traditions or activities that crowd out our capacity to ponder the real meaning of Christmas. The invitation is to intentionally prepare our hearts, not just our homes, so we don't end Christmas feeling empty or disappointed but deeply satisfied by God's presence.Cynthia also brings attention to the overlooked figures in the Christmas story—the innkeeper, the cloth weavers, and countless unnamed helpers. These reminders inspire us to appreciate every person's role and to look for God among the unnoticed and ordinary.Ultimately, Cynthia and Stéphanie challenge us not just to trace the Holy Spirit through Advent, but through our entire lives. Reflect on how God's Spirit has been working—generations back, in your own childhood, and through every season. The Spirit of Christmas is an invitation to continual discovery, deepened intimacy, and expectation for what God will reveal next.Get ready for Advent: As you move through Advent, intentionally seek and observe the Holy Spirit—both in the Christmas story and your daily life. What will you notice when you look?MORE ABOUT “THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS”Discover the Holy Spirit's Presence in the Christmas Story--and Why It Matters Today· A faith-building, eye-opening daily advent devotional· Discover exciting new aspects of the story you thought you knew· Prepare your heart to fully celebrate the birth of JesusWhen we think of the first Christmas, we often focus on the wide-eyed young mother and her faithful fiancé, on tattered shepherds and singing angels and road-weary wise men. But the Holy Spirit was there--and just as He hovered over the waters in the beginning, He hovers over every page of the Christmas story.This Advent, join acclaimed author Cynthia Ruchti for a faith-building, eye-opening walk with the Holy Spirit. Highlighting the power and presence of the Spirit at work in the sacred story, each entry of this 26-day devotional contains· core verses on the Spirit's role in the narrative of Scripture· devotional thoughts perfect for the whole family· often overlooked details that will change the way you see and understand the Christmas story· space for pondering and reflection· practical application with optional projects to help you prepare and celebrate· an Advent prayerBefore the babe was conceived, the Holy Spirit was already at work, setting the stage and preparing the hearts of the biblical characters we know and love. This season, let Him set the stage and prepare your heart too.MORE ABOUT CYNTHIA RUCHTICynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in Hope through her novels, novellas, devotions, and nonfiction, and through speaking for women's events/retreats and writers' conferences/workshops. She draws from 33 years of experience writing and producing the 15-minute daily radio broadcast, “The Heartbeat of the Home.” Her books have received recognition from RT Reviewers' Choice Book of the Year, PW Starred Reviews, Selah Awards, Christian Retailing's BEST Awards, Golden Scroll Awards and Novel of the Year, Readers' Choice Awards, The Carol Award, two Christy finalists, and more. For 12 years she served as Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers, and is part of the worship team at her church. She's also a Senior Literary Agent with Books & Such Literary Management. She and her husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and seven grandchildren.More at https://cynthiaruchti.com/ THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY!First, PAY Gospel Spice Forward: Give a tax-deductible gift so others can experience our ministry for free, just like you! You can pay it forward with any debit, credit card, or via PayPal. See below for more details about your impact.Also, PLAY Gospel Spice Forward: SHARE the podcast and the studies with your friends and family. FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW on your favorite podcast app (leave a comment + a star rating on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Pandora, IHeart, Google Podcast, etc…). It REALLY is the best way to help others find this content-rich podcast. And, last but not least, PRAY Gospel Spice Forward: We pray for you weekly. We covet your prayers for our ministry, the thousands we reach, and our team! Contact us to let us know you are praying for us!NEW!Another way to partner with us is to purchase our workbooks and online Bible studies. We keep them at the lowest possible cost, but they require a lot of work from us! For example, - a complete Bible Study requires an average of 500 man-hours. - a workbook for a series requires almost 100 man-hours.MORE ABOUT PARTNERING WITH US FINANCIALLY:Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status.Our goal is to provide in-depth, high-quality, free Bible resources for all. They are free, but expensive to create! We need your financial support to keep producing and distributing them. Please pay Gospel Spice forward today! For example, a podcast episode takes close to 10 hours of work (and we release 2 each week). They come to you completely free, but we would truly love your support.We want the money to go to those who really need it. Once our operating costs are paid, 100% of your donation is redistributed to our partners who fight human trafficking. Each year, we aim to give as much as we can. For example, Stephanie works more than full time for Gospel Spice, entirely for free. All board members and volunteers are donating time. We limit our operational expenses to the bare minimum.Your pay-it-forward donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170.We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. Thank you!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogWhat matters to us here at Gospel Spice is to create a place where people who seek deeper intimacy with Jesus, will find Him. We want a warm, welcoming atmosphere to journey ever deeper into the heart of God. We believe it is the ultimate calling of the Christian life, and I like to summarize it with my motto, God's glory, our delight. That is why we invite you to “taste and see” that the Lord is good. And we have been doing this every day since 2019. We need YOU to keep Gospel Spice alive and growing.  Financially speaking, we rely on people who understand this vision and who understand that we cannot function without a minimum budget. We run an extremely tight budget. For example, I work full time but don't draw a salary. And yet, we have expenses – for example, the equipment and technology we use, and also the wonderfully gifted staff who make it possible to deliver high quality content all around the globe, and then the necessary occasional promotional budget to make it possible to be discovered by those who seek to live a life spiced with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need your help.  So we would love for you to consider if this ministry is blessing you to pay gospel spice forward. You can partner with us monthly with 10, 25, 50, 100, a month, or you can make one donation, once.And because we are a register nonprofit organization in the United States under the status of a 501c3 charity, it means that the amount that you pay to gospel spice is fully tax deductible. Completely tax deductible. So you're even saving money as you invest in gospel spice ministries. It is an eternal investment, and we are very grateful to you for it.Now it's very important to us that we give back as much as possible from what you give us. And so we commit to giving the majority of what we receive, once all of our administrative costs are paid, to organizations that fight human trafficking on the front line. There are many worthwhile causes in the world, so why this one? Because I have always personally felt deep compassion for victims of human trafficking – maybe because I have never been its victim myself, so I feel a responsibility to help those less fortunate than me. Also, because Jesus tells us to love our neighbor. Human trafficking is modern day slavery, and that is something that revolts the heart of God. We want to play our part in raising awareness and then financially supporting those who fight this great evil.  So, we do some due diligence. We pick organizations who have proven themselves trustworthy of our support. And then we give money to these Christians organizations that fight human trafficking.So would you consider paying us forward at gospelspice.com/payitforward?Your hard-earned money is always well used at Gospel Spice. Ultimately, you are giving back to the Kingdom, a portion of what Jesus has given you. We are well aware of the privilege to steward your partnership. And my prayer is always that you will find your own life spiced with the gospel as you partner with us to flavor the lives of those around us, near and far, with the spice of the gospel. Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Crystal Rivers | Open Book | Dec 2, 2025 Enter this season with the understanding that you are being invited into a deliberate separation unto God—a time designed to quiet the noise of life so your spirit can become finely tuned to His voice. Fasting in this season is not an exercise in deprivation, but an alignment of appetites; it teaches your body submission, your soul humility, and your spirit sensitivity. Approach it as a joyful offering rather than a burden, remembering that joy is not optional—it is the atmosphere in which God strengthens and shapes you. As you deny yourself, cultivate thanksgiving, discipline, and expectancy, trusting that God uses these rhythms to mature you, refine your motives, and anchor you deeper in His will. Throughout this period, allow the Holy Spirit to perfect what concerns you and strengthen you in the inner man. Release the pressure of trying to feel spiritual and instead commit to consistency, knowing transformation is often hidden before it becomes visible. Invite God to raise you as a true son or daughter—not driven by emotional highs but steady in obedience, quiet confidence, and inner purity. Yield to His teaching, His correction, and His forming; open your heart to become the vessel He envisioned, a person whose spirit is awake, whose desires are reordered, whose nature resembles Christ, and whose life naturally bears fruit that remains. As you give yourself to prayer, resist the temptation to pray only about personal needs. Stand as an intercessor for the young people, children, and generations entrusted to you. Declare over them the promises of God—that His Spirit will rest upon them, His blessing will pursue them, and His mark will be upon their lives. Pray them out of confusion, rebellion, distraction, and spiritual dullness. Call them into their destinies. Speak against the assignments of the age designed to dilute their zeal, distort their identity, and afflict their minds through the constant pull of screens and culture. Fight for their souls, not with anxiety but with the authority of someone who knows God has already spoken blessing over your lineage. Declare that every child—yours and others—will be rooted, awakened, restored, and branded by God's ownership. Lift your eyes toward the immersion gathering and prepare your heart like one expecting divine visitation. Ask God to come Himself—to inhabit the atmosphere with His fire, to break chains that generations could not break, to ignite cold hearts, heal the broken, awaken the sleeping, and release spiritual gifts upon the young. Pray for holy order, supernatural discipline, and sensitivity to the Spirit, so the gathering becomes a place where distractions die, where restlessness ceases, and where the fear of the Lord rests tangibly on every heart. Ask God to send volunteers—people of integrity, humility, purity, and the Holy Spirit—to serve His purposes with sincerity and wisdom. Throughout this season, walk intentionally. Train your body in discipline, your mind in Scripture, and your spirit in obedience. Honor the fast with sincerity, not routine. Build spiritual stamina by waking to prayer, submitting your desires, controlling your habits, and strengthening your fellowship with God. Expect to break old cycles, overcome weaknesses, receive new instructions, and experience spiritual breakthroughs that shape the next chapter of your life. See yourself as one who partners with heaven—offering incense of prayer, lifting others before God, preparing the ground for revival, and standing as a watchman who refuses to be silent. Let this season become a gateway of transformation: for you, for your home, for your children, for your generation, and for every person who encounters the Presence that will be revealed. Zoom every weekday : http://www.caveadullam.org/zoom

If you've ever wondered why change feels so slow—or why you keep ending up back in the same place with food or your habits—this episode will give you hope. We're looking at the Israelites in the wilderness and realizing something profound: God didn't change them overnight. He gave them Himself. And today, we have something they didn't—the Holy Spirit living inside us, guiding, comforting, and transforming us from the inside out. In this episode, you'll learn how to stop believing that “something's gone wrong” and start seeing your wilderness as holy ground for transformation.

In this message from Matthew 6:19–24, Pastor Jordan unpacks Jesus' teaching on treasure, generosity, and the true source of security. Our security and identity remain vulnerable as long as our treasure is rooted in earthly things—but when our hearts are aligned with heaven, everything shifts. God is a generous God, and His Spirit produces a generous identity in us. Generosity isn't just something we do; it's who we're becoming as we reflect our Creator.

Ever wondered what true spiritual restoration looks like? In Joel's powerful prophecy, God promises more than just physical blessings—He pledges to pour out His Spirit on all who return to Him. Pastor Jason unpacks this transformative promise and shows how this promise applies to us today in our own lives.

Join Pastor Clay NeSmith as he delivers a powerful sermon on the prophetic hope found in Joel chapter 2. Pastor Clay explores how the prophet Joel's ancient message of hope resonates with us today, revealing God's promise to pour out His Spirit upon all people. Discover how the Christmas story connects to Joel's prophecy and how the Holy Spirit brings both hope and help in our most difficult circumstances.

This Godcast is a compass for everyone who is walking toward the narrow gate. When the only true God transfers you from darkness into His marvelous Light, EVERYTHING changes! And the life you now live is a Spirit-powered, Word-rooted, community-shaped, mission-driven walk of obedience in love. You will see where to step, how to move, and how to sink deeper into the depths of the only true God's living and active Word. You will hear the truth of the Spirit's workmanship that shapes you from within, and Jesus' Great Commission calling you forward into the disciple-making life He designed for you to live. This is The Way He set before you, the power His Spirit supplies within you, and the purpose every disciple of Jesus possesses, amen?God's word:Key Passages: Ezekiel 36:26-27; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 14:23-24; Colossians 1:12-14; Philippians 2:13; Acts 1:8; Hebrews 4:12, and more. You will be able to glean the rest of them from the transcript, amen?Email: walkingtheway3@gmail.com

Pastor Bronson Stewart closed our Trinity series by focusing on the Holy Spirit and His essential role in the life of every believer. He reminded us that we were never meant to follow Jesus in our own strength, but through the power and presence of God at work within us. Through this message, he encouraged us to trust God's timing, stay open-handed, and invite the Spirit to shape every part of our lives. Pastor Bronson highlighted that the Spirit gives courage, guidance, and real transformation that we could never manufacture on our own. In the end, he called us to move beyond passive faith and step boldly into the power God offers us through His Spirit.

In this message, Minister Mark Ashton explores the powerful story of the Star of Bethlehem in Matthew 2:1–12, showing how God uses light, signs, and Scripture to guide people toward Jesus. This Christmas season, Mark unpacks why the star appeared, what the Magi understood, how Herod resisted God's revelation, and how the same God still speaks to us today in ways we can understand.This sermon launches our Christmas series “Lights of Christmas: Witness the Wonder”—a journey through the characters, signs, and moments that prepared the world for the arrival of Jesus. Together we look at how God leads step by step, how He uses creation, circumstances, people, His Word, and His Spirit to draw us near, and how the star points us to the true Light of the World.If you're longing for direction, clarity, peace, or renewed faith, this message will help you open your heart, look up, and follow God's leading just like the Magi. Whether you're exploring faith or growing deeper as a disciple, this teaching invites you to pause, pray, and ask: How is God speaking to you today?

This powerful conclusion to the book of Revelation invites us to examine our hearts with a penetrating question: Are we truly longing for Christ's return? The epilogue of Revelation echoes seven times with the word 'come'—a divine number pointing to the perfection of God's invitation and promise. We discover that Christianity uniquely offers not a message of 'go, go, go' like every other religion or worldly system, but rather Christ standing before us saying 'come.' Before we ever had our come-to-Jesus moment, He had His come-to-us moment at Christmas. The sermon explores three comings of Christ: His first coming demonstrating salvation by grace, His second coming when we'll see His glory and be glorified with Him, and remarkably, His ongoing 'in-between' comings—those moments when Christ visits us powerfully through His Spirit in our present struggles. Through the beautiful allegory from The Chronicles of Narnia, where Shasta discovers that the one Lion was present through all his trials, we're reminded that Jesus has been faithfully present through every hardship, every stumble, every season of faithlessness. The call isn't just to be ready for Christ's return, but to be eager for it—because it's this longing that keeps us persevering in faith through tribulation and spiritual warfare until He comes.

This week's message reminded us that being God's chosen people is not a privilege of superiority, but a calling to responsibility, humility, and faithfulness. Through Isaiah's vision, we saw how God confronts the sin and pride of His people—yet still promises redemption through the “shoot from the stump of Jesse,” pointing to the coming Messiah. Pastor Kurt contrasted Israel's spiritual complacency with historical moments when pride led nations astray, reminding us that only a faithful remnant truly hears God's call. Even as we face our own moments of failure and conviction, God purifies, forgives, and pours out His Spirit so we may stand firm in Christ. The hope of Advent is that from the very places where life feels cut down, God brings new growth, new faithfulness, and new life in Jesus.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to George Truesdale from Cocoa Beach, FL. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you. Our text today is Judges 14:19-20 And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon and struck down thirty men of the town and took their spoil and gave the garments to those who had told the riddle. In hot anger he went back to his father's house. And Samson's wife was given to his companion, who had been his best man. — Judges 14:19-20 Samson is furious. He's lost his bet, been manipulated by his wife, and humiliated in front of his enemies. In rage, he storms down to Ashkelon and kills thirty men to settle the score. And here's the shocking part—the Spirit of the Lord rushes upon him. This is where it gets tricky. God still used Samson's actions to confront Israel's enemies. But Samson's heart was in the wrong place—driven by anger, not obedience. He would confuse God's power with God's approval. Just because God uses you doesn't mean he approves of how you're living. This is a hard pill to swallow. A sermon can land even if the preacher's hiding sin. A business deal can succeed even if corners were cut. A gift can look fruitful while the heart is far from God. Power and results don't always equal God's pleasure. Samson's story warns us—God's calling is irrevocable, but his approval rests on obedience. His Spirit may still work, but sin always leaves wreckage. Samson was used by God, yet left broken, angry, and estranged. Don't mistake God's patience for permission or his power for a green light. What he wants most isn't just results—it's your heart. ASK THIS: Where have you been tempted to measure God's approval by your success? Is there an area of your life where you're "winning" but not obeying? What's one area you need to realign with God's will today? DO THIS: Identify one place in your life where results have blinded you to disobedience. Confess it to God in prayer. Commit one act of obedience this week that costs you something but honors God. PRAY THIS: Lord, thank You that You still work through weak and broken people like me. Keep me from confusing Your power with Your approval. Align my heart with Yours so that my life brings You pleasure, not just results. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Heart of Worship."

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s natural to reflect on the blessings God has given us—family, provision, protection, and health. But among all gifts, one stands far above the rest: the gift of the cross. Without the cross of Jesus Christ, we would still be lost, hopeless, and destined for eternal separation from God. Every blessing we enjoy flows from Christ’s sacrifice. The hymn “At the Cross” captures the heart of this truth:“At the cross… where I first saw the light, and the burdens of my heart rolled away.”The cross is the place where darkness turns to light, guilt gives way to forgiveness, and death is swallowed up in victory. Jesus willingly took our place—enduring the horrors of crucifixion—to give us eternal life, reconciliation with God, and the hope that sustains us in every season. This Thanksgiving, Scripture encourages us not to focus solely on earthly blessings but to “set our minds on things above” (Colossians 3:1–2). If all Christ ever gave us was His sacrifice on the cross, it would still be more than enough. But the cross is not the end—it is the beginning. Through His resurrection and the power of His Spirit, God continues to keep, sustain, and mature us daily. Whether this year brought joy or hardship, the cross stands as our unchanging anchor. Jesus' death secured our salvation, and His Spirit secures our growth. We are kept by God, not by our own strength. And that alone is reason for deep thanksgiving. Today's Bible Reading:“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18 Takeaway Truths The cross is the greatest gift God has given humanity. Jesus’ sacrifice makes hope, joy, and life possible. God not only saves—He sustains, keeps, and transforms us. Thanksgiving begins with remembering what Jesus endured for our salvation. Every blessing flows from the finished work of Christ on Calvary. Let’s Pray Abba Father, Thank You for dying for me. Thank You for the cross of Calvary, where Jesus paid a debt I could never repay. As I enter this season of Thanksgiving, help me fix my eyes not only on the blessings You’ve provided, but on the sacrifice that made all blessings possible. Thank You for sustaining me, keeping me, and growing me through Your Holy Spirit. Thank You that because of the cross, I am forgiven, redeemed, and reconciled to You. No matter what this year has held, I choose to be thankful for Your love demonstrated through Jesus’ sacrifice. Help me honor the cross with a grateful heart—this Thanksgiving and every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Additional Scriptures for Reflection Isaiah 53:5 Romans 5:8 Galatians 6:14 Ephesians 2:4–9 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.