Podcasts about his spirit

God's purpose for our lives doesn't end with salvation—it continues through transformation, empowerment, and being sent into the world. In Part 3 of our Promise. Power. Purpose. series, Pastor Martin Steel walks through Elisha's journey from Jericho to the Jordan, showing how God prepares His people to carry His Kingdom beyond the walls of the Church. We are reminded that God's work is accomplished not by our own strength, but by the power of His Spirit, and that every follower of Jesus is called to bring His hope, healing, and character into every sphere of life.

If Jesus makes no difference in our lives, then why would anyone serve Him? If Christ-followers live just like those who are unsaved, why would anyone follow? We would all readily acknowledge that we are not perfect; only Jesus is perfect, but wouldn't you agree that Jesus changes those who believe in Him?Main Points:1.  I believe one of the questions people around us are silently asking is, “Does Jesus make a difference in your life?” Unbelievers are watching, often without us noticing, and they are wondering, “Is she different? Is he different, now that He is a follower of Jesus?” 2. When we place our faith in Jesus and confess Him as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit comes to reside within us. God's work of sanctification begins. To “sanctify” means to set apart. God is at work in our lives to set us apart from the unbelieving world by helping us to be like Jesus in our character. 3. By the Holy Spirit, and with our cooperation, God will change us. He will change our attitude, our conversation, our choices, decisions, reactions, and our lifestyle. He will change our desire, our dreams, and our ambitions. Before our relationship with Christ, we lived only for ourselves; now we live for God and His glory.Today's Scripture Verses:Philippians 2:13 - “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”Romans 12:1-2 - “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”Philippians 1:6 - “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

What if there's a place in Jesus where it is impossible to be fearful, anxious, or worried? Graham Cooke reads the great Ephesians prayers out loud — far above all rule and authority, far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think — and shows why majesty is an eye-opener that makes confidence and faith normal. Discover why overcoming means learning to stand, press in, and walk; why you are connected with the one true, great, original territorial spirit; and why there's land out there with your name on it in Jesus — a calling to occupy and build something spectacular on. Then Graham lands the session in the mature end of life in the Spirit: God teaching us to trust Him, and bringing us to a place where He can trust us.Key Scriptures:- Ephesians 1:18-23. "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."- Ephesians 3:14-21. "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."- Genesis 18:14. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"- Romans 12:2. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."Want to explore more?

Have you ever looked at your circumstances and wondered, God, will things ever change?Whether you're walking through grief, disappointment, unanswered prayers, or a season that feels impossibly long, today's conversation is a reminder that God is still at work — even when nothing around you seems different.In this powerful episode, Bible teacher Oghosa Iyamu joins Melissa Taylor and Cailah Garcia to walk through the breathtaking vision of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37. Together, they unpack what it means to lift your eyes off your circumstances and onto the God who brings life, restoration, and hope. You'll discover that God's restoring work often begins long before your situation changes — through His Word, His Spirit, and His presence with you in the valley.If you've been feeling weary, discouraged, or like hope has dried up, this conversation will remind you that the God who brought life to dry bones is the same God who is still bringing life today.You'll learn:The surprising place where restoration begins (and why it isn't always your circumstances).How to stop fixating on what's broken and start fixing your eyes on the God who restores.Why God's Word and His Spirit are essential when you feel spiritually weary or emotionally depleted.How the Psalms can give you language to bring your grief, disappointment, and questions honestly before God.Why confession isn't about condemnation — it's an invitation back into intimacy with God.Resources From This Episode:Read Ezekiel 37 and reflect on how God brings life into places that feel dry and hopeless.Spend time praying through Psalm 121, reminding yourself that your help comes from the Lord.Read a few Psalms this week, allowing Scripture to give voice to both your grief and your hope as you learn to lift your eyes back to God.Connect with Oghosa Iyamu for more biblical teaching and encouragement:Website: https://oghosaiyamu.com.Instagram: @oghosaiiyamu.Capstone Wellness provides residential treatment and custom therapy intensives that retrace hurt to the roots in a Christ-centered environment. Learn more at Capstonewellness.com/proverbs31.Share how God is using The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast in your life by leaving us a review wherever you listen! Find all related resources we mention in this episode here. Download a copy of the transcript here.Want More on This Topic? Check out “How To Escape the Comparison Trap” from The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast archives! 

This week, Rabbi Schneider continues to explore The Ongoing Work of the Holy Spirit, inviting you to experience God's presence more deeply and find the inner strength and joy only His Spirit can give.

Do you ever feel like you're sitting on the sidelines of your own life, stuck in a cycle of worry, failure, or exhaustion? It's easy to feel like praise is only for the "good days" or for those who have it all figured out. But what if praise isn't a performance, but it's actually the key to your joy?In this message, we dive into Psalm 150 to dismantle the four common excuses that hold us back from experiencing God's presence. Whether you're navigating a "low valley" or simply feeling weary, discover why you are a "living sanctuary" and how the very breath in your lungs is an invitation to experience freedom. Join us as we explore how praise can change your perspective and remind you that, through the cross, your story doesn't end in despair but it in victory.Talk It Over:1. Which of the four excuses do you relate to most right now? "I don't know where... why... how... or who should praise God." What tends to keep you from living a life of praise?2. The sermon described praise as something that completes our joy, not just fulfills a command. Can you think of a time when talking about something you loved actually increased your enjoyment of it? How does that change the way you think about praising God?3. The message said we are now God's "portable sanctuary" because His Spirit lives in us. How would your Monday look different knowing you carried God's presence everywhere you went?4. The cross and resurrection were described as God's "mightiest mighty deed." How does remembering what Jesus has already accomplished reshape your perspective on your current circumstances or struggles?5. Psalm 150 ends with, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." What is one practical way you can "give your breath back to God" this week—in your work, home, relationships, or everyday routines?+ + + + +Hey, while you're here, please help Generation by clicking the 'Subscribe' button, then click on the BELL

Episode Summary:In this message from Philippians 4:4-7, we continue the Fruit of the Spirit series by looking at the peace Jesus gives. This is not a shallow peace that depends on life being easy, but the internal calm of the Spirit in the middle of pressure, pain, problems, and difficult people. Paul wrote about this peace from a Roman dungeon, showing us that peace is not the absence of difficulty but the presence of Jesus in the middle of it. Because Jesus is our peace, we can rejoice, relax, release our cares to the Father, and rest in what He has already given us.Main Scripture:Galatians 5:22-23Philippians 4:4-7Psalm 73:28Isaiah 41:10Isaiah 26:31 Peter 5:7Romans 5:1Big Idea:Jesus is our peace, and we live from His peace as we rejoice, relax, release, and rest.In This Episode:Peace is not the absence of difficulty; peace is the presence of Jesus in the middle of it.Worry and anxiety try to blind us to the peace that is already ours in Christ.Paul teaches us to rejoice in the Lord even when circumstances are painful, pressured, or uncertain.The Lord is near, not only beside us but living within us by His Spirit.Prayer, thanksgiving, and trust help us release our cares to God instead of carrying them alone.The peace of God guards our hearts and minds as we stop struggling and rest in Christ.Reflection Questions:Where have I been looking for peace outside of Christ?What circumstance has made it hard for me to rejoice in the Lord?What problem, pressure, or person has caused me to forget that the Lord is near?What care have I cast on God, only to reel it back in later?What can I thank God for because He is good, even before the situation changes?Where do I need to stop struggling and trust the peace of God to guard my heart and mind?Next Steps:Read Philippians 4:4-7 this week and practice the four acts of faith: rejoice, relax, release, and rest.When worry rises, stop and talk to the Father instead of carrying the pressure alone.Speak God's promises out loud so your own heart can hear what He has said.Thank God because He is good, not only when everything feels good.Identify one care you have been reeling back in, and release it to God again without taking it back.Remind yourself daily: Jesus is my peace, and His peace already lives inside me.Closing Line:Listen in, share it with someone who needs peace, and subscribe for more messages from The Gospel Unfiltered.

What do you do when you genuinely love Jesus but continue to struggle with the same sin?In this episode of Student of Life, we look beyond behavior and into the deeper battle taking place within the heart. Using pornography as a primary example—but recognizing it isn't the only hidden struggle—we explore how shame, isolation, and repeated patterns can keep us trapped, and why God's invitation has always been to bring darkness into the light.We'll talk about confession, repentance, accountability, biblical community, and the ways God often uses His Word, His Spirit, His people, and wise counsel together in the process of transformation. Because the goal of the Christian life isn't simply to stop one behavior. It's to become more like Christ.

God has never stopped speaking. The problem was never His silence — it's our static. He speaks continuously, ordinarily, through Scripture and by His Spirit — most often as something as unremarkable as a thought, a conviction, a nudge, a verse that suddenly has your name on it.We continue STATIC with Week 3: FREQUENCY — Tuning Your Heart to Hear. Jesus said His sheep know His voice (John 10:4, 27) — and here's the good news: that's not a gift given to a spiritually gifted few. Sheep don't recognize the shepherd's voice by nature. They recognize it because they've spent time close enough, long enough, for it to become familiar. Frequency is learned in proximity.If your prayer life feels flat, if Scripture feels distant, if you can't remember the last time you sensed God speak — He hasn't gone quiet. You've likely just drifted out of range. This week we'll look honestly at what pulls us there, and practically at how to close the distance again.Come ready to get close. He's already speaking — and He's been speaking all along.CLEAR THE STATIC. HEAR HIS VOICE.

In Episode 194, we explore John 7:32-36 and Jesus' mysterious statement that confuses the Pharisees completely. The Pharisees and leading priests are trying to arrest Jesus because they're threatened by Him and want to silence His message. So Jesus says something that baffles them: "I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going." The Pharisees are completely confused. "Where is he planning to go?" they ask. "Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe he will even teach the Greeks!" They're trying to solve the riddle logically, searching for a geographic answer. But they're missing the point entirely. Through guided meditation, discover what Jesus is actually saying. He's not talking about geography—He's talking about His ascension. He's saying: I'm going back to My Father. You cannot follow Me there because you don't know the Father. You don't believe in Me. You're trying to arrest Me, but you cannot stop what is coming. But there's something even deeper here that applies to all of us. Jesus is saying: "You will search for me but not find me." There will be a time when Jesus is no longer physically present. There will be a time when His followers have to follow Him by faith, not by sight. The disciples will experience this after the resurrection. Jesus will ascend to heaven. He will be gone physically. And yet He will be more present than ever—through His Spirit, through His Word, through His church. This episode explores what this means for your life: You cannot follow Jesus if you need to see Him. You cannot follow Jesus if you need to understand where He's going. Faith means trusting Him even when the destination is unclear. Faith means following Him into mystery. The Pharisees wanted certainty. They wanted to know exactly where Jesus was going so they could stop Him. But Jesus doesn't offer certainty—He offers Himself. He offers a relationship. He offers trust. Learn why Jesus speaks in riddles: He's inviting us into deeper trust, calling us to seek Him rather than answers, challenging us to follow a Person rather than a plan. Discover practical steps for identifying where Jesus is leading you into mystery and finding the courage to follow without needing to see the whole path. Find the freedom that comes from trusting Jesus more than you trust your own understanding, and experience how seeking Jesus Himself becomes more important than seeking answers or certainty.

Most times, we end up fighting our own battles. But sometimes, the opposition is just – well, it's overwhelming. Then what? Well that's when we can discover that the battle, belongs to the Lord.   I Can Do Anything I Want In this day and age one of the things that they teach us is to be self reliant. To have confidence in our own abilities. You can do anything you set your mind to they tell us. You can make it, it's all up to you. That's ok to a point I guess. It's a good thing to have some confidence in who we are that God made us to be. But you can take this idea too far and it will bring you undone. The positive turns into a terrible negative. See what happens, when the situation we're in or the circumstances that we're facing are so far beyond our ability to deal with them, that any idea of self reliance is completely ridiculous. What happens when the problem confronting us requires skills and abilities that we don't have. What happens when the career we've chosen just doesn't fit who we are? What happens when the one we love, our wife or our husband or one of our children is going through some tough times. Something that as much as we love them, we can't seem to be able to help them through. An illness, a depression, a crisis. And nothing we can say or nothing we can do seems to make any difference. Well, then what? What happens when a tsunami hits our lives? What do we do when the enemy that gathers around us completely outnumbers and outguns us? Come on. Then what do we do? And this isn't some theoretical exercise. This is life. It's my life and it's your life. Because this happens. It's real. There are times in our lives when the enemy whoever or whatever that is, when the enemy is so much bigger than our ability to survive. It happens in families. It happens in work places. And it happens in our hearts. When sickness hits for no good reason. When a loved one is taken in their prime and the grief overwhelms us. When a marriage falls apart. It happens when retrenchment hits. When the economy takes a nose-dive. When their isn't enough food to feed the family. When people betray us. This is life. It's real life. Let me ask you something. When the enemy is so much bigger and so much stronger than anything that you or I could ever handle, what do we do? Some people panic and they run around in ever decreasing circles wasting their precious energy on panicking. You've seen it I've seen it. You know we've both probably been their too. Some people pull over and stop because they're immobilised by fear. That's what happens you know. But neither of those things cut the mustard. Neither of them help. Running around like a headless chook. It's exhausting. Wallowing in self pity is destructive. What do we do? See I'm a pretty self-reliant kind of guy. I like to think that I can handle most things. BUT – there are times when things happen that are completely and utterly beyond anything I can handle. And in those times to hang on to this notion of self-reliance, this delusion of "I can do anything", that will only make it worse. It's OK to believe in ourselves but the reality is that sometimes, maybe this time, we can't swim against this tsunami. It's too big. It's too scary. I was talking the other day with a young woman. She's extremely competent and confident in her field. Professionally she's a class act in every way that you can imagine. We got onto the fact that she had a couple of young kids. And her demeanour changed. See, as someone who's got kids and now they're all grown up, I'm well and truly past the stresses and the strains of bringing up young children. I love telling parents, "Don't worry it's the first 25 years that are the hardest. After that it's a piece of baklava!" It's my, I guess it's my gift of encouragement. Right?" But like any young mother, this motherhood thing was a struggle for this competent, professional woman. It's so tiring. There is so much that is new and is challenging. There's so much in bringing up kids. It's beyond our control. That's the key isn't it. When we're dealing with things that are under our control and we happen to have the skills and the ability and the inclination to control them, well, it's all good isn't it. But the further things are out of our control the more they look like that tsunami and that wave that we can't ride. Then, then it gets scary. I want to introduce you today to one of the kings in Israel's history. Actually he's the king of a couple of the tribes of Israel, Judah and Benjamin. His name was Jehoshaphat. Ok it's a long name. We don't use that kind of name these days. But he was definitely one of the good guys. And there was a time when he was confronted with an enemy that was way, way, way beyond his ability to fight and defeat. Let's pick up the story in 2nd Chronicles Chapter 20 verse 1. After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; already they are at Engedi. Jehoshaphat was afraid; See this was an army much bigger than his own. The odds were completely overwhelming and Jehoshaphat were facing absolutely certain defeat. To the king that meant death for his people it meant death or slavery or loss of all their possessions and land. Probably rape for the woman. The higher the stakes are the scarier it gets, doesn't it? And for Jehoshaphat the stakes couldn't have been higher. He was in that place well and truly that you and I find ourselves in for time to time. I just want to establish here that old king Jehoshaphat, well he was human like you and me. He's not some super-human king. There were armies coming in against him. He was completely outnumbered and outgunned. This was a life and death situation and it says Jehoshaphat was afraid. Jehoshaphat is just one of us. I remember as a young boy going to the dentist. I'd walk in the front door and there was this staircase leading up to the dentist. And the smell of the dental surgery the moment you walked in the door. And their was a knot in my stomach sitting in the waiting room. Fear is something that disables us. It's not good for anyone when we're disabled by fear. It's not good for ourselves, it's not good for God. It's not good for those who need our help. Jehoshaphat was afraid. But it's what he did in his fear that made all the difference and we're going to take a look at that in just a moment   What Happens When I Can't? Well let's get back into God's word and take a look at what happened king Jehoshaphat. What he was facing in this completely overwhelming odds. Have a listen. We're starting, if you have a bible grab it, in 2 Chronicles chapter 20 beginning at verse 3: Jehoshaphat was afraid; he set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the towns of Judah they came to seek the LORD. Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, "O LORD, God of our ancestors, are you not God in heaven? Do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? In your hand are power and might, so that no one is able to withstand you. Did you not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? They have lived in it, and in it have built you a sanctuary for your name, saying, 'If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before you, for your name is in this house, and cry to you in our distress, and you will hear and save.' See now, the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession that you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. See Jehoshaphat didn't let his fear immobilise him. He didn't get into a flap or into a panic in the face of overwhelming odds he turned to God. Sometimes that's the only way that God gets our attention. I'd like to be able to tell you that I first turned to God because I was wise and loving and understood that Jesus is the Son of God. But if I told you that I would be lying. I needed to be hit across the back of the head with a lump of four by two for God to get my attention. Overwhelming odds. That's what did it for me. I turned to God in the middle of fear. And for me it was the last resort but for Jehoshaphat God was his first port of call. Now a king is supposed to have all the answers. A King like Jehoshaphat should have a powerful army and contingency plans based on a comprehensive threat assessment. He should be self-reliant. A man for the people to respect and to follow and to trust for their safety and their future, but listen again to what Jehoshaphat says when he's praying to God in 2nd Chronicles Chapter 20 verse 12: O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. I relate to this. When I stepped out of the secure, well-paid job as a consultant into full time ministry, that was a step of faith. Leaving security behind to serve God and I can't begin to tell you how many times since then I have been in that place that Jehoshaphat and his people were in. See I started out with this naive notion that if I was going to be about God's work, well lit should be easy. And yet so many times people and circumstances have conspired to be against God's work. Every couple of years our board gets together to do some strategic planning. That's important and the strategic plan always looks good on paper. Gives us a sense of what direction we think that God wants us to head in. And then invariably all hell breaks loose because the enemy wants to overwhelm us. He doesn't want to see God's will done here on earth as it is in heaven. And that's what's going on with Jehoshaphat and Judah. Remember these are God's chosen people. The king honoured God and by all accounts and by all accounts he was wise and competent. But in the face of overwhelming odds he admitted to God, "We do know what to do." So was the solution How did he cope with this? And the same sentence, the same breath, he says "but our eyes are on You." I wonder sometimes when I see people who profess to believe in Jesus running around in panic wasting so much of their energy complaining and worrying and being afraid. See, it takes a lot of energy to be afraid, you realise. I wonder if they spent even half that amount of their energy having their eyes on God, how much better off they'd be. You and I, we can't help but be afraid. Jehoshaphat was afraid. It's a natural human, reaction. I'm not here to tell you somehow to pretend that you're not afraid when fear is rocking you to the very core. That's ridiculous. But it's what we do when fear strikes that makes all the difference. When we panic we burn energy, when we frozen and immobilised that's probably the end of us. That's what fear does. Stop's us dead in our tracks. We go nowhere. Had Jehoshaphat done that, he and all his people would have been dead literally. Or we can just turn and look at God. "You know something Lord, this is so huge, I just know what to do but my eyes, my eyes are on you. I'm just going to wait on you. I don't know what you are going to do, I don't even know if you are going to show up, but no matter what, my eyes are on you." And here's the bit that blows me away about this story. It's this. That God wasn't Jehoshaphat's last resort. God was his first port of call. He trusted in the sovereign grace of God. Jehoshaphat was afraid, but he set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. I wonder how different if things would be amidst our fear, if instead of running around and spending all that energy on panic or instead of running to the phone to talk to a friend, if we first ran to God. If the very first thing we did was to take stock and in our hearts, deep inside somewhere – decided to set ourselves to seek the Lord? God, the first point of call, rather than the last resort!   A Powerful Outcome So how did it end? Was Jehoshaphat's trust misplaced or well placed? Let's take a look. 2 Chronicle 20 beginning at verse 14: Then the spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly. He said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not fear or be dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them; they will come up by the ascent of Ziz; you will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you." Then Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. They rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God and you will be established; believe his prophets." When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy splendor, as they went before the army, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever." As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the Ammonites and Moab attacked the inhabitants of Mount Seir, destroying them utterly; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; they were corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the booty from them, they found livestock in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They spent three days taking the booty, because of its abundance. Unbelievable I hear you say. How could this possibly happen?? I'll tell you how. Because Jehoshaphat decided that he would stand and wait on God - no matter what the outcome! That's the key. That's the faith that God was looking for. No matter what the outcome. Let's take another look. 2 Chronicles 20:9-12: If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before you, for your name is in this house, and cry to you in our distress, and you will hear and save. See now, the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy – they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession that you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. This is the do or die faith that God is looking for. When we place our faith in God in this way – for things that are completely out of our control – right when that tsunami hits His Spirit and His Word come along and witness His truth to us: This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the LORD on your behalf.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you." (2 Chronicles 20:17) Listen to me. Have you put your trust in Jesus Christ? Have you? Then those times of fear are times when we discover what a beautiful thing it is to trust in the Lord, no matter what is coming against us. No matter what the world throws at us. No matter how overwhelming the odds might be. Those times are the times that we get to stand still and discover in our very own experience that the battle isn't our it's not ours at all. But the battle belongs to the Lord. Can I encourage you that if you feel right now that you're on death row, as though there is no tomorrow, to listen to the words of apostle Paul from his dungeon as he writes in Philippians Chapter 4 beginning at verse 6: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. See that's the word of the Lord for us today. Jehoshaphat knew it and learned it again in his experience. The people of Judah learned it again under the leadership of Jehoshaphat. This overwhelming army came against them. They couldn't win. It was a no win situation. And they discovered afresh and anew the battle was not theirs but the battle belonged to the Lord. And they listened to God through His prophets when he said, "Stand still to see and to watch what the Lord would do for you." Can I encourage you today to remember the battle is not yours. The battle belongs to the Lord. Stand still and watch to see what the Lord will do for you.

After a lengthy journey, my wife and I finally neared our street, but a large road closed to thru traffic sign blocked our path. I felt the urge to drive around it because home was just ahead, and I didn’t like being rerouted. But then I saw why the road was closed: A downed power line lay across the road. Had I ignored the warning, I could have driven into danger. In Acts 16:6-10, Paul and his companions were eager to preach the gospel in the province of Asia, but the Holy Spirit closed that door. Detours aren’t always rejection, however. They can be divine redirections. Like the roadblock on our street, God rerouted Paul from entering the province of Bithynia. It must have been frustrating to be blocked, especially while Paul was striving to do his best. But then he received a vision in which a man said, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (v. 9). God said “no” to something good because He was preparing them for something greater—taking the gospel to the people of another continent (v. 10). Rather than seeing “no” as punishment and rejection, we can see it as His Spirit-led redirection. His detours are often pathways to divine appointments. Let’s not simply trust His direction when the roads are open, let’s follow when He closes them too.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:  Isaiah 32–35; James 2 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible for July 18th. On this 200th day of our journey through Scripture, Hunter invites us to gather from around the world and warm our hearts by the fires of God's love. Today's episode features readings from Isaiah 32–35 and James 2, exploring themes of justice, transformation, and authentic faith. We'll reflect on the promise of a righteous king, the call to active participation in God's work, and the difference between saying we believe and showing our faith through love and service. Join us for Scripture, spiritual encouragement, and prayer, and be reminded that you are deeply loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Let your faith move from your head to your hands and feet. James tells us that faith, by itself, isn't enough unless it produces good deeds—it is dead and useless. But what exactly does that mean for those of us trying to walk with Christ day by day? When I think about good deeds, as James talked about in this passage, I think of obedience—of stepping out, not simply doing good for goodness' sake, but truly responding in trust to what God is laying before us 16:43. Simply doing good deeds isn't what God is after. He is after a real relationship with us, our real participation with him in what he is doing 16:57. Our acts of faith are not mere requirements to check off or ways to earn favor with God, but are invitations to participate in the very life that we have in Jesus 17:16. Our faith meets its fullness and completion not in our thoughts, not in our words, but in those moments when we choose to walk in step with His Spirit, moving our trust from our heads out into our hands and feet 17:43. Transformation comes in participation; Christ is witnessed to in this world in our obedience. Let us begin to do the next thing God has given us. Let us do it trusting his care 17:49. Let our faith become practical, tangible, lived out in acts of love and service for others 17:49. That is my prayer for my own heart, for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that is my prayer for you, too 18:15. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

We will explore the person and work of the Spirit who dwells within every believer. Jesus promised His Spirit to guide, comfort, and empower us for life and mission. Together, we'll discover the Spirit's gifts and the fruit He produces in us as evidence of His work. We'll be invited to walk by the Spirit each day and see how He can transform ordinary people into faithful followers of Jesus.

True freedom in Christ is where your heart is open and receptive to truth from God's Word and directed by His Spirit to your spirit, soul, mind, emotions, will (decision maker), and your body. You receive it by submitting to it.

July 16, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism - 1Daily Lectionary: Judges 16:4-30; Judges 17:1-21:25; Galatians 4:12-31“Baptism is not simply water, but it is the water included in God's command, and combined with God's Word.” (Luther's Small Catechism)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Water is necessary for life. Water helps plants grow, so all living creatures have something to eat. Staying hydrated is important, too, so drink more water, kids! Water cleans things by washing away dirt. Water also has a great capacity for destruction. Too much rain leads to flooding, mighty tides of water that pummel everything they crash into, leaving devastation in its wake. Rough water can drag a person down into the deep to drown and die. Tsunamis, hurricanes, and floods are all deadly. They are an example of how broken and sinful the world has become. Instead of bringing life, it ends it. All of creation is no longer “good,” but tainted by sin and death. All things wither and die. Our sinful nature compels us to do harm to our neighbors and ourselves. The devil, the world, and our sinful flesh hate God, wanting nothing to do with him. We turn good gifts into weapons against the life God would have us defend and uphold. But God takes what is broken, sinful, and dying and makes new life. He creates abundant life in the midst of death, decay, and destruction. So, then, water, when combined with the Word of God, becomes a source of resurrection—a place where Christians are made. God names you in His Triune Name, marking you as one whom death has no claim over. Your sins are washed away, and a new, clean robe is given to you. The stain of sin, taken on by Christ, is no longer yours to bear. Jesus takes our sin and drowns it, burying it and leaving it behind. God restores life to where death and sin reigned. Water is necessary for life, and it is this creation of God, paired with His Word, that gives us life eternal. The Word of God, which spoke everything into existence, in Baptism, now calls the dead sinner to life, out of the waters and into light.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“Though around us death is seething, God, His two-edged sword unsheathing, by His Spirit life is breathing through the living active Word.” (LSB 597:4)Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

What if self-control isn't mainly about saying no, but about keeping Christ at the center of what we desire? Money has a way of revealing what our hearts are chasing. Our spending, saving, giving, and borrowing decisions often tell a deeper story about what we love, what we fear, and what we believe will satisfy us. That's why biblical temperance is about far more than discipline or willpower. In our continuing series on the cardinal virtues and how Christian character shapes the way we handle money, author and theologian Pierce Taylor Hibbs joined the show to help us consider temperance, or self-control.  He is a Senior Writer at Westminster Theological Seminary and the author of The Book of Giving: How the God Who Gives Can Make Us Givers. Today, he reminds us that self-control is not merely a human achievement. It is a gift of the Spirit that helps us enjoy God's gifts without letting them take God's place. Self-Control Is a Heart Issue When many people hear the word “self-control,” they think of willpower. They imagine discipline, restraint, or simply saying no to whatever they want in the moment. But Scripture gives us a deeper picture. Self-control is not merely a personality trait some people have and others lack. It is not gained by sheer determination. Instead, self-control is closely connected to the heart. A lack of self-control often reveals disordered desires—places where our hearts are chasing something other than God. The presence of self-control reveals a heart that is increasingly content in God and His promises. That means temperance is not about rejecting every enjoyable thing in the world. It is about rightly ordering our loves. God must be first, and everything else must take its proper place beneath Him. In other words, self-control is about keeping first things first. A Gift of the Spirit That truth should encourage us. If self-control were only a matter of willpower, many of us would have little hope. We have all experienced the frustration of trying harder, setting new goals, making new rules, and still falling back into the same habits. But Galatians 5 tells us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is something God produces in His people as we walk with Him. That does not mean discipline is unimportant. Habits, boundaries, budgets, and accountability can all be helpful tools. But they are not the source of true self-control. The source is God Himself. So when our desires are out of order, the first step is not merely to try harder. It is to turn to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to form in us what we cannot produce on our own. God has given us a new heart in Christ, and by His Spirit, He teaches us to desire what is good, lasting, and true. Enjoying God's Gifts Without Replacing Him Temperance may involve restriction because our desires can easily become disordered. But restriction is not the goal. The goal is joy rightly ordered under Christ. A simple example is something like coffee or sugar. There is nothing wrong with enjoying either. They can be good gifts from God. But if our world were to fall apart without them, that might reveal something about the state of our hearts. The problem is not that we enjoy good things. The problem comes when we love those things more than we love our relationship with the Lord. A helpful question to ask is: What is my heart chasing right now? That question applies not only to food and drink, but also to money. What are our purchases chasing? Comfort? Control? Status? Escape? Approval? Security? Pleasure? None of those desires is unfamiliar to the human heart. And money often becomes the tool we use to pursue them. Why Money Reveals Our Desires Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” The issue is not money itself but the heart's relationship to it. Jesus also warned that we cannot serve both God and money. Money is powerful because, in many ways, it functions like a key. It can unlock access to many of the things the heart desires—comfort, influence, experiences, possessions, pleasure, recognition, or a sense of control. That is why our financial decisions are so revealing. They show what we are chasing. Of course, money can be used in a good and God-honoring way. It can provide for needs, support a family, bless a neighbor, fund ministry, relieve suffering, and express worship through generosity. But money can also reveal that our hearts are running after something other than God. Our spending decisions tell a story. The question is whether that story points to Christ as our greatest treasure. The Challenge of a Consumer Culture Financial self-control is especially challenging in a culture that constantly tells us to buy now, upgrade now, and satisfy every desire now. Technology has made temptation more immediate than ever. Social media platforms and online ads are designed to place curated products directly in front of us. The very things we are most likely to want often appear in our feeds, inboxes, and search results. That means our commitment to Christ is being tested constantly—not only by obviously sinful things, but also by good gifts that can quietly become ultimate things. A vacation can be a gift. A home can be a gift. A hobby can be a gift. A meal, a phone, a car, a cup of coffee, or a new pair of shoes can all be received with gratitude. But when the gift becomes more captivating than the Giver, our desires have become disordered. Temperance helps us receive God's gifts with open hands, gratitude, and perspective. Jesus Shows Us Perfect Self-Control One beautiful picture of this comes after the resurrection in John 21. The disciples had spent the night fishing and caught nothing. Jesus met them on the shore and neither rebuked them for fishing nor told them that physical things did not matter. Instead, He helped them find fish, prepared a fire, and invited them to breakfast. Fresh fish and warm bread were not treated as distractions from spiritual life. They were gifts to be enjoyed with Jesus at the center. That is a wonderful picture of temperance. Biblical self-control does not require us to reject every earthly blessing. It teaches us to enjoy every blessing in communion with Christ, remembering that He is better than the gifts He gives. We do not need to abandon money or pretend material needs do not matter. But we do need to ask whether Christ remains central in how we earn, spend, save, give, and enjoy. A Question for Every Financial Decision So how can we practice temperance in our financial lives this week? One simple question can help: How is God remaining central in this decision? That question does not produce a mechanical answer, but it does reveal the heart. It invites us to pause, pray, and consider whether our money is serving our love for God or competing with it. Self-control is not the joyless denial of every good thing. It is the Spirit-given ability to enjoy God's gifts without letting them replace God as our ultimate treasure. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm 67, and my wife is 68. We have a traditional IRA, and I'm concerned that once RMDs begin at 73, the withdrawals could eventually push us—or my wife, if I pass first—into a higher tax bracket and increase Medicare premiums. What planning steps should we consider? I've been overpaid on Social Security SSDI and am currently repaying it. Do I have to repay the full amount before I can switch to my regular Social Security retirement benefit? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) The Book of Giving: How the God Who Gives Can Make Us Givers by Pierce Taylor Hibbs Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Acts 4:32-35 NLTAll the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.All were united in heart and mind. Sharing what they had. No one needy among them.Only God can change the human soul to cooperate, unite, and love like that, selflessly, literally bringing Heaven to earth.Today, His life is available. His love is available. His Spirit can touch our lives to love, care, and share like those first disciples.This passage creates a longing to be united in heart and mind with other believers.Can you make yourself available to love selflessly today?Read once more this time from the Message Bible:The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That's mine; you can't have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need.No matter how independent we may think ourselves to be, we need care. We need help. We need others. True community is finding common ground coupled with unity. Focused on what draws us together, rather than divides. Peace over chaos. Responsibility over rights. Giving. Caring. Loving like Jesus.Let's pray together: “Lord of all, thank You for Your Spirit that unites us in one heart and mind. Thank You that in You we can meet one another's needs, share our blessings, and love with the kind of love that only Heaven can give. As above, so below.”

IntroductionWe confess that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, but we might ask, “What difference does that make today?”After all, we cannot see him. We still live in a world filled with evil, persecution, and injustice. At times, we might think that Christ has left us as orphans. Psalm 110 answers those doubts. David shows us that Christ's ascension was not his retreat from the world but his glorious enthronement. Our risen Lord now reigns as our King, represents us as our perfect High Priest, and will one day return as righteous Judge. His throne is the church's comfort because his work is complete. So, how do we know this is true?Christ Reigns as Our Enthroned KingPsalm 110 begins with the Father inviting the Son to sit at his right hand. Christ's sitting communicates that this work is 100% complete. Christ has finished his humbling earthly work of redemption and now reigns with all authority.His reign does not mean the world immediately becomes peaceful or enters a golden age. Psalm 110 reminds us that Christ rules in the midst of his enemies. Evil still opposes the gospel and seeks to challenge Christ. The church still faces hostility. History continues to ebb and flow between seasons of ease and seasons of persecution.Nevertheless, none of this threatens Christ's kingdom that is ministered through his church. Even when his enemies rage, they do so only under his sovereign rule. He continues to gather his church, preserve his people, and govern history according to his perfect wisdom. His heavenly throne assures us that appearances of evil, sin, and persecution never overrule Christ's enthronement. Christ truly reigns in the midst of his enemies. Christ Represents Us as Our Eternal PriestWe can say, “Christ is in heaven? He is absent from us! How can you say that he represents us when he is removed from us?” We are asking the wrong questions! We are assured that the ascended Christ is present with his people. He continues his ministry on our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary. He is not like a mere mortal who can only be in one place at a time. He can be in heaven, and still dwell in us and with us. Psalm 110 tells us that Christ is in the order of Melchizedek. He is a priest who ministered in Jerusalem when Abraham triumphed over Lot's captors. Genesis compiles a genealogy for each significant person. However, Melchizedek breaks this trend. He has no genealogy to communicate his birth. He has no record of his death. He is a priest without beginning or end. Christ is a priest in this order. Christ never grows weary interceding on our behalf. Christ never grows weary of protecting us and leading us by his Spirit. In the Holy Spirit, he unites us to himself, strengthens his church, and equips his people to serve him faithfully.Psalm 110 reminds us that God's promise concerning this Priest-King will never change. Unlike the temporary priests of the Old Testament, Christ's priesthood is everlasting. His sacrifice is complete. His intercession never ceases. His protection will never expire. Our acceptance before God rests entirely upon the finished work of Christ. His heavenly enthronement testifies to us that his work is truly complete. Christ Will Return as Our JudgeThe same Christ who now reigns in the midst of his enemies will one day return to judge the living and the dead. His invisible reign will be very visible on the day of his wrath. We realize the day of the Lord after Christ's enthronement, but not the full physical blessings of the day. We already have the guarantee because Christ is enthroned, giving us his Spirit. However, we wait for the fullness. Christ will bring the conclusion to the day of the Lord in the day of his wrath. (Gospel Coalition: “Day of the Lord” is worth a read) For unbelievers, that day will be a day of wrath. Every rebellion against God's King will finally be brought to an end. Christ will address every injustice that has been done. In fact, every knee will bow to Christ. It is better to bow the knee now and take Christ's yoke upon yourself rather than to bow the knee as Christ's enemy on the day of his wrath. When we bow the knee today and take Christ's yoke upon us, we will be comforted by his return. It is on that day when we realize the full physical blessings of the day of the Lord that we will be taken into our rest. Our king will visibly rule us because his eternal priesthood guarantees it. His sitting in glory testifies to the successful completion of his mission. He will bring his people into the full glory of his rest. Ruling in the midst of his enemies is only between his first coming and his second coming.Until that day, we may grow weary. We face suffering, disappointment, and spiritual battles. Yet Psalm 110 closes with the image of refreshment, reminding us that Christ himself sustains his people as they journey toward glory. His people drink from the river of life as they are united to their glorified priest-king. The One who conquered through suffering now supplies his church with the living water that enables us to persevere. He will preserve his people as they persevere in him.ConclusionChrist's ascension is not the story of a Savior who left his people behind. It is the declaration that the work of redemption is finished and that the victorious King now reigns from heaven.He rules over his church in the midst of his enemies. He continually represents us as our faithful High Priest. And he will return to judge the world in perfect righteousness.Therefore, when the struggles of this age tempt us to lose heart, Psalm 110 calls us to lift our eyes to the throne of Christ. Our Priest-King reigns. His kingdom cannot fail. His Spirit sustains his people. And the day is coming when every enemy will publicly bow before him.Until then, let us continue to drink deeply from the river of life. This is the life that he freely gives. Let us rest confidently in our ascended Savior. He unites us to him, we taste his goodness in his Spirit, and he will visibly come to bring us to glory. Let us long for the day when he brings us into the full physical blessings of his kingdom. Today, he rules in the midst of his enemies, but he will bring us to glory on the day of his wrath. Let us drink deeply of the river of life as we walk in his Spirit. He will bring this creation to its glorified goal because his enthronement guarantees it.

In Acts 4, the religious leaders were astonished by two things: first, the miracle that had taken place; and second, the boldness of Peter and John. It is time for us to stand with that same boldness and declare the truth we know. The leaders recognised that these ordinary men had been with Jesus – and that made all the difference. Later in the same chapter, the disciples prayed, “Now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” What a powerful prayer! We should be praying like that today. Then, in verse 31, we read that after they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. What an example for the Church today – that we would seek God's presence, be filled afresh with His Spirit, and boldly proclaim His Word, trusting Him to confirm it with His power.

Welcome to The Daily. Today, I want to give a shoutout to Jeff Fox from Airdrie, Alberta. Thank you so much for your partnership with us in Project23. Grab your Hosea Scripture Journal. Our text today is Hosea 10:3-4: For now they will say: "We have no king, for we do not fear the Lord; and a king—what could he do for us?" They utter mere words; with empty oaths they make covenants; so judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field. — Hosea 10:3-4 People frequently blame bad leadership without asking what kind of culture produced it. Hosea goes deeper than politics. Israel's leadership crisis was not merely a government problem. It was a spiritual problem. "We have no king, for we do not fear the LORD." That's the issue. The fear of God had disappeared, and once that happens, leadership becomes hollow. Leaders begin serving themselves instead of the truth. Promises become performative. Covenants become manipulation. Words become tools instead of commitments. Hosea states this, "They utter mere words." Our world is filled with words. Speeches. Statements. Branding. Messaging. Public outrage. Carefully crafted narratives. But beneath much of it is a vacuum because truth has been disconnected from character. When people stop fearing and following God, integrity becomes optional. It is God who holds integrity together. This is why he has given us his Spirit. His Spirit is the person who convicts our flesh to live in accordance with God's truth. If we don't live with godly integrity, eventually judgment "springs up like poisonous weeds." Notice that image. Poison grows where truth once should have grown. Corruption spreads. What was planted quietly begins affecting everything. That's why leadership failures are never just leadership failures. They reveal something deeper about the spiritual condition of the people underneath them. A nation that rejects truth will eventually produce leaders who do the same. A culture that rewards image over integrity will eventually be ruled by performance instead of principle. Hosea is calling us to clarity and consistency. Political solutions cannot heal spiritual problems. Elections matter, laws matter, leaders matter—but none of them can replace repentance. National renewal has always started with spiritual renewal. You may not lead a nation, but you are leading somewhere. In your home. Your workplace. Your friendships. Your church. Your influence. So ask yourself: Am I leading from conviction or image? Do my words carry integrity? Would my private life support my public statements? Because the world does not need more impressive leaders. It needs truthful ones. And truthful leaders are formed first by the fear of the Lord. DO THIS: Pray today for your nation, your leaders, your church, and yourself—that truth and integrity would replace performance and empty words. ASK THIS: Where have I prioritized image over integrity? Do my words and actions align? How is God calling me to lead truthfully right now? PRAY THIS: God, restore truth and integrity in our leaders and in me. Teach me to fear you rightly so my life reflects honesty, courage, and conviction. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Build My Life"

In The Lid Is The Limit, Pastor Akil is calling us beyond spiritual exposure into true Spirit fullness. God does not want us controlled by lesser things. He wants us opened, filled, governed, sanctified, and led by His Spirit.

Introduction: Beware the Pious OnesIntroduction: Beware the Pious OnesMy dad used to warn me, "Be careful of the pious ones." That puzzled me for years. Piety should be about loving God, pursuing God. So why would anyone warn you to be careful of pious people? Then, I noticed that the most pious in Christ's day received His sharpest words. Christ warns the pious that they are shutting people out of the kingdom. In fact, in all their evangelistic zeal, they are only creating disciples of hell. That should make us pause and contemplate true piety.Acts 5 gives some insight into this problem. We discover that there are self-proclaimed pious people actively working against the work of Christ. So the real question is: how do we know what piety we're actually pursuing? The Community's Power (Acts 5:12–16)Word spreads about Ananias and Sapphira, and the healing of the disciples. The crowds do not discern the truth, but hold the apostles on some superstitious pedestal. They bring their sick to the disciples, hoping that at least a shadow will fall on the sick and bring healing. However, they don't want to get too close because people die in this community. The problem is that people look to the apostles for healing rather than to Christ. We have seen this with the crippled man. He clung to the apostles, and not his savior. The apostles made it very clear that the Lord brings healing. So, the Apostles continue to preach the gospel. Tragically, the crowd misses the point of the signs. The signs are not self-promoting signs that the false prophets use to promote their own significance. Christ warned his disciples about these false prophets before going to the cross (Mt. 24:24; Mk 13:22; Luke 21:8). No, these are signs that gave the prophets credibility and authenticity to confirm their message. It was not to compete with the message. Unfortunately, they would rather watch for a miracle than find their wholeness in Christ. It takes time to be progressively transformed by His word. This helps us see true piety versus false piety. True piety looks to our God. False piety looks to the tangible in this world. God's Power Play (Acts 5:17–26)The high priest and the Sadducees move against the apostles out of jealousy. The Sadducees deny the supernatural. They claim that there is no resurrection, no miracle, nothing supernatural. They believe that Scripture is an ethical handbook rather than the living and abiding Word of God that confers life. They are jealous that the Apostles are gaining traction. They cannot tolerate a movement built on a risen Christ. A movement with credible healings and miracles. The apostles' ministry is a radical existential threat to their power. So, they react by assuming that if you silence the messengers, then you silence the movement. So, they try to silence the apostles by locking them up in jail. An angel quietly opens the prison at night. There is no disturbance outside the prison, so the guards assume everything is fine. The Lord sends the apostles right back to the temple with a simple charge: go speak all the words of this Life. The next morning, the council sends for the prisoners and finds an empty locked cell. The word returns to the senate that the "prisoners" are already preaching at the temple. God dismantles the power play without raising his voice. The glorified and resurrected Jesus of Nazareth will be proclaimed. Who Really Holds the Power (Acts 5:27–42)The Apostles are escorted from the temple to the senate. The apostles are accused of trying to put "this man's blood" on them. Please keep in mind that this senate is the same group of people who once told Pilate, "his blood be on us." Peter's answer is direct: "We must obey God rather than men," and he pointedly calls God "the God of our fathers.” The Apostles are in the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because they embrace Christ. This means that the pious ones, who deny Christ, cannot claim the same historic identity. Where Pentecost's crowd was cut to the heart and repented, this council responds with rage.Gamaliel, a Pharisee, then offers a test: movements built on mere men collapse when their leader dies. This happened with Theudas. He rose up, and Rome executed him, silencing his mission. Judas the Galilean led a tax revolt, and Rome executed him, killing his movement. Two clear movements that were not from God rose up and died almost immediately. The movements had no power beyond the leaders. So, if the apostles are from God, there is no way that the Sanhedrin/council can stop it. However, if it is merely a man-made movement, then it will die. So, let history unfold. Praise be to God! We worship the same resurrected and ascended Christ that the Apostles proclaimed. The movement continues by the Lord's continued providence and care.Conclusion: True Piety Points Away From ItselfSo, how do we know if we're pursuing the right piety? Luke 18 answers it: the Pharisee's sin wasn't effort, it was trusting in his own righteousness. There's nothing wrong with looking back and thanking God for how he's sanctified us. However, when it becomes look how good I am, Christ has quietly left the stage. The Pharisees make their own disciples (Matthew 23:19). They are not making disciples of Christ, but disciples of their theology. When Christ gives the great commission, the disciples are commanded to teach and disciple in all that I have commanded you. True piety asks, “How do I glorify Christ?” It is the assurance that I only draw near to God because I am in Christ. He has lived, died, been raised, and ascended to glory. He rules me/us by His Spirit from heaven. True piety seeks to glorify Christ rather than self. That's the whole difference between the pious ones my dad warned me about and the true pious. May we distinguish true piety and desire to please our Lord, who has redeemed us. Then, I noticed whom Christ reserved his sharpest words for in the Gospels: the most pious people of his day. Christ warns the pious that they are shutting people out of the kingdom. In fact, in all their evangelistic zeal, they are only creating disciples of hell.Acts 5 gives some insight into this problem. We discover that there are self-proclaimed pious people actively working against the work of Christ. So the real question is: how do we know what piety we're actually pursuing?The Community's Power (Acts 5:12–16)The Apostles continue to minister the Lord's gospel. The problem is that people look to the apostles rather than to Christ. We have seen this with the crippled man. His attention was called to Christ as the crippled man clung to the apostles. It is the Lord's word that brings the healing.This is where we see the true piety versus the false piety. The true piety looks to our God. False piety looks to the tangible in this world.Word spreads about Ananias and Sapphira, and the healing of the disciples. The crowds do not discern the truth, but hold the apostles on some sort of a superstitious pedestal. They bring their sick to the disciples, hoping that at least a shadow would come into contact and bring healing. However, they don't want to get close because people die in this community.Tragically, they miss the point of the signs. The signs are not self-promoting signs like the false prophets who use the signs to promote their own significance. Christ warned his disciples about these false prophets before going to the cross (Mt. 24:24; Mk 13:22; Luke 21:8). No, these are signs that gave Moses credibility and authenticity before Pharaoh. Unfortunately, we see that the crowds are still the crowds who lurk rather than join. They would rather watch for a miracle rather than find their wholeness in Christ, being progressively transformed by His word.God's Power Play (Acts 5:17–26)The high priest and the Sadducees move against the apostles out of jealousy. The Sadducees deny the supernatural. They claim that there is no resurrection, no miracle, nothing supernatural. Scripture is an ethical handbook rather than the living and abiding Word of God that confers life.They are jealous that the Apostles are gaining traction. They really are not going to allow a movement built on a risen Christ. A movement with credible healings and miracles. This is not a competition for them, but a radical existential threat. Their existence is about to be completely undermined. So, they react by assuming if you silence the messengers, then you destroy the movement. They lock up the apostles in jail.An angel quietly opens the prison at night. There is no disturbance outside the prison, so the guards assume everything is fine. The Lord sends the apostles right back to the temple with a simple charge: go speak all the words of this Life. The next morning, the council sends for the prisoners and finds an empty locked cell. The word returns to the senate that the "prisoners" are already preaching at the temple. God dismantles the power play without raising his voice. His life message will go forth. The glorified and resurrected Jesus of Nazareth will be proclaimed.Who Really Holds the Power (Acts 5:27–42)The Apostles are escorted from the temple to the senate. The apostles are accused of trying to put "this man's blood" on them. Please keep in mind that this same group of people once told Pilate, "his blood be on us." Peter's answer is direct: "We must obey God rather than men," and he pointedly calls God "the God of our fathers.” The Apostles are in the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because they embrace Christ. This means that the pious ones, who deny Christ, cannot claim the same historic identity. Where Pentecost's crowd was cut to the heart and repented, this council responds with rage instead.Gamaliel, a Pharisee, then offers a test: movements built on mere men collapse when their leader dies. This happened with Theudas. He rose up, and Rome executed him, silencing his mission. Judas the Galilean led a tax revolt, and Rome executed him. His movement died. Two clear movements that were not from God. We know that because the movement died. It had no power beyond the leaders.So, if the apostles are from God, there is no way that they can stop it. If the movement is only in their power, then it will cease. So, let history unfold. Praise be to God! We worship the same resurrected and ascended Christ that the Apostles proclaimed. The movement continues by the Lord's continued providence and care.Conclusion: True Piety Points Away From ItselfSo, how do we know if we're pursuing the right piety? Luke 18 answers it: the Pharisee's sin wasn't effort, it was trusting in his own righteousness. There's nothing wrong with looking back and thanking God for how he's sanctified us. However, when it becomes look how good I am, Christ has quietly left the stage.The Pharisees make their own disciples (Matthew 23:19). They are not making disciples of Christ, but disciples of their theology. When Christ gives the great commission, the disciples are commanded to teach and disciple in all that I have commanded you.True piety asks, “How do I glorify Christ?” It is the assurance that I only draw near to God because I am in Christ. He has lived, died, been raised, and ascended to glory. He rules me/us by His Spirit from heaven. True piety seeks to glorify Christ rather than self. That's the whole difference between the pious ones my dad warned me about and the true pious. May we distinguish true piety and desire to please our Lord, who has redeemed us. Amen.

Pour Out Your Spirit, Lord Joel 2:28-29 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” One of the most beautiful promises in all of Scripture is not just that God has His Spirit available to us, but that He desires to pour His Spirit out upon His people. Notice the language Joel uses. God doesn't speak of giving a drop or offering a small portion. He speaks of pouring out His Spirit in abundance upon every generation and every willing heart. That promise is still available to us today. But there is also another truth throughout Scripture. While God is always faithful to pour out His blessings, we must also be in a position to receive them.

I want to encourage you to truly know the power of God in your life and to see that power demonstrated through you. The book of Acts records what Jesus continued to do through His Church by the Holy Spirit; it is the account of the early Church living and ministering in His name and through the power of the Holy Spirit. That story has not ended – we are still writing its next chapters today as we continue Christ's mission in the power of His Spirit. As Scripture declares, “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” This is the very heart of the gospel. Salvation is not found in religion, ritual, or ceremony, but through faith in the name of Jesus Christ alone.

As God’s presence takes up residence in you and becomes your guide, that harsh outer shell begins to break away. The walls you’ve built crumble. And what grows like fresh ivy taking over that old exterior is GENTLENESS. Gentleness is not weakness, nor is it passive. This word translated into ‘gentleness’ was used to describe a powerful horse that had been trained. The horse doesn’t lose it’s power when trained, it learns discipline. Gentleness is one of the most misunderstood Fruits of the Spirit because many people hear the word and think “weak,” “passive,” or “timid.” But in Scripture, gentleness is actually controlled strength under the direction of God. God never seeks to take away your strength, he works to direct your strength with discipline. When your strength is submitted to God, you receive gentleness. Then, just like a well trained horse, you are powerful with a purpose. Galatians 5: 22-23, “But the Holy spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, GENTLENESS. You don’t produce this kind of controlled strength and discipline on your own, it grows when you surrender your life to God and the work of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the horse doesn’t train itself – it submits itself to training. It doesn’t relinquish it’s strength, it surrenders its strength to direction. God isn’t asking you to be weak and incapable – he’s working in you to make you stronger than you ever imagined! He’s training you for great purposes. Jesus describes himself in Matthew 11: 29 as “humble and gentle at heart.” Humble and gentle – they go together. This is how God’s Spirit works within us. First, he humbles us to help us see who we are without him. From that inward humility grows gentleness, changing how we treat others. Humility is the root, gentleness is the fruit. The life surrendered to Jesus is humble like him, and grows in gentleness. Was Jesus ever without strength and power for a moment? Never! Yet, his gentleness was all his strength under control and all his power held in discipline, as he hung on the cross to die. Gentleness allowed him to fulfill his purpose. So, are you called by God to be harsh and rigid? Absolutely not. Are you designed to be the angry one – the destroyer – the one who tears things down? No, his spirit prodcues GENTLENESS in you. Your strength will never be stronger than it is when it is submitted to the training of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness doesn’t need to dominate or control. Gentleness doesn’t need to win every argument. Gentleness is strength restrained with discipline, under the direction of God. I love spending time in Bali. The Balinese people are truly some of the most humble and gentle people on earth. On my most recent trip, my drive Panji taught me that in their culture, the angry and demanding person is not the strongest person, in fact they are the weakest person. Anger is seen as weakness. Power trips are seen as failure. Humility and gentleness are true strength. Seeing this lived out by an entire culture is one of the most refreshing things I’ve ever seen. AND THEY ARE WITHOUT JESUS. They have to work to produce that on their own. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit living in us, naturally growing GENTLENESS, so why on earth do we fight it? Why are we trying to be the boss? Why are we trying to gain control? Why are we trying to force or manipulate? Why are we so angry and unbridled? Girl, LET THE HOLY SPIRIT DO HIS WORK IN YOU. LET HIM GROW GENTLENESS FROM WITHIN YOU. Here’s how God’s gentleness grows within you. First, the Holy Spirit begins to expose any harshness. You start noticing your impatience. You become aware of your tendency to get defensive. You see your controlling tendencies for yourself. You hear your own angry voice and you grow to dislike it. This is holy conviction, and it’s the work of the Holy Spirit in you. This is how change happens! As you lean into the work of the Holy Spirit, you begin to see how God changes people so much better than your force ever could have. You begin to see how your anger was never necessary. You understand how your ploy for control was always making things worse. Now, with this awareness, you grow in trust and dependence of God. The more you grow in trust, the more Christ’s character is formed in you. As you walk with Jesus, you begin naturally walking like him. The gentleness of Jesus begins to grow within you, reshaping you from the inside. Philippians 4:5, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Looking back, my best parenting was always gentleness. Every time I was harsh or angry, I generally made things worse. What my husband has needed was gentleness. The Holy Spirit is growing gentleness within you – yes, let it be evident to all. Gentleness is strength under control. Gentleness reflects the heart of Jesus. Gentleness makes restoration possible. Gentleness is evidence of the Holy Spirit growing in you. As God’s presence takes up residence in you and becomes your guide, that harsh outer shell begins to break away. The walls you’ve built crumble. And what grows like fresh ivy taking over that old exterior is GENTLENESS. Have you ever noticed an old wall covered in ivy? This is such a picture of the Holy Spirit transforming us. Imagine an old stone fortress. For years it has stood alone. Thick walls. Cold stones. Sharp edges. Built for defense. And maybe those walls were necessary at one time. They were built after betrayal, disappointment, criticism, fear, rejection, or loss. They kept enemies out—but they also kept love from freely flowing in and out. Many of us become emotional fortresses without realizing it. Then Christ comes to dwell within us. He doesn’t begin by demolishing the fortress with explosions. He begins by making it unnecessary. The walls just aren’t necessary any more. Then, like ivy taking root in the cracks, His Spirit quietly begins to spread. At first, the ivy seems insignificant. You still react sharply sometimes. You still become defensive. You still protect your pride. Yet something new is growing within. Something is changing. Season after season, the ivy grows. It softens every hard line. It reaches places no hammer could. It finds tiny cracks where grace can enter. Eventually people no longer notice the fortress first—they notice the living green that covers it. That is gentleness. Not the absence of strength. Strength clothed in life.The goal is not to become more gentle by sheer effort. The goal is to abide in Christ. As His presence fills every room of your heart, His gentleness quietly overtakes the old cold walls of self-protection. That is the quiet miracle of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness is one of the clearest signs that this transformation is taking root. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Pastor Martin begins a new series exploring The Promise, the Power, and the Purpose of God. Discover how God first calls us into relationship, then equips us through His Spirit, and ultimately sends us to bring His reality into every area of life. Through the story of Elijah and Elisha, we're reminded that God's purpose is formed over time as we faithfully walk with Him and His people.

The Jesus who set you free will not abandon you. He sends His Spirit to lead you, to empower you, to grow fruit in you, and to keep you free.

Many people believe they have to get their lives together before God can use them. The gospel says the opposite. You don't come to Christ because you're already clean—you come to Christ so He can make you clean. God isn't looking for flawless people. He's looking for surrendered hearts that are willing to repent, grow, and be transformed by His Spirit. As we spend time with the Father through prayer, His Word, and obedience, He changes us from the inside out. He reshapes our desires, renews our minds, and teaches us to love as He loves. God often works through imperfect people who are fully surrendered to Him. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. To see more, be sure to subscribe to the podcast at

You may feel overlooked or unqualified when it comes to your calling, but Ephesians 3 reminds us otherwise. The same God who welcomed you into His family is still at work, doing immeasurably more than you could ask or imagine. You were never an accident in God's story; you were created with purpose and empowered by His Spirit. Whatever you've stopped believing for, let this message remind you that our God is still more than able. STAY CONNECTEDWebsite: www.oasisphx.comFacebook: Oasis Community ChurchInstagram: @oasisphx

In this Summer Nights message, Pastor Josh shares how biblical community is about more than surrounding ourselves with people who look, think, or act like us—it is about becoming people who carry one another toward Jesus. Through the Tower of Babel, Pentecost, and Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 14, we learn that unity without surrender to God can lead us in the wrong direction. True spiritual unity is centered on Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and committed to building up the body of Christ. God desires to fill us with His Spirit—not so we can build a name for ourselves, but so we can encourage others, speak life, walk in obedience, and help one another remain prepared for Christ's return. Listen and be encouraged to pursue biblical community, spiritual maturity, and a life that reflects the power and love of Jesus.

Walking in the Spirit isn't about perfection; it's about letting Jesus have possession of your heart and your everyday decisions. In this message from Galatians 5:16–26, Pastor Phil Hopper explains how believers live with two natures, the flesh and the Spirit, and how every choice we make feeds one or the other.  You'll see the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, and how God's design is for His Spirit to rule your soul and body so you can live a life that is holy, healthy, and happy. This episode will challenge you to crucify the flesh, walk in step with the Spirit, and experience the freedom that comes from a relationship with Jesus, not religious lists.    Connect with us on Social Media ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels   Listen to The Well Podcast ⤵ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5wadnywAMEK7c0E1qatMoY?si=SjH6Ko7VR3OoHrRy1yYLlQ&nd=1&dlsi=395ae55d95ac4b11 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-well/id1233267223 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR50sV854C2hogfBmv7YogvCjiNYLz9a2   Find Your Next Step: https://alife.livingproof.co/ Watch More Sermons: https://abundant-life.com/sermons/   Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website:  https://abundant-life.com/ Listen to The Well Podcast ⤵Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5wadnywAMEK7c0E1qatMoY?si=SjH6Ko7VR3OoHrRy1yYLlQ&nd=1&dlsi=395ae55d95ac4b11Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-well/id1233267223YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR50sV854C2hogfBmv7YogvCjiNYLz9a2Find Your Next Step: http://alife.livingproof.co/ Watch more sermons: https://abundant-life.com/sermons/Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://abundant-life.com/ Connect with us on Social Media ↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/Web: https://abundant-life.com/resources/books/Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/ More information on our sermons: https://abundant-life.com/sermons/Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://abundant-life.com/

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners  GOD's description of how the people had made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which HE had sent by HIS Spirit through the prophets and how great wrath came upon them.  Scripture References: Zechariah 7:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Zechariah 1:1-6; Zechariah 7:1-14; Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:18-23 Scripture translation used is the NASB “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995, 2020 (only use the last year corresponding to the edition quoted) by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org”CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S NEW PODCAST- The First Love ProjectHere is the video introducing the podcast on You Tube-https://youtu.be/PhFY1moDDmsHERE IS A LINK TO THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR FIRST LOVE PROJECThttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdaujk1npuKR0BLSkTlKyxmuxavrZQHM6&si=dC10K4Qdh0xMKElU FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishaffer DAILY MUSICAL DEVOTIONAL BY THE WORSHIP INITIATIVE:Text SING to 79316CHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com   Support the show

A Sunday morning sermon by Pastor Brett Deal.As I've been praying and preparing the summer series for our youth, following the repeating imagery of God's presence in fire, I'm struck afresh by the faithfulness of God to us across the ages. In the Old Testament, at one of Abraham's lowest moments, God anchored His promise to the patriarch by making a covenant with Abraham; one for which the Lord alone was responsible (Genesis 12.1-4; 15.17). Before His called and chosen servant's watching eyes, as “a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch,” the Lord's presence passed through the sacrifice. Through the fire, the Lord was saying to Abraham, we have made a covenant, but I alone am responsible to fulfill my promise.When we consider Moses sharing this story with Abraham's sons and daughters on their exodus journey out of slavery and into the Promised Land, God's covenantal faithfulness becomes all the more pronounced! In the wilderness, all these men and women needed do was look up from their dark and dusty feet and fix their eyes on the pillar of fire by night and trust the Lord was faithful to His word (Exodus 13.21-22; Numbers 9.15-23).When we arrive on the other side of salvation history—after Christ endured the cross for us, after He conquered death and the grave, after He ascended to the right hand of the Father—we rejoice as Jesus our Messiah pours out His Spirit in a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire (Acts 2.1-4). In the wind and the fire and the tongues we see expressions of God's everlasting faithfulness fulfilling His promises. In the Apostle's Pentecost sermon, as Richard Thompson once said, our attention is drawn toward this simple fact: “God acted as God promised.” On Pentecost, through the outpouring of His Spirit and the proclamation of the Gospel, God revealed His faithfulness. Like Abraham and the Exodus generation, the people in the crowd in Jerusalem were invited to believe – to believe Jesus was the Lord and Messiah, to believe the witness of the Apostles and Prophets, to repent and receive mercy.Beloved friend, God's faithfulness remains the same. It is the same mercy and grace which calls us to repentance and baptism today. It is the same love which makes a covenant with us, confirming His promise.

A Sunday morning sermon by Pastor Brett Deal.Lent always takes us lower than we could ever fathom. On the journey to the cross we are confronted with our own spiritual deformation—how we've exchanged the image of God in our lives for “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life” (1 John 2.16). The Lenten season is like a pumice stone against the cold and calloused death enveloping our hearts. As we follow Jesus to the cross, our sin and death are laid bare before the Lord, and there on the hill where Jesus died, all our guilt and shame is placed on His shoulders (1 Peter 2.24; Isaiah 53.6). Every year, on Good Friday, as I extinguish the candles on the high altar, I cannot help but cry. There on the cross, Jesus dies my death (1 Peter 3.18; Isaiah 53.5).Yes, Lent takes us lower than we could ever fathom but as we follow Jesus to the cross and through the tomb, Lent also lifts us higher than we could ever imagine! Every year, I am swept up in the marvelous resurrection of our Lord! The One who proclaims to us, “I AM the resurrection and the life” is forever risen and dwells in His absolute glory (John 11.25-26, Hebrews 1.3)! Everything Jesus taught us now takes on newer, fuller, richer vibrancy in His resurrection. Every sign, every wonder, everything Jesus said and did is now seen anew through His resurrection. This year, as we make our way to Jesus' ascension (May 14) and the outpouring of His Holy Spirit (May 24), let's devote ourselves to being re-formed by His resurrection. Let's dedicate time to prayer and fellowship, seeking to be conformed more into His image and transformed more by His Spirit's indwelling work (Romans 8.29; 2 Corinthians 3.18). Let's seek, like His disciples on the way to Pentecost, to see the revelation of God's Word (in Joel and the Psalms) through the lens of our Lord's glorious resurrection (Acts 2.14-41).Beloved, God the Father has promised more for us in the light of Christ's resurrection, but too often we live disempowered lives—lacking real spiritual transformation—because we fail to be reshaped in His resurrection. Today is not too late. Let's make our way together to Pentecost.

Bride's Ministry to the Lost (1)  (audio) David Eells – 7/12/26 Our Brother's Keeper Eve Brast - 12/19/2015 (David's notes in red) Since yesterday afternoon, the Holy Spirit in me has been very grieved. I felt sadness from the Father's heart but I didn't understand why. Then again, on the way home from the Friday night meeting, His sadness and grieving were heavy upon me again. I began to pray as I pulled into my driveway that Father would help me to help His people and that He would make me His eyes and ears and mind and that He would help me to be His hands and feet. I understood in general that this was what the Spirit was grieved about, and He desired that this would be the desire of His people above all else. (Please read my word below from the Father on 12/07/15. It's so very important to Him that my heart breaks at the earnest longing from His Spirit that He allowed me to feel.) Eve Brast - 12/07/15: I asked Father what was on His heart to say to us today and He told me to get a pen and paper. He said, “My people who are called by My name, humble yourselves before Me this day. Fast and pray with weeping and lamentations for your brethren who are in this land, for swift destruction is coming and distress from every side and there shall be none to deliver! But I will deliver, by My power and strong arm, those who will repent and turn to Me in that day. Take care to be mindful of your fellow brethren! Lay down your lives, for you are your brother's keeper. Offer up to Me the sweet smell of sacrifice and I will honor it. Fast! Pray! For the day draws near. All things will be accomplished according to My Word”. (Pray for gifts to be able to help the brethren.) When I lay down to sleep last night, I asked Father for a dream to share with the brethren at the morning prayer meeting on Saturday morning. I received it on 12/19/15. I dreamed that I was making rounds with David and Michael in a nursing home/mental hospital. (The Church is supposed to be gifted to heal the spiritually old and mentally sick in the body.) David was a surgeon dressed in light blue scrubs, and Michael was a resident surgeon in training dressed in royal blue scrubs. (They represent the Man-child ministry “who is like God”.) (Which is the meaning of “Michael”. To be like God, we need His fruit and gifts to be able to help the brethren.) There were others with us from UBM and some nurses I currently work with at the hospital in real life. David was a very talented and important doctor and was well-respected in this dream. He had come there to perform a new procedure that would restore these patients in this facility. We all desired to assist him in this procedure. (Those who followed are like the disciples of Jesus' day who followed Him.) As we all followed David, he would stop at the different rooms and areas of this nursing home/mental hospital and point out different patients and explain to us what he needed us to do to help him. Many of the patients were demented or just old and feeble (in spirit). Many were half naked (not dressed up with the works of Christ) and very obese (meaning overcome by flesh). They wandered around aimlessly and out of their right minds (which is the renewed mind of Christ). (These are our brothers and sisters in Christ who have not come out of the ways of the Harlot church yet or who have fallen back into worldly lusts and the mind of the flesh and their old beastly nature. {Isa.63:9} In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.) It was dark as we approached some double glass doors that led out into a courtyard filled with green grass. And as we stood outside on the lighted, covered porch area, it began to rain very large drops of water. (Michael Hare says these represent the trials and sacrifices we endure for the sake of our brethren. As faithful priests, this is what is required of us.) (Also, the rain can be the anointing and gifts God gives to those who sacrifice their lives to help the brethren. As we give of ourselves, He gives to us.) David and Michael stepped out into the rain, and they turned to face us. David held out his hand and said, “I need someone to come and get the stretcher in order to transport these patients”. (The word “stretcher” is a play on words. In order to be at rest, you must “stretch” your faith.) (Those who are able are called to help carry a spiritually sick Christian until they can walk for themselves.) All the others who had been following David and Michael were unwilling to step out into the rain with them in order to go get the stretcher for the “patients”. They began to turn and walk back into the nursing home/mental hospital and murmur as they went, saying that this was too hard, too difficult. {Joh.6:66} Upon this many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him. My heart sank as they walked away and I felt so alone and sad for David. I said, “I'll go”. (The true Bride will help to save God's people, like Esther did.) I didn't want to get out in the rain either, but to my surprise, even though it was cold as the large raindrops hit my face and my arms, I wasn't getting wet. The water was just soaking into my skin and filling me up inside. I felt encouraged and strengthened. {Isa.28:11} Nay, but by men of strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people; {12} to whom he said, This is the rest, give ye rest to him that is weary; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. People avoid the rain as though it were acid, but in actuality, it doesn't hurt at all and is refreshing; so it is with tribulations and trials, but the refreshing of the Spirit will help us. {Rom.5:3} And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; {4} and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: {5} and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us. {Jas.1:2} Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; {3} Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. {4} And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. (Missy said this reluctance to help God's people reminds her of the book of Esther, where it says: {Est.4:14} For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house will perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? When we choose obedience, Father will strengthen us for the task, just like He did for Jesus. {Rev.22:17} And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take of the water of life freely.) (The verse that came to M.L. the morning when I shared this dream was: (Jas.4:17} To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Please, brethren, fast and pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ. (Ask for the Holy Spirit and gifts from God for them.) Ask for ears to hear the Holy Spirit's pleadings with us on their behalf. {Rom.9:3} For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh: {Luk.12:50} But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished.) The three of us walked across the grassy courtyard together (with the flesh under our feet) to another building on the other side that was white brick (representing righteous works to serve the needy). This was where David would perform the new procedure. (Jesus said, “Behold, I make all things new”.) (I asked Eve, and she thought that the following correction applies well to some in all of UBM. I believe it speaks of many who have had much training but as yet have not entered into the work of restoring their brethren in whatever capacity they have a gift for.) There were many UBM members sitting in the doctor's lounge, along with all the children of UBM, including my two sons, Elijah and Josiah. (Even the two witnesses at this time need the anointing to serve.) They were all sitting around waiting for David to come and perform the new procedure. They were all busy and absorbed in their conversations. They all wanted to talk about the procedure but didn't want to take any action. (Like perpetual students needing to put their knowledge to work.) The children were all over the floor and sitting in chairs and on ottomans that were blocking the path to the procedure room. David told me to move the chairs and ottomans out of the way and clear a path for the stretcher to go through. (Take away their resting in the flesh so they have to stand on their own feet.) This was difficult because the children wouldn't get up off the furniture, and the room was very crowded with people and furniture. (Insisting on resting in the flesh.) The adults wouldn't make the children obey and wouldn't help me move anything. It was like they were unable to hear my requests. I found the strength to move the furniture with the children still on it and clear a path. (In short, we can't be perpetual students; it's time for the more mature to get to work restoring the Kingdom people. Even the children can do something to help. Not all are ordained to be elders, but all have gifts, or should have, to help in restoring the Kingdom. In 1 Corinthians 12, the Lord says to forsake the idols and seek the gifts to be able to help God's people become a defensible body.) After this, Michael and I went to find the right stretcher that would accommodate a very obese patient. (Representing those overcome with flesh.) We finally found an old, faded forest green recliner that was very wide, and when we reclined it all the way, it transformed into a stretcher with wheels. We rejoiced when we found it. (Representing enabling the spiritually sick Christians to rest from their labors through faith.) When I woke up, I asked Father for a word for this dream and received Isaiah 33:16. In context: {Isa.33:10} Now will I arise, saith Jehovah; now will I lift up myself; now will I be exalted. (First, the Lord addresses the fate of those who believe themselves to be a part of Zion but do not have the fruit.) {11} Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath (Hebrew: “spirit”) is a fire that shall devour you. (In other words, be careful of the spirit that goes forth from you through what you speak because that is what you will receive.) {12} And the peoples shall be as the burnings of lime, as thorns cut down, that are burned in the fire. (Jesus said, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit is cast into the fire”.) {13} Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. {14} The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling hath seized the godless ones: Who among us can dwell with the devouring fire? who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings? (The sinners cannot stand to dwell among those who offer up their flesh as a continual burnt offering; their fear drives them out.) (So who can dwell in the fire? Who can keep their flesh on the altar?) {15} He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from taking a bribe, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from looking upon evil: {16} He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks (meaning those who are defended by the Word); his bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (He shall have God's supply.) {17} Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: (They shall see the visitation of the Lord in His body.) they shall behold a land that reacheth afar: (They shall have much freedom living in their Promised Land.) Seek the gifts of God to build up His people. {1Co.12:1} Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. {2} Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might be led. {3} Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit. (So forsake the worldly idols and seek gifts to edify God's weak people.) {4} Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. {6} And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all. {7} But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. {8} For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: {9} to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; {10} and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: {11} but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will. {12} For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. {13} For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. (They were all filled with the Holy Spirit that manifests the gifts to defend the body. {Act.19:2} and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given.) {1Co.12:14} For the body is not one member, but many. {15} If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. {16} And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. {17} If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? {18} But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him. {19} And if they were all one member, where were the body? {20} But now they are many members, but one body. {21} And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. {22} Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: {23} and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness; {24} whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked; {25} that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. {26} And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. {27} Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof. {28} And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues. {29} Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? {30} have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? {31} But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you. {13:1} If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. {2} And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. {3} And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. {4} Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, {5} doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; {6} rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; {7} beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. {8} Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. {9} For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; {10} but when that which is perfect (complete) is come, that which is in part shall be done away. {11} When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. {12} For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. {13} But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. {14:1} Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. ... {12} So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church. ...{26} What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. {27} If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: {28} but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. {29} And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern. {30} But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence. {31} For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted; {32} and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; {33} for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.   Pray the Church Will Hear and Go Back to School  G. M. 2/27/18 (David's notes in red) I was an observer in this dream. I was in a place where there were classrooms with clear glass walls. There was a wooden coat rack in the hall. There were several boys walking in the hall who were very focused on where they were going. (12-14 years old [man-child], not messing around or wasting time, like they were on a serious assignment). (These are the teachers in this school who themselves hear the Holy Spirit)  There was a very cute little girl (the Church or the ‘little sister') with blonde hair jumping rope in the hallway (appeared to be about 5 years old (Grace). She was dressed all in pink with a pink puffy winter coat (Time of winter - tribulation). She had on pink snow boots and was also wearing a pink headband with fuzzy muffs over her ears. I could tell these were special earmuffs and were not just to keep her warm, but had a headset built into them so the teacher was able to speak to her wherever she was. (She is capable of hearing the teacher, the Man-child by the Holy Spirit.)  The little girl was having a good time singing and jumping rope in the hall. (The young and immature play games.) I could hear the teacher calling her name and trying to get her attention. The teacher had called to the little girl often to get her attention, but she didn't hear because of all her singing and jumping. Finally, she did hear the voice. (Pray for this) She stood real still and cupped her hands over her earmuffs so she could hear clearly. A big smile came over her face as she heard her teacher call her to the classroom. (Father will see to it that she goes to the class of the Holy Spirit.) I felt this little girl could represent many in the apostate church who are busy doing their own thing and not hearing the voice of the Lord. He is calling each of us to spend time with Him each day. Sometimes He has to use an extra-loud voice or circumstances to get our attention. Once we hear Him, we gladly come to Him and let Him teach us those things dear to His heart. I was given by faith at random for this dream Luk.24:23 and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. (The Church does not know the Living Risen Lord, the Jesus of promises and miracles, Who they were talked out of by false shepherds. Jesus and His disciples are our examples of what a Christian is. Heb.13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever. Joh.14:12: Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. Joh.7:38: He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.) The scripture that came to my mind was Rev.3:20 Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and him with Me. 21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with Me in My throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. I believe He may use v19 to get the attention of His children. As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. Other verses that spoke to me were: Joh.8:47 He that is of God, heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God. Joh.10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: 28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.    Bearing Our Cross Will Save Souls Sean Lynch - 07/01/2009 In a dream last night, the Lord showed me about a coming crucifixion for the brethren. In the dream, I was in either a hotel or some type of big castle. During this dream, there were many events going on, but the Lord is only bringing certain things to my remembrance. In one of the events, I remember I was outside of the hotel, and I heard on a loudspeaker tuned to a secular radio station, David's voice. He was preaching the gospel to the world. I thought this was awesome because now David's message was going to the whole world and was reaching many people. (Representing the David Man-child reformers.) The next event I remember, I was inside this hotel, and I saw a group of people approaching me. Then the fire of God fell upon me with holy boldness because I started preaching the Word with boldness and no fear, like the early apostles did when the Holy Spirit fell upon them. (Normally, I'm very shy and not bold. The Lord has been working on me with this, and I believe He has shown me that He is going to make me speak with boldness. “God's power is made perfect in our weakness”. However, these people did not receive the message of the gospel, as they started laughing and scoffing and went their own way. The next scene I remember, I was in a long walkway with doors on both sides. I believe I was with another brother in Christ. Suddenly, a mountain of a man with long hair, very strong and looking like a professional wrestler, walked in to pummel whoever got in his path. The other brother took off, and both doors shut, and I was left alone with this man. (The Lord was forcing me into crucifixion.) I decided I was going to preach the gospel to him, which at the time seemed crazy because this man looked like he wanted to rip me limb from limb; however, I felt holy boldness rise up in me and went and stood by the man and preached the Word with boldness to him. After I was done preaching, he just stood there and looked at me and then proceeded to beat me up very badly. I did not strike back but let him pummel me. I do not know if he had killed me or not, but I knew the Lord was showing me to turn the other cheek. I was then taken to another scene where I saw this same man had changed because I did not fight back. He was now a fire-breathing gospel evangelist and was preaching to other people. I then remember him preaching to a group of people, and then he was beaten, as well. I do not know if he was killed. (The Lord had shown me that because of my testimony of turning the other cheek and going to my cross, this man was saved and was allowed to go to his cross.) I remember being deeply touched by this brother who had gone to his cross. I remain touched even now as I'm writing this because the Lord is truly showing me how to lay my life down for the brethren and what is meant to go to our cross. The Lord has shown me that there are many brothers and sisters in the world who will come into the kingdom as a result of our willingness to turn the other cheek and overcome evil by laying our lives down. Please read our book, How Shall We Die.   Are You a Yielded Vessel? Sandy Shaw - 11/03/2015 (David's notes in red) In a dream, I was high in the air with a big angel on each side of me; each of them was about 10 feet tall. They glowed and stood arm-to-arm with me. One angel asked, “Sandra, what do you see?” I said, “I see a storm approaching; a lot of lightning; sheets of water and wind coming closer and closer”. Then the angel asked me, “Sandra, do you hear the Master speaking?” I had to get very quiet and still. And then I said, “Yes, I do”. Then the angel of the Lord said, “Do it without ceasing”. (It is better to find the will of God in the quiet before the storm. {1Ki.19:11} And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before Jehovah. And, behold, Jehovah passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before Jehovah; but Jehovah was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Jehovah was not in the earthquake: {12} and after the earthquake a fire; but Jehovah was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (Ah, there He is!) {13} And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? Uh-oh, he should have asked before the storm. The flesh is impulsive, moved by fear and self-preservation. Don't obey these enemy spirits or you will end up in deeper trouble. {14} And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. {15} And Jehovah said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, thou shalt anoint Hazael to be king over Syria; {16} and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. Uh-oh, lost his ministry, just like Saul, who got ahead of God.) Don't be moved by fear; it is an evil spirit; it is their job to lead you wrong. {Amo.5:19} As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. (Do not be reactionary; get quiet and ask for the Lord's instructions concerning direction and judgments to come.) {Isa.28:16} therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner- stone of sure foundation: he that believeth shall not be in haste. (We don't have to get in a hurry because the Lord must go before us, as with Israel in the wilderness. {Isa.52:12} For ye shall not go out in haste, neither shall ye go by flight: for Jehovah will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rearward.) I started praying in tongues and I put my right hand out and I could feel the cold rain and the wind. I could see the wind make depressions in my skin as the force of it blew against my arm. {2Co.5:7} (for we walk by faith, not by sight). {Heb.10:38} But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. Now I'm a little farther up, higher than before, and the angel of the Lord said, “Sandra, what do you see?” I said, “I see a second storm approaching me and five tornadoes”. I could see beyond these storms and see the devastation that they left. Buildings were gone and turned to rubble. But some weren't even touched. {Psa.91:11} For he will give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. {Mat.7:24} Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: {25} and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. {26} And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: {27} and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. The angel asked, “Do you hear the Master's instructions?” I had to get really quiet and still so I could hear. And I said, “Yes”. Then he said, “Do it without ceasing”. (Be trained to seek, hear and act on the Lord's instructions concerning the coming judgments so that when they come you may act in the rest of faith and have a Passover and be able to help others.) The first time I couldn't hear because of the storm, the crackle of the lightning, and the thunder. And the whole time I kept hearing John 4:21-24. John 4:21-24. John 4:21-24 ... {Joh.4:21} Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. {22} Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. {23} But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. {24} God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (Worship = Greek: Proskuneo, meaning “to kiss toward”. A reverential act of love toward God. Any act of love toward God. Every act of obedience is an act of love toward God, for we love Him when we keep His commandments, as He said. We are commanded to worship God with our whole being, with songs, with instruments and dance, etc. Worship should be in spirit, with the heart, meaning not in flesh. It should be in truth, meaning not an act of show to impress others.)   11/07/15 I dreamed this all again. The difference this time was that I could hear the Lord. He spoke very softly, barely above a whisper. He kept saying, “Pray in the spirit and in truth without ceasing. Pray in the spirit and in truth without ceasing”. {1Th.2:13} And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe. {5:17} pray without ceasing; {18} in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. Everything was completely tuned out. I did not hear the storm.   11/08/15 When I woke up in the night, the clock showed 3:33. And the Lord asked me a question: “Are you a yielded vessel?” {Jer.33:3} Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not. (Call to the Lord in the quiet of the night, when men don't see.) {Mat.6:6} But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. I went back to sleep and woke up at 4:44. And I heard the same question: “Are you a yielded vessel?” (The Greek gematria for “perfect love” is 444.) Then I went back to sleep and in the dream, He showed me and reminded me of something that happened when I was a child. In the dream, I was reminded that there was a Pentecostal church across the street from my mom's house. And my dad was related in some way, to most of the people in that church. Great aunts and uncles and cousins went to that church. Now they were having a special Jubilee celebration with lots of music on Saturday because nothing could interfere with the Sunday service. There were three much older women who asked if I could go to the Jubilee, but Mom said, “No!” Then my dad's great-aunt asked, “Why not?” And Mom said, “Because I'm teaching her Catholicism”. So I went to my room and cried myself to sleep. I really didn't understand at four, almost five years old. Then my dad knocked on my door and grabbed a blanket. He took my hand and we went to the front yard, putting the blanket on the ground, and I sat down. And he went to the kitchen and got some grapes and cheese. Mom came out a few minutes later, very upset with my dad. She said in Spanish, “Why are you deliberately trying to go against what I said? He said, “What you are teaching her is wrong. As long as they are praying and singing and lifting up Jesus, that is all that matters”. She went back into the house, slamming the door. Then the music started. The songs that I remember were “This Little Light of Mine” and “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”. I learned that song that day with all its verses and I knew I was singing that from my heart. I woke up again and the clock showed 5:55 (grace multiplied), but later that day I went to sleep and dreamed all of that again. But this time the dream went further. Dad came home from work and said, “Why don't you sing that song again, ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus'?” Then I did. And when the part came, “Though none go with me, still I will follow”, I started to cry and then sob. Then my dad said, “I thought you liked that song”. And I answered, “Daddy, someday I will be by myself. Jesus has to be enough”. And that's when I heard again, “Are you a yielded vessel?” (Meaning, would we follow Jesus if none of our family or friends or people we respected went with us? Obviously, God's grace, 555, will help us, if we desire this.) Because we know the storms are going to come, He is constantly giving us instructions. So are we yielded vessels? Are we listening and obeying God? We are supposed to be hearing Him, even in the midst of chaos. {Joh.4:21} Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. {22} Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. {23} But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. {24} God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (Are we willing to love and obey Him when no man sees?) {2Co.4:7} But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; {8} we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; {9} pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; {10} always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. {11} For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (If the life of Jesus is manifested in our mortal flesh, we will say with Him. {Joh.5:30} I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. He will speak to those who are willing to do His will. {7:17} If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.   Love Your Neighbor as Yourself My Hiding Place 8/23/22 (1 Cor.13:1-8a)(KJV) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth.  Dear brothers and sisters,  Lately, my prayer has been for Father to teach me His way to love. Here is how He responded to my prayer. On August 17, 2022, I needed to run a few errands. I got ready with my 2 boys when my daughter popped her head through the door and said, ‘Hey Mom, do you still need to go to the store? I can take you. My car needs to go for a spin.'  Off we went to the first and second stores. On the way back, I needed to stop at a third store, but my daughter decided she needed to go home. So I made arrangements to be dropped at the last stop with the boys, and then my husband would come to pick us up. While shopping, I received a call from my husband that he was on the way. But when he reached us, he made a strange announcement. He said that our daughter had arrived home accompanied by a homeless man who desired to get baptized! I have to confess that my initial reaction was not very friendly. I thought, ‘Why did our daughter bring someone to our home without asking for permission? Why did she bring in a stranger knowing my husband was heading out to get me and the boys from the store?' I was not pleased and couldn't come up with any good answer. But on the way back home, I told my husband, ‘Let's just pray for wisdom that Father will help us to deal with whatever may be going on this evening'. We got home and sure enough, there was a homeless man sitting in our kitchen. He looked very shy and spoke very quietly. My first approach was to get my boys situated with their snacks and their bedtime routine, while my husband had a chance to talk to the man. Once I felt my husband was a little more comfortable, I took the time to come over and offer the man some food and drink. Then I asked him to share his testimony. While telling his story, he asked in a rhetorical way, “Why can't people just love? Do you see me? Because I see you.” He wasn't trying to address the question at us, but that didn't matter. To me, it pierced my heart! It was as if the Holy Spirit had uttered those words through his mouth, convicting me. Why was my heart not immediately happy at this man coming to our home? Would I have acted differently if he had shown up wearing fancy clothes? Had I been too busy to notice the needs of those less fortunate? While the Holy Spirit did the job of convicting me, it became clear that I needed some repenting. As he continued to share, I was overcome with Jesus' compassion. Tears began streaming down my face while remembering Jesus saying, ‘They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick'. So I gave my daughter the go-ahead to get the bathroom ready. I grabbed some clothes for the baptism and a clean change of clothes for afterwards and within a half hour, all was ready to go. There was our new friend, in our bathtub, ready to confess Jesus as His Saviour and turn from his sins, acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God and renouncing Satan for good. Hallelujah!  Afterwards, we got a chance to share a tea and some refreshments around the table and we encouraged him to pray. Then it was time to drop him off at his request while I tidied up. As I said my goodbye for the night, he reiterated how thankful he was for our hospitality. Then I gave him a big hug and blessed him in the name of the Lord. Everything had happened so fast, too fast for me to absorb it all. While I wiped down the bathroom, I examined my heart. ‘Father, I'm sorry that my heart was not ready to have this gentleman over at first, that I questioned what You had in mind rather than just trusting in You.' As I continued with my cleaning, I remembered that our home is not ours but the Lord's. On this night, Father had welcomed one of His prodigal sons home through us. We rejoiced with the angels in heaven for this awesome occasion. My heart still felt heavy and desperate for Father's intimacy. I wanted my alone time with Him and have a chance to properly confess my shortcomings. That's when I retreated into our secret place to pray and to listen. This is when the Holy Spirit came upon me with such sweet presence and impressed these words into my Spirit. Mat.25:34-40 (KJV) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Thank You, Father, for knowing the desire of my heart so intimately – that of seeing many souls come into Your kingdom. Thank You, Lord, for giving me a heart to share with those less fortunate on various occasions and to open our home to our new friend this evening. May Your Word be engraved on his heart and may he follow You all the days appointed for him. May his life bring You glory and may he share Your salvation with many more. Dear Father, empty me of all of me and fill me with more of Your Spirit. I pray I may be found worthy to be used mightily for Your Kingdom. To You is all power and glory, forever and ever, in Jesus' name. Amen! Titus 3:3-5 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. That's right, brothers and sisters. It wasn't that long ago when we also wandered around without the Lord, chasing after the things of the world, giving ourselves over to sin. And Father had great mercy on us. Now, it's our turn to do the same to others. The harvest is ready; the fields are ripe. Let's pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out His laborers. Let's also pray for His love to abound and overflow in us to be able to share generously. (Hos.6:6a) For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice. 1 John 3:16-18 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Today, the Lord is calling us to love His way, through actions and not just words. The kind of love our Saviour displayed for us is so deep. Lord, help us to keep dying to ourselves daily and to embrace our crosses, laying our lives down for our brethren. Let us not grow weary of doing good. May the Lord find us occupied in His work and loving each other when He returns! 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Mark 12:30-31 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.  1 Tim.6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.    A Cry For Souls Solitary Man 4/4/25 So many souls! So many souls hanging in the balance! So many souls perishing. With the whole world being shaken as never before, who in My body is focusing on what really matters? Which one of My servants still dwells on what is most dear.  Do My people think that the world of mammon is what they should pay attention to? Do My children think their finances are what matters most? How about patriotism? Should pledging allegiance to this empire or that be what dominates your soul? Perhaps it should be politics. Or seeking ever more information on one topic or another. Maybe more facts and figures are what you need!  The planet has never resembled Babel as much as it does today. Voices are crying out over every cause and crusade imaginable. Lies piled upon lies. Ignorance coupled with anger and unholy passions. The noise is deafening. And My people have fallen into this bottomless pit of the unending babble of Babel. Where is the voice of My church today? How is it, as the knowledge of God being all but erased out of the land, that My people have forgotten the first principles? Where is the cry over the lostness of souls? Have you ever seen such a great multitude hurtling themselves towards the eternal flames of hell as you see today? Have you ever witnessed such a hatred of all things holy and pure as you do at this time? While you fight for your freedoms, you pay, oh so little heed to those perishing all around you. While you focus all your energy worrying and fretting over what comes next, those even in your own household that are destined for eternal torment, you have made accommodations for in your own soul. While you lament over others' political persuasions, unless they all repent, they will all likewise perish, regardless of which leaders they admire or hate.  The curse of social media has deceived your souls. Do you ever stop and consider exactly how you are spending your life? When was the last time you took stock of how you are using the days that I have allotted you? Where is your heart? Remember what I have told you. Where your heart is, that is where your treasure is to be found.  Is your heart consumed with mammon? Is it obsessed with current evils? Maybe it's your entertainment. Or the latest conspiracy of wicked men. Perhaps all you care about is your children. Identify your passion, and there is where your treasure lies. But what about the lost? Have the cares of the world so choked the flame of the Spirit of God that souls no longer matter? Have you convinced yourselves that there is nothing that you can do? Since no one seems to want to listen to the things of God, have you given up?  But what about prayer? Have you given up on the power of prayer as well? Did I not wonder whether, when I return, I would find faith on the earth? Is there anyone left who believes that prayer will move heaven? But will you pray, not on your own behalf, but rather die to your own desires, and spend yourself by standing in the gap for those who are dead in sin? Many are in terror, not knowing what comes next. Yet, what does it matter what comes next if one does not know Me? What does it matter if this nation is made great [again], or that war is averted, or this economic collapse is halted, if one loses his own soul? Why has My church stopped weeping over the lost? I said My burden would be easy, and My yoke light. But only for those who have truly put their desires aside and fully embraced Mine. I guarantee that those who refuse to lose their own lives shall never find satisfaction, fulfilment, or peace. But those who lose their life for My sake shall not only find purpose and meaning, but a fulfilment that only I can provide.  Children, you know that the time is short. Unless you choose to stop what you are doing and find your way back to the cross, your heart will never become one with Mine. And My heart beats for the lost. For every soul that slips off into eternity without Me, I am wounded anew. Will you not go forth and be My hands and feet, My voice to those who have no one else? Will you find the courage to obey Me when I call you to spread the good news before it's too late? Will you put down your phones and sacrifice your time to petition heaven unceasingly, until I send My Spirit to open the eyes of the blind once again? Who amongst you shall find the resolve to return to your first love, and be that light to those who grope about in darkness? Which of My children shall decide to re-enlist in the Lord's army of prayer warriors, of soldiers who are fearless and unashamed in their witness of Me? To those who let My words of challenge sink in and once again reignite the fire of evangelism, there is great reward that awaits you. Let not this day pass without asking My Father to quicken the truths found here, so that you will not be found wanting on that final day. I long to tell each and every one of you that you have done well, and now it is time to enter into the joy of your Master! Heed the warning, and this shall be yours. Heed it not, and risk it all. The choice is yours alone to make. Scripture References Mat.6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Luk.6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Mat.6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Luk.8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Luk.21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  Mat.10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Lam.2:11 Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city. Joe.2:12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.  Mat.11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mat.6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Mat.16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Joh.12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  Joh.17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Joh.3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Rom.10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  Luk.18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?  2Jn.1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Dan.12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.  Mat.25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been fa

We are called to love our neighbor as ourself. Jesus said to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. These do not come natural to us but require His Spirit. But as a tree produces fruit according to its nature. Those who are saved, they have His Spirit and will produce fruit in accord with His nature. His fruit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:13-26 Recorded Sunday morning, July 12, 2026 by Brad D Harris (Sorry, it is scratchy again.  Microphone trouble) We hope that this online service has blessed you.  It is funded by the generous participants of Prairie Oaks Baptist Church.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks and their audio ministry, we have a donation page so that you can securely give online to help this ministry.  Thank you for listening and prayerfully supporting us.  I hope we continue to further you in your journey with Christ!

We all face decisions that Scripture doesn't answer explicitly. Whom should I marry? Which job should I take? Speak up or stay quiet? Say yes to one good thing, knowing it means no to another? Should I make this purchase? How do I respond to this trial or trouble? Decisions, decisions… In a world full of competing voices, we desperately need more than information. We need spiritual discernment. The good news is that God doesn't leave His children to figure life out alone. Through Christ He gives us His Spirit, renews our minds, and teaches us to recognize His will. If you are in Christ, this life is available to you. Paul now shows us what a life shaped by that renewed mind looks like. In the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he urged believers, knowing the days are evil, to live with spiritual discernment regarding the will of the Lord.

Saturday is review day on The Daily Promise. Every Saturday, we review this week's promises so we can allow them to go deep into our hearts and lives. Here are the promises we covered this week. Psalm 145:8 – Your Gracious and Merciful God Psalm 86:7 – Call on the Lord and He Will Answer. John 7:37-38 – Living Water for the Thirsty Soul. Zechariah 4:6 – Not by My Strength, but by His Spirit. Psalm 23:4 – God is With Me.

Today's Bible Verse: "The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains because they had chariots fitted with iron." — Judges 1:19 Judges 1:19 reminds us that even when God is with us, we may still encounter obstacles that feel overwhelming. The tribe of Judah experienced victory because the Lord was with them, yet they struggled to overcome the people living in the plains because they had powerful iron chariots. This passage reveals the tension between God’s presence and the challenges we face. Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Looking for a peaceful way to end your day? Listen to "Your Nightly Scripture" to end your day with God's word Meet Today’s Host: Jennifer Slattery Discover more devotions with Jennifer at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio Jennifer Slattery is a national speaker and multi-published author, She’s passionate about helping believers live with bold faith, rooted in surrender to Christ’s purpose. Jennifer co-hosts both Your Daily Bible Verse and Faith Over Fear, encouraging listeners to step into their God-given identity. Her teachings blend Scripture with personal insight to help others embrace God’s power over fear and move forward with confidence.

In our study of the fruits of the Spirit, we’re understanding this isn’t a list of attributes to strive for, it’s not a checklist for being a follower of Jesus, it’s the tangible results that grow in our lives when we’re connected to God. FRUITS of the Spirit. Fruit grows. Fruit is the natural outcome of a healthy tree. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence living within us, and that Spirit changes our heart. And very naturally without force, when our heart changes, our behavior changes. We start seeing things and people differently. We start responding differently. Our priorities shift. And even our very character is changed. With the Holy Spirit, we naturally begin to grow in love, in joy, in peace and in patience. Now the next literal change we can see as the Holy Spirit works to change our hearts, we grow in KINDNESS. Galatians 5:23, “The Holy Spirit produce this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness …” The Greek word translated into kindness is chrēstotēs. This word means being a blessing wherever you go. It is more than just a smile, it is an intentional act that benefits others. This is a disposition, meaning WHO YOU ARE. Who you are is blessed and what you do is be a blessing – that is the true meaning of kindness as a fruit of the Spirit. Kindness is a focus on others that continually asks, “How can I help? How can I lift their burden? How can I bless?” Kindness takes the focus off self and sees the needs of others. When kindness sees a need, it springs into action – not for how it makes them look, but for how it makes others feel. Acts of kindness reveal the kindness of our God. Did you know scripture calls God KIND? Psalm 145: 13-20, listen to this description of our God – “The LORD always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The LORD helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with KINDNESS. The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The LORD protects all those who love him …” Y’all, that’s OUR GOD! He is so genuinely KIND. He blesses us beyond measure. As a recipient of his kindness in the Holy Spirit, we then begin to grow that same kindness from within. It becomes who we are. We are blessed to be a blessing. Everywhere Jesus went, kindness followed. Think about it. He touched lepers when no one was willing to even stand next to them. As a woman caught in adultery was about to be stoned to death, he drew a line in the sand and defended her. He stood in a hungry crowd of thousands and decided he would feed them their next meal. As he hung on the cross dying the most painful death imaginable, he forgave. Kindness wasn’t something Jesus occasionally did – it was who he was. And we’re called to be more and more like Jesus. We can’t be like Jesus without being KIND. Kindness moves. Kindness responds. Kindness steps right into the messy need and gets their hands dirty. As kindness grows within us through the work of the Holy Spirit, we will no longer be able to just walk by anymore because we’re too busy. THAT’S CHANGING. The fruit of kindness changes what we see. Instead of seeing interruptions, we see opportunities. Instead of seeing differences, we see hurting people who God loves. Instead of seeing ourselves as better, we see ourselves as a vessel that carries a blessing, and that blessing is to be poured out! Imagine three people walk into a room where someone is hurting. The first person says, “I’m praying for you.” That’s compassion. The second person says, “God is with you in this.” That may be goodness. The third person says, “I brought dinner. I’ll watch your kids. I’ll mow your yard. I’ll sit with you.” That’s chrēstotēs KINDNESS. Kindness doesn’t just merely notice pain. Kindness enters it. In this world, our hearts naturally become impatient and critical. Life can make us harsh and suspicious. We can begin building our walls and our judgments. But the Holy Spirit starts tearing down those walls. The work of God’s presence living within us softens our hearts again. Here’s the thing, when you know you have been overwhelmed by totally undeserved kindness from God himself, then you can’t help but turn around and show undeserved kindness to others. If you’re amazed by the sheer kindness of Jesus, then you can’t remain indifferent toward people. Kindness changes who you are! Kindness at work within you has no limits. The Holy Spirit wants to grow kindness is you that changes absolutely everything you do. Suddenly you’ll notice the way you talk is kind. The way you drive is kind. The way you parent is kind. The way you lead is kind. They way you follow is kind. Kindness will permeate everything about you and everything you do. God’s kindness toward us becomes God’s kindness through us. It’s one of the clearest proofs that Jesus is changing your heart! As you walk with Jesus and grow in his Spirit, have you noticed yourself changing? It hasn’t been an overnight change, but a gradual growth. You don’t see things the way you used to. You can’t just walk by what you used to walk by. You’re moved by the needs of people now. You hurt when they hurt. You’re no longer serving from a self-seeking position, but a heart that has been transformed by the love of Christ. His Spirit is teaching you to love what He loves, to value what He values, and guess what that is … PEOPLE. God loves his people. God values his people. Now his Spirit teaches us to do the same. What once seemed like an interruption now becomes an opportunity to show compassion. What once felt like a burden now becomes a privilege to carry. This is the evidence of spiritual maturity—not perfection, but transformation. As God continues His work in you, your life begins to reflect His kindness, His patience, His mercy, and His grace. The more you abide in Him, the more His character is formed in you. Others may not notice every small change, but over time they begin to see Jesus in the way you speak, the way you forgive, the way you serve, and the way you love. Keep walking with Him. He is faithfully shaping you into the person He created you to be. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Read OnlineJesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” Matthew 10:7–8And they were off! After choosing Twelve of His disciples and naming them Apostles—that is, those who are sent—Jesus sends them out, two by two, into the towns and villages of Israel, places where He Himself would later come. They go before Him, preparing hearts to receive the fullness of the Gospel when the Lord Himself arrives.At this stage, their mission is directed solely “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). They are not to go into pagan or Samaritan regions—not yet. Only after the Passion, Resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost will they go to the ends of the earth, empowered to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This first mission, therefore, is a foretaste—a seed of the universal mission that will blossom in the early Church and continue through missionary efforts today.In this twofold sending—first to Israel, then to all nations—we glimpse the pattern of the spiritual life: God first works inwardly, forming and healing the soul, and then sends it outward in love. Our evangelization must arise from an interior communion with Christ, deepened by grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Just as the Apostles could not be sent to the world until Pentecost, neither can we bear lasting fruit unless we, too, are first transformed by His Spirit.Consider this twofold process in your life. The Apostles' first mission can be likened to our calling to witness to the faith within our homes—to spouses, children, relatives, and close friends. But just as the Twelve had to be formed by Christ before proclaiming His Kingdom, we, too, must be formed in the school of grace. The Apostles were first called, taught, shown signs and wonders, drawn to deeper faith, and only then prepared for this first mission.Likewise, before we can effectively evangelize even within our families, our own conversion must be sincere. For example, parents hand on the faith to their children not merely by teaching doctrine, but by living a faith that is visibly alive. Daily prayer, faithful attendance at Mass, and a genuine love for Christ in the home form the atmosphere in which grace can flourish. This must flow from an interior transformation—similar to the Apostles, who left everything to follow Jesus and were gradually conformed to His mind and heart.That the Apostles were sufficiently prepared to proclaim the Kingdom is evident in Jesus' words as He sends them forth. To “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons,” and to give freely what they themselves had received, reveals that they had already been entrusted with much. Their transformation was not yet complete, but it was real. And Christ, knowing their weaknesses, still entrusted them with His power—because their hearts were open and receptive to grace.So it is with us. Unless we allow Christ to heal, instruct, and sanctify us—unless we live in daily communion with Him—we will struggle to pass on the faith, even to those closest to us. Evangelization does not begin with strategies or words, but with lives deeply conformed to Christ. Only then will we be able to proclaim, with credibility and power, that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Reflect today on this first mission upon which Jesus sent His Apostles. See in their example your own calling: to be formed interiorly by grace so that you become a living witness to the Kingdom of God within you. Begin with those closest to you and, from there, remain attentive to the ways the Holy Spirit leads you to bring the Gospel even farther. As with the Apostles, trust that your response to grace will bear fruit in ways fully known only to God.My Lord and King, You desire that Your Kingdom be proclaimed to the ends of the earth. Please first establish Your Kingdom in my soul, conforming me to Your reign. From there, please use me as an instrument of Your grace for those closest to me and to all to whom You wish to send me. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Jesus blesses the Apostolic College by Lawrence OP, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

An undivided heart begins with wholehearted surrender to God. Based on Psalm 86:11, this devotional explores the tension every believer experiences between pursuing God and being drawn toward the distractions and desires of the world. While our hearts are naturally prone to wander, God's faithfulness continually calls us back, inviting us to rely on His Spirit rather than our own strength. God doesn't abandon us when our affections become divided. Like the Good Shepherd who searches for the wandering sheep, He lovingly pursues us, reveals the areas where we've drifted, and offers grace to restore us. Through prayer, repentance, and daily dependence on Him, we can ask the Lord to transform our hearts so that our love for Him becomes our greatest desire. His invitation remains simple and powerful: seek Him, and He will meet you. Highlights: Our hearts naturally struggle between surrendering to God and pursuing worldly desires. God lovingly reveals areas where we've drifted and calls us back through His grace. An undivided heart is cultivated through dependence on God's Spirit, not personal effort. Jesus faithfully pursues those who have wandered and welcomes them back with compassion. Prayer and surrender allow God to shape our hearts into wholehearted devotion. Join the Conversation Are there areas of your life where you feel your heart has become divided? What would it look like to fully surrender those areas to God today? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: An Undivided HeartBy Megan J. Conner Bible Reading:“Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Ps. 86:11 (NIV) How many of us can relate to this scripture? I don’t know about you, but sadly, I have wrestled with divided affections more times than I can count. In the deepest places of my heart, I long for the Lord. Truly, I ache for Him in a way that defies comprehension. Like the Chief Musician in Psalm 42, my soul pants and thirsts for the living God as deer pants for the water brooks. And yet… these innate yearnings can be so easily superseded by the things of this world and the cravings of my flesh. With such a strong inward draw towards my Creator, how is it possible to wander and depart from the One whom I so desperately desire? The Bible tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9, NKJV). We are all aware that the Bible contains hard truths, but this one cuts straight to the core. To many, this bold statement may sound harsh, even offensive. However, that does not negate its truth. Our hearts lie to us. Our emotions betray us. There is an age-old battle that rages within every single one of us. A conflict that has plagued humanity since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. This great war boils down to one single word – choice. A choice between God and self, our own desires and His, selfishness and selflessness, prideful independence and dependent surrender. When these comparisons are listed side by side, it seems completely irrational that we would choose selfishness over selflessness, our will over God’s. And yet that is the struggle each one of us faces day in and day out. Our human nature is so flawed, so imperfect, that we actually need God’s help to even choose Him. Our hearts are so divided, and our bent toward sin so strong, that without the aid of His Spirit, all of us would remain on paths of self-destruction. But God in His goodness does not leave us there. He proactively pursues each one of us because of His great love for us. The Lord Himself searches our hearts and tests our minds (Jer. 17:10) so that we may recognize our deviations. For it is His kindness that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4). Like the Shepherd that left the ninety-nine to find the single sheep who had wandered, so the Lord passionately pursues each and every one of us. Once we have been returned to the fold, our Heavenly Father instructs us how to remain tethered to Him. He withholds no good gift from His children. All we have to do is ask. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened,” (Matt. 7:7-8, NIV). It’s that simple. If you are wrestling with divided affections today, may I encourage you to call upon the Lord? Just like the psalmist of old, let us declare together our heartfelt plea… “Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me.” (Ps. 86:11-13, NIV). Intersecting Faith & Life: Where is your heart today? Do you feel rooted and grounded in Christ, or are you wandering, lost, or disconnected? Perhaps you are somewhere in the middle, where it literally feels like you have one foot on each side of the dividing line that separates surrender and self-reliance. Wherever you find yourself today, take some time to examine your heart. I know how hard it is for many of us to sit in silence and patiently wait for that still small voice of God’s Spirit within each of us. But I pray that you will push past the discomfort of being still and truly allow the Lord to reveal the state of your heart. He longs to heal any division found there so that you may truly rest in His love and presence. Further Reading:Psalm 86Matthew 18:12-14 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

https://square.link/u/UHRU92rp - Donate HereToday's reading takes us to Ezekiel 36, where God speaks hope to His people in exile. After judgment, rebellion, and ruin, the Lord promises restoration—not because Israel earned it, but because His holy name will not fail. God declares that He will act, He will restore, He will cleanse, and He will bring His people back to Himself.Ezekiel 36 shows us the deeper work of salvation: God removes the heart of stone, gives a new heart, puts His Spirit within His people, and makes dead people fruitful. This connects beautifully to John 15 and 2 Peter 1: the renewed heart abides in Christ, and the abiding life bears the fruit of godliness. So today, read Ezekiel 36 and remember: fruitfulness begins when God does what only God can do—make the dead alive and give His people a new heart.

Your life can feel like Ecclesiastes 3 on repeat: a time to build, a time to break down, a time to laugh, a time to weep. When the ups and downs start hitting your body, your emotions, and your spirit, the question becomes painfully personal: what do you do when your soul is cast down and hope feels far away?We walk through David's raw prayers in Psalm 42 and Psalm 43, where tears become language and the heart asks, “Where is your God?” Instead of pretending the darkness isn't there, we follow David's pattern: challenge the inner noise, then answer it with a decision. “Hope in God.” We also lean into David's request for what many believers are craving right now: God's light and truth, not just to escape the storm, but to understand it from His perspective.From there, we connect the thread across Scripture with practical clarity: the person whose hope is the Lord becomes like a tree planted by rivers of water, steady even in drought. We talk about how hope deferred can make the heart sick, why declaring life “hopeless” is spiritually dangerous, and how God answers dry bones with resurrection life through His Spirit. Paul's words in Romans bring it home with faith that acts, perseverance that waits, and the Holy Spirit helping us in weakness when we don't even know what to pray. If this encouraged you, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find hope that holds."Message Our Father's Heart a Question or Response"Support the showThank you so much for listening and sharing with others! We would very much appreciate you continuing to FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE, and LIKE us through any of the following platforms:Substack: htt​ps://ourfathersheart.substack.com/Website: ourfathersheart.orgPodcast: https://ourfathersheart.buzzsprout.com/shareTwitter: https://twitter.com/@ofathersheart Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ofathersheartYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ourfathersheartMay God bless you and make you prosperous in Him as you listen and obey His voice!

Words must also be initiated to be useful. It is no good just thinking appreciation. Words are water to thirsty souls, food to hungry hearts. May we pour out a flood of great words today and see the lives of people who need to hear God's voice, be changed by the grace that He uses through us to give to them who are longing for a touch from His Spirit.

“Called to be saints.” — Romans 1:7 We are very apt to regard the apostolic saints as if they were “saints” in a more especial manner than the other children of God. All are “saints” whom God has called by His grace, and sanctified by His Spirit; but we are apt to look upon the […]

What does the Holy Spirit do in the life of a believer?In this message, Pastor Bayless Conley explores what it means to be born of the Spirit, sealed by the Spirit, and filled with the Spirit. Be encouraged to live with the confidence of your identity in Christ and the power God has given you through His Spirit.

Returning to our study on the Fruits of the Spirit, this is part 6. So far we’ve looked at living on the wrong side of the list – what happens when we live WITHOUT the direction of the Holy Spirit and under the influence of the world and our flesh. We see all those things that create destruction and chaos in our lives, but wow, they happen so naturally. We don’t have to try to be selfish, that comes easily. We don’t have to strive to be jealous. Sexual immorality is something that peaks its head up as a temptation early in our teen years and continually pesters us. Then notice what Galatians 5:21says, “Anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Woah, now that’s scary. Heaven is on the line here? What exactly does this mean? Every single one of us have struggled with at least one of these things on the wrong side of the list. Does this mean we’re all excluded from eternity with God? Does this mean we’re out? This is a big deal, so we need to be sure. If Heaven depends on getting it right, let’s get it right! Nothing is worth missing out on Heaven. Here’s what this DOESN’T mean. This doesn’t mean that as a follower of Jesus we could never commit any of these sins. What this does mean is that as a follower of Jesus we can’t STAY in these sins. God has given us something that calls us out of that old way of life. He has made us new with a new operating system. Our new operating system as a follower of Jesus is the Holy Spirit. We studied the Holy Spirit in depth in episode #2146. This is literally God living IN YOU. This is the direct guidance and influence of something greater than you now directing your life. Do you know what this means? This means with a new operating system, you are naturally changing and you’re no longer who you once were. Girl, YOU’VE CHANGED! You don’t have to keep living the way you used to. You no longer have to struggle with the same things you’ve always struggled with. The Holy Spirit is changing you from within. Now, you get to be DIFFERENT. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit and it’s inner influence, you live different. This isn’t a New Year’s resolution that you forget about by February. This isn’t an “I’ll try to be better”. This is the true inner change that we seek. A change of your desires. A change of your will. A change of your operating system. Does Jesus really change lives? ABSOLUTELY AND THIS IS EXACTLY HOW. I’ve seen the soul who has struggled with addiction for years absolutely SET FREE when surrendered to Jesus. I’ve seen the hardened heart absolutely HEALED when surrendered to Jesus. I’ve seen the depression and anxiety lift. I’ve seen the change from within. I know it to be true because I’ve experienced it. What nothing else in the world can do, JESUS CAN! Oh what a little box we put our God in when we think this is too big for him. Girl, absolutely nothing is too far gone for the work of his Holy Spirit. Nothing is beyond his reach. Nothing is too late or too hard. God is good enough and God is BIG enough to change EVERYTHING inside of you, everything you’ve ever struggled with, everything that has ever bound you up and caused you to struggle. And here’s how he does it: The Fruit of His Spirit. Fruit. Fruit naturally grows on the right kind of tree. It’s not forced, it’s natural. If it’s an apple tree, it produces apples. If it’s a cherry tree, it produces cherries. If it’s a pear tree, it produces pears. Not because the tree has tried hard to change or willed itself into production, but because it naturally lives as it was created to live. And this is the example God chose to use to represent what happens in our lives when his Holy Spirit dwells within us. We just naturally begin producing very specific fruit that comes from our attachment and growth in Him. Galatians 5: 22-23, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” How does that verse begin? BUT. BUT the Holy Spirit produces something different in our lives. This is an interruption to what has been explained in the verses before. Before we have what our lives naturally become without the Holy Spirit. That was the list of yuck we went through all last week. That was the envy, the drunkenness, the selfishness, the anger, the jealousy, the quarreling, the hostility, the immorality and impurity, and seeking everything but God. Thank God for his interruption. BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT. You can live on the wrong side of the list and be ruled by the world and your flesh. However, that’s not the way to Heaven. The way to Heaven is to connect and grow in Jesus – and when you do, the Holy Spirit begins doing his work in you to change you from the inside. These fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, NATURALLY grow in your life as a result of abiding in Jesus. This isn’t something you set your alarm for and work for. This isn’t something with a goal box you can check. This is something that GROWS within you because of connection. It’s a change that happens naturally that makes you different. Your focus is connection. The fruit will happen naturally. God didn’t have to design it all that way. He could have designed right living to be a goal we achieve. He could have designed the required change within us to be a 10 level system we work our way through. He could have given it all a grading curve in which only a few pass. BUT HE DIDN’T. It’s not about our work at all. It’s about the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Our job is to stay connected. Our job is to surrender to the change he starts within us. Our job is to embrace the growth. Our job is to naturally produce what he promises to grow within us. FRUIT. It’s the evidence of a different operating system. FRUIT. It’s not achieved by working, but by abiding. FRUIT – it’s fragile, it’s attractive, it’s nourishing, and it’s natural. So as we begin this study on each of the Fruits of the Spirit, don’t hear this as another list of things you have to go accomplish. Don’t turn this into another burden you carry or another measuring stick you beat yourself up with. Instead, let every fruit become an invitation. If I’m lacking peace, I don’t need to try harder—I need to draw closer. If I’m struggling with patience, I don’t need to grit my teeth—I need to stay connected to the One who grows patience in me. If I’m battling self-control, I don’t need more willpower—I need more surrender. The fruit is never the source. Jesus is. And here’s the beautiful thing: Fruit doesn’t appear overnight. It grows. Slowly. Steadily. Sometimes so gradually you don’t even notice it until one day you realize you don’t react the way you used to. You don’t chase the things you used to chase. You don’t become undone by the things that once controlled you. Why? Because the Holy Spirit has been faithfully doing His work all along. Don’t despise the growing season. Don’t quit because you’re not fully mature yet. Healthy things grow, and if you’re connected to Jesus, you will too. So over these next several days, we’re not studying a checklist. We’re studying the evidence of a life surrendered to God. We’re studying what naturally happens when His Spirit is alive within us. This is what Jesus came to do – not just forgive your past, but transform your future. Not just rescue you from sin, but restore you into the person you were always created to be. So stay connected. Stay surrendered. Stay growing. Because the Holy Spirit is still producing fruit in you. And one day, you’ll look back and realize the miracle wasn’t that you tried harder. The miracle is that Jesus changed you. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

In this episode of Don't Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study 2 Kings 2–7 and discover that the God who worked miracles through Elijah is the same God who continues to work through Elisha. As one prophet passes the mantle to another, these chapters remind us that God's power has never been limited to one person or one generation. He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever, still healing, providing, rescuing, and strengthening His children. From the healing of the waters at Jericho to the widow's overflowing oil, each miracle points beyond Elisha and toward the heart of God. Whether providing more than enough for a grieving family, reminding us that repentance brings lasting healing, or showing that His blessings often exceed our expectations, these stories reveal a Savior whose grace is abundant. God is not interested in merely helping us survive. He delights in restoring, multiplying, and making us whole. The story of Naaman teaches that God's greatest miracles often come through simple acts of faith. Though Naaman expected a dramatic solution, healing came through humble obedience as he washed in the Jordan River. These chapters invite us to trust that God is patient with our growth, willing to work with us through every attempt, every setback, and every step toward becoming completely clean. His purpose is not partial healing, but complete restoration. The episode concludes by showing that no concern is too great or too small for the Lord. Whether raising a child back to life, helping someone recover a borrowed axe head, or answering the quiet prayers of everyday disciples, God cares deeply about every part of our story. Together, these chapters testify that the same God who performed miracles in the Old Testament still works in our lives today, inviting us to trust Him, seek His Spirit, and believe that His power is never exhausted. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 03:52 Discussing Elijah's Miracles in Hebrew 08:29 Discussing faith and relationship journey 10:21 Desiring a life led by the Spirit 13:31 Continuing God's miracles and presence 16:54 Discussing lasting impact of miracles 22:44 Widow's plea for help 26:03 Questioning and starting to pray 26:33 Questioning faith and superstitions 30:20 Elisha's miraculous revival 33:05 Discussing a leper's honorable introduction 38:23 Naaman's Servants Encourage Him 41:01 The significance of number seven 44:33 Floating ax head miracle story 47:08 God's care in everyday life Sign up for the Don't Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don't Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week's newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven't had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don't Miss This Study Facebook: Don't Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app