Podcasts about in song

Song of Solomon Series: From Raven to DoveWhat does it mean to truly love and be loved? In Song of Solomon 1:9-15, we discover pure love - the kind that makes you stand out like a treasured mare among royal chariots.But here's the problem: we're broken. We're attracted to what hurts instead of what's beautiful. Like restless ravens, we fly to and fro, refusing Christ's adornment and rejecting his fragrance for our own stench.Christ transforms our wandering hearts into something still and fragrant - turning us from ravens into doves. He quiets our restless souls and fills us with his aroma.The question is: what do your eyes reveal about the condition of your heart? Are they raven eyes or dove eyes?Key Takeaways:* Pure love means standing out in someone's eyes* Our broken senses are attracted to stench instead of fragrance* Christ adorns us with grace and makes us still* Transformation happens when we stop flying restlessly and return to himBased on Song of Solomon 1:9-15 and Genesis 8 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com

Conflict is inevitable in every relationship, especially in marriage. In Song of Solomon 5, we see that even the most passionate love stories encounter moments of hurt and misunderstanding. The honeymoon phase fades, and real-life challenges arise. The bride's initial rejection of Solomon's romantic invitation creates a moment of offense and separation, a reminder that the ones we love most have the greatest power to wound us. What happens next is key, Solomon chooses forgiveness over offense. Instead of allowing hurt to build a fence between them, he tears it down with grace and love. This teaches us that the success of our marriages depends not on avoiding conflict, but on how we resolve it. Key Takeaways: 1). Conflict is inevitable: Every relationship will face moments of misunderstanding and hurt. 2). Offense builds fences: Unforgiveness creates barriers that separate people from each other. 3). Forgiveness tears down fences: Choosing to forgive restores intimacy and connection. 4). Thankfulness heals hearts: Reflecting on the good in others rekindles love and friendship. The way you tear down a fence is through forgiveness and thankfulness. Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” This message isn't just for married couples. Whether single, dating, or building friendships, these principles apply to every relationship. Forgiveness and thankfulness are keys to healing, restoring trust, and experiencing deeper connection. Join Pastor Phil Hopper as he shares lessons from the Song of Solomon on forgiveness and thankfulness in marriage.

Deuteronomy 26 contains the offering of the first fruits and the tithes. The first fruits of the land are always Yahweh's and they needed to be humbly and thankfully presented to the priest with an acknowledgment of Israel's great debt for the Almighty delivering them. Speaking of Jacob's, ie Israel, history they were to recite the words of verse 3. Following the priest's response they were then to answer with the words of verses 5 to the first half of verse 10. Slowly read those verses and reflect how feeble and insignificant we are; and yet how great is our Sovereign's redeeming hand that has been outstretched for us. Verses 11-12 tells us that they were to give their tithes joyfully and acknowledging God's gracious provision to the Levite, the widow and the fatherless. Then they were to recite the words of verses 23-15 in thankfulness to their Creator for the privilege that He has provided in His evident care and compassion for all classes within His nation. The last words of their invocation are a prayer for divine acceptance. Do we give help from a bountiful and generous heart? Verses 16-19 declares that this spirit of obedience is essential and when it is shown will become a preserving blessing for each individual and for the entire nation. In Song of Solomon 6 verse 1 we hear of the bride's companions offering to go with her to seek for the groom. The bride's response is recorded in verses 2-3. Here she says that he has probably gone to his spice garden and that she expects to find her beloved among the lilies. The bride proclaims her intense love for her husband. In verses 3-11 we have the bridegroom's declaration of love for his perfect and magnificent spouse. In a succession of grand metaphors the bride is described. Her presence is awesome and takes his breath away. Her eyes are striking and have captivated her groom. The hair of the bride is thick and shimmering. Her teeth are perfectly formed and matching from top to bottom. The bride's cheeks flush with a healthy rosy glow. When Solomon compares this loved one her beauty excels that of 60 his queens, 80 of his concubines and unnumbered virgins from his realm. In her and in her alone does king Solomon find perfection. The groom's metaphors conclude in verse 4 in the same way that they commenced. His bride is in every way formidable and a worthy companion of her king. Verses 11-12 tell of the bride's response. She sees herself with her incomparable husband transported into a location of many great delights to her senses. She sees herself in Solomon's chariot and her powerful prince the master of every situation. In verse 13 the companions of the bride ask her to come back to them as they are missing her peaceful and calming presence. The song concludes with the groom's endorsement of the pacific qualities of the bride and find those qualities a match with his, ie Solomon's, own character. Acts 21 records Paul's journey to Jerusalem. The Apostle comforts and encourages many groups of disciples as he heads to Jerusalem. An old prophet, named Agabus, attempts to persuade Paul to go no further. Paul will not, like his lord, be dissuaded from going. The first thing Paul does on his arrival is to see James who advises him of the best course of action to be taken so as to avoid trouble. The Apostle is advised to complete his Nazarite vow and to cover the expenses of four other brothers who are completing their vows. James reiterates to Paul that the only binding requirements on Gentile believers are the keeping of the four matters agreed upon at the Jerusalem Conference. However, Paul cannot peacefully complete his vow since he is arrested in the temple by Asian Jews. These hostile Jews mistakenly believe that Paul has profaned the temple by bringing Trophimus, a Gentile Ephesian into the temple. A Tribune from the Roman fort of Antonia rescues Paul and commands that he be chained. The crowd clamours for the Apostle's blood, just as they had for his Lord's some three and a half decades earlier. In the barracks Paul speaks with the Tribune dismissing many of the fanciful thoughts as to who Paul might be. Paul asks for permission to address the crowd from the steps of the fort and his speech is recorded in chapter 22. Paul gives his defence in Hebrew and initially the crowd pays close attention. The aged Apostle describes his own education in the Pharisaic tradition under Gamaliel and his zeal for the Law. After this he tells of his experiences on the Damascus road, his conversion to a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says that he is warned by Jesus his Lord to immediately leave Jerusalem since his testimony will not be accepted. The Jews attentively listen until Paul speaks of being sent to the Gentiles. Once again uproar follows and the Tribune commands that Paul be scourged that the Tribune might understand why the multitude were so angry with the Apostle. Paul, on this occasion, uses his Roman citizenship to avoid a pointless flogging. The chapter concludes with the Tribune intending to have Paul examined by the Jewish Sanhedrin on the next day.

One of the biggest problems people have emotionally is low self-esteem. But if Christians could see ourselves as God sees us, we'd live totally different. In Song of Songs 6:3, we explore how God sees us.

In Song of Songs 1:4, we look at our love song with the Groom, that Jesus loves you, and that His song for you wants to set you free -- to give you life, hope and freedom, through the death and resurrection of Christ.

In Song of Solomon chapter 2, Solomon and the Shulamite are moving past the fleeting feelings of infatuation and fall in love. Their story teaches us what biblical dating looks like. The Bible doesn't say much about dating, but it says a lot about people and wisdom. Who you marry is the greatest decision outside of your relationship with Christ. Your spouse will make you or break you. Song of Solomon gives us principles for biblical dating so that you can have a love story that honors God. Three questions to ask yourself to date in a way that honors God: 1.) Am I ready to marry? This is a really important question. If you want to have a love story for God's glory, you have to make sure you are prepared for marriage before you ever start. 2.) What's my plan? Dating is for observation and edification. Are you headed in the same direction socially, vocationally, and theologically? Compatibility has much more to do with whether you like spending time with that person than if you're sexually compatible. 3.) Are you and your significant other catching foxes? A fox is a threat to the success of your relationship. They can wreak havoc on the vineyard of your relationship. Foxes can be… Confusion Isolation Denial Sexual sin God wants you to have an amazing love story that is lived to His glory! He wants whatever is best for you. Join Pastor Chad Glover as he shares lessons about biblical dating from Song of Solomon. Don't forget to click the “bell” to SUBSCRIBE to get more videos like this to grow your faith! ● Connect with us on Social Media ↴ Facebook: / abundantlifels Instagram: / abundantlifels ● Be a part of the Great Commission: https://livingproof.co/irresistible/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/ #AbundantLife #Sermon #Jesus #SongofSolomon #Biblicaldating

Last week we started a new afternoon Sermon Series called The Mountains of Bether. The Mountains of Bether are used in the Song of Solomon to refer to the barriers that stand between us and Jesus Christ our bridegroom. In Song 2:17, we ask Him to come to us as He has done in the past—like a gazelle (agility) or a young stag (passion) to get through whatever has come between us and Him. When He does, those mountains that separated us are transformed into mountains of spice—sweet monuments of His all-conquering love that unites us to Himself. This week, we are looking at the "mountain" of unconfessed sin.

Women of Substance with Dr. Scarlett Horton⁣ Episode 89 - Dr. Scarlett Horton, “Prayer: Just Do It!” __________⁣ “And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15 AMPC) Too often people think about prayer, or even talk about praying, but in reality there is very little prayer actually being done. We have a heavenly guarantee that our prayers will be answered, but so often we have not because we ask not. God has given us great access in prayer, where we can share our heart with Him, and we can hear His heart for us. God is eager to answer us when we call. In Song of Songs 2:14, Our Bridegroom invites us to talk with Him saying, "Show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely." God wants to hear from us and spend time with us. In this episode, Dr. Scarlett takes a look at what the scriptures say about prayer. It is essential for our peace and victory. Your faith will be emboldened as you watch. __________⁣ https://ScarlettHorton.com https://HortonMinistries.com/ __________ TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: https://gvly.org/s/NNHT.5REoBw OR TEXT Proverbs31 to 844-544-7171

Women of Substance with Dr. Scarlett Horton⁣ Episode 89 - Dr. Scarlett Horton, “Prayer: Just Do It!” __________⁣ “And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15 AMPC) Too often people think about prayer, or even talk about praying, but in reality there is very little prayer actually being done. We have a heavenly guarantee that our prayers will be answered, but so often we have not because we ask not. God has given us great access in prayer, where we can share our heart with Him, and we can hear His heart for us. God is eager to answer us when we call. In Song of Songs 2:14, Our Bridegroom invites us to talk with Him saying, "Show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely." God wants to hear from us and spend time with us. In this episode, Dr. Scarlett takes a look at what the scriptures say about prayer. It is essential for our peace and victory. Your faith will be emboldened as you watch. __________⁣ https://ScarlettHorton.com https://HortonMinistries.com/ __________ TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: https://gvly.org/s/NNHT.5REoBw OR TEXT Proverbs31 to 844-544-7171

Does God like you? Many Christians struggle to answer that question even though, according to the Bible, the answer is yes! God not only likes his people, he adores them. In Song of Songs we find that God not only loves us, but finds us altogether beautiful.

Does God like you? Many Christians struggle to answer that question even though, according to the Bible, the answer is yes! God not only likes his people, he adores them. In Song of Songs we find that God not only loves us, but finds us altogether beautiful.

Daily Dose of Hope September 17, 2024 Day 3 of Week 25 Scripture:  Song of Solomon 4-6; 2 Thessalonians 1 Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.  Let's get started with today's Scripture. In Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs) 4, the text has moved into the marriage.  The first three chapters were the courtship but now the marriage is being consummated.  The imagery is interesting – how many women enjoy their hair being compared to a flock of goats?  As the chapter progresses, it gets more graphic, at least for the Bible.  I did a lot of research to determine if Solomon is speaking of himself here in this chapter and it just isn't clear.  If it's Solomon, I struggle with this.  With so many women as wives and concubines, how can he truly know what love is?  What does marriage even mean if you have 700 wives?  I actually find it more helpful to think of this chapter as the relationship the Lord desires with his people – one that is intimate and committed.  Chapters 5 and 6 seem to portray the trials of separation.  Some might even interpret it as the highs and lows of a relationship.  Has conflict entered the relationship, has one party pulled away?  Most of us understand that in human terms what might that mean in terms of a relationship between God and his people? Let's move on to our New Testament Scripture, 2 Thessalonians 1.  Similar to 1 Thessalonians, this letter is also written by Paul, Timothy, and Silas, but scholars consider Paul to be the primary author.  The letter opens in a similar manner as I Thessalonians, with Paul giving thanks for the Thessalonian church.  He is especially grateful for how their faith and love for one another has grown despite persecution.  He even says that he boasts about how they have persevered in the midst of such difficulty.  He doesn't give specifics about the persecution, but we can guess it was hostility directed at Christians by both gentile nonbelievers and Jews. This chapter helps us begin to understand Paul's theology on the suffering of believers.  First, he alludes to the fact that faithful endurance, perseverance in the face of struggle, makes them very worthy of the Kingdom of God.  Certainly, endurance of hardship and persecution was seen as a virtue in early Christianity.  What a change a couple thousand years make!  At least in Western Christianity, we tend to balk at any kind of discomfort and certainly try to avoid suffering at all costs.  But their suffering does NOT mean that God isn't with them.  Paul states that God's judgment is right.  Temporary suffering doesn't indicate God's rejection; it may be character building or redeemed in some other way.  God won't waste their experience but use it to grow them and the Kingdom.  After all, that's what it's all about.  The second element in today's chapter is the concept of God's justice.  God is all about just outcomes.  He doesn't operate in a willy-nilly fashion but is fair and consistent.  According to Paul, God considers it just to punish those who persecute the Thessalonians.  This might be surprising to some, as we always focus on God's love.  Yes, God is loving but God is also fair.  Throughout Scripture, we read about God's righteous judgment.  Knowing that God will judge others fairly frees us to simply extend love and grace and not feel the need to distribute our own judgment upon others. I'll close with Paul's words in Romans 12:19-21, Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.  On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Al Fadi and brother Mel. start a new series on the origin of the name Mohammad.  1. Where is it in the Bible. 2. The earliest reference to Mehmet. 3.The use of the name on coins. 4. The seventh century chronicles. 5. Who is Mehmet in the Quran. The origin of the name Mehmet in Hebrew means" the desired one" (ps. 68:16, Pro. 12:12).  In Song of Salomon(16:5), it is referring to the Messiah; all together lovely.  Both Jews and Christian say that the name refers to the Messiah. Since the Messiah is Jewish it can not refer to Mohammad the Arabian prophet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lord is our all-knowing, all-loving true Beloved. He knows all our needs. He has had compassion towards us since eternity past. He also prepared all for our needs, even to the point of becoming a Man to accomplish salvation for us. He sees our loving heart towards Him. The Lord really desires for us. Our meditation is sweet to Him. In Song of Solomon 7:10, the darling sees that she's her Beloved's. She also sees that the beloved loves her and desires for her. This illustrates the spiritual growth of a believer, that he sees and experiences the Lord's love and desire. We are indeed the Lord's eternal, most-beloved darling. We attract and capture His heart the most.

What is going on in this woman's dream? And how does that apply to the life of a Christian today? In Song of Solomon 4-5, Emma Dotter, Hannah Staubs, and Nathan Wagnon break down the beloved's dream.   Additional resources & Scriptures in this podcast: 1 Chronicles 11:15, The mighty men of David Ecclesiastes 7:19, “Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.” Critical to her ability to flourish was his ability to protect her.  “Fire burns out when you fail to kindle the fire.”  Ben Stuart's talk on Song of Solomon 4-5: https://passioncitychurch.com/message/wedding-night/ https://passioncitychurch.com/message/conflict/   Grab a NEW Join The Journey Journal for 2024: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Feeling-Gods-Way-Journey/dp/B0CPJ7WXN5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IEYKICMCV7IF&keywords=join+the+journey+watermark&qid=1702568266&sprefix=join+the+journe%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-1  Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Feeling-Gods-Way-Journey/dp/B0CPPBY9BP?ref_=ast_author_dp&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oK2BsXiCNH_NGvOwD1o8SgPAXmtaU8AWjENZhG3fxS2G1SIRzfJZi6XJxbzK7gG1qZKG59nIPhRQNGE455PTjmqzAQksbwNA9OxwHA6ZmXyoV5jSP86DEsIq2qrUiE2jgkhwTAYxmlsL9I4Sc47PyA.VESsjAce9hchoCh2d7EjG_pPEByFNNNXoS05yOAcCHg&dib_tag=AUTHOR  You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

In ongoing attempts to establish more regular exercise in our lives, my wife and I had moved into this walking kick. And, you know, that was a good idea. Actually, my wife took the research approach, including reading books on walking, which I wasn't sure was necessary since I've been walking since I was about a year old. One of those books was by a man who literally walked across America. I was hoping that was not one of my wife's goals for our exercise program. I was intrigued, though, by an observation made by this super-walker. When someone asked him what the greatest obstacle was in his long hike across the country, (You want to guess?) he gave a pretty surprising answer. He said, "The little pebbles I got in my shoes." I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "God of the Little Problems." It's interesting that the Bible actually describes our life-journey with Jesus as a walk. And some of us share with that man who hiked America the same obstacle in getting to our destination. In Song of Solomon 2:15, our word for today from the Word of God, we find an intriguing insight about our life journey. It says, "Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom." It's the little foxes that ruin things; that spoil what could have been a good result. If it's a big fox, it's easy to shoot it. But it's harder to fight the little foxes that just kind of nibble away. Sounds like an animal kingdom equivalent of a hiker's "little pebbles in your shoes." And we all experience the aggravation of those little pebbles; the car trouble, the sick child, an inconvenient illness, the appliance on the blink, the banking problems, the office politics, those little injustices, or that unexpected expense. The peace of God is one of a child of God's greatest gifts, but often these little stresses do more to rob us of that peace than even the big crises. When a major crisis comes, we tend to run to God for His grace. We know we can't fight a giant by ourselves. But when we run into those little mini-headaches of everyday life, we often try to handle those on our own. We fight the big foxes with spiritual weapons and the little foxes with human weapons. So we lose, not to huge temptations or overwhelming problems, but to flat tires and the flu, to bills and bad traffic. Not because they're so big, but because we don't think to go to Jesus about them. I'm so glad that Jesus is a sparrow-counting, hair-counting, daily bread kind of Savior, aren't you? But I need to go to Him with the small frustrations! We could live much more victoriously if we would immediately go to Jesus for the grace He's promised us in the mini-messes - not just the big ones. Why let those "little foxes" create a negative, angry, stressed-out you? Turn them over to your Lord who told us He cares about those things. In 1 Peter 5:7 it says, "Casting all your care on Him because He cares for you." You'll walk much longer; you'll walk much lighter if your God is the God of the little pebbles - not just the big boulders.

In Song of Solomon 6, we see mention of the name -Shulamite,- but the Bible doesn't specify who this Shulamite is. It is described that she takes on the name of Solomon before the wedding takes place, but we aren't given who she was. But through the help of the Lord and of scripture, Pastor Evans gives us some insight of who this Shulamite could be.

Did you know God invites us into so much more than just concepts on a page or religious duty? Our hearts were made to encounter the love of the Lord! In Song of Songs, it says He awakens us, and He invites us to put His love like a seal over our hearts.  That love is meant to be our fuel for this journey in life.  Join Jen for worship this week, and awaken to His love!Song of Songs 8:5,6"Beneath the apple tree I awakened you...Put me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm.  For love is as strong as death, jealousy is as severe as Sheol; its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord."

Faith's benchmark for these end-times is peace of heart and mind. That means that for each night season and each morning, believers are empowered to choose continual peace, a treasure mined by those who comprehend the value. In Song of Solomon we read, “I sleep but my heart is awake.” God orders our lives so that the longing heart advances in the night and opens the way for a fresh new morning; the two together our God named “day.”   In this episode, Shirley discusses how God commands the morning to take hold of the earth and His same authority of command for stewardship over the new day, possibilities He reveals to the heart that is awake.  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and leave a review. We appreciate your support! On Running With Horses, we take a spiritual look at the culture and world, as we see it, and the Believer's leadership role as catalysts for Biblical outcomes that impact with God's love. Learn more at acleartrumpet.org/podcast. Buy our book, "Running With Horses" at https://acleartrumpet.org/book/ And don't forget to follow us on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shirleyweaverministries Twitter: https://twitter.com/shirleyweaver Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirleyweaverministries/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@acleartrumpetwithshirleywe8090  

MIXOLOGIE, mardi, jeudi et samedi de 19h à 20h. Serge Mariani nous fait partager sa playlist Mixologie.    Le Trio du contrebassiste Jean-Philippe Viret, le 5tet Extended (ex « Go To The Dogs »), la chanteuse multi-instrumentiste Senem Diyici, le trio The Comet is Coming avec Shabaka Hutchings, le batteur Gard Nilsen & Acoustic Unity et le trio du pianiste Avi Adrian ont été les ingrédients de la première partie de cette nouvelle Mixologie sur Art District radio... Je vous propose à présent d'y ajouter d'autres saveurs: le guitariste multi-instrumentiste Steve Tibetts, le batteur Antonio Sanchez avec Becca Stevens, le trio Xolo, le pianiste Alessandro Sgobbio, la batteuse Melanie Centenero, le duo trompette-accordéon d'Eric Vloeimans et Will Holshouser qui seront suivis du batteur Simone Prattico avec Vincent Peirani... Et basta ! 1/ TRIO VIRET / A Plus D'Un Titre / album In Vivo (2022) /05.25 2/ EXTENDED / Tempest / album Without Notice (2022) /05.35 3/ SENEM DIYICI / Karaburun'da Dolunay / album Nara (2022) / 04.20 4/ THE COMET IS COMING / Mystik / album Hyper-dimensional Expansion Beam (2022) /04.08 5/ GARD NILSSEN & ACOUSTIC UNITY / The Other Village / album Elastic Wave (2022) / 03.30 6/ AVI ADRIAN TRIO / It's Hard To Be A Donkey / album Songs From A Dream II (2022) / 06.20 7/ STEVE TIBETTS / Black Mountain Side / album Hellbound Train (2022) / 02.50 8/ ANTONIO SANCHEZ / The Bucket (feat. Becca Stevens)/ album Shift - Bad Hombre Vol. II (2022) / 05.40 9/ TRIO XOLO / Cropsey / album In Flower, In Song (2022) / 02.10 10/ ALESSANDRO SGOBBIO / Ghaza / album Piano Music (2022) / 03.40 11/ MELANIE CENTENERO / Empty Space / album Théorie de l'Ensemble (2022) / 05.50 12/ ERIC VLOEIMANS & WILL HOLSHOUSER / Innermission 9 / album Two For The Road (2022) / 05.15 13/ SIMONE PRATTICO / E Basta (avec Vincent Peirani) / album Oriundo (2022) / 03.10

WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Today's Gospel reading from Luke describes the Visitation, Mary's journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Luke says that on hearing Mary's greeting, Elizabeth cried out in a loud voice and was filled with the Holy Spirit. “How does this happen to me,” she says, “that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Elizabeth's response echoes that of the second reading: “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” The joy of God's presence is palpable, as Elizabeth feels John leaping in her womb. Where is that right response in me today and as the Nativity approaches? God, bring to my soul that same Visitation that Elizabeth experienced. I know you are present, and I want to know how to disperse the shadows with your Divine light. In Song of Songs, your presence thaws the wintertime of the heart and brings warmth and ecstatic joy upon your springing steps: “For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land.” Look kindly on me, Lord, and grant me the grace to receive you with joy. What is that stirring that Elizabeth felt, even as she faced the day's ordinary routines and anxieties. Teach me that love! Jesus, let me make a place for you today as Mary did, the one who first knew that Emmanuel, the Messiah, had at last come. But, Lord, because I will fall short of that, guide my actions today; show me, through Jesus Christ your Son, the way to go. From the O Antiphon for today: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lectiodiv/videos Web: https://lectiodiv.wordpress.com/ "O Emmanuel" flickr photo by Lawrence OP https://flickr.com/photos/paullew/24373828307 shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) license "Visitation of Our Lady" flickr photo by Lawrence OP https://flickr.com/photos/paullew/26767619543 shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) license "Visitation of Mary to Elisabeth, Giotto" flickr photo by f_snarfel https://flickr.com/photos/snarfel/4133821690 shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC) license --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/lectio-divina-daily/support

For this episode of Harmonious World I am joined by sax player Derrick Michaels and bassist Zachary Swanson: two-thirds of Trio Xolo.If you're unfamiliar with free-flowing improvisation, the Trio Xolo  latest album - In Flower, In Song  - is a great place to start. The combination of bass, percussion and sax brings a sense of music that captures the moment in which it is performed. I enjoyed discussing the album with Derrick and Zachary and hope you enjoy listening in.Thanks to Trio Xolo for allowing me to play extracts from In Flower, In Song alongside our conversation.Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."Support the showThanks for listening to Harmonious World.Please rate and review wherever you find your podcasts - it really helps.Follow me on instagram.com/hilseabrookFollow me on facebook.com/HilarySeabrookFreelanceWriterFollow me on twitter.com/hilaryrwriter

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. . . . I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” — Revelation 3:20 During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people struggled even more than usual with loneliness and isolation. Not being able to meet and eat with friends and family weighed heavily on populations worldwide. For many people and for many different reasons, though, eating alone was a reality long before COVID restrictions came along, and in those cases the lifting of restrictions won't mean there will suddenly be people to eat with. So Jesus' words of invitation here may be especially welcome for people who yearn to eat with someone who loves them. Jesus' words in this passage echo some of the lines in another book of the Bible, which is associated with tender, intimate love: the Song of Songs. In Song of Songs 5:2, the ­woman says, “Listen! My beloved is knocking.” And her beloved says: “Open to me. . . .” Both the scene in Song of Songs and this scene in Revela­tion are very tender, and the word for “love” here is phileo, referring to love that is affectionate, as warmhearted as a close friend, and as near to one's heart as a lover. It makes sense, then, that the great feast that culminates the entire story of God's love for his people is the wedding supper of the Lamb, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Listen, he stands at the door and knocks. Will you open the door and let Jesus in? Lord Jesus, I hear you at the door, knocking. Thank you! Lord, please come in and eat with me. Amen.

1ere émission de la 54e session...Cette semaine, bop, soul jazz et freebop! En musique: Rolf Ericson and His American All Stars sur l'album Transatlantic Wail  (Nixa, 1957); Lem Winchester & Benny Golson sur l'album Winchester Special  (New Jazz, 1959); John Stubblefield sur l'album Midnight Sun  (Sutra, 1980); Revelators Sound System sur l'album Revelators  (37d03d, 2022); JD Allen sur l'album Americana Vol. 2  (Savant, 2022); Gebhard Ullmann / Steve Swell / Hilliard Greene / Barry Altschul sur l'album We're Playing in Here ?  (NoBusiness, 2022); Trio Xolo sur l'album In Flower, In Song  (577, 2022)...

Ministering Angels Through UBM (7) (Audio) David Eells - 9/4/22 Praise Brings Testimonies   The Bride Received Her Gifts on the 8th Day Prayer and Worship Meeting!  Marie Kelton - 8/19/22  ( Eve's notes in Green  | David's notes in red)   (Again, Marie is representing the corporate Bride Body in UBM.)  During the Friday 8th day anointing meeting the Lord gave me an open vision of me being in heaven, wearing all white, with a white head covering on. (Representing my spirit man) I saw Him opening a black bag.  (Representing the "hidden treasures of darkness” in    Isa. 45:3  and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that it is I, Jehovah, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel.)     He began  handing me white boxes of all different sizes, which I knew were gifts. He handed me so many that I had to look behind them to see the Lord. I knew it was an endless bag. Then the vision ended.  (Eve said, " Jeruel said to me that all our gifts for now and future purposes were bestowed upon us for future ministrations and service for God's Kingdom and His people at the 8th day Praise and Worship meeting. Some gifts are immediately available to those who have the maturity to un-package them now, but most of these gifts require more preparation of heart, mind and priorities before they can be opened and used.” Eve said, "Of course, we are already operating in the meantime gifts that we've received, but much greater manifestations of these gifts are coming to operate in the Holy Spirit and serve God's people.”)   Here is a review of what he said to us below:   David asked, “What will Friday's anointings involve?”  Jeruel said, “Spiritual restorations and healings, as well as physical healings with faith, and anointings of gifts for the Body and greater  Body ministry .” Then he added, "Faith is imperative. Ask your Father for more faith. He will give it to you, as much as you are willing to receive. Many are comfortable where they are at and fearful to receive more faith and power from God because it will make them more responsible to be moved out of their comfort zones and into more maturity and the unknown of total abandonment to the will of God and His ways. These fears are strongholds in many lives and keep the saints from progressing in the purposes of God .   Those who are empty will go away full and those who are full will go away empty or with little. Those who empty their vessels of fear, doubt, unbelief, and double mindedness and come truly hungry and thirsty for the gifts of God to serve others and His Kingdom will be filled with anointing to the fullest. Perfect love for their Father and our Great God casts out fear, and with fear goes doubt, unbelief and double mindedness. Those who hang on to self-will, pride, and giving up control over their own lives, who insist on continuing to be their own masters will not receive or will receive little according to the conditions of their own hearts which the Great God and King knoweth; for He searches the hearts of men looking for empty vessels to fill for His purposes and His Glory. This requires an obedient servant's heart; a willing vessel crying out, “Here am I. Send me. Not my own will but Yours! These can be trusted with so great gifts  and anointing's.”    Continue to praise the Lord, Saints, for deliverance, defense, and the manifestation of His gifts, in order to bind the enemies and their demonic leadership according to Psa 149.5-9 Let the saints exult in glory: Let them sing for joy upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand; 7 To execute vengeance upon the nations, And punishments upon the peoples; 8 To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: This honor have all his saints. Praise ye Jehovah.      Lay Down Your Pride and Receive His Gifts   A sister in the Lord contacted me and asked the following questions of the Lord: Why are my dreams being hindered? For what purpose did God call me? What is my ministry? What gifts have you purposed for my life? Why has God been silent?  (This speaks to many who feel rejection and condemnation which is not from God.   I asked the Lord to give me a vision and speak to me concerning her questions and this is a portion of what I was shown:   "I saw a 3rd angel behind the other two called, “Protarius” (There is no earthly meaning for this name that I could find.) He was smaller than the other two and very humble in demeanor. He had a simple, plain, sleeveless tunic and he was barefooted. He had a peaceful, soft face and a slight smile. He also had short brown hair with a simple leather headband. He appeared on the scene reluctantly and stood quietly with his head slightly bowed; never raising his eyes in humble servitude. He was holding a very large woven basket in front of him with both hands that was absolutely filled with different fruits, of which, I only recognized red grapes. The others were foreign looking. There were also many small “jewelry sized” gift boxes; perfectly wrapped in golden paper with maroon satin ribbons and bows. He was patiently waiting to present these to this sister when she was able and willing to receive them.”  (Many times people are looking at their natural face in the mirror and consider that they are not worthy or that God is offended with them for past sins and does not want to give them their desires. They are separated from justification by seeing their natural face instead of the face of Jesus by faith.)   Then the Lord spoke to me concerning all her previous questions and said, "I have no other message for this sister other than what I have already spoken to her in the message I gave you to give to her almost 3 years ago. She must receive it and believe, no matter what she feels personally or what the lies of the enemy of her soul are telling her. These lies are the idols that she holds in higher esteem than my love for her. She must repent for rejecting me and all my loving advances towards her and receive the gifts of the Bride. Otherwise all of her other questions and concerns are irrelevant."   Word From The Lord for This Sister; His Bride Eve Brast - 10/28/19  (David's notes in red)   (The following love letter is to all, both men and women, who aspire to be the Bride of Christ.)   "My beautiful daughter. You are continually fighting with your "old man”. You must cease your striving and struggling and your self-efforts.   You need only to lift up your eyes, quit looking at the earth, and look into the mirror and see that My power lives in you. I Am the only power source that you need. I Am the only power source that works. I live and move and have My being IN YOU.    All you need do is rest in My love and trust My hand. I Am faithful to lead you into all truth and righteousness for My own Name's sake. I will perfect all concerning you. You are never alone! I will carry you, My lamb, if only you will let Me.    You must give up the pride and independence of the ”old nature ” that you have relied upon, so heavily, all your life and yield yourself completely, in vulnerability, into My loving arms. You must trust Me with your heart.    Do you believe that you are My beautiful bride? You must believe; for I love you dearly! Don't let self-doubt and unbelief separate us. I long for uninterrupted communion with you but these spirits are the biggest hindrance to our relationship.   You must not listen to the condemnation and the lies of the enemy who wants to crush your faith and your belief and steal you away from me, for he is a thief and a liar!   I love the beautiful desires of your heart and your longing for closeness with me. I placed those desires within your heart when I sealed you and sanctified you unto myself. You are mine and I will fight for you!    You sit at my table continually with eagerness to be filled with my words and with my righteousness and you will be filled!   This is what I see, ”It is finished” my love, my undefiled one. Believe it! Hold on to your faith, and that which you have, for I Am faithful. I will enlarge your portion for you have made Me the Ruler of your house!"    I asked Father for a word for this sister, representing many in the Bride, and this is the word He gave me by faith at random and my finger was on “Full of splendor" in Psa. 111:3 (in context 1-10),  Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, (That ' s YOU!)  and his righteousness endures forever. 4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful.    5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. 6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. 7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; 8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!     Give for Alms Those Things Which are Within Amber Arney - 8/8/22  (David's notes in red)   This vision below was given on 8/8/22 before the command of the Lord was given to contribute our excess wealth to UBM for the needs of the saints.   I had been seeing a vision of a stack of art books (I am an art major). The only book that I recognized was an art history book on top of various other art books.    As I saw these books, I heard in the Spirit something like, “Sell your unneeded possessions and give to the needy.” From Luke 12:33-34 Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.   I was confused at first because I don't have that particular art history book any more and the ones that I do have aren't worth very much, so I wondered how I could sell them. I had puzzled over this for weeks. Until I realized that the Lord had a deeper message for me.    I studied the above passage as well as similar ones in Luke 16:9, And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles. Luke 18:22, And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Luke 11:41, But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.    Mat. 19:21, Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Acts 2:45, and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. Luke 6:38, give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.   After some study, I felt the Lord was saying to think of my work for UBM as alms to the poor. (I composite the books for the ministry.)  (Amber does this at no charge to the ministry.)  This was a great encouragement and it has really helped me be more diligent and enjoy my work.   Today I was studying this again and it seems like the Lord wanted to say more. I asked him, “How do you give, as alms, the things that are within? From the scripture in  Luke 11:41,  But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.”   (One thing we can give to God from within is our appreciation in Praise and thanksgiving for giving to us all that Jesus is in the reconciliation. This is solving many problem and bringing testimonies like we share here.)   I heard in the Spirit “Is this the fast that I have chosen?” From Isa 58:6-10  Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?    8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy healing shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of Jehovah shall be thy rearward. 9 Then shalt thou call, and Jehovah will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly; 10 and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall thy light rise in darkness, and thine obscurity be as the noonday;   I still had many questions. Then I heard, “Will you walk with me down a lonely street?” This is a line from the song Unity by King and Country. To me this song is about walking with our brothers in all kinds of need, physical, emotional and spiritual.   But if I need a ride in your backseat Will you be there for me? See me on the path on your way home Might need a mattress to sleep on But if I'm going to dawn would it be wrong? Will you be there for me? Will you walk with me down a lonely street? Talk to me, tell me what you see? Stand by me, so the world will see You and me, in unity?   Since we've received the command from God, via the angels, to sell what we have and support UBM, this message makes more sense. I still have questions, but I believe the Lord is asking me to go deeper — don't just give my money, but give myself, my talents, and my time to Him. Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.     Claire's Accounting of Angels in Her Life Claire Pienaar - 8/18/22     Dear Eve, Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with angels on the broadcast. It blessed me so much. I had similar experiences from the age of 4. I have always wondered if other “real, regular” people have seen these things. I had some “imaginary friends” too, as my mom called them. My step-mom thought I was mental and took me to psychiatrists or child psychologists, but nothing ever came from it. I am so blessed by your testimonies of these ministering spirits.    I've put this together, to help build the body with faith and expectation. However, I could write a small book on what I've seen. This is what I can contribute. You're welcome to share it with our fellow brothers and sisters. I don't share to puff myself up; in fact it is remarkably humbling to share somewhat intimate details of my life but I'm happy to share; I have no shame and only glory in Christ's good work in me.    I first saw into the spiritual realm when I was about 6 years old.    My mom and step-dad were troubled folks, and my mom was tormented by demons who masked themselves as "angels of light." She would swear at them and chase them away. I would just pray to Jesus or God and tell them to go. (My understanding of the Father and Son relationship was limited)  Particularly, there was a demon who looked like a pretty little corpse-bride that roamed our garden freely. She or it was always hanging around. There were a few other things that would happen in our home and I learned to not be fearful and I would sing “Jesus loves me this I know” or “Jesus loves the little children” in times of torment or anger or fighting.   These included supernatural things like beings who looked like light swirling around my head at night, or beings of light who would manifest their “light” in a dark room before the room light was switched on. This made me very scared of the dark as a child.    In later years, I had to cast out this demon (depression) from myself, which is an awesome testimony on its own. That demon is gone and destroyed by the power of the Word and my faith in Jesus. I've not dealt with a day of depression since then! Praise God!    I also used to receive dreams as a child, mostly as warnings for my parents, but they did not have ears to hear or eyes to see. By teen-hood these things left me, and I was in rebellion until I was 23yrs old. Then I found Jesus as my personal Savior and started living as correctly as I could without much training, discipleship or role-modeling. It was a tough road with many mistakes. I moved out on my own and Riaan and I were married when we were 25 years old.    We were baptised together in May 2010, about 18months after getting married, after reading David Eells' Sovereign God book and plugging into a small home church. We received the Holy Spirit shortly thereafter. I saw demons again, from that point, I started receiving dreams again too.   The first demon that I saw after being saved was self-loathing. I was very insecure as a young woman. I cast it out one day after realizing I had no need to feel this way anymore if I was redeemed. What left me looked like a knee-high gremlin, scaly and stupid. Since then, I have seen every demon that's been cast of me manifest and depart. I've also seen the demons leave from other people the Lord has used Riaan and I to help in deliverance.  Most of these demons have been taken away by what I later learned was my angel, and one was taken away by Jesus himself.    Because of my childhood, I didn't just want to see the dark side so I asked The Lord, over time, when my faith and courage grew, if I could rather see angels and the light side more often. Now, I still see demons and manifestations of demons, especially when Riaan and I help someone through deliverance or healing. It builds their faith tremendously to “know” even if they can't see. I will say this too: sometimes I don't see the demons leave. Often I have to accept that they have a right to be there and I share this with my friends in Christ as the Lord leads.    The Lord revealed my personal angel's name is Shalondal after I asked Him to do so. Shalondal is a big, beautiful angel with gold armor on and he sometimes has a red tunic underneath the armor, and sometimes he is wearing a white tunic. These are both long, to the ground. The first time I saw him, he carried a demon up and away out of me. He fights very hard for me and never loses. Fire is trailing behind Shalondal when he is ready to do battle. It appears when he lifts his sword.     He comes with me in our vehicle, and he has flicked oncoming debris off the windshield with his sword, and he's steadied the speedometer when I am singing loud praise songs with my children on our journeys. When he's simply next to me, there is no fire, but a warm glow. I once forgot to command the angels to travel with us and keep us safe, and send them ahead of us too to clear the way. That day I received a fine for speeding. It's better to employ the angels,  since they minister to us things like obedience.    I have twice been attacked by a spirit of death, which the Lord later revealed was slander from family. I remember seeing Shalondal on my left as I was struggling against pain and fear of death. He said calmly, “fight”. And I stood up and started singing and walking despite severe pain. My eyesight went grey and I remember I said, “Even if I die, I'll die singing praises to the King! Now go from me”. I can't remember exactly what happened then, but Shalondal did some damage there and I was well enough to host a dinner the next day for a woman who needed deliverance from suicide and more. I was infused with a supernatural energy that I've only ever felt after giving birth.    This brings me to one of the most heartbreaking stories of angelic encounters. I had a friend in Hobart who was pregnant. She spoke like Riaan and I and the folks from UBM did about faith and Jesus and she texted me 3 days before her due date to say that the baby had stopped moving, and they were on their way to the hospital. She requested prayer, and I got on my knees with my shawl covering and started praying really intense and directed prayers. I sent the angels and I received this vision: Two angels were sent to her, one on either side of her. And I was commanding that baby to live in Jesus' name, and the angels had their hands on her and looked poised to minister to her.    Then they stopped and looked at me and shook their heads. I said, “That baby will live and not die” and they shook their heads. When I gently asked her about it a while after the stillbirth, she said, “I decided to not have faith for what you prayed for because I didn't want to be disappointed”. These folks have since moved away from where we live, and have had two more children naturally, by the Lord's grace. It was her lack of faith in that moment that hindered the resurrection and live delivery of the baby. It's a sad thing for me still. But her husband received a vision of the baby on a little boat, crossing a river, which was confirmed by their oldest daughter who had a dream similar to her dad's vision. There is much grace with Our Father.    Then we have the angel, Timmetus, at our front door. He is a shorter angel with huge wings and helps me with technology and finding lost toys and general “sanity saving stuff” in the home. I often forget about him, which is embarrassing to say. But he has helped me find things quicker than any human mind or body can move at times. He is very stoic and not too engaging, but that might be because I am not too engaging with him either. Once I needed to set up a new printing program and I know very little about these things. I just said, “Timmetus, I have the mind of Christ and I command knowledge into my self right now to fix this”. In a flash I  was coding! Coding! I was laughing as I was doing it, praising God for this awesome ability that was ministered to me in that moment.   My son has been a concern for a while and really has a penchant for the extreme. He has a knack of wanting to be “faster, better, stronger” at most things but the competence and capabilities are not always there. The Lord spoke to me and said I can command my son's angel because I'll need to. I asked the Lord to give me his name then, so I can build up a rapport with him. Daniel's angel is Alphalon, and he is kept very busy.    I've seen him wipe his brow once and shake his head in what I assume is disbelief, because I think he's saved Daniel often from peril or worse. I have received dreams where the Lord warns me of broken arms, or swing accidents, or leech bites, and then I remember to command Alphalon to protect my son. I do this by quoting scriptures about children, and reminding the Lord about household salvation and Psalm 91. Daniel sometimes laughs at me when I tell him how hard his angel works. He has once said, “You sound crazy.” and that's ok.    He has had enough happen to him in his short life that he can store it up in his heart for when he needs to step out and fight the darkness as a man of God one day. Just yesterday I took Daniel out for a run and, as we ran, he complained that his shoulder was sore. I said, “Come, let me pray” and I prayed for him. As I did this, Alphalon poured a little anointing oil through me that went to Daniel's shoulder. It grew warm and he said, “it's healed now”. Then we sang a quick praise verse and he grew quiet while I continued to pray in tongues.    Sometimes when we're praising or warring, I see about 10 to 20 angels either on the roof of the house, or around the perimeter, and they are ready to attack. These all wear white robes and have long glinting swords. We don't even have to be at home to see them - they are sometimes waiting for us to return from our journey as we praise in the car on the way home. I have seen this same small battalion of angels at times, all around the perimeter of our home, fending off dark spirits that have come in hoardes. Not one dark demon made it through the perimeter.     Supernatural Methods and Downloads Assisted by the Angels David Eells - 8/11/22   (In the days to come the saints will receive many instructions and downloads from the angels for each individual situation that they are faced with.)   I had said a prayer that "our computers and stolen materials on the website would be restored.”  Baruch said, “The coming method for getting the Gospel out will be far superior to the computers you use now. It will transcend natural methods. The angels will be much more involved; both multiplying the natural materials, and also supernatural methods will be given the saints. Access and assistance (in the spirit realm) will be provided by the angels.  (Eve said,  "I had a vision while he was speaking of many translations from place to place of the saints, happening everywhere, guided by angels, and supernatural gifts being bestowed upon the saints to bless and save, heal and deliver God's elect. I also understood that languages would no longer be a barrier." )   I had also asked, “What can you tell us about the supernatural methods to get the gospel out and heal, deliver and save?”  Baruch said, "The methods of man will not be employed to reach the peoples of the earth, in the days that are coming. The methods are all of the spirit realm and will be administered by the angels who are going to distribute the gifts to the saints."   (Meaning, the sanctified ones)   These include gifts of translation from place to place, languages, healings, laying on of hands to impart to others their needs and what they're lacking and to replicate the gifts by passing them on to others whom the angels will point out. Supernatural downloads of wisdom and knowledge will be received for specific situations.”    David asked, “What about deliverances?”  Baruch said, “The enemy will be on the run during this time. Deliverances will be instantaneous with no resistance on their part.   (Many deliverances are this way now if there is cooperation on the part of the victim in repentance and faith.)   They will no longer be able to hide in flesh because of the light of revival and the fire of truth that will sweep the elect of the globe.”  (Eve said,  "I understood that he meant that the demons will be fleeing left and right out of people as the true fire of the Holy Spirit fills each one and searches the depths of each individual. There won't be any place left for them to hide in the elect of God.” )   David asked, “Will there be mass healings and deliverances? Baruch said,  “Yes. These will all take place on the largest scale in human history.”  (Eve said,  "I understood that he meant that masses of people will supernaturally be delivered and healed all at once for times sake because the need is so great and the darkness so pervasive.” )   David asked, “Can we believe God, even now, for the books to be multiplied and placed supernaturally in the possession of the people who need them?”  Baruch said, "Yes. We have done this before on a limited basis, but we will go forth with your commands to multiply and provide the materials even now.”   (We have commanded this before.)  (Eve said,  "I understood that this is very important to Jesus. It is His will that all who are hungry for Him and truth will be filled. We must command this with unwavering faith and it will be done." )       Mechanic Angels Instruction for Tractor Radiator Repair Chris Garber - 8/21/22    Blessings to you all. Just had to share this and give praise to God. As a confirming witness to the testimony that brother David shared 8/17/22, I also had mechanic angels “fix" my tractor.     Back in the spring I was cleaning up some brush around the property here. At some point, a tree limb went through the radiator, but in a place that was difficult to see. I've been noticing for months that the engine was running hotter and I had to keep adding antifreeze. I didn't give it much thought, because of life's distractions.   Last weekend on 8/13 and 8/14 I had some time. I removed the body panels, shrouds and grill and found  an area of damage in the fins of the radiator covering the size of a golf ball.  I was perplexed and concerned that I would not be able to get the chores done that I needed done. We had right much rain here last weekend, so I threw a tarp over it and let it sit. I investigated radiator repair shops. Apparently, most all radiator repair shops have closed now, and replacement is the only worldly option. I did find a replacement, but the cost is $1,200.     My wife and I prayed, and I contacted another believing brother, and we all agreed that God would fix my radiator. Saturday night I had a dream of 2 mechanic angels fixing the radiator. I watched how they did it. Next day, I looked online to see if the repair had ever been done, and I found several videos of people repairing radiators with putty, but replacement is still recommended.   I'm not testing God, but I don't have $1,200 and I need the tractor. I drove to the hardware and picked up a tube of epoxy for $10. The weather was bad here and I had to wait 3 days to even consider messing with it. The third day, I carefully applied the putty to the hole. I applied it just as I saw the mechanic angels apply in the dream; prayed again and left it to sit for 24 hours.   Praise the Lord!  The hole is completely repaired, no leaks! I used the tractor all day Saturday in warm temperatures, under a big load. Absolutely perfectly repaired by the angels!  When I heard the testimony of brother David on 8/17/22, I thought, "I have seen the same mechanic angels here!!!!”      Riaan and Claire's 8 Day Fast Testimonies: Receiving the Gifts The Pienaars - 8/23/22   (David's notes in red)   Last Friday the Lord put it on my heart to replace one meal a day with either soup or a smoothie for a week, before I even knew that the local UBM fellowship would be fasting. Riaan and I had a MAJOR spiritual clean up last weekend ahead of my parents' arrival. It was wonderful and there was such deliverance for him and me. The Lord proved himself to be a perfect saviour once again. The maturity and depth of this deliverance was of a sort or level we have not previously experienced and it was very humbling.    We've incorporated praise into our days with our children each day of the past 8 days, much to my Babylonish parents' confusion. Yesterday we enjoyed fellowship with our friends the Swanepoels and their parents (Ed and Andrea have their folks from SA out too).    While we were worshipping, I saw a blue flame being poured out onto Riaan's head, as well as a white liquid going into his right ear. I asked what the white liquid was, and the Angel (not sure who it was, as it was not Shalondal or Timmetus) said “truth serum”.    I closed my eyes and really worshipped the Lord with my whole heart and I found myself in the throne room, at the feet of Jesus. Everything was glowing, and I had a full white garment on. Jesus put out His hand and presented me with a Red Rose. I started crying a little and He smiled at me.    We went on with worship, and Riaan shared a good message and we prayed for the folks there (3 of the 4 old parents who were there are not even baptized and have many strongholds, etc). Then later in the evening in our room, Riaan and I got on our knees and started worshipping, praying and praising to our King. I asked Shalondal to minister whatever he has for us, and then I heard a voice say, “You already saw it. You already received it”. It was back in the throne room, with the rose.    I told Riaan and he said, “I know this is just the start”. I said, “I want more, not for my glory, but for His”. And he said, “me too”.    We are not glory-chasers but we DID receive these things. We are standing in faith for more to be revealed, received and manifested in the coming weeks during and after my parents' visit.  Riaan immediately mentioned Song of Solomon when I told him about the rose.  (In Song of Solomon the Bridegroom, Jesus, is the rose of Sharon. Son 2:1 I am a rose of Sharon, A lily of the valleys. )   I remembered that each office holds a corresponding “sense”, as David has taught. We will both spend more time in unpacking the meaning of these gifts and we will be in communication with you.       The Snakes Have Been Destroyed Geneva (Isaac Payne's sister) - 8/20/22 (David's notes in red)   Last night when David said to tell the Lord what you want, I prayed for visions among many other things. Well, this morning I woke up and was singing praise to the Lord in my head, not even noticing that I was doing that.    The next thing I knew I had a vision, It was of a huge white and orange fire and all kinds of black snakes were being thrown into the fire one after another!  (Representing conquering our factious enemies.)  And then that was it. I immediately knew in my heart that the Lord had given me a vision, praise the Lord!    I believe it's like what was said yesterday that the enemy is being conquered, praise the Lord, because of all our prayers, worship and fasting unto the Lord.  (Psalm 149)  I am so thankful that God gave me this for all of us! And I wanted to be obedient and share with everyone! Thank you Father for your faithfulness. We love you Jesus. You are everything God, we love you.  (Glory be to God for more confirmations that the enemy is conquered.)      The Bride Body Delivered From Her Enemies Marie Kelton - 8/19/22 (David's notes in red)   (Marie is representing the Bride Body of UBM.)  I had another open vision during the 8th day anointing service. It was like I was experiencing it, and observing it at the same time. I saw myself in heaven kneeling down weeping in all white, while praying in tongues with a long veil over my head. I saw the Lord walk up to me and place his hand on my head.    I knew He was praying for me. I then saw a demon fly out of my head. At the same time, I saw a white lady in the same spot I was in, wearing the same veil and doing the same thing I was doing. Jesus walked up to her and did the same thing He had done to me and a demon flew out of her head like it did mine.   (We all started having vehicle problems. Brandy's truck had no power and would not go up our steep driveway. Also, Michael's truck kept missing around the same time. We needed to go somewhere but it didn't act like we would make it. They both had appointments the same day at the local mechanic shop.    I felt this was witchcraft sent by the faction, so I told Brandy this was not a coincidence and we should pray for his truck. We prayed and it was healed and ran perfectly. Then I went to Michael and told him that this was not a coincidence, but witchcraft, so we rebuked it off of his truck and it was healed too and ran perfectly. This all began a series of vehicle healings.)     The Mechanic Angels Fixed My Car and Healed my Spiritual Vehicle too! Eve Brast - 8/17/22    During our 8 day fast, as I was walking out to my car to drive for an hour down to Chattanooga, I thought of my car and how the Lord had provided it for me free of charge. It had been making funny sounds in the engine and wasn't running very smoothly. It had been burning quite a bit of oil and the “check engine light" had been on since last December.   I then thought of David's testimony of him laying hands on his tractor and commanding the “mechanic angels” who wore faded blue-jean overalls over their white robes and held a tool in each hand waiting by his tractor to fix it. So I laid hands on the hood of my car and said a simple command for the “mechanic angels” to come and fix my car too.   Then I got in my car, put on some powerful praise and worship music, and drove off down the road. I had been on the road for about 20 minutes when I finally looked down at the instrument panel and saw that the check engine light was off! I knew immediately that this was a sign that the Lord heard my prayers and had sent His angels to carry out my command for a car repair! I was so happy and I just began praising and thanking God for answering my prayer so quickly!   During this 8 day fast, I've also been receiving healings and strengthening in my body also as I've obeyed the command of the Father to live meagerly towards the flesh and avoid man made devices and distractions as much as possible. I have more energy and my mind is sharper and clearer. I have also been delivered from a spirit of introversion that came upon me as a result of bullying and severe persecution from my middle school peers, that has stifled me socially since I was 12 years old. I've continued to enjoy great freedom in worship and fellowship since the 8 day fast. Thank you Father for all your gifts and anointings for us!     Persistence in Faith Heals Another Car Don Laughlin - 9/1/22   When I first got the car out of the shop it was running great. No problems. But by the time of the 8th day anointing celebration meeting it was getting as bad as when I took it to the shop. David had his hands on the hood praying for it as I turned and started down the driveway.    I was just living with the way the car was acting until last Friday night when we had a hard time getting off the mountain after the meeting. The engine would stop without gunning it, a combination which made it very easy to hit another car. It had hands laid on it a number of times including us but did not help.   Then at the end of the Zoom meeting the next morning on Saturday, I asked for prayer. Later in the afternoon we went the three miles downtown and back without any trouble at all. It was acting as good as a new car. Since then, it has died twice when starting it. We commanded it to start each of those times and it did without any further trouble.   Today we traveled to Maryville and when I was in a store knowing I would only be in there for about five minutes, I left the car running. Merlene said it ran smooth the whole time. And by the time we arrived home it was perfect with no trouble. Thank you Lord!     Persistence in Faith Heals Another Car Tiombe Banks - 8/15/22    I had gotten off of work on Sunday, August 14th and went to Walmart to buy some things. When I got in my car it wouldn't start.    Initially, I didn't get bothered because this had happened before, so I went to start it again and still nothing. After about the fifth attempt, I knew it just wasn't going to start and I started crying out to the Lord as I continued to sit there in the car.    I wanted to know what He was trying to show me in this circumstance. (I got a Word at random but I don't remember what is was, all I remember is that it was a verse about faith.) So I knew He wanted me to believe that the car would be healed but I wasn't seeing it manifest right away.    I just continued to sit in the car while I waited on Angelica to come and get me. She picked me up and prayed and believed with me and dropped me off at home. The next day I had to work and she offered to take me to work but we both felt to go to the car both believing it would start.    We laid hands on the car and command it to start and nothing happened. So she dropped me off at work and, throughout my work day, I battled with double mindedness. I knew the Lord could heal my car. You see, the Lord gave me that car; my very first car and it has been a blessing and it will continue to be to me. So the battle was, “If my car is healed why aren't I able to drive it?   That evening we had our fellowship meeting and I asked for prayer and the whole body prayed and sent forth the angels to heal all of our cars. I was so encouraged and lifted up that I just knew, once the meeting was over, my car would start. Leon took me to my car and laid hands on it and when I got in to start it there was nothing. We praised and thanked the Lord for His goodness and His healing power over all the things He's given us and I tried it again and again.    So Leon took me home and but I did get discouraged after being so encouraged after the meeting. I went to sleep and hoped that in the morning His mercies would be new. The next morning I just couldn't believe anything other than my car was healed because I had no other choice or option and I called Brandy to see if it was something minor, like a disconnected line or something. He met me at the car and Leon suggested to get in the car and try starting it again but it didn't start. David and Michael heard about the car and went to the car, which was locked up, so they just laid hands on the hood and commanded it to be healed and left. David told us to go start the car.   Brandy got in the car and it started right up and was completely healed and it has been healed and working fine ever since. Praise the Lord for working out His patience in me to know I have the victory whether it's manifested or not, and always speaking the good confession!     Healed Vehicle Testimony Debbie Fenske - 8/30/22   I would like to share my testimony about Father miraculously healing a problem with my car.   I had to be away during the time of the sacrificial fast, and the 8th day Praise, Worship, and Anointing celebration. I was participating in the fast, and though I was not able to join in on the Praise, Worship, and Anointing celebration, I was in much prayer during that time.    While on the following morning Zoom prayer meeting, I heard there had been an anointing of healings for vehicles. Well, my car had been having a problem running very rough for a while and getting worse over time. I had my car looked at a couple months back, and the report was that they did not know what the problem was. My car was prayed over, and I was believing for God to heal it. But since it hadn't happened yet, I was not able to use my car to go to Pensacola Florida. I was so blessed to be able to borrow a sister's car.    When I came back home to Tennessee that Sunday evening after that 8th day celebration, I was able to drive my car where I need to go on Monday. But, on Tuesday, as I was heading out to the store. I got to the incline at the end of our road that goes up onto the highway and my car just stopped. It wouldn't make it up the hill. I mean, not even a little bit. So, I backed up quite a ways for a nice flat running start, but the transmission wouldn't go into Drive. I tried a third time, and still my car refused to go forward. So, I had to drive my car back to my house in reverse.    On the next Zoom morning prayer meeting, the brothers and sisters agreed with me in prayer for my car to receive that healing anointing. All that day I felt really tired and stayed home. I was believing for my car, and I had an excitement in my spirit that this healing was going to happen. I just kept praising God for it all day. Finally, I knew it was time to go out and take off in my car. Before I left the house, I remember telling The Lord, "Father, I thank you for healing my car. I receive it because it needs this miracle, and because I want this miracle!”    I wanted to run to my car! But I walked saying, "Thank you Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!" I opened the car door, and before sitting down, I placed my hand on the dash and commanded it to be fixed and go forward, in the name of Jesus! I can't describe the feeling I had of knowing that it was going to work in Drive before I even sat down all the way in the seat and turned on the ignition.    Well, I started it, put it in Drive, and it took off out of my driveway and down to the end of the lane to the sister's house who had let me use her car to go to Florida. I was so full of joy telling them what Father had done for my car. Then I drove off in my car again and up that incline with absolutely no problem.   I took it onto the highway and It has been a healed car ever since, except for still running a little rough. But not like before; definitely much better! I'm believing for complete healing on my vehicle. I thank you Father, already, for the miraculous anointed healing of my car, in every way.  Amen!     Jeep Healed 2000 Years Ago Petra van der Merwe - 8/30/22   Dear Brethren and Sisters in Christ, we serve a loving God, as we know and experience daily. This testimony of Father's provision is to bring glory to His name. The testimony is also a testimony to the power of praise. Thank you Lord, for teaching us and then giving us a practical test. My trial is a long one. It is not over yet, but I know this is the final chapter.   I have a small introduction before I get to the story of my car. 2 years ago in September, Father miraculously provided me with a surgery center to work in after the contract I had with another dentist did not work out. I was financially on my knees; Covid being part of the financial trouble. The miracle of this job was the fact that I was only paid for the days I worked, so I could leave whenever the Lord called me. So there was no contract keeping me there. It was no surprise that the address of the surgery center was, #12 Wilderness Road. This was the perfect road to my Wilderness living when called. God's governance over my life was perfect and I took it that I was not going to be in the city much longer.    On the 17th of June I took my first trip of many; transporting my belongings to Prince Albert, South Africa. The area is arid; a semi rock desert, and the towns spread out far from each other. As I entered a gorge leading to the plateau where the desert starts called  “The Karoo”, the traffic came to a standstill. After 45 minutes I got concerned. Whatever was blocking the road may take through the night to clear it, so I made a U-turn and took another, longer route. 90 minutes later the car overheated and the engine seized up. It was just outside a small town. Had I continued the first route, I would have been between two small towns, most likely none having a towing service and I would have had to spend the night next to the road. Thank you, Father God.    To keep it short, the Lord kept me and provided a retired engineer who had turned mechanic because there was none in this tiny town. I paid only half the price for replacing two heads and the shimming of the block. The only problem was that ever since I picked it up, the engine warning light came on a few minutes after I switched the car on and sometimes the warning lights for the traction control also lighted up. And what's worse is, sometimes the car goes into limp mode if the traction control light stays on. Limp mode is a safety measure to keep you going till you reach safety.    In limp mode the vehicle has no power and you cannot accelerate. If you switch the engine off and on again, limp mode is cancelled. I prayed for the car and continued on with daily life; waiting for the miracle to happen, but it did not. This went on for 7 weeks. The 10,000 km service came due, so I took it in, asking them to check the sensors for the traction control.    When I picked up my car, the mechanic was convinced he fixed it by cancelling all the error messages. He took it for a test drive, and all was good. But the trial was not over. The warning lights switched on almost immediately after driving away, and this was 5 days before I had to move. I ignored the lights and kept believing God will heal it.    Monday morning was my day of finally leaving for Prince Albert. Sunday evening, I opened the Sunday podcast. When I heard it was an old teaching, I thought, "I will do this later." But following the prompting of the Holy Spirit inside me, I listened to the podcast “Wilderness Living”. It blessed me tremendously and I went to bed.   Monday morning, when I reversed out of the garage, I heard a noise at the front left wheel and immediately felt it going into limp mode, but this was even more of a limp mode. I crawled down the small alley in front of the house and parked in another side street.    I could not drive 250 miles to Prince Albert at this pace. I called the service center asking the mechanic to call me. As I sat there, not knowing what to do, the "Wilderness Living" teaching popped up in my mind. David gave many testimonies of broken vehicles he had prayed for and then drove them by faith, not wanting to spend time on fixing them. I decided, I am driving to Prince Albert.    Secondly, what came to my mind was that I did not praise the Lord for my healed car. I just asked and waited. So, I prayed, repenting for not praising Him nor believing it was done. I started praising Him for my car that was healed 2000 years ago. I knew, that was why I had the trial. I failed in my praise. Confidently, I switched the car on, drove into the road, and to my dismay, the lights switched on again.    I began rebuking the car in a harsh voice saying: “I do not accept this. You are healed!” The words just popped into my mouth. At that moment, all the warning lights went out and the car recovered its power and I drove 250 miles pushing it to all its limits; going through potholes and daring the warning lights to switch on, but nothing happened. It was healed! Looking at my dashboard and seeing no warning lights after 7 weeks, when before all the lights were on all the time, was a sight to behold.    I do believe it is healed but I had one more trial. After loading the car, I drove down the street, and within 2 km the fan switched on. Looking down, I noticed the temperature was too high and the engine was overheating. The Lord kept me and my car for the 4 1/2 hour drive to Prince Albert. The long and short of it was that there was an external leakage in the water system. I filled the empty radiator and reservoir tank and God's hand kept the radiator for 4 hours, and then, 30 minutes after arriving in town, all the water leaked out.  (It is a miracle that the car held the water and lasted until she got where she was going.)   I am rebuking this as well; praising the Lord that my Jeep was delivered and is healed and that the mechanic will not find a crack in a pipe or the radiator. Let us continually praise the Lord for all he has done.      Michael's Vehicle Translation Michael Hare - 8/14/22  (David's notes in red)   During the 8 day fast, before leaving Arkansas to come back home to Tennessee, I prayed and asked the Lord to give me great gas mileage and the trip to be shortened.   I really didn't notice anything unusual other than the Semi-Truck traffic was significantly lower on I-40 from Arkansas to Tennessee. And traffic congestion, altogether, was significantly lower, even for a Sunday, all the way home.   When I got to within 30 miles of my halfway mark at exit 143 at Loretta Lynns restaurant exit, I noted it and kept driving. A couple of minutes later the sign for the exit appeared. “HUH?”, I thought. So I exited, gassed up and went on my way home.   When I pulled in our driveway and parked, I noticed the time. God had knocked about 45mins off my driving time. Hallelujah! I was elated that God did that for me! Praise the Lord for His Grace upon us! Hallelujah!  (This is true for I also have experienced this.)     Gift of Seeing in the Spirit Realm David Timoshchuk - 8/31/22   After last nights meeting I wanted to share some praise reports that happened since the fast. Sunday was our 8th day and I was lying there in bed with my wife and we were praying in the Spirit and and I started seeing a vision of a jug pouring out over us. Me and my wife both felt it at that same time.    I've been asking the Lord to anoint me with being able to see the spiritual realm and after we were done praying, God immediately started showing me things. First, I saw this giant trying to stand up, and as he was doing this, an angel put his foot down on the giant's back and the tip of his sword to the giants neck. I knew at that point that the giant is defeated.    For a while leading up to the fast, I noticed that God had removed all fear from me and I wasn't afraid of anything but God.   At first I thought nothing of it, but then I realized that before I was able to see the spiritual realm, I couldn't have fear in me.    Then later, around midnight, God put a name on my mind and I asked the Lord “Why this person?" and he showed me a very creepy, hypnotizing demon that was standing in their living room. I knew the demon had to be kicked out, so I woke my wife up and we both sent angels to bind and chain this demon up and take him out of the house. I saw how two angels carried the demon out of the house all chained up.    I was so blessed and happy that God did all that for me and opened my eyes to the spirit realm! I can go on and on with how I am blessed but there isn't enough time or paper or ink to write down how much God has blessed me.      Multiple Deliverances   Amber Arney - 8/30/22   Shortly after we began to worship the Lord on the 8th day anointing meeting, I began to feel the Lord's presence and I soon felt maybe three demons leave. I felt lighter after the meeting as well. I have had deliverances before, but none were so unexpectedly easy as this one.   On Sunday, I was laying in bed, talking to the Lord about some sadness that I felt. Throughout my life, I always felt average and untalented. From childhood on, I searched for that “something” to make me feel special. I had plenty of ideas — running, playing basketball like my Dad, being a writer or an artist, starting a business — but I was never the superstar when I tried them. The enemy told me I'd never be special and that I was stupid to think I'd ever be anything.    Laying there, I cried two deep, sorrowful sobs, then gagged as if about to vomit, and then stopped. A demon had left and the pain was gone, leaving me stunned, but peaceful. I spent the day feeling so happy and empty, like something awful had left. It was wonderful!   I was so tired after this that I felt sure I would fall asleep at once. As I lay there, drifting off, I became awake and heard God say, “Go talk to the angel of your chastening.” I was wondering if I had actually heard from the Lord but I got up anyways and went into my daughter's bedroom, as she was on a trip at this time and it was empty.   I have never seen an angel before, so I prayed and sought the Lord. I had a quick vision of a pleasant, youthful being and as I had expected an angel of chastening to look rather dour, I asked, “Why are you so chipper?” The angel said, “The time of your chastening is almost over.”   As I've been suffering from a strange rash with blisters, stomach pain and pressure, insomnia, and weird, painful bites on my stomach for over two months, that was good news! I continued to ask questions for over an hour, but did not hear anything else.   I doubted that I'd heard from the Lord and so asked for a verse at random and got Romans 3:4 (ESV) By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”   The next day, I asked the Lord why I couldn't see or hear the angel anymore and I heard, “You're not ready.”   My first thought was that I must fast for three days, but I cast lots and got mixed. Then I heard a line from the song Getting Started by Jeremy Camp, which says, “Fall in my arms and let me wash you clean.”   So I asked the Father, “How do I fall in your arms?” He asked me, “How do you give a hug to your mom?” I answered, “I just open my arms to her and then she hugs me.” After that, I heard Him say, “Do that with me.”   That night was our Monday night worship service and as a way to “fall into his arms,” I really tried to sing and feel love for the Father as I sung. At the end of the meeting, I felt great and and thought, “I'll surely sleep great tonight,” but I was tormented with all kinds of thoughts buzzing in my head.   I'd imagine that I was giving my testimony about how much suffering the Lord had delivered me from, then I would try to cast that thought down because I wanted to go to sleep! Over and over, different conversations would pop into my head all about how much suffering I'd been delivered from. It was getting annoying!   So now I was wide awake and it occurred to me that I needed to get up and sing songs of love to the Lord so He could wash me clean.   Getting up, I returned to my daughter's bedroom and proceeded to do just that, trying to not wake my husband, but pouring out as much love as I could.   I was singing and singing about God's goodness when all at once I realized that I had been giving God's glory to the suffering! I thought it was suffering that had taught me things and suffering that had made me strong. I had a hidden idol of suffering. I repented and asked the Lord to take it and the next day, I felt amazing. Although I have had many healings and deliverances, this idol had hindered me from accepting God's grace and mercy. I felt that I had to “suffer” before I could accept the Father's healing, so I'd never had an instant healing that I kept.    On Wednesday, I began to notice another voice that sounded a lot like my own, giving me “helpful” advice on things like laundry. At some point, I believe it pretended to be God. I asked the Father about this voice and heard “Masquerade.” The first thing to come up when I internet searched “masquerade Bible” was 2 Co 11:14-15 (ISV) And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 So it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their doom will match their deeds! My husband and I cast out a masquerading spirit and I have not heard the voice since.   The last thing is that after the fast, I realized my attitude towards food has changed. Like many women, I have had issues with food and the Lord has healed me from many of them, but this change was different. I don't know if I can really describe it. Food just doesn't seem so over-important as it used to. I don't think about sweets the same. Praise God, I'm free. He's answered one of my longtime prayers to “give me a right attitude” towards food.   (Father, we thank and praise you for these testimonies and we ask you to remind us to continue in this.)   Select Language Afrikaans Albanian Amharic Arabic Armenian Assamese Aymara Azerbaijani Bambara Basque Belarusian Bengali Bhojpuri Bosnian Bulgarian Catalan Cebuano Chichewa Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Corsican Croatian Czech Danish Dhivehi Dogri Dutch Esperanto Estonian Ewe Filipino Finnish French Frisian Galician Georgian German Greek Guarani Gujarati Haitian Creole Hausa Hawaiian Hebrew Hindi Hmong Hungarian Icelandic Igbo Ilocano Indonesian Irish Italian Japanese Javanese Kannada Kazakh Khmer Kinyarwanda Konkani Korean Krio Kurdish (Kurmanji) Kurdish (Sorani) Kyrgyz Lao Latin Latvian Lingala Lithuanian Luganda Luxembourgish Macedonian Maithili Malagasy Malay Malayalam Maltese Maori Marathi Meiteilon (Manipuri) Mizo Mongolian Myanmar (Burmese) Nepali Norwegian Odia (Oriya) Oromo Pashto Persian Polish Portuguese Punjabi Quechua Romanian Russian Samoan Sanskrit Scots Gaelic Sepedi Serbian Sesotho Shona Sindhi Sinhala Slovak Slovenian Somali Spanish Sundanese Swahili Swedish Tajik Tamil Tatar Telugu Thai Tigrinya Tsonga Turkish Turkmen Twi Ukrainian Urdu Uyghur Uzbek Vietnamese Welsh Xhosa Yiddish Yoruba Zulu Powered by Translate Printer-friendly version

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Bassist Zacharay Swanson of the Improvising Jazz Group Trio Xolo .. He talked about the band's history, COVID life and their debut ablum In Flower, In Song .. This group is composed of Mexican-American bassist Zachary, Baltimore-based saxophonist Derrick Michaels, and Lithuanian percussionist Dalius Naujo. They are all deft at  interplay delivering free-flowing stream of consciousness improvisations. Dig this story … Click to listen.Get the album - https://577records.bandcamp.com/album/in-flower-in-songThanks for listening and tuning into yet another Neon Jazz interview .. where we give you a bit of insight into the finest players and minds around the world giving fans all that jazz ..  If you want to hear more interviews, go to Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino on the iTunes store, visit the YouTube Neon Jazz  Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/neonjazzkc, go The Home of Neon Jazz at  http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/ and for everything Joe Dimino related go to www.joedimino.com When you are there, you can donate to the Neon Jazz cause via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ERA4C4TTVKLR4 or through Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/neonjazzkc - Until next time .. enjoy the music my friends ..

Kristina Darling interviews Nick Courtright about his new book The Proofs, the Figures: Walt Whitman and the Meaning of Poems. In “Song of Myself,” Walt Whitman wryly remarks about one's being “proud to get at the meaning of poems,” a comment highlighting the long-fraught problem of poetic interpretation and the pride-worthy intellectual labor required to elucidate the meaning of a text. Using Whitman's own “When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer,” an eight-line poem published in 1865, as its case study, The Proofs, the Figures: Walt Whitman and the Meaning of Poems investigates the chief methods available to readers when they embark on literary meaning-making, while also highlighting the challenges innate to such a task. With examples ranging from the critical and scholarly to the popular-cultural and survey-based, investigating interpretive prospects for “When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer” confirms that “to get at the meaning of poems” is a project of infinite opportunity both rewarded by and afflicted with the impossibility of absolute comprehension. By employing an array of formal, historical, mediational, and psychological techniques, Dr. Courtright confronts the lasting question of “what counts” or is relevant as evidence for an interpretation, while casting a wide net for the resources and methodologies that can be brought to bear not just on this single text or author, but on all texts and for all authors. Dr. Courtright's book has already earned strong praise for its engaging prose and thought-provoking analysis. Dr. Matt Cohen, Co-Director of the Walt Whitman Archive and author of The New Walt Whitman Studies (Cambridge UP), says, "The Proofs, the Figures has all of Nick Courtright's usual hallmarks: humor, trenchant readings, sustained skepticism, and a tactical leveraging of critical voices both old and new." Similarly, Dr. Chad Bennett, author of Word of Mouth: Gossip and American Poetry (Johns Hopkins UP) and Your New Feeling is the Artifact of a Bygone Era (Sarabande), praises Courtright as a critic and thinker: "I appreciate, as always, Nick Courtright's lively and accessible writing, engagement with audience, and the ambition of this project. I'm impressed by how much ground he covers." A scholar-practitioner, Dr Courtright is also the author of The Forgotten World, Let There Be Light, and Punchline, a National Poetry Series finalist. He is the Executive Editor of Atmosphere Press. His poetry has appeared in The Harvard Review, Kenyon Review, Boston Review, The Iowa Review, AGNI, Gulf Coast, and The Southern Review, among dozens of others, and essays and other prose have been published by such places as The Huffington Post, The Best American Poetry, Gothamist, and SPIN Magazine. With a Doctorate in Literature from the University of Texas, he lives in Austin with the poet Lisa Mottolo and their children, William and Samuel. Find out more about Nick Courtright at: https://nickcourtright.com Kristina Marie Darling is a poet, essayist, and critic. She holds a doctorate from the Poetics Program at S.U.N.Y.-Buffalo, as well as an M.F.A. from New York University. Find out more about Kristina Marie Darling at: https://kristinamariedarling.com

Song of Solomon 4:1-5:1 ____ We have to figure out how to integrate our sexuality into our lives according to what Scripture says. In Song of Solomon, we see a beautiful account of sex within the bounds of the marriage relationship.

In this podcast, Robert Barnes continues with the subject "Our Journey With The Lord". In Song of Solomon we learn there's a bridegroom who longs for the real authentic representation of who we really are. As believers we tend to put on a facade in the thinking that Yahweh want's you in a perfect manner. But we learn through this message, He longs for the mask to be taken away and to show Him who you really are. He loves the real you! We hope you enjoy today's message!

Song of Solomon 1-2 Healthy churches flow from healthy marriages and healthy marriages need to have Godly and Gospel-centered men. In Song of Solomon we see what a Godly man should be.

Today as we continue to work our way through the Song of Solomon, we come to a passage that is quite timely for us. The church around the world is experiencing the Lord's hand of chastisement. In such times we can wonder if our Lord still loves us the way He did before. In Song of Solomon 6-4-9, we are shown what Christ thinks of His church, even when she has resisted Him and caused Him to withdraw for a time.

Delivered From Captivity (9) (Audio) David Eells - 11/14/21 Religion Kills Adriana Santoro - 2019 I dreamed what seemed like the end of the world. (God's judgments upon the wicked will bring the world as we've known it to an end.) I was standing on the ledge of a building holding hands with people who were all lined up along this ledge watching the destruction of earth. (A ledge of a building represents the narrow Way on which we enter the kingdom of Heaven and also the cleft of the Rock where the saints are hidden in Christ and have a safety in the passover from judgment.) I had a supernatural gift of vision, where I could pretty much see things telescopically. (Representing a gift of seeing and discerning spiritual things.) My sight drew me into a church building, where I could see people being strangled and killed. (The apostate church strangles the new life of Christ that is born in the saints by feeding them false doctrines.) The person killing all these people was wearing a white blanket over themselves; slitting people's throats and choking them one by one. When the person lifted up their garment, it was revealed to be Mother Mary. (Jesus referred to the Pharisees of His day as whited sepulchers full of dead men's bones because they appeared Holy on the outside but there was only death in them and their teachings. Religion has killed many people over the centuries especially the Catholic Church both physically and spiritually.) Then I woke up and was physically praying, 'Our Father'. (The 'Our Father' prayer is what Jesus taught His disciples to pray. It represents a more personal relationship with our Heavenly Father under the New Covenant.)   Holding a Form of Godliness  Marie Kelton - 9/30/21 (David's notes in red) I had dream of a black girl that was being taught by an older black lady. The black girl thought she was learning truth. (The black people in this dream represent the corporate bodies of the religious apostate leadership and their disciples. They walk in darkness and are submitted to darkness.)   The scene changed, and the black lady was wearing a dark, aqua-blue dress. She was wearing a lot of jewelry and looked like an African goddess. I knew in the dream that the young girl was dressed the same. (The apostate church leadership is ruled by the spirit of Jezebel and they teach their proselytes to believe and walk just as they walk, in rebellion to the Word and truth.) I heard chanting and it reminded me of witchcraft. (The Bible says in 1 Sa. 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah…) As I was waking up I heard this scripture, 2 Ti. 3:5  Holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away. (2 Ti. 3:1-7 But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away. 6 For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, 7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.)    Legalism Trying to Get Into David's House Winnie Osegueda- 8/20/21 (David's notes in red) I dreamt that me and Chuc had a bed in David's home that we slept on. It had burgundy or red bedding on it. It was like all of local UBM lived in David's house. (That would be the "house of David", meaning David and all of his spiritual seed.) I was taking a nap on the bed after the morning prayer meeting and a sister got on the bed and said that her and another sister like to take naps in this room, and that she specifically liked to take naps on the bed I was on. She specifically wanted to be on the right side, which was the side I was sleeping on. She was adamant that I move. I told her that me and Chuc sleep there. (In the world its people jokey for position and compete with one another “but the Lord says in Mat 23:11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.) It felt like we were having bit of a debate about it when David walked in and said, “I have the fire of the Lord going if y'all need to burn anything up.” (Representing the burning of the wood, hay, and stubble of the selfish life.)  He said it in a very kind, soft-spoken voice. I almost didn't hear him (This reminds me of the "still small voice" of God when He is convicting us and speaking to us).  I did, in fact, feel convicted about having any sort of debate and I invited this sister back to my place, which was in David's house, so we could further discuss the matter.  There was a pretty white door in David's house with glass in the top of the door where you could peek through, and the sister stood on her tippy-toes so she could see the fire he spoke of and what everyone was doing.  We passed through this door and went (by way of the fire) back to my place, which was still in David's house. We passed Chuc holding Zoé while she was napping, and we went into my kitchen. It was very nice with very light colored wood and a lot of pink decor. In real life I wouldn't do that, but in the dream it was beautiful and bright in there as well.  The sister and I sat down to talk and I told her it was a very large bed and we could just nap together; that there was room for the both of us. She seemed very content and agreed. (Everyone can enter the sabbath rest from our own works together.) Suddenly, there was a knock at the door we had in the kitchen, and there were these very young, red-headed, Orthodox Jewish boys. (Be careful to not be influenced by the law for this brings us to immaturity and under a curse as Paul said.) They had to be 8 or 9 years old. I could see through the door and, at first, they appeared to have beards and I said, "Oh, it's Jesus!" But then I realized, very quickly, that it wasn't and I was like "Uh, no it's not!” (Some think this is the Way of Jesus but it separates from Christ and His grace. Gal 5:1-4  For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.  2  Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.  3  Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.  4  Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.) The beards I thought I saw on their faces were no longer there. (I believe these people could represent different sects of Christianity who are under law to religions, confused, and do not have the real Jesus).  Behind the young boys were adults and other Jewish children as well. (They will bring with them more immature fruit) I remember  an overweight woman with dark wavy hair to her ears, and a dated hairstyle. She also had a large, black rolling suitcase.  I opened the door and I realized they were probably there to talk to us about their religion. I was sorry I had opened the door without letting David know first, because I could see the hesitancy on his face, however, he said to let them in. I invited them inside and we all went past the kitchen (To feed them a spiritually healthy diet of Biblical doctrine.) and into the living room area and sat on the sofas that were there.  A woman with long, dusty blonde, very light brown hair, who was part of our body here at UBM, got her guitar and began to sing a song about when the Messiah was born. I think I remember her saying the 17th, but I do not remember the month or year.  (I looked up the number 17 and I read the following: In the Bible the number 17 symbolizes "overcoming the enemy" and "complete victory." God overcame the sins of rebellious humans when he began to flood the earth through rain on the 17th of the second Hebrew month. Noah's ark and its eight passengers rested on the mountains of Ararat on the 17th of the seventh month (right in the middle of God's annual Holy period known as the Feast of Tabernacles). (First mentioned Joseph was 17 and was preserved through adverse circumstances.) Jesus Christ gained a complete victory over death and the grave when God resurrected him near sunset on Nisan 17 (Saturday, April 8, 30 A.D.) (I have heard this is so.) Once the group of Jewish people heard the song, they were immediately offended and got up and left the house. They did not want to hear about the real Messiah.  (This is the test that will weed out those who trust in their own works.)  I remember my friend, India, sitting next to me and said, “Wow, straight to the point!”, in regards to the woman singing about Jesus and who He is. (When I thought on this later, I thought about how we do not have time to sugar coat the truth and we have to be straightforward and honest about the God that we serve.)  After the visitors left, about a minute later, they knocked on the door of another area of David's house where Brandy and Amber were. For some reason they thought it was an entirely different household, but it was just another area of David's house. (Legalists will try many doors to invade for Satan is behind this test.) When Brandy opened the door, the overweight lady with the dark hair said she didn't know if this house was the house that she was just at or not, but she was looking for Marie. (In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Marie is: rebellion; bitter.). (The legalists, who put people under their own law, will capture the bitter and rebellious for they do not belong in David's house.)  Brandy told them it was still the same house, but if they were interested, we had some books they could read. (They were the UBM books). One was called "Secrets of the Temple,” (This is where David shows the real house to the apostate house.) and they seemed very interested and looked at the stash of books we had laid out on the ground in front of the house. In real life, I don't think David has a book called "Secrets of the Temple," but in the dream he did. (The revelation of the temple or house of God is a revelation of what His people are supposed to look like and do which is in all of our books. It is obvious that most of the Church do not know what the Church is supposed to look like or do. Eze 43:10-12  Thou, son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.  11  And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, make known unto them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the egresses thereof, and the entrances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof; (This the revelation that the Word of God gives so that the people know how to behave themselves in the house of God. 1Ti 3:15  but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.)    Continuing verse 11, and write it in their sight; that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.  12  This is the law of the house: upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house. If a people keep God's Word they shall dwell on Mount Zion, the Bride.) I knew the book was about the spiritual temple, but I do not believe they understood that yet. Nevertheless, they took the book and seemed interested in reading it. Then I woke up.  I asked the Lord for a couple of verses for this dream by faith at random and opened the Bible to, Oba 1:19 (in context 17-21) But in mount Zion there shall be those that escape, and it shall be holy; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. 18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble,(The true doctrine from Mount Zion will destroy the spiritual red heads who do not obey the law of the house and are offended with truth.) and they shall burn among them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining to the house of Esau; for Jehovah hath spoken it. 19 And they of the South shall possess the mount of Esau, and they of the lowland the Philistines; and they shall possess the field of Ephraim, and the field of Samaria; and Benjamin'shall possess Gilead. 20 And the captives of this host of the children of Israel, that are among the Canaanites,'shall possess even unto Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, that are in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the South. 21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be Jehovah's. (Our enemies will all be conquered!!) The other verse I received was, Mat 7:24-25, 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 (The rock is the Word of the Lord and a place of safety.): 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. (All trials will be overcome by those who keep God's Word.)   They Worship Another Jesus Alenna Timoshchuk - 7/9/21 (David's notes in red) I dreamed my husband and I were in a forest (The forest represents our individual wilderness experiences that the Lord takes us through to burn up the wood, hay and stubble of our old fleshly lives.)  We were talking about going to visit Michael at local UBM.  I was thinking how they were right across the forest from us and that it wasn't a big distance. (Michael means, ‘Who is like God?'. He represents our like-minded brethren who also have the mind of Christ and are also walking in their wilderness by faith.) I wondered why we hadn't been able to visit them yet when we were so close to them. (The time for all the elect of God to be gathered together to be discipled by Jesus in the Man-child ministries for the 7 year tribulation period hasn't come quite yet but it is quickly approaching.) Then I saw Michael just like I've seen him during our UBM outreach meetings. But this time he was sitting there looking sorrowful; thinking of the people that he loved that had fallen away. I thought, this must be a difficult time right now and the Lord will tell us when it is the right time to go there. (Father is just as grieved as we are over our loved ones who have fallen away from the faith. He will grant us household salvation through grace and faith and the Body of Christ will be unified during the coming Great Revival that He has planned through His judgments that are soon to come upon the whole earth. These hardships are meant to cause true repentance in His elect to reconcile them back to Himself and to us.) The scene changed and I was in a historical setting, standing on a dirt road. I saw posters of different Jesus' lined up along the side of the dirt road. Each one had a different title. (As we will see, this dirt road represents the dirty path or walk of the apostate churches who worship another Jesus and whose foundations are built on the sand. Mat. 7:26-27 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 ones I remember were: “Jesus of Nazareth”, “Jesus of the Jews”, “Jesus of the Edomites”, “Jesus of the Civil War”, “and “Jesus of the Christians”. (I had never heard the term Edomites, but it sounded familiar, so I looked it up and saw that those are Esau's descendants. I realized that the people of Nazareth did not accept Jesus and he couldn't do many miracles there. The Jews, for the most part, didn't accept him either. Esau was jealous and factious towards his chosen brother Jacob and couldn't repent, and many Christians today worship their own Jesus whom they've created in their own images. So these Jesus posters represent people making up their own Jesus to fit their own ideals and agendas.) (2 Co. 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.  These are all factions and heresies that have divided the Body of Christ for 2000 years. 2 Pe. 2:1-3 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not.)  As I walked further down the dirt road, I saw many couples standing in a straight line. Each one represented a different generation or historical time period. All of these couples were very wealthy and powerful in the time period they represented. The two time periods I remember are; The Civil War and today's Christians. (These wealthy couples represent corporate bodies throughout history of the apostate church leadership who are wealthy because they fleece the sheep and make merchandise of them. They are coupled with the spirit of Anti-Christ who is their spiritual husband because they are in agreement. Amos 3:3 Shall two walk together, except they have agreed? They are daughters of the Mother Harlot Church.) Then, in my dream, I woke up. My husband, David (Representing Jesus, our Heavenly Husband) and I were getting ready for a wedding and I started telling him about the dream. I told him that I thought that maybe it was a warning for us to not create our own Jesus like all of the generations had done before us. (The Bride of Christ is chosen because she only desires what is pleasing to the Holy Spirit like the parable of Hegai in Esther. Est. 2:15-16 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal...)  …After the wedding when we got to my mom's house, there was a man standing in the front door window. He had a black hood on and was trying to scare me. I laughed and said, “You can't scare me” and I walked into the house. When I walked in, I realized this man was really small and only half of my height. He was so mad that his trick didn't work and he couldn't scare me; but I just dismissed him and looked passed him, looking for my husband or parents; but they were all asleep. (When the Marriage feast begins we will take the true Gospel to the rest of God's elect that are in bondage in the Mother Churches house.) (This represents the enemy trying to distract and put fear in us, but he actually has no power and is much smaller than he makes himself seem. We need to dismiss his attempts at distraction and just focus on our husband [Jesus] and parents/father [Heavenly Father]).   Apostate Churches Try to Seduce the Children (1)  Alenna Timoshchuk - 6/24/21 (David's notes in red) In this dream, it was evening, and I was standing in the driveway of a lady's house. (Alenna represents the Bride in this dream.) She had five children (5 means grace) and was asking me to teach them. (This lady represents the Church. Her five children represent the little sister who were saved by grace through faith out of apostasy to follow the Bride as in the Song of Solomon 8:8 and Psalm 45.)  I was a little unsure at first if I was up to the task but she didn't want anyone else teaching them and kept asking me. So I agreed. (The corporate body of the Bride is made up of men and women who are entrusted with teaching the children of grace; God's elect, because she is the first fruits that has come to maturity and come out of the Babylonish church system and is now qualified to share the true gospel with those who are also coming out of the apostate church. Jesus taught and trusted the first fruits disciples who John the Baptist called the Bride.) She gave me a wad of cash and in my dream. The amount was $100, but, looking back to my dream, it was actually one hundred, 1 dollar bills. (100 represents those who have given their life to follow Jesus 100% like those first disciples.) She told me she'd also have an assistant for me. The assistant was a guy I used to date off and on before I met my husband. So we all got into a school bus and I put the cash in the glove box. (As we will see, this assistant represents the apostate leadership who've climbed up another way and have captured many of God's elect in their heresies and false doctrines. John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  Song 5:7 The watchmen that go about the city found me, They smote me, they wounded me; (Representing their legalistic religious trap.) The keepers of the walls took away my mantle (or “Veil” meaning submission to the husband, Jesus.) from me.) I got behind the wheel and started driving the school bus. We were heading to my parents house (which in the dream was also my house where I lived). (Driving the bus of people means guiding many to the Fathers house which represents the original church gospel which we've heard from the beginning.) My assistant doubted my capabilities of driving such a big school bus but I was doing great! (Just as Judas doubted Jesus' capabilities and ended up betraying Him to the religious leaders of their day.) Even though it was dark outside, (The darkness is driving people to know about God.) I was able to maneuver it on small roads with really sharp turns, while keeping a good pace. It even surprised me how well I was able to drive this bus (I'm not exactly a good driver in reality and normally would be terrified to drive such a big vehicle).  Then the scene changed and I was sitting in my parents front yard, by the driveway, and I was actually waiting for my assistant to drive up with all of the children. It was cold outside and I had a fire going to keep me warm. It was taking them a very long time to get to the house so I texted him saying, “Make sure you just bring them here, we will teach them at my house.” (As we will see, the assistant or false leadership has kidnapped the children and kept them from the original house where the true gospel is being preached. Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is become so, ye make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves.) I got cold waiting for them so I went inside into the kitchen. My mom was sitting at the table, so I sat down and talked to her while I waited. (The kitchen is where the spiritual food is prepared. The Mothers of modern Christianity need constant education. Some will come along and some will fight truth all the way like the Sanhedrin did.) Then the scene changed and I woke up (in my dream) and it was 5:30 in the morning. I realized I fell asleep waiting for them to come to my house and was confused as to why he didn't bring the children. (Mat 24:45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.) I drove to my old church that I used to go to and found out that he had, instead, brought all of the children there. My sister informed me that he made a great program for all of the children and even got their parents involved and that they all had a great time. (The sister represents our brethren who are still blinded and veiled by legalism and religious spirits. Psalm 58:3-4 The wicked are estranged from the womb: They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. 4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: They are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear.) There were way more children than the ones the lady had and she wasn't there, but her children were. (Many are called but few are chosen.) In my dream I was able to see how that night had went and my assistant mostly just played games with all of the children and the parents and didn't actually teach them anything. (That is par for their course.) I was so furious that he had decided not to listen to me and took the children himself to teach, when he was only supposed to be an assistant. (2 Pe. 2:1-3 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not.) I also started worrying about the money I had left in the glove box of the bus. The lady had trusted me and paid me, but I was robbed of the chance to do what she'd asked of me. I wondered how I could get that money to give back to her because I didn't complete what she'd asked and I didn't want her to think I just stole it without doing what she'd paid me to do. (The devil, has stolen what God intended for the Body of Christ. The secular and Church DS are thieves. All that came before the Man-child Jesus were thieves as it is today. Joh 10:8  All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9  I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. But God is sovereign over His plans for His Church and He will restore all that the enemy has stolen from us and will make all things right but this is not something we can bring to pass in our own strength. Joel 2:23-27 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month . 24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. 25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of Jehovah your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame. 27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God, and there is none else; and my people shall never be put to shame.) Then I woke up.   Apostate Churches Try to Seduce the Children (2)  Claire Pienaar - 5/29/21 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was at a bush school with some of the moms from the homeschool group I occasionally attend. A fair amount of the women that were present profess some kind of Christianity. (Some people think that they're in a wilderness already, hence the “bush school” but as we'll see in the dream, they're nowhere near a wilderness. They're still caught up in mindless Egypt/Babylon apostate religion).  I was walking with one of the moms and she kept on wanting to gossip about another mother. I did not know at the time whether to answer the questions she had, or to keep quiet. Eventually I answered the question, “Why is she so private?” by stating, “She's ashamed of her previous marriage and does not like people knowing she is divorced”. (Isa. 50:1-2 Thus saith Jehovah, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, wherewith I have put her away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were ye sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away. 2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?) (This question about the person is fictitious in the natural, so God is revealing something to us here, based on the questioner's response). The questioner, instead of having a solemn, heartfelt response, was elated! She broke into the biggest smile and said, “Well honey, we've all got a back story and we're all less holy than we want others to know! I'm also like that!” (Misery loves company because it gives people a false premise and opportunity to justify their sins in their own minds. 2 Co. 10:12 For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.) She was glorying in her sin and it was detestable to me. I knew I needed to go find the other woman she was asking about and warn her. However, when I got to her, she seemed to have already “confessed” to the others in the group and they were all commiserating and almost celebrating, instead of standing in faith for complete healing and deliverance. (Spiritually, this shows us that many Christians will stand by and watch their Christian friends sin, and continue to sin, and fall into temptation, and they excuse it or celebrate it because the false grace movement has destroyed all sense of humility and repentance and obedience in the apostate Harlot institutional church). Then they said to me, “You can go now. We'll look after your kids”. (Again we see, just as in Alenna's dream above, that the apostates are always trying to abscond with our fruit and destroy Christ in us with their false doctrines.) I said, “No, I think I'll keep my children with me. (The Bride will not trust their spiritual children to Babylon but will see to their cleansing.)  We need to shower and clean up anyway”. While I was in the bathroom washing my children in the shower, and bathing myself, and getting dressed again, one of the non-Christian women was trying to spy on us through the keyhole of the door. I was not surprised, but a little irritated. This particular woman has many quirks and these were very pronounced in the dream. (The Bride is constantly cleaning up, burning up the flesh, making sure the fruit is clean and pure because, that's all that counts when it comes to bearing the fruit of Christ in the Kingdom 30, 60 and 100 fold). Once we were dressed, or so I thought, I could not find my blue jeans. This woman had somehow stolen my jeans and I had to walk out in my underwear.  I found my jeans in the next room, where she pretended to not know anything about my dilemma but was giggling at me. (The world, the imposter and apostate Christians try to take our heavenly walk away from us; they try to make us look foolish and laugh at our trust in God for ALL things. Woe to them). I was about ready to leave when two things happened: First of all, this bush school turned into a church, but this church had 2 tents. One tent was a second-hand store. Putting on Christ is not putting on the works of second hand religion.) All the homeschool moms went in there and raved about it, but I could not understand what all the fuss was about. It was so dusty, dirty, and the stuff was pure trash. I noticed many half-open packets of disposable diapers everywhere, like there had been a baby boom and people had misjudged the sizes of their babies when buying the diapers (This shows a lack of discernment about fruit.) (Many Christians are deceived about what fruit is and they believe that they are mature in Christ because they stepped over the line many years ago, but they ended up settling down on a pew in a dead church and they never grew up spiritually because they were never fed more than the milk of the Word. In Song of Solomon the Shulamite, or perfected one, was told to look beside the shepherd's tents in order to find where her beloved fed His flock. Song 1:7-8 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, Where thou feedest thy flock , Where thou makest it to rest at noon: For why should I be as one that is veiled Beside the flocks of thy companions? 8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds tents.) Second of all, The women said to me, “You can go feed everyone in the other big tent now. There's food ready”. I walked in and saw queues and queues of people snaking all around the massive tent. They all stood with styrofoam food cartons waiting to be filled. (There are many people in the modern day churches that are starving for the truth of the Gospel.) Some people had already eaten, and the food cartons were empty, and they were sitting at plastic chairs and tables. I finally focused on where the food was coming from. It was coming from women with red, curly hair and big black men who were supposed to be serving up the food, but they seemed to have run out of the pumpkin mash that they were serving. (Red, curly hair represents the apostate woman church who is in submission to sin and confusion. The black men represent those who walk in darkness overseeing the distribution of the false doctrine food of manipulation, rebellion and witchcraft represented by the pumpkin mash.) It did not look like they had anything more to serve to the masses other than nuts covered in chocolates. We have a funny name for this treat in South Africa, we call it “deer droppings” because it looks quite similar. I thought to myself, “Why are they calling this food? This won't fill them up; if anything, it'll cause them diarrhea if they eat too much of it." (While some might actually recognize the good food that the Bride has to share, they will not accept it because it's much harder to digest than the sludgy pumpkin mash or sugary treats that they're being served by the rebellious, Jezebel church leaders.) (Heb. 5:11-14 ...we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing. 12 For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. 13 For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. 14 But solid food is for full grown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.) I really wanted to leave this place. The homeschool women were now behaving more and more like zombies, mindlessly standing in line for the food and I could not handle it any longer. Then I woke up. (This represents a spiritual zombification or reprobation due to rebellion against the Word of God.) I asked Father for a word by faith at random for this dream and received, Romans 6:15 (in context 15-16) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  (This is exactly how I felt in my dream.)   Putting Away the Old Man and Cleaning up Our Doctrine Alenna Timoshchuk – 6/7/2021 (David Dengler's notes in green) (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was in my old church building and I was going to marry my ex-boyfriend (someone I used to date off and on a lot before I met my husband, David, and truly came to the Lord). (The old church building represents the Harlot apostate Church system of Babylonish religion that we are commanded to come out of and the ex-boyfriend represents 'another Jesus' that the apostate Christians want to ‘marry' everyone to instead of Jesus, the son of David, our true Husband.)  I was wearing a white dress but it didn't look like a wedding dress. It looked more like a night gown; very plain and simple. (The white dress represents the lukos garments. They are white but not as bright as the lampros garments that the Bride wears. It is a night gown because those in apostasy are still in darkness. When we are still in the apostate church system we are under legalism and self works. We are being prepared to marry another Jesus and only have a star glory at best. (2 Co. 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.  1Co.15:41-45 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.)  There were very few people in the church, which is unusual for Russian weddings. I looked out and saw my family on one of the pews and his family in another and then just some random people that I recognized but didn't understand why they were there. I thought, "They must not realize that this isn't just another church service but my wedding ceremony.” (Our little sister who is trapped in religion and legalism thinks that she is having a real wedding and marriage but she is just as deceived as her brethren that are trapped with her.) As I was waiting to walk down the aisle, I wondered where my husband David was. It was as if he didn't exist in my dream but I felt like he did. (David is the true husband, Christ the King) (The elect of God will begin to realize that they are worshipping a false Jesus by His grace and will reject apostasy.) I wondered why my family was allowing this marriage to another man to happen.  I don't know what transpired next but my brother Peter exclaimed “Praise God!” Because someone told him that we wouldn't be getting married after all. I didn't know why it was suddenly cancelled. (Peter is the stone, a piece of the larger Rock, which is Jesus, on which the Church is built: Mat. 16:18 And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. A cancelled wedding represents not getting unequally ‘yoked' to the world, the old man or a false Jesus.) (Jesus is the Rock that followed the Israelites through the wilderness. He is returning in His Man-child ministries to once again lead His people into His Marriage Feast or the 7 year wilderness tribulation period.) The next thing I knew, the whole congregation was praying fervently. (Representing the Great revival that is coming to the Body of Christ as a result of the tribulation judgments that begin at the House of God.) I was distracted at first, standing in the back of the church facing the entry doors. I then turned around, noticing the prayers, and saw, at the front, that men were in a group on the right side washing each other's feet and women were in a group on the left also washing each other's feet. (This was strange because the women usually go to a separate, private, room for that). (Washing feet represents cleansing your ‘walk' in the Lord. Also, feet represent the spreading of the Gospel, so to clean them is to get your doctrine correct and remove that which makes it muddy or unclear.)  (Eze. 34:17-24  And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, the rams and the he-goats. 18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have fed upon the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture? and to have drunk of the clear waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? 19 And as for my sheep, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet, and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet. (The unclean walk of the leaders leavens the followers.) 20 Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto them: Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep (Much flesh) and the lean sheep. 21 Because ye thrust with side and with shoulder, and push all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; 22 therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David (Man-child ministers); he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 24 And I, Jehovah, will be their God, and my servant David prince among them; I, Jehovah, have spoken it.) I went forward to where my mom and sister Maria were kneeling at a pew. (Maria means: of the sea. Bodies of water often represent corporate bodies or large groups of people.) My mom said “Alenna, if you haven't, you should go up to wash feet.” I had already made up my mind to go up before she said it and went. I knelt down on the ground, awaiting my turn, and started praying. (The mom and the sister here are representative of receiving a fresh revelation brought to the elect of God in apostasy that they need to clean up their walk by returning to the Word which they heard from the beginning. 1 John 2:7-8 Beloved, no new commandment write I unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye heard. 8 Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth.) Everyone was praying in the spirit but it was like they were all singing. (1Co.14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.  I joined in and at times I was worried my prayer wouldn't harmonize with theirs and when I thought that, I felt myself trying to harmonize and I would go off key. (Harmonizing is to be with the Spirit not with men.)(Harmonizing is learning to ‘flow' with the Spirit, as in speaking in tongues: singing in tongues. It's good to study 1Corinthians 14. It is a good teaching of spiritual gifts, their uses, and using them within and building up the Church.)   The pool was like one of those small kids pools where they washed feet. (We must become as a little child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.) When it was freed up and I went and put my feet in to get them washed, but no one was at the pool to wash my feet. (In our Russian community we always washed feet before communion, someone would wash your feet and then you wash the next persons feet so that every one has a chance to wash someone's feet and get theirs washed by someone).  I decided since no one would wash my feet, I would wash my own. So I washed my feet and my hands and kinda jumped up and just rejoiced but also feeling that I was being judged for doing so. (Those who are trapped in apostate religion will recognize that their pharisaical leadership are not capable of cleaning up their lives or their walk so they will begin to search the scriptures for themselves and renew their own minds with the Word of God and begin receiving the mind of Christ to bear fruit 30, 60 and 100 fold but then their spirit does not agree with the leadership.) (Washing ones own feet represents cleaning up our doctrine by studying the Word on our own. Feeling like being judged by others is a feeling of condemnation. Others may try to come against or condemn us for correcting our doctrine, which now may not align with theirs.)    Getting on Mount Zion by God's Grace Winnie Osegueda - 10/11/21 (David's notes in red) This morning at the morning prayer meeting, I was listening to David and Eve speak about being lackadaisical, as well as not knowing the Lord fully for yourself and just learning from others, but not having your own revelation. (This wasn't verbatim, but that's what I gathered from the conversation). As I lay in bed, I repented to the Lord for any slackness in my life in diligently seeking Him and allowing the enemy to discourage me, as well as any other ways I've offended Him, and then I fell asleep for just a few minutes and had the following dream: I dreamed I was walking through a city at night with a group of people and it was particularly dark outside. The only people from the group that I remembered were Zoé, my husband Chuc, and Joseph Solomon. (Who is a singer and a poet in real life.) (As we will see, Joseph represents the Man-child who are wrongfully accused by the Harlot as Joseph was. Solomon also was a Man-child who was anointed Man-child to build the Temple of God, which is His people. These came out of Babylonish bondage to be Man-childs just like Zerubbabel whose name means “Born from Babylon” and built the Kingdom.) As we were walking through the streets, we stopped in front of a retail store on our left with windows that were a bit yellowed and dingy looking. (The store on the left represents the buying and selling that the Word rebukes identifying Babylonish religion.)  The windows looked more like house windows than retail store windows. (Their vision out of their house and their doctrines are Babylon.)  The windows were also four pane windows, so it looked like it had a cross in the middle of it, and this stood out to me. The dinginess of the windows reminded me of our old house that we used to live in because the windows there were also a bit worn and yellowed. (As we will see, this store represents where Father does His initial work in our lives. He is weak to the weak and gives people grace to enter the Kingdom here on earth even though our mother is Babylon. We must enter the kingdom with humble beginnings and from there we receive the grace and strength to climb Mount Zion.) Zoé (meaning God's life) was looking intently through the left side window we were standing in front of, and when I looked, I could see a large mountain in the distance reflected in the glass of the window. (We see through a mirror dimly at first. 1Co. 13:12, 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.) The mountain resembled the Rocky Mountains as its peak was white with snow. (The top of Mount Zion represents sanctification or Holiness.) Zoé continued to stare intently through the window and at the mountain and I asked her what she was seeing. She never answered me, but as I looked through the window, at the mountain with her, I wondered if the mountain was about to shake. I felt like it would. (Heb. 12:26-27  …Yet once more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but also the heaven. 27 And this word , Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. The shaking is to shake out apostates who do not belong in the Bride and we have been seeing this.) (I wondered if these mountains represented apostate religion, but Chuc believes the one high mountain with the snow at the top represents Mount Zion and we were just viewing it from a distance and not being on it). (The one mountain with the snow at its peak is Mount Zion and the surrounding mountains are the kingdoms of men so this range of mountains represents both and God is about to shake them all. Once we become disciples of Christ we must get out of the city which represents Babylon and Babylonish religion, and its doctrines the we are in bondage to, and accompany Joseph Solomon to the top of Mount Zion. Moses the Man-child was to bring Israel out of Egypt and to the "Mountain of God”.  This is where we have a passover from the judgments and where the Bride and the Man-child have overcome to have the authority to rule and reign with Christ. Isa 68:15-16  ...The mountain of Bashan is a mountain of many peaks. (Representing apostate religious kingdoms) 16 Why do you look with envy, you mountains of many peaks, At the mountain God has desired as His dwelling? (Mount Zion) Indeed, the LORD will dwell there forever.) Then our group went inside this store, and when Joseph Solomon walked through the door, he walked in singing very loudly and he took a huge step, kind of like when someone does a lunge exercise. (The Man-child's job is to go to Egypt/Babylon and bring the people out of bondage to Mount Zion. Like Jesus who went to the apostate sheepfold and called his people out to follow Him through the door which is Christ, the Word of God; the real good news of the gospel that sets us free from bondage to religion and legalism.) There was a man in the store that we hadn't seen initially because he was hunched over doing work, so we did not see him from the window. (The Father is hidden in Babylon doing a work of revelation to prepare the righteous to come out.). When we walked in, he stood up and greeted us. He was behind a counter on the right from the entrance. We turned around to speak to him after we walked in. (This man represents the Father whom we were estranged to until we come out of the fold through the Door which is Christ who died to reconcile us to God.) This man was wearing glasses and sky blue coveralls like what mechanics wear. (Our Father wearing glasses represents that He is far sighted seeing the end from the beginning; He sees us as a finished product. His sky blue mechanics coveralls represent His heavenly work in our hearts and lives.) He said to me, "Wow, I haven't seen him in a while," referring to Joseph Solomon. I understood that Joseph Solomon used to work at this store previously. (Meaning the Man-child like Moses left Egypt/Babylon to go through the wilderness to purify them of all its vestiges and was now returning many years later to bring his brethren out.)  The man also said he hadn't seen Joseph Solomon this content in a while. (He has fully entered into the rest through faith gained in his wilderness experience. He is sanctified of the old life.) (In real life this young man had a religious view of the Lord and the Bible, and though I believe he had some good wisdom to share, there were some parts that were lacking such as the view of the spiritual gifts, among other things, which is possibly what contributed to his depression, and ultimately his unbelief. Seeing Jesus in full is what saves us). (The anointing breaks the yoke.) I said to the man, "Oh, he used to work here (meaning Babylon/Egypt), right?" And then I told the man that Joseph Solomon now had talents, great gifts, and a lot of potential. (Our Father sees the end from the beginning in all of His elect and we are to see others that way as well. God uses everything that we are ordained to go through in our lives for His ultimate purposes that we may bear much fruit.) The man then approached Joseph Solomon and at this point Joseph's clothes changed. (The anointing came on him to walk in the steps of Jesus whose first teaching was in Isa. 61:1-4 The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of Jehovah's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified. 4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.) He was very kind to Joseph and asked him how he was doing. He asked him if he could touch his hair, and Joseph said, “Yes”. So the man put his right hand through Joseph's short, bleached blonde hair, and asked him in a kind, playful, but serious way, "What did you do to your hair?” (Our hair which represents our submission and our obedience to His Word. Blonde hair represents submission to the Son/Sun. Our Father desires obedience above sacrifice.) I woke up with the following scripture song playing in my mind: Isaiah 54:10 For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my lovingkindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, saith Jehovah that hath mercy on thee. (As I was thinking about the dream, I realized the Lord was not only speaking about Joseph Solomon, but He was speaking to me as well. Although I have not departed from the faith, the Lord is magnifying this point to me about not viewing the Lord in His fullness, and only seeing him through a certain lens which prevents me from growing. It's no different than viewing the Lord through the eyes of religion, but there is so much more that He has for us if we would allow Him to show us. Chuc has said to me previously that I had understanding (knowledge), but I needed to have my own revelation of these things in my life. He says he sees the Lord working this out in me, and I know the Lord has been. This is also a reason the enemy had previously been able to come into my life in the form of depression at times, and the young man in my dream had battled that as well. I am also praying for him because it is clear to me that the Lord loves this young man, and He loves me as well.)  I asked the Lord for a verse about this dream and received: Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; (representing being on top of Mount Zion.) though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.   After I woke up from my dream, I turned over to see Chuc reading the following verses in the Bible app on his phone and saw: Romans 5:18-21  So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life. 19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous. 20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: 21 that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Select LanguageAfrikaansAlbanianAmharicArabicArmenianAzerbaijaniBasqueBelarusianBengaliBosnianBulgarianCatalanCebuanoChichewaChinese (Simplified)Chinese (Traditional)CorsicanCroatianCzechDanishDutchEsperantoEstonianFilipinoFinnishFrenchFrisianGalicianGeorgianGermanGreekGujaratiHaitian CreoleHausaHawaiianHebrewHindiHmongHungarianIcelandicIgboIndonesianIrishItalianJapaneseJavaneseKannadaKazakhKhmerKinyarwandaKoreanKurdish (Kurmanji)KyrgyzLaoLatinLatvianLithuanianLuxembourgishMacedonianMalagasyMalayMalayalamMalteseMaoriMarathiMongolianMyanmar (Burmese)NepaliNorwegianOdia (Oriya)PashtoPersianPolishPortuguesePunjabiRomanianRussianSamoanScots GaelicSerbianSesothoShonaSindhiSinhalaSlovakSlovenianSomaliSpanishSundaneseSwahiliSwedishTajikTamilTatarTeluguThaiTurkishTurkmenUkrainianUrduUyghurUzbekVietnameseWelshXhosaYiddishYorubaZulu Powered by Translate Printer-friendly version

How do I know Jesus loves you? The Bible tells me so! In Song of Songs 6 Jesus gives a powerful speech about how He views His bride. He is head over heels in love with her and he describes how she is without compare! She is beautiful like Jerusalem and at the same time astonishingly frightful like a mighty army! Her beauty has not fades even in the midst of her failures! Join us as we worship the LORD and experience the ever constant love of our LORD.

In Song of Songs 5:8-6:3 the Shulamite calls upon the daughters of Jerusalem to help her look for her beloved, but there is a problem: her apathy towards him has caused them to think he is nothing special. In this passage the Shulamite praises her beloved to others causing them to want to seek this beloved as well. As the Shulamite's praise of her beloved causes others to seek him, so our praise of God to others causes others to seek him. The words of praise we give both in marriage and in our relationship to God matter.

In Song of Songs 2:8-15 we see the church which has been in a state of sweet rest in Christ's embrace is woken by her Lover to a new assignment. Christ calls His bride to “rise up and come away” (Song of Songs 2:10). He has created an eternal spring and He calls us to enter into the glories of new creation life. To rise in resurrection strength from our sweet rest and to be a sent out as an ambassador to the nations. Singing forth His praises and not allowing any of the work of the enemy to spoil His fruitfulness in our lives. Join us!

In Song of Songs 1:9-17 we see Christ and the Church shower each other with words of love! In this section of the Song we see the church is described as a warrior bride who has been bejeweled by the Father, Son, and Spirit. Christ is the One who dwells in the Church's heart by faith and makes her fragrant. The church is meant to be a chaste virgin with dove's eyes. And everything that Christ possesses is ours through union with Him. Join us!

Episode twenty-three of the World of Azuria podcast deepens our understanding of the Vagarveil Wood as Mara, Persephonie, Cassian, Iellieth, and Marcon sit down to share a meal together and discuss the revelations of the druids' meeting.IntroductionHello adventurers,And welcome to season two, episode thirteen of the World of Azuria podcast. My name is Beth Ball, and I'm the author of the Age of Azuria epic fantasy series, which we'll be exploring in this show. In some episodes, we'll be swept away into the magical world of Azuria as I read chapters from the novels and stories. In others, we'll dive into the lore behind Azuria, and I'll answer your questions about the world, characters, and more. If you enjoy epic fantasy worlds, immersive settings, nature-based magic, and vivid characters, then this podcast is for you. In our second season, we're traveling through Buried Heroes, book one in the Age of Azuria series. In last week's episode, Iellieth and Marcon stumbled upon an intense debate within the druid conclave of the Vagarveil Wood as to whether or not the druids should make themselves known to the neighboring city-states and if they should stand against the werewolf pack roaming across Caldara. Persephonie gave an impassioned speech urging the druids to action and pointed out that they must trust the saudad and Yvayne as to the truth of what's transpiring outside of their remote forest conclave. In today's episode, we journey through Chapter Eleven where Mara, Persephonie, Cassian, Iellieth, and Marcon sit down to share a meal together and discuss the revelations of the druids' meeting. To find out what happens next before new episodes are released every Tuesday, you can find Buried Heroes at bethballbooks.com/shop or at your favorite book retailer. It's now available for free! Let's start our adventure!ClosingThank you so much for joining me for today's adventure through Buried Heroes and the world of Azuria. If you'd like to find out more about me or my fiction, you can find me at bethballbooks.com. You can also find my books worldwide at your favorite bookstore or ask your local librarian to add them to the library catalogue. To stay up to date with the world of Azuria and be the first to know about upcoming fiction projects, visit bethballbooks.com/join. I would love for you to be a part of my reading community, the Story Enclave, and, as special thanks to you, for a limited time, you'll receive a free ebook copy of Aurora when you sign up. If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me on Instagram @bethballauthor or on Twitter @GroveGuardian. Today's episode is sponsored by Amber Queen, book three in the Age of Azuria epic fantasy series. You can preorder your copy of Amber Queen at bethballbooks.com/shop or at your favorite bookseller. I'd also like to recommend Song of Parting, one of the prequel novellas for the series. In Song of Parting, you'll uncover details of the interwoven past shared...

We all know that the few extra Cheez-its or the clean-the-plate-bites of Mac-n-cheese from Panera can wreak havoc on our health. This is Biblical wisdom right here--and we learn it from the book, Song of Solomon. In Song of Solomon 2:15, we read: "You must catch the troubling foxes, those sly little foxes that hinder our relationship. For they raid our budding vineyard of love to ruin what I've planted within you. Will you catch them and remove them for me? We will do it together." We must catch these little critters before they hinder our optimal health and keep us from living fully and freely the way God intended. Let's dive in and hear what God is saying about how to trap and remove these little critters so you can live the way you are called: "I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering." 3 John 2 TPT--healthy and whole! As a Christian health coach, I help women get set free from toxic behaviors and patterns that are impacting their overall health. Partnering with the Holy Spirit and using the Bible as our source of Truth, we uncover deep rooted issues that are impacting your and keeping you from living fully, freely, and fearlessly. NO PILLS, POWDERS, PRODUCTS, PROGRAMS, or PROCEDURES! Are you ready to commit your health to His Hands!?!? Message me to see how I might be able to support you on your journey. frannie@shinewithfrannie.com If this encouraged you, please share with another, follow the podcast so you receive new downloads every time! AANNNNDDDD....I would appreciate if you'd leave a rating and review, too! And how could I have forgotten?!??! Our Summer Soul-stice is happening Monday, June 21 at 7:30PM EST! I want to help you dive into the places that need some soul care. Click here to sign up today! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/frannie-foltz/support

In Song of Solomon 4 says, "1 Behold, you are beautiful, my love 15 a garden fountain, a well of living water, and flowing streams from Lebanon." "A well of living waters": she is like a fountain of living or running water, which flows into gardens, and makes its flowers and plants to flourish. The church conveys those waters of life, which she receives from Christ, to particular believers. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myeveningdevotional.substack.com

Author Brian Power returns to our show with more about his book "Song of Atlantis" which is about the sustainability of the earth envisioned by well drawn characters — thinkers, scientists and explorers — led by an American Indian anthropologist, Gordon Tallbear. Three story lines are interwoven throughout the novel. It begins 12,500 years ago with Amon Goro, Master Architect of the advanced civilization of Atlantis, harnessing the earth’s forces in an unprecedented structure that will provide a perpetual and limitless source of clean energy to sustain the planet’s growing civilization.  They soon unravel the secrets of perpetual energy and plan to re-create this energy source to benefit the world.  In "Song of Atlantis", author Brian Power speculates that when the ancient civilization of Atlantis realized their island was in peril, they sent emissaries to all parts of the world in the hopes of imparting their knowledge to other, less enlightened cultures. This premise sets the stage for a riveting thriller that pits good against evil as a team of contemporary scientists discover a treasure trove of technology left by the Atlanteans that may reveal the secret to harnessing clean energy for the entire planet. Visit his website: https://songofatlantis.com/ At the top of the show, it's Anastasia's Starseed News, bringing topics of interest to starseeds not heard in the mainstream!

Song 5:2–16 begins a new unit, with the relationship cooling and at least potentially in jeopardy. Probably the most common interpretation is that this section is part of a dream sequence. Note the opening words: “I slept but my heart was awake”—almost a definition of a dream. Dream or not, the intensity of the relationship is declining. In Song 5:2 the lover wants to come to the beloved, but her initial response is cool: “I have taken off my robe—must I put it on again? I have washed my feet—must I soil them again?” (Song 5:3)—scarcely the words of passionate expectation and welcome.These and the following lines can be read on two levels. On the first, the beloved has gone to bed and cannot even be bothered to get up and open the door; she might get her feet dirty. The lover puts his hand through a hole in the door and tries to raise the latch. The beloved has second thoughts. Rather belatedly she drags herself out of bed, now with at least some anticipation, only to open the door and find her lover gone (Song 5:5–6). Disappointed and ashamed, she roams the city looking for him, and this time the night policemen, the “watchers,” beat her up (Song 5:7)—why is unclear, though some have suggested she is making such a commotion that this was the only way they could keep her quiet. On this reading the “daughters of Jerusalem” (Song 5:8–9) are not friends but city girls who are finally persuaded to join the search, which ultimately proves successful.At the second level, there is a string of double entendres. “Feet” (Song 5:3) sometimes serve as a euphemism for genitals (e.g., the Hebrew of Judg. 3:24; 1 Sam. 24:3; Isa. 7:20; Ezek. 16:25 [KJV; the NIV translation loses the word foot in each instance]; and the parallelism between “wash your feet” and “lie with my wife” in 2 Sam. 11:8, 11). English Bibles often use “latch-opening” or the like in Song 5:4, but that is certainly not mandated by the relatively rare original—and the rest of the verse, and the next two, suggest a different opening, and arousal on the part of the woman. But by this time the lover, for whatever reason—impatience? disappointment?—is gone.What shall we make of this? First, all marriages, even the best of marriages, sometimes go through periods of coolness or reserve which, unchecked, could destroy them. Second, dream sequence or not, the way forward is a mutual pursuit of the lover and the beloved, a renewed commitment to the language and self-giving of love. Third, Paul is scarcely less explicit, though more prosaic, when he insists that married Christians, apart from explicit exceptions, are not to deprive their spouses sexually (1 Cor. 7:5; see meditation for February 20). This podcast is designed to be used alongside TGC's Read The Bible initiative (TGC.org/readthebible). The podcast features devotional commentaries from D.A. Carson’s book For the Love of God (vol. 2) that follow the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan.

This Bible study devotional covers Song of Songs chapters 7:11-8:14. In this passage, we read about how the bride’s desires for her groom are still unmet by the end of the song. This leaves us wondering how our need for love and satisfaction will ever be met in this life. As always, we are committed to showing you how to see the good news of the Gospel in every passage of Scripture. In Song of Songs 7:11-8:14, we see that Jesus gives us the love we have always longed for: a love stronger than death. For more information about Spoken Gospel visit: https://www.spokengospel.com We believe the only path to transformative Bible engagement is to see Jesus and his gospel wherever you are in the story. Jesus taught that he can be seen on every page of the Bible. Only by seeing the light of the Gospel in the face of Jesus can we be transformed into his image (2 Cor. 3:18, 4:6). We want to help people engage with every corner of the Bible in a transformative way. To that end, we are making Christ-centered, devotional podcasts that cover every chapter of the Bible. They are brief field guides through every passage of scripture that explain each chapter within its context and how it reveals more about the good news of Jesus. The Gospel changes things. Through our resources, we hope to create growing, deepening, and transforming Bible engagement that reshapes individuals, churches, and cultures with the Gospel. And we hope that you will join us in that mission.

This Bible study devotional covers Song of Songs chapters 6:4-7:10. In this passage, we hear about the groom’s love for his bride in two of his longest love songs. As always, we are committed to showing you how to see the good news of the Gospel in every passage of Scripture. In Song of Songs 6:4-7:10, we see that Jesus truly loves and desires us. In fact, he proved his love and desire for us by dying on the cross. For more information about Spoken Gospel visit: https://www.spokengospel.com We believe the only path to transformative Bible engagement is to see Jesus and his gospel wherever you are in the story. Jesus taught that he can be seen on every page of the Bible. Only by seeing the light of the Gospel in the face of Jesus can we be transformed into his image (2 Cor. 3:18, 4:6). We want to help people engage with every corner of the Bible in a transformative way. To that end, we are making Christ-centered, devotional podcasts that cover every chapter of the Bible. They are brief field guides through every passage of scripture that explain each chapter within its context and how it reveals more about the good news of Jesus. The Gospel changes things. Through our resources, we hope to create growing, deepening, and transforming Bible engagement that reshapes individuals, churches, and cultures with the Gospel. And we hope that you will join us in that mission.

This Bible study devotional covers Song of Songs chapters 5:2-6:3. In this passage, we read about the Bride’s defense of her groom when he is, once again, absent. In the midst of her search for him, she clings to the promises of his love and the beauty of his character. As always, we are committed to showing you how to see the good news of the Gospel in every passage of Scripture. In Song of Songs 5:2-6:3, we see that Jesus gives us unbreakable promises to cling to even when God feels far. We can trust the promises of our groom more than we need to trust our feelings of doubt and fear. For more information about Spoken Gospel visit: https://www.spokengospel.com We believe the only path to transformative Bible engagement is to see Jesus and his gospel wherever you are in the story. Jesus taught that he can be seen on every page of the Bible. Only by seeing the light of the Gospel in the face of Jesus can we be transformed into his image (2 Cor. 3:18, 4:6). We want to help people engage with every corner of the Bible in a transformative way. To that end, we are making Christ-centered, devotional podcasts that cover every chapter of the Bible. They are brief field guides through every passage of scripture that explain each chapter within its context and how it reveals more about the good news of Jesus. The Gospel changes things. Through our resources, we hope to create growing, deepening, and transforming Bible engagement that reshapes individuals, churches, and cultures with the Gospel. And we hope that you will join us in that mission.

This Bible study devotional covers Song of Songs chapters 3-5:1. In this passage, we read about the Bride’s search for her lost husband along with the beautiful description of their wedding day. As always, we are committed to showing you how to see the good news of the Gospel in every passage of Scripture. In Song of Songs 3-5:1, we see that Jesus is the groom who comes to us in our absence and, through his blood, makes us perfect and spotless like a bride at her wedding.For more information about Spoken Gospel visit: https://www.spokengospel.com We believe the only path to transformative Bible engagement is to see Jesus and his gospel wherever you are in the story. Jesus taught that he can be seen on every page of the Bible. Only by seeing the light of the Gospel in the face of Jesus can we be transformed into his image (2 Cor. 3:18, 4:6). We want to help people engage with every corner of the Bible in a transformative way. To that end, we are making Christ-centered, devotional podcasts that cover every chapter of the Bible. They are brief field guides through every passage of scripture that explain each chapter within its context and how it reveals more about the good news of Jesus. The Gospel changes things. Through our resources, we hope to create growing, deepening, and transforming Bible engagement that reshapes individuals, churches, and cultures with the Gospel. And we hope that you will join us in that mission.

This Bible study devotional covers Song of Songs 1:7-2:17. In this passage, we read about the Bride’s warning to the Daughters of Jerusalem not to awaken love until its proper time. As always, we are committed to showing you how to see the good news of the Gospel in every passage of Scripture. In Song of Songs 1:7-2:17, we see that Jesus, at the proper time, will awaken his love on earth, when he returns and makes all of creation a new and perfect Garden of Eden. For more information about Spoken Gospel visit: https://www.spokengospel.com We believe the only path to transformative Bible engagement is to see Jesus and his gospel wherever you are in the story. Jesus taught that he can be seen on every page of the Bible. Only by seeing the light of the Gospel in the face of Jesus can we be transformed into his image (2 Cor. 3:18, 4:6). We want to help people engage with every corner of the Bible in a transformative way. To that end, we are making Christ-centered, devotional podcasts that cover every chapter of the Bible. They are brief field guides through every passage of scripture that explain each chapter within its context and how it reveals more about the good news of Jesus. The Gospel changes things. Through our resources, we hope to create growing, deepening, and transforming Bible engagement that reshapes individuals, churches, and cultures with the Gospel. And we hope that you will join us in that mission.

This Bible study devotional covers Song of Songs 1:1-1:6. In this passage, we read about the Bride’s opening confession of love for her groom. Her words conflate the idea of her husband’s presence with that of God’s presence in the temple. As always, we are committed to showing you how to see the good news of the Gospel in every passage of Scripture. In Song of Songs 1:1-1:6, we see that Jesus is the groom who is also our God. He has loved us better than any earthly spouse by laying his life down for us on the cross. For more information about Spoken Gospel visit: https://www.spokengospel.com We believe the only path to transformative Bible engagement is to see Jesus and his gospel wherever you are in the story. Jesus taught that he can be seen on every page of the Bible. Only by seeing the light of the Gospel in the face of Jesus can we be transformed into his image (2 Cor. 3:18, 4:6). We want to help people engage with every corner of the Bible in a transformative way. To that end, we are making Christ-centered, devotional podcasts that cover every chapter of the Bible. They are brief field guides through every passage of scripture that explain each chapter within its context and how it reveals more about the good news of Jesus. The Gospel changes things. Through our resources, we hope to create growing, deepening, and transforming Bible engagement that reshapes individuals, churches, and cultures with the Gospel. And we hope that you will join us in that mission.

In Song of Songs, we learn that there is a season for Sex.

In Song of Songs, we learn that there is a season for Sex.

The wait is OVER and the Body Count continues… IN SONG! That’s right, Gena gets her way and we obsess over the 1981 stalker/musical THE FAN. Along the way we debate whether Michael Biehn is “mint condition” or a sexy fetus, explore sleazy Stage Door Annies, take a smoking lunch before traveling to Kill City, we wonder why Griffin Dunne is such a cock blocker, the many unnatural fibers of Hector Elizondo, and Patrick SINGS! Of course, the show isn’t over until we play Choose Your Own Death-venture - plus we meet Phantom of the Doritos! Check it out!! Never fear - new episodes of Kill By Kill are made available every other Friday! Dish By Dish: A Hannibal Rewatch on the Fridays in-between.  
Have something to say? Find us on Twitter @KillByKillPodJoin the conversation about any episode on the Facebook Group!Follow us on IG @killbykillpodcastCheck out the films we’ve covered & what might come soon on Letterboxd!Get even more episodes exclusively on Patreon!  Follow our station on vurbl: https://vurbl.com/station/2bdTISeI3X/ Artwork by Josh Hollis: joshhollis.com Kill By Kill theme by Revenge Body. For the full-length version and more great music, head to revengebodymemphis.bandcamp.com today!

(Oct 22, 2020) In Song of Myself, Whitman says, "For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you."

“A plan is just a list of things that aren't going to happen.” This week, David and Rylend are joined by He-Man/Wonder Woman scribe Amanda Deibert and Screenwriter/CANTO creator David M. Booher. The group swaps stories about wildly zig-zagging career paths, about lives lived with one foot in the film/TV puddle and the other in the comics toilet, and David takes another shot at disproving Einstein's theory of relativity... IN SONG! AMANDA DEIBERT Twitter: @amandadeibert Instagram: @amandadeibertofficial Website: https://amandadeibert.com DAVID M. BOOHER Twitter: @davidbooher Instagram: @davidmbooher Website: https://davidbooher.com --Please leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes!-- Website: pendantaudio.com Twitter: @pendantweb Facebook: facebook.com/pendantaudio Tumblr: pendantaudio.tumblr.com YouTube: youtube.com/pendantproductions

I stood amazed at the hundreds of thousands of padlocks, many engraved with the initials of sweethearts, attached to every imaginable part of the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris. The pedestrian bridge across the Seine River was inundated with these symbols of love, a couple’s declaration of “forever” commitment. In 2014, the love locks were estimated to weigh a staggering fifty tons and even caused a portion of the bridge to collapse, necessitating the locks’ removal. The presence of so many love locks points to the deep longing we have as human beings for assurance that love is secure. In Song of Songs, an Old Testament book that depicts a dialogue between two lovers, the woman expresses her desire for secure love by asking her beloved to “place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm” (Song of Songs 8:6). Her longing was to be as safe and secure in his love as a seal impressed on his heart or a ring on his finger. The longing for enduring romantic love expressed in Song of Songs points us to the New Testament truth in Ephesians that we are marked with the “seal” of God’s Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). While human love can be fickle, and locks can be removed from a bridge, Christ’s Spirit, living in us, is a permanent seal demonstrating God’s never-ending, committed love for each of His children.

Hey guys! Welcome back to Actuali! In this episode we begin renewed, at 3am no less. Join us as we delve into a deep late night reverie, enjoying pensive thoughts and poetry. Poems in this episode: In Song, Autumn Sings, Afternoon Songs, Ancient and Immortal, Flower Life, Serene, A New World of Freedom Thanks for tuning in! Join us on IG! @Christopher.Kinley and @Actuali. Podcast --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/actuali/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/actuali/support

In Song of Songs 2:10-13, we are invited into the passionate adventure of the resurrection life. "Arise my darling, my beautiful one, and come!" Join Lizz and Andrea as they reflect on the Lent and Easter season and how Jesus has invited them into this grand adventure!

January 5, 2020 Relax as we enjoy a love story that is 3,000 years old. It was considered in its day to be the song of all songs, and it is attributed to King Solomon like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. This love story is about a woman falling in love with a man with her heart and emotions and going through the process of awakening her love to the point of being physically open and vulnerable to him after they are married. The refrain that we will find repeated throughout the book is, "I adjure you , O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. Introduction (1:2-6) Our story begins with the woman confessing her crush to her friends, the daughters of Jerusalem. She tells them all about how she wants him to kiss her and pursue her. Song of Solomon 1:2--4 (ESV) --- 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine; 3 your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you. 4 Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you. The friends responded by saying that she is very lovely also and that she is greatly loved. To which she responds with a low view of herself. She is not self-absorbed. She is confident enough to voice her feelings to her friends, but she looks at herself with humility, seeing all of her flaws. Apparently, she is tanned because she helped her brothers with their vineyards. (Being tanned is not desirable in those days). Progression 1 - Love Ignited (1:7-2:7) In verse 7, she asks the man she is in love with where he pastures his flock. She wants to visit him at work, and she adds to that, "For why should I be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of your companions." He responds by calling her the most beautiful woman and telling her how to find him. Then, he calls her a "mare among Pharaoh's chariots." The Egyptians would use a tactic of driving a mare before the chariots of their enemies to distract the horses. She is a distraction from his work, but a welcomed one. It is interesting to note here that the woman makes the first move to let her feelings be known in a subtle way. She makes an offer to him, and he receives it. In verse 11, the friends set the woman up to spend time with the man, and their first interaction lasts from 1:12-2:2. To summarize, He calls her beautiful, and she calls him beautiful. Then, she says that she is just a common flower in the valley. He responds by saying that she is a lily among thorns. Then, 2:3 begins her relay of events to her friends. She tells them about how lovely he was to her and how they kissed. The language in verse 3 is important. We will often see fruits and spices used as a figurative language to refer to kissing and intimacy. The woman says that she is sick with love and tells her friends to bring her some nourishment to help her recover. This is the end of the opening scene when their first encounter and spending time together results in feelings of love on both sides. The last verse in this progression is the refrain, "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases." (2:7). She wants to take it slow, and she doesn't want her friends to tempt her to go beyond what is appropriate with him. Progression 2 - Love Controlled (2:8-3:5) This sets up a test for the young woman. The next progression begins with the woman seeing her beloved coming. He is standing behind a wall and looking through the lattice. This is emblematic of the wall that she has set up to keep from going too far too soon. In Proverbs 7:6, the wicked adulteress is looking through the windows and lattice for the simple to see if she can entice him to sin. Solomon is likely playing off of that Proverb. In verse 10-14, the man entices her to come away with him and to be alone with her. He tells there that the fruit is ripe and that the time for them to enjoy one another has come. She responds in verse 15 very abruptly by saying, "Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil our vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom." She skillfully deflects his advances and puts him to work in her vineyard. In verses 16-17, she says that he is hers and she is his. In Chapter 3, she is seeking him and does not find him. She finds watchmen, and they seem to help her calm down her desires. These watchmen play a role like the daughters of Jerusalem. They seem to be preventing anything devious from happening. But she finds him soon after and holds on to him. She does not want to let him go. So she brings him to her mother's house so that everything could be set up for him to propose. Progression 3 - Marriage/ Drunk With Love (3:6-5:1) In 3:6, we are taken to the arrival of the man. This picture is the opposite of a wedding scene we would see today. Instead of the bride coming down the aisle adorned for her husband. The groom is coming from his homeland with all sorts of things that are impressive. Verse 11 clearly says that he is dressed for his wedding day. His words shower his bride with complements from head to toe. The language is foreign to us because of the cultural differences, but all of these objects would have had great significance in those days. The one that I think is important to understand future figures is in verse 3, "Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate." This is referring to her lips as sweet as pomegranate fruit. In verse 7, he says, "You are altogether beautiful, my bride; there is no flaw in you." He is a great romantic and can complement her because he has spent the time to think these things through. Now at this point, we have to make a decision. Are they married or not? The picture was of a groom coming in on his wedding day, but the focus is more so on how great he is and how happy he seems to be with her. So is that telling us about the marriage in the story or just giving us an image of his entrance now that they are betrothed? The way the rest of the story goes makes it hard for me to see them married since the battle for sexual purity continues. It seems that she is just using a picture of being like Solomon in all of his glory. In verse 8, he calls for her to come down from Lebanon and the peak of Amana, Senir, and Hermon. He wants her to come away from the dens of lions, and the mountains of leopards. He sees her as living in the unreachable heights, and he wants her to come down to within his reach. This is speaking about her resistance to intimacy. She has been prudent, and he is inviting her to come to him and open up to him. Song of Solomon 4:9--12 (ESV) --- 9 You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. 10 How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice! 11 Your lips drip nectar, my bride; honey and milk are under your tongue; the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. 12 A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a spring locked, a fountain sealed. He sees her as a locked garden that he has not been able to explore yet fully. Verses 13-15, are full of figures that express his desire to know her more intimately. She responds in verse 16 by calling for love to awaken. She seems to give in to the passion, and she wants him to come and enjoy himself. Then, he says that he has prepared for love by covering himself in scent and eating honey to taste sweet for her in 5:1. This progression ends with an altered refrain. The friends are excited and encourage them to enjoy their young love that has awakened. But the story does not end there. It does not say, "They lived happily ever after." If they aren't married, this is a problem. The friends weren't supposed to stir up or awaken love before it pleases. They were supposed to help her put on the brakes! Progression 4 - Struggling To Open The Door (5:2-6:13) The fourth scene in this story begins with her being asleep again, but her heart is awake. This is an odd way to describe her. Then, her beloved is knocking at the door. She questions whether she should do this in verse 3. He puts his hand to the latch, and she is thrilled. But something happens, and he suddenly leaves before she can bring herself to let him in. She heard him about to come into her room, and she was excited. But he does not open. She gets up and looks out the door and finds that he was not there. It seems that he is stronger than we thought. She realizes that she needs to find her beloved again. She starts searching for him, and she is worried about him. In verse 7, the watchmen found her, and this time they beat her, bruised her, and took away her veil. This seems like an odd event in the story unless we understand her to be unmarried and doing something that was forbidden. Notice a key phrase, "Those watchmen of the walls." A wall is contrasted to a door in this story. The last time she encountered the watchmen, they helped her remain chaste and pure because her wall was up. Now she needed the watchmen to help her keep the wall protected and to keep the door from opening too soon. The daughters of Jerusalem have increased her desire and led her into this. So in verse 8, she says, "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am sick with love." She hates what she has done to him in rejecting him. Now she wants to be reconciled. To this, the friends ask her what she loves about her husband. She describes her beloved from head to toe. In the end, she says, "This is my beloved, and this is my friend." She remembers how she feels about him and how she is physically attracted to him. But she also recalled that their relationship is about more than just physical intimacy; they are friends who are going through life together. She finds him in his garden preparing to go to his "bride" again, and he immediately tells her that she is too beautiful for him. He compliments her, and he tells her that his feelings for her overwhelm him. He seems to feel bad for forcing the issue too soon. He also reassures her that he sees her as the only one for him (6:4-9). In verse 10, he sees her looking down. She seems to be embarrassed or depressed about how she has acted, so he tries to lift her spirits and complement her some more. She responds in verse 11-13 by explaining her struggle to be intimate. She wants to be in good standing with her family. Her friends call for her to return to them, and he is jealous because he wants to spend more time with her. Progression 5 - Better With Age (7:1-8:4) In Chapter 7, he describes her from toes to head using much of the same images as before. Why did he change directions? He transitions from talking about her as a pomegranate tree to a palm tree. He recognizes that she is much taller than he previously thought. He wants to climb the palm tree and eat of its fruit. This is obviously a sensual image, but it also shows that he is willing to put in the work required to win her love and intimate affection. He says that her mouth is like the best wine. To this, she responds in verse 9 by saying that he will be welcomed and come and drink at that time. It will go down smoothly for him because she belongs to him, and he desires her. In verses 11-12, he asks her to go to the vineyards again and see if the fruits are in bloom. The vineyards are a favorite spot for them to be alone and eat fruit so that they taste sweet to one another when they kiss. In Chapter 8, she wishes she could kiss him openly like a brother. It seems that she has gained control once again of her passions. She wants to be with him, but she knows that they must wait until the time is right. This section ends with the refrain, "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases." Conclusion (8:5-14) Verse 5 has the daughters of Jerusalem, noticing that the two of them are closer than ever. They have overcome the temptations together, and now they are ready to be married. She asks him to set his seal upon her heart and arm that they might never be separated until death. They have something that money cannot buy. Verses 8-9, give advice to brothers. They want to know how to protect their sisters from the advances of men. Solomon essentially says, "If she is a wall, build a strong battlement around her. If she is a door, seal her off so that none may enter before it is time." He revisits the door/wall imagery to explain how this book should be used. Verses 10-14 explain everything. She was a wall, and because of that, her man found peace. He knew that she would be faithful and able to resist future temptations when they come, and that gave him peace. If she were a door, he would always be worried. It ends with a picture of marriage. He can call on her, and she has something great to offer him. Why is this in the Bible? Many people have struggled with what this book is about and why it is in the Bible at all. But the way that I see this book makes it a perfect complement to the book of Proverbs. In Proverbs, Solomon is telling his son how to make wise choices and avoid temptations to wickedness. In Song of Songs, Solomon is speaking to his daughter more poetically the value of remaining sexually pure until marriage and avoiding temptation. So why is it here? This book addresses one of the most challenging tests that humans experience, sexual urges. It helps us see the value of growing out of these desires and becoming mature about the proper place of sex in our lives. Sexual immorality is rampant in our society. It cheapens marital love and takes away from what God had designed in the garden to be a good thing. God joined man and woman together and gave them sex so that they could be one with each other and provide a certain amount of fulfillment with one another. Men have abused this blessing continually and ruined it, but Solomon helps us see its proper place. In the New Testament, we see that marriage is to be held in honor by all, and the marriage bed is to remain undefiled (Heb 13:4). We also understand that the body was not created for sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:13). Defiling sexual relations ruins the gift that God has given to the married couple. We are meant to glorify God with our body because our spirit has been united with his. Sexual immorality tarnishes God's glory. In 1 Cor 7, Paul says that husbands and wives are supposed to use their bodies to serve one another and to spend time giving pleasure to one another while also remaining devoted to the Lord. Paul praises those who are not married for finding fulfillment in the Lord as he has. They can be wholly concerned in the will of the Lord instead of focusing on the needs of a spouse. God Loves Us The picture of this book is of a man wooing a woman and of a woman remaining holy and pure for the man until the wedding day. Many have taken this story and made it an allegory because they don't understand what it is about. I think that once we understand what this is about, we can see the relationship that we have as the bride of Christ more clearly. Ephesians 5 shows us that Jesus is the perfect bridegroom, cleansing us and showering us with love. We must resist the urges to become unholy, and we must be a pure and chaste bride for him, prepared for the wedding day. He is cleansing us and helping us to be what we are supposed to be.

Marriage is a gift from God and it's a gift that He takes seriously. The good news is, He gives us instructions for a marriage made in heaven within His Word. In Song of Solomon chapter eight, we look at two key components that every marriage should have.

Marriage is a gift from God and it's a gift that He takes seriously. The good news is, He gives us instructions for a marriage made in heaven within His Word. In Song of Solomon chapter eight, we look at two key components that every marriage should have.

Marriage is a gift from God and it's a gift that He takes seriously. The good news is, He gives us instructions for a marriage made in heaven within His Word. In Song of Solomon chapter eight, we look at two key components that every marriage should have.

Marriage is a gift from God and it’s a gift that He takes seriously. The good news is, He gives us instructions for a marriage made in heaven within His Word. In Song of Solomon chapter eight, we look at two key components that every marriage should have.

Marriage is a gift from God and it’s a gift that He takes seriously. The good news is, He gives us instructions for a marriage made in heaven within His Word. In Song of Solomon chapter eight, we look at two key components that every marriage should have.

In Song of Solomon, the greatest love story, He writes, “Let me hear your voice from the garden, my love” and we see how important it is to hear the voice of the Lord. It gives us the assurance of His love and Presence in our lives! I want to testify that there is no greater feeling of intimacy than communication! Listen and be encouraged to seek His voice so you can feel a commitment like no other.

(Apr 11, 2019) In Song of Myself, Whitman says, "For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you."

I am something of a moderate and fascinated by history. Many more passionate folks than I are concerned that our nation and culture is not changing fast enough regarding any number of concerns. Me? I marvel at how we have gotten to where we are. Special thanks to our musical guests of Orchestra Borealis, Victoria Clarke (cello) and Darolyn McCrostie (piano). 00:00 1 Welcome 02:23 2 Prelude “Arioso” by J. S. Bach: Victoria Clarke (cello) & Darolyn McCrostie (piano) of Orchestra Borealis 06:12 3 Opening Words “Come, Come, Whoever You Are” 06:39 4 Kindling the Chalice 06:58 5 Hymn 1 “May Nothing Evil Cross This Door” 08:57 6 Thoughts on Transgender Day of Awareness by Chris Rothbauer 11:23 7 Children's Chalice Lighting and Recessional 12:17 8 Canvass Moment: Ruth Merriott 17:00 9 Sharing Our Abundance: International Council of Unitarian Universalists 17:35 10 “Divertimento (Adagio)” by Haydn: Victoria Clarke (cello) & Darolyn McCrostie (piano) of Orchestra Borealis 22:26 11 Candles of Care and Connection 23:57 12 Reading “Seven Pentacles” by Marge Piercy 25:39 13 Community Question “Where is your heart when you think about where we are and where we are going?” 28:05 14 Hymn 121 “We'll Build a Land” 31:26 15 Sermon “Evolving Nation” by Rev. Brian J. Kiely 48:52 16 In Song 391 “Voice Still and Small” 50:27 17 In Music “The Swan” by Saint Saens: Victoria Clarke (cello) & Darolyn McCrostie (piano) of Orchestra Borealis 53:26 18 Closing Hymn 128 “For All That Is Our Life” 55:25 19 Closing Words 55:42 20 “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love” The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives. We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children. UCE - https://www.uce.ca/ Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/ Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/ SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

“On the Path” is the name of a UU adult program that was popular a couple of decades ago. It encourages people to view their spirituality in terms of a Journey, one that may never end as long as we live. 00:00 1 Welcome 01:11 2 “Salute to the Four Directions” by Ali Hammington 02:58 3 Hymn 163 “For the Earth Forever Turning” 04:36 4 Kindling the Chalice 05:08 5 Children's Chalice Lighting and Recessional 06:08 6 Silent Candles of Care and Connection 07:35 7 Sharing Our Abundance and Canvass Moment, International Council of Unitarian Universalists, by Andrew Mills 12:58 8 Receiving the Offering 13:31 9 Reading “Exercise” by Scott W. Alexander 17:07 10 In Song 123 “Spirit of Life” 18:17 11 In Words by Ernesto Cardenal from “The Music of the Spheres” 19:40 12 Sermon “On the Path” by Rev. Brian J. Kiely 34:52 13 Community Question “How do you feed your spirit?” 35:26 14 Closing Hymn 16 “Tis a Gift to be Simple” 37:33 15 Closing Words 37:51 16 “Carry the Flame” The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives. We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children. UCE - https://www.uce.ca/ Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/ Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/ SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

"Song of Atlantis" is about the sustainability of the earth envisioned by well drawn characters — thinkers, scientists and explorers — led by an American Indian anthropologist, Gordon Tallbear. Three story lines are interwoven throughout the novel. It begins 12,500 years ago with Amon Goro, Master Architect of the advanced civilization of Atlantis, harnessing the earth’s forces in an unprecedented structure that will provide a perpetual and limitless source of clean energy to sustain the planet’s growing civilization.  They soon unravel the secrets of perpetual energy and plan to re-create this energy source to benefit the world.  In "Song of Atlantis", author Brian Power speculates that when the ancient civilization of Atlantis realized their island was in peril, they sent emissaries to all parts of the world in the hopes of imparting their knowledge to other, less enlightened cultures. This premise sets the stage for a riveting thriller that pits good against evil as a team of contemporary scientists discover a treasure trove of technology left by the Atlanteans that may reveal the secret to harnessing clean energy for the entire planet. Visit his website: http://songofatlantis.com/ At the top of the show, it's Anastasia's Starseed News, bringing topics of interest to starseeds not heard in the mainstream! Our next 2 Starseed Quests to Arkansas! March 15-18 for Spring Equinox/Athena's birthday, and May 17-20 for Pleiadean Line Up. Write to crystals at starseedhotline dot com for more info.  Thanks for tuning in!

According to the Bible, we don’t have souls, we are souls. And people will live forever not in a disembodied existence as a soul, but in an embodied existence. So what do we do with physical/body desires like hunger and sex? In part 1 (0-9:00) Tim outlines some other uses of the word "nephesh" in the Old Testament including translating the word as “person” or “people” and calling kidnappers and murderers “nephesh thief” and “nephesh slayer.” In part 2 (9:00-17:25) the guys discuss the uses of “nephesh” when referring to the human physical desires for food or water (like in Psalm 42) and sex. In Song of Solomon, the erotic love poetry book in the Old Testament, in the original Hebrew, the writer expresses physical desire for their lover using the word “nephesh.” Tim and Jon discuss why we’ve spiritualized the physical sexual desires of people. In the third part (17:25-end) of the episode, Tim explains that animals and immigrants are described as “nephesh” in the Bible and the “righteous” people are called to respect their “nephesh.” Tim outlines Psalm 35 and explains that the author uses the word “nephesh” in seven different ways in this Psalm. Tim says it’s a great example of the diversity and depth of the word. You can view our video on the word Nephesh here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_igCcWAMAM&index=5&list=PLH0Szn1yYNeclOdfwWBawnNT5ZkGFHxBf Thank you to all our supporters! Check out more free resources on our website: www.thebibleproject.com Produced by: Jon Collins and Dan Gummel Show Music: Defender Instrumental- Rosasharn Music The Darkest Night - Alert 312 Pop Romantic - The Bluest Star

There are three parts to this podcast. First we examine the presence of death on this earth for six thousand years; as well as not just the great necessity of being set free from it, but most importantly how. We find the hope for this in Tabernacles and the latter rain. This deliverance from death is also attested in the book of Esther, where Esther touched the head of the king's staff, and thereupon had specifically two wine banquets (the former and latter rains). And with the second wine banquet Satan Haman was killed on his own gallows. And we find that the key to this victory over death is in obtaining truth. Second, we examine the evidence today that Yahweh is removing the curse off of mankind, clearly being evidenced and fulfilled in the black man of Africa. In Song of Songs, the Bride is identified as “black but beautiful.” We consider this and what it means today, as well as see this in a most unique testimony concerning Gary having five black ravens. You will find this most amazing! Finally, we examine how the black Kaaba cube in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is a type of the Bride cube which in Revelation comes down out of heaven. These two are contrasted in a most unique and insightful way.

Kessler and Ben are joined by “Musical” guest Josh Kim to update everyone on where the patreon will be going in 2017, and to thank everyone who has donated IN SONG! to remind people of the updates: Swag box will move from MMCast branded content to sweet Stuff we think you will like! We will be letting people know ahead of time what the month Swag item is! International Swag Boxes will need a price...  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back LIVE at The Social Capital with guests John Catucci and Krisitan Bruun! First, we’ll interview Kristian about his recent trip to San Diego Comic Con. Kristian tells us all about it… IN SONG?!? THEN, we do our own … Continue reading →

Introduction Amen. Amen. So we come this morning, in my unfolding of the book of Ephesians, we come to Ephesians 5:22-24, this section on wives submitting to their husbands, and as we do so, I'm very well aware that these verses and the topics in here are controversial in our day and age. I'm aware of that. I remember some of you may remember back in 2001 when the Baptist Faith and Message was changed and there was a brouhaha over a simple phrase that wives should be graciously submitting to their husbands. And I remember that and being surprised at the surprise, shocked at the shock. I don't know how to put it. I was amazed that people saw this as an innovation or something new when it really is a pretty straight rephrasing of what it teaches in Ephesians 5. So as I come to this text, I'm aware that we are surrounded by people who will take umbrage with some of the things I'm going to say today I'm aware of that. And yet, for all of that, I have a high level of confidence. And a high level of joy in the word of God today and then what I'm going to do. Trust the Word of the Lord: Three Reasons I have that for a number of reasons: First, because I just trust the word of God. I trust that “all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” I trust the inerrancy of the word. I feel that we are not listening this morning to the words of a man 2000 years ago but really what it actually is the word of God, which is at work in us who believe, and that's my second reason for confidence. I believe that I'm in a community of believers. I'm surrounded by brothers, and sisters in Christ, and I get to interact with you, my family of God every week, and I know your heart. And I have been surrounded by godly sisters in Christ who are wives, and who yearned to obey this passage. They're not fighting it, they're not pushing back, they just want to do it better, they want to be more faithful. And I am blessed by you, sisters in Christ who feel that way. And I know that next week, when I'm preaching, to my brothers in Christ that are members of this church, I'm going to be preaching to the same demeanor. Men who really want to be Christ-like husbands to their wives, they want to live out that self-sacrifice, with their wives, they just find it a challenge and they want to be faithful. And so I have a great level of confidence in you, the church. I guess the approach I'm taking is you're doing these things now we ask you and I urge you in the Lord, to do so more and more. And thirdly, I just believe that this is a vital topic for this day, this is the idea of healthy marriage, of biblical patterns of marriage, of biblical gender-based roles in marriage. I think more than ever, our culture needs to hear the truth, the truth on this, and as I prayed this is the role of the Church, we get to proclaim this we get to shine forth the beauty of the truth of the Word of God. So for those three reasons, I have a great level of hope and joy as I preach today. My hope is that through the ministry of the Word of God, that specifically this morning, wives will be strengthened that their “arms and their knees will be strengthened” as the book of Hebrews says for the journey that's in front of them and that you, sisters in Christ, will be enabled to live lives that are pleasing to the Lord, and you'll be made ready to give an account to Christ on Judgment Day. That's my desire toward my sisters in Christ. I desire also that brothers, the brothers in Christ would be praying for their wives would understand the, the role of the wives because we get to read each other's mail to some degree. Sermon to Follow Wives get to read next week's passage of the husbands, and pray for that and yearn for their husbands to fulfill that and we also can pray toward and help our wives to fulfill their roles as well. My desire is that by the end of the sermon, by the ministry of the word, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit that you'll have the same attitude toward the word of God toward the law that the psalmist said in Psalm 119:32, “I run in the path of your commands for you have set my heart free.” But there's just a freedom that comes from living life the way that God has intended and laid out. So I'm going to speak this morning to wives primarily. I'm going to say some things to the husbands that will help the wives, but I'm going to save a lot of that for next week. So my goal here is the glory of God in the health, and scriptural precision, and eternal fruitfulness of the marriages of this church. That's my desire. The Topic: Submission So in the text you've already heard, I'm going to read it again, and this is what we're going to walk through this morning. Ephesians 5, 22-24, it says, "Wives submit to your own husbands as to the Lord for the husband is the head of the wife. As Christ is the head of the Church, His body of which He is the Savior, now, as the Church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." So, we begin by looking at the issue of submission and we began to talk about it last week, I did a little work on this last week. We're in a section in the book of Ephesians, which is practical, it talks about ethics, about morality of the Gospel applied, and there's a flow, and I'm going to get into that flow again, but in verse 21, there is this command, “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” or “in the fear of the Lord.” And I mentioned last week that there are some that teach the idea of mutual submission, from that, and I think that that can be a very misleading phrase. I think it can lead us in bad directions. I think that my brother pastors that do that are emphasizing the one another part and leaning on the one another part more than on the submit part and understanding what that word means biblically. The word, biblically, means to yield to or obey God-ordained authority, that's how it's used again and again in the Bible. And so, we can't redefine the word at that point to mean something like mutual servant-hood, or mutual loving yielding or various patterns of deferring to one another, which are clearly taught in Philippians and other places, 1 Corinthians 13, but that's not what submission is. What I said last week is that mutual submission in that sense makes as much sense as mutual obedience. And so, what Paul is doing, he's saying, “Submit one another, Church, mixed assembly, this group to this one. But then this group should carry their authority in this way, and then this group to this one, but then this group should carry themselves in that way, and then this group to this group should submit, but then this group should carry themselves in that way.” That's how the chapters, Ephesians 5-6 unfold. God Has Given Specific Individuals Authority Now, I will say that among at least one member of my family, the idea of mutual obedience was very attractive. One of my kids said "I would love it if we could just alternate and you obey us, and then we obey you.” And that idea was taking root, and I felt the need to kind of pull it up from the roots. I don't know if it's been fully rooted out, but the idea of mutual obedience between parent and child is not going. Hopefully not going to take root in our family, although it would be an interesting ride. I wouldn't deny that, I'd be interested in what we would eat, what we would wear, and what we would do with our time. But I think that's what I'm getting at. But obedient submission has to do with recognizing that God entrusts to created beings responsible positions, that authority is the God-given right to command that with peers, we can give each other council, we can give each other advice, but we can't give each other commands. But there is such a thing as authority, that there are individuals created beings, who are given the right to command and that others must obey those commands and they're held accountable in reference that obedience. So we're told to submit to every governing authority instituted among men, 1st Peter, same thing in Romans 13. So that's what we're looking at here. Submission is Not Demeaning Now, this submission does not in any way demean the one that's doing this submitting. There's multiple ways we know that that's true, but the best is just to look at Jesus Christ. First and foremost, we need to see that it is Christ who's giving us this command. It is a bit of a red herring or a dodge to focus on Paul and who he was and what his upbringing was, his mentality and all that. We as Christians look beyond the Human messenger to the God who enables prophets and apostles to speak the truth, that's the essence of inerrancy the essence of the word of God. So we're not too concerned about Paul's attitudes and Paul's training and Paul's personality, any of that behind that we see Jesus Christ telling us what we must do, and we recognize that Jesus is our king, He's not merely our Savior, He is our king, we have entered the Kingdom of God by faith. And so, Jesus has told us and we're going to talk more about this later, but. Jesus as Our king is saying saying, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. From gentle and humble and hard and you will find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” And that yoke, I think is submission to kingly authority, biblically. And so, it is saying is my authority is not a crushing burden for you. John says the same thing in 1 John 5:3. He says, “His commands are not burdensome.” And so, we understand that submission is not demeaning because Jesus is the one commanding he's not trying to demean anyone. We also know that submission is not demeaning to the person who does it, because Jesus Himself submitted to His parents, Joseph and Mary, when He was 12, He submitted to them and He wasn't in any way saying He was essentially or ontological below them, or that they were better in God's eyes, it's just that they were His parents and the Law of Moses commands it, the children need to honor their parents and obey them, and so Jesus submitted them though He was intrinsically higher than them, because He was incarnate, the incarnate Son of God, but in Luke 2:51, it says that He was submissive, it's the same Greek word. And then, we get in 1 Corinthian 15-28, “the Son Himself will be made subject to Him [God the Father] who put everything under Him, so that God may be all in all.” So the Son Himself submits to the Father. That's why Jesus speaks in the Great Commission. "All authority in Heaven and Earth has been given to Me. I didn't usurp it I didn't grab it. It was given to Me by someone above Me, namely the Father.” And so, there's nothing demeaning about submission at all. Jesus Himself submitted. Satanic Lies About Obedience I think it's the essence of Satan's lie in the garden to think that if we obey God's word, we're going to be robbed of joy. I mean, he's been trying to trick us on this ever since. You know, “for God knows that when you eat of the tree,” he's implying that we're missing out on something, and I think what we need to do is, instead, just have that delight in the word of God, in the commands of God in Psalm 1 in the Law of God, it says, “blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers, but his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He's like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf never withers. And whatever he does prospers.” You want a prosperous life, yield to the Word of God, delight in the Word of God. And that includes, in our marriage. Now I'm aware of how challenging this command can be to obey. So let's start with the challenges. You have the, what is it, seven-fold outline? It's just getting worse. Every week we started with the standard Baptist three points, now we're up to seven. But I think we can move quickly through these and I hope that this will give good coverage on the issue of submission. Let’s start with the challenges. The Challenges of a Wife’s Submission Simply Put: Indwelling Sin The challenges of a wife submission. I can just probably boil it down to one word, sin. That's what makes this a challenge. And by that I mean sin on the part of the wife, and sin on the part of the husband. Every Christian husband, and every Christian wife still has the horrible burden, the grotesque deformity, to some degree of indwelling sin. It's a very strange thing. It's, praise God, temporary someday we're going to be free of all indwelling sin, but we're not free yet. And so, we have in Romans 7, it's very plainly taught where the Apostle Paul says, "I do not understand what I do, for the very thing I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Now, if I do what I do not want to do it is no longer I who do it but it is sin living in me that does it." Well, that's going to be true, absolutely of both the husband and the wife. We have this wickedness, this sin that grows like a tumor inside us, and it makes it very, very hard for us to submit to God, it makes it hard for us to obey His commands. We don't yield easily to authority, we tend to fight it, neither on the other side do we wield authority well. We tend to lord it over or domineer. And pride as it makes submission very hard. Then there's just the issue of knowledge. A wife knows her husband very well. She probably knows him better than any person on the face of the earth knows him. She studies him probably more carefully than he studies her. It's not always true but I think it's generally true. And it's easy for her, as she sees the pattern of indwelling sin, work its way out in his life for her to lose respect for him. It's easy for her to lose respect for a husband that's inconsistent, or hypocritical, or harsh, or lazy, or sinfully angry, or any one of a number of other outbreaks of indwelling sin. It's easy to lose respect for a man like that, but every man is a man like that all of us struggle with indwelling sin nature. But honestly, it's a problem because even if he were sinless, even if he were flawless, she would still have trouble submitting because she has her own indwelling sin nature, too. And the proof of that every godly Christian women will say is, how difficult she finds it submitting to Christ. All of us do. We're all on that pattern. We understand God's word is pure. Romans 7 says, "In my inner being, I delight in God's law, but I can't keep it. I have trouble keeping it. And so even if he were sinless she would still have a hard time. Greater Challenge With an Unbelieving Husband Now, all of this is even more challenging if the husband is not a believer at all and I want to talk more about that later in the sermon, so I'm not going to say much about it, now, but 1 Peter 3 addresses that. It still calls on the wife to submit and to seek to win over her husband without a word by the submissiveness of her life. 1 Peter 3. Increased Pressure to Disobey from the World Also, we know that it's difficult for the woman, or the wife to submit to her husband because the world is ratcheting up the pressure on the marriage at many levels and right on this very issue, I'm teaching on today saying, “It's not true, it's a display of patriarchal sexism or etc.”. Those are the kinds of things floating around and that can weaken resolve. Satan is active on this issue. He's assaulting the wife's mind in her heart, accusing her and tempting her. He's assaulting the husband's mind and heart and causing him to behave in ways that make it hard for her to submit. And the world's system is just filling our minds and hearts all the time, and we've got to fight it. It comes in our entertainment and books that we read, it comes in news stories, it just comes in all the time. And feminism is part of the spirit of the age, and egalitarianism, and that kind of thing, and the idea that anything less than that is demeaning to the human and makes them less worthwhile. So this command is challenging. Secondly, let's talk about the power of a wife’s submission. The Power of a Wife’s Submission The Word “Submit” Does Not Appear in Verse 22 With all of these challenges, how can she do it? How is it going to be possible for her to submit to her husband? Well, the word “submit,” actually does not appear in verse 22, in the original language. It really is just a continuation of a flow from verse 21, which is a flow all the way back to verse 18. We need to see this whole thing in context. So the idea here, what I'm going to tell you is that the wife, the Christian wife is able to submit to her husband as the Lord intended only by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. As she is filled with the Spirit, she will be able to submit to her husband. So you just have to pick up if you would Ephesians 5:18. It says, "Do not get drunk with wine which leads to debauchery, but instead, be filled with the Spirit.” And as I've mentioned before, what flows after that grammatically, and it comes across in many translations, but not all of them is a series of participles, “-ing” words that describe what Paul means by “be being filled with the Spirit.” So they flow, and this would not be an exhaustive list at all, there'd be many other verbs that would flow from the Spirit-filled life. Like evangelizing for example, or praying. Which aren't mentioned here so there are a lot of things, but he's just giving a sample of the kinds of things that describe the Spirit-filled life. Submission is a Subset of the Spirit-filled Life So be being filled with the Spirit, verse 19, “speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” secondly, “singing” and thirdly, “making music to the Lord in your hearts.” Fourthly, “giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and then fifthly “submitting to one another in the fear of Christ,” "wives to your own husbands." That's how it flows. So I think to some degree, I think every English translation starts a new sentence, at verse 22, and inserts, “the word wives submit, etcetera,” might break off the flow and we don't see the beautiful power of the Spirit that comes to enable the wife to do this and I think we definitely next week we're going to need to see the same flow toward the husband. He will be able to be a Christ-like head to his wife, only by the power of the Spirit. So, it is the Spirit's power that enables her to submit to her own husband, only by the power of the indwelling Spirit and this be done. This Only Happens By the Indwelling Spirit And so I think it's just so vital that we see Christian ethics Christian behavior, do’s and don'ts in the Christian life as they flow from the Gospel. You're not Christian, because you behave Christianly. Quite the opposite. Jesus said, "Make a tree good then its fruit will be good.” And so, we are trees that have been supernaturally made good by the sovereign grace of God. We have been transformed by the power of God by the Gospel. We are those Ephesians 1 that says, “we were chosen in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” So the wife was chosen for that and she was predestined to be adopted as a daughter of God, by the sovereign power of God. So this is something God's been working from before the foundation of the world, and in Christ, His blood has atoned for all of your sins, you are completely forgiven you're redeemed by the blood of Christ. And “having believed the Gospel,” Ephesians 1:13, “you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of God, you received the gift of the indwelling Spirit,” which is a marvel to me, because, earlier in the sermon I reminded you that you also have indwelling sin. So here we have the weirdness and the grotesqueness of the Spirit-filled Christian who also has indwelling sin. So we have both indwelling Spirit and indwelling sin. Well, the Spirit's not going to put up with that forever. He's going to kick the sin out, amen. We're not going to become perfect in this world, but He will win. We will be victorious in the end, both Christian husbands and Christian wives in the end, we will be glorious, in Heaven. And so, that's the foundation we have. We have the ministry of the Holy Spirit of God and the Christian wife has had from Ezekiel 36, her heart of stone removed, and the heart of flesh put in, and there in Ezekiel 36 He said I will move you, “I'll put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and obey my laws and my commands.” And that's the beauty of the Christian life. We have the transformation, we've been made new, we have a heart of flesh, responsive now to the Lord, we have the moving of the Spirit, we have the perfect word of God, and we see it and do it. Both husbands and wives. So that is the power that we have. Practical Application So if I can just step aside and just say, a word of practical application to you wives. I saw a book title, a number of years ago. It stuck with me, I didn't read the book, but I saw it and just that was interesting is, on this very topic, I'm preaching on and it was, “Me? Submit to him?” That's kind of how I read the title. And it was written by a Christian woman who is seeking to help sisters in Christ still obey the very command I'm preaching on. But you get that sense, it's like I'm having a hard time doing this, and quickly you can start getting into, "you don't know my husband, you don't know the challenges I face and those kinds of things. What I would say to you is go to the cross, go to the power of the Spirit, go to the flow of Ephesians 1-5. Remind yourselves of the supernatural work that God's already done in your lives, remind yourself of the new creation you are in Christ, remind yourself that you can be indwelt by the Spirit, but not filled with the Spirit, that that actually happens a lot. and that it's only by our sin that we stop being filled with the Spirit, and so confess sins at that point. And just breathe in the ministry of the Spirit, breathe in the sense of forgiveness, and the cleansing and the power. And say, “Lord, you through the Spirit, wrote these words, for me. I want to do them, I see the beauty. Would you please fill me? Forgive me and help me.” I think that that's the key both for husbands and wives, but that's the key for a wife to submit to her husband. Thirdly, the pattern of the wives submission. Let's talk about the pattern. Look again at the verses. Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife. As Christ is the head of the Church, His body, of which He is the Savior. The Pattern of a Wife’s Submission As the Church Submits to Christ Now, as the Church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. So we have two phrases here that give us a sense of the pattern, the type that the wife can latch on to in our her mind, “as to the Lord,” and “as the Church submits to Christ,” in the end it's going to be the same thing. But her submission should be similar to the submission that she yields to Christ or that the Church submits to Christ, so a wife's godly submission or husband is pattern in this way. Actually, her submission to her husband is a subset of her submission to Christ. Christ has far more commands covering her life than just submit to your own husband, there are many other commands that Christ is giving her. This is just one of many just like the husband's command to be a Christ-like husband, or head to his wife is just one of many commands for him. So, this is a subset of our general submission to Christ our King. And so, that's the pattern as you submit to Jesus, your king, in the same way in a patterned way submit to your husband. Now we know that this extends, I think, to all submission that the Bible teaches. We will submit to governing authorities, in the same way. Children will submit to their parents, and in every case, whether it's the wife to the husband, children, to the parents, slaves to the master, citizens to government, we're not in any case, saying that by our submission, we are saying that each of these is exactly like Jesus and is sinless and perfect. We're not saying that at all. We understand that all of those authority figures will give to God an account of how they wielded their authority. All of them will. So we're not saying that the wife by submitting is saying that her husband is Jesus, or is as flawless as Jesus or perfect, it's not that at all, but it's in the pattern of that, as to her Lord, and this comes from a heart attitude that then flows out into outward actions. She submits in her heart. And then it flows out into action. So first and foremost, as we've said she submits to Christ, Matthew 11:22-30, Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest, take My yoke upon you and learn from me. For I'm gentle and humble in heart and you'll find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” That is the fundamental moment of her conversion of taking her neck as all of us do, and yielding to the yoke of Jesus, the king. We're not going to fight as commands anymore, we're going to submit to His commands. And so that submission must come from the heart. It comes from a transformed heart, as we've been saying a heart of love to the Lord, and it's in that way also, in the subset sort of way, in a pattern way she's going to do toward her husband. And then it flows out into actions that comply with her submission to her husband's leadership. This is the Key to Understanding Gender-Based Roles If I could just say also, this is the key for me to all gender-based roles and all gender understanding. Fundamentally as our culture gets more and more confused about gender. And you know exactly what I'm talking about. And it goes way beyond bathrooms. Way beyond House Bill 2 and any of that. It's really a stripping away of the moral confusion that's happening in our nation where people just don't know what masculinity and femininity are anymore. Well, if somebody's going to come to me and say, Help me understand what it means to be a masculine man. What it means for me to be a feminine woman or what does that mean biblically? I would bring you right to Ephesians 5. Even if you're not married. I would just say this is the essential difference. All the other virtues that you give to masculinity, you could probably see corresponding virtues similar to that, like courage boldness leadership, other things like that in a woman, and they're actually commanded in other places in scripture. What then? I think it's this pattern within marriage of headship and submission, and then extends also in terms of an elders leadership of the church in a godly sort way, in a Christ-like sort of way. I would just take your meditations there. If you want to try to understand what the Bible means by masculinity, etcetera. It's the key to everything in terms of gender-based roles. The Ground of a Wife’s Submission The Reason for the Command Fourth, what is the ground of a wife submission? What is the reason why she should do it? What does Paul say? What is the reason for the command? We'll look again at the verses. Verse 22 and 23 “Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the savior.” That's the reason why. Okay, you could take Verse 22, wives submit your husbands as to the Lord, stop. The wife then says, "Why should I do that? What's the reason you're giving me for that verse? 23 is the answer. “For,” or, “because,” or “since the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.” That's the reason why it answers the question why? So in other words, the ground for her submission is his status, his state in her life as her head. That's the reason why, that's what Paul would say. That's the reason why she submits. The Headship is Beneficial to the Body Now, the word “head” is an interesting word. Let me tell you. On the issue of gender and egalitarianism, and the struggles that have been going on in this over the last two or three, four decades, almost every keyword has been fought over. I can just tell you, there are battles that are fought over, the word “head.” Some scholars seeking, I think, to evade the sense of authority, the right to command say that head means source, like the head of a river, something like that. But if you look at, I think Ephesians, go ahead and look back their Ephesians 1:20-23. I think you'll get a sense of what Paul means by the word head in Ephesians 5. So Ephesians 1:20-23, it says, "God raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,” Ephesians 1:21, “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Now here comes verse 22, “And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.” That's what “head” means. I actually think there's almost a direct correlation between these words here at the end of Ephesians 1, and in Matthew 28:18, then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in Heaven and Earth has been given to me.” I think this is Paul's version of it in Ephesians 1, "God placed all things under Christ's feet rulers, authorities, powers, dominions everything and made Him head over the universe.” And I read it this way for the Church or for the benefit of the Church. So that's Christ headship over the church and over everything. I think in the same way the husband, headship of the husband in reference to the wife is similar to it. It's patterned after that saying. It's a position of authority, the right to lead the right to give commands, and make decisions in the marriage and ultimately in the family. Now, one thing we note in both Ephesians 1 and then in Ephesians 5, is that this headship is beneficial to the body. It causes the body to live and flourish and thrive. It's absolutely vital for us to see that it says he is, Ephesians 5:23, says the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church, His body of which He is the Savior. You see, the saving work of Christ here, he's not a domineering tyrant here, He is the savior of the Church, and so his headship is beneficial to her. So the worldly vision of authority must be rejected. You remember how the apostles were arguing about which of them would be greatest in the kingdom, remember that? There's just so many little ugly moments there in the Gospels, we get a sense of the humanity of the 12 apostles, and the sinfulness too, and Christ’s patience and dealing, but they're arguing about which of them is going to be the greatest. Jesus called them together and He said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles, lord over them. And their high officials domineer [or exercise] authority over them not so with you, instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant. And whoever wants to be first must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” We're going to see that exact same thing being said in Ephesians 5, about the husband toward his wife. So, this headship benefits, it is servant leadership, it causes the wife to flourish and grow in every way. The Simple Truth: The Husband IS the Head Now as we look at the ground over submission, we need to look at the simple indicative statement here. There's not an imperative or subjunctive here. What do I mean by that? The husband is declared to be the head, the husband is the head of the wife, he's not encouraged to be the head, he's not commanded to be the head. Nothing is said about what kind of head you should be here, that'll come, I think later in the chapter. You should be a Christ-like it but it's not the husband ought to be the head of the wife or his expected to be, he just is. We just need to understand how unconfused, God is about all of this. He's not confused at all about what he intends in marriage. He's not confused by Supreme Court decisions or by high-level academic books. He just knows exactly what He intended in marriage. And so, this has nothing to do with his behavior, his height, his racial origin. Even his, I would say regenerate status, it just has to do with marriage. That's what happened when they got married. The moment that she said “I do” at that wedding, he became, in God's eyes, her head. That's what you can clearly see that it's not merely a piece of paper at that point, nothing that we can do will change God's perception of that, that God sees her sees him as her head and he will evaluate both of them on Judgment Day, on that basis. So it's good for us to know that that's how He will evaluate. That's the basis of her submission. Husbands: Embrace Your Responsibility So husbands or I can just say in an aside, to husbands embrace your responsibility. I often think of the garden of Eden after the fall, remember after Adam and Eve had both eaten from the fruit, and then there was the sound of the garden, coming in the cool of the day, or of God coming, and He's moving. God is moving through the garden. And they became terrified, because they felt guilty, they were guilty and they hid. But who is He calling for, who is he calling for? He's calling for Adam. Now it's not that He didn't know what Eve had done. It's not that at all, and it's not that she's not just as accountable to God for what she's done, because He will call her to account it's who does He call for first. There's a sense of that responsibility of taking responsibility with positions of authority, come corresponding accountability, and responsibility for which we will give an account on Judgment Day. So husband just step up into your responsibility. We’ll talk more about this next week, but it's not that you ought to be the head. If you're married, you are the head. And that's the ground also for submission. The Extent of a Wife’s Submission How Far Does Submission Go? Now what about the extent of the wife submission how far does this submission go? We'll look at verse 24. Now, as the “Church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything,” in everything. So, in everything I take to mean in every topical area of life, and down to its details. So, that would be money and possessions, it would be life management, it would be scheduling it would be parenting, church involvement, careers, ministry, mission, anything and everything. You put a heading over that's relevant to their marriage. So that's the way I take the phrase in everything. So, turning around with that means there's no area that either the husband or wife could say, that this idea of headship and submission is irrelevant to that, or doesn't fit there. Basically there is no topic or area of life, which the wife can say that's off-limits or the husband could say it's off-limits. Headship and submission do not extend to that. Now, brothers let's not be fools here. I've mentioned this before. She has the right to set her kitchen up the way she wants. She has the right to set her dresser up the way she wants. She can put this in this drawer that in that drawer etcetera. She has the right to quote the standards to you while you're putting dishes away from the dishwasher. “It doesn't go there, it goes over here, yes dear.” Alright? Put it where she wants. Don't like, pull rank and say, I'm going to rearrange your kitchen just because I can. Alright, that's not wise. There are areas of jurisdiction. And if she just has a more refined eye for fashion than you do, and if you ever have that marital moment, that I've had many times in which your wife asks you, “Is that what you're wearing?” That is a good moment for you not so much to be thinking about headship and submission, but to ask advice. Alright, do you think I ought not to wear this? What's up, you know, what's the deal? Well I hope we're not at the level of Garanimals where you need the top and the bottom to match, but they don't. Okay, that's not ideal right now. We're not saying that it extends so, she can't give some advice, and let's get more serious that she can't confront you on a sin pattern in your life, that she can't rebuke you, because she sees sin in your life, you can't say, "Well headship and submission, you're not allowed to do that.” Your wife has the right to rebuke you for sins. Application So toward the wife, this idea of, in everything means you should broaden not constrict the sense of headship and submission. Say, "Lord are there some areas in which I'm not being submissive. Are there some areas, maybe the finances, or life direction, or there's some areas where I am feeling some resistance to my husband's godly leadership." And as you Christian wives gladly and willingly by the power of the Spirit, put this submission on display and everything, you'll be putting the Gospel on display beautifully in everything, especially before your children. So, if there is that gentle and quiet spirit, which Peter says, is of great worth in the sight of God, she will beautify not only herself, but she'll actually beautify the Gospel. She'll make the Gospel appear attractive to anyone that's watching. Like it says in Titus 2:4-5, “older women can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and be subject to their husbands. Same teaching, so that no one will malign the Word of God.” That means so people want think negatively of the Bible or the Gospel. And then later in the same chapter, in Titus 2:10, it says so that “in everything they may adorn or beautify the doctrine of God our savior.” So it's both negatively, so that people won't malign the Gospel and positively so people would see how beautiful the Gospel is. So, a Spirit-filled submission, in everything in all the areas really beautifies the Gospel, it powerfully puts the Gospel on display. So, that's the extent of the wives submission. It's in everything but are there limits to the wife, submission? Well, the answer is Absolutely, as with all human authority, it's not absolute. It's not absolute. The Limits of a Wife’s Submission The Husband’s Authority is Not Absolute The first limit to the wife’s submission is in the intensive right from the beginning, verse 22, and not every translation has this is. NIV doesn't have this, but I'll just read it as it is. It says "Wives submit to your own husbands as to the Lord.” So, it's intensive, it's made clear it's just pretty obvious, from that, that Paul is making it clear. You don't need to submit to every husband. You don't submit to a sister in Christ's husband or to every man. That's not true either, it's just to your own husband, also the words your own your own husband, implies a sense of ownership that the wife has over the husband like the husband has over the wife. And that we get into the issue of marital relations. Basically, she owns his body sexually just like he owns her body sexually. That's what 1 Corinthian 7 teaches beautifully, it says In Song of Solomon, 2:16, “my lover is mine and I am His.” So the sense of that mutual ownership specifically in the area of marital relations. Or in 1 Corinthian 7:3-5, it says “A husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife. And likewise, the wife to her husband, a wife, doesn't have authority over her own body, but her husband does. Equally a husband does not have authority over his own body, but his wife does. So, that's a limit.” So the man doesn't have freedom to roam, as in some cultures like, “Men will be men, nothing you can do to stop it. They're going to be polygamists one way or another.” No! Christians have from the beginning said that is not true and it's a sin to be judged, and so he does not have the right, to do that. There's a limit there, that she owns their marital relations just as He owns hers. Next also even to her own husband and even within this, the wife's submission is limited. She is to submit as to the Lord, but he is not the Lord, he is a sinner. And there may be times that his leadership will not be godly, this is even more true if he's not a believer. Says in Deuteronomy 13:6-8, basically, we're going to say this, she, the wife, must never, ever follow her husband into sin, ever. Deuteronomy 13:6-8. It says, “if your very own, brother or your son, or daughter or the wife whom you love or your closest friend secretly entices you saying, 'let us go and worship other gods, gods that neither you know your fathers have known, gods of the people around you, whether near or far from one end of the land of the other, do not yield to Him or listen to him.” Actually your hand should be the first in putting him to death that says In the Old Covenant scriptures. So, no, you can't even if the one you love, the most in this world says, "Hey let's go worship another God. Let me put it to you this way. We must never follow God-ordained authority into God-forbidden activity. Let me say that again, we must never follow God-ordained authority, into God-forbidden activity. That point we break and it says in Acts 4-5, the apostles, when they were commanded by the Jewish authorities to stop preaching the Gospel of Christ that We must obey God rather than men. And so, it is. The situation with Ananias and Sapphira is a case study for this. It turns out they both mutually agreed to lie to the Holy Spirit about the amount of money they got from the sale. But suppose only Ananias had wanted to do, Sapphira would not have been compelled to follow her husband into lying before the church about the amount of money they got from that real estate deal. Her fraud was her own and headship and submission you're not allowed to command your spouse to sin, ever. So the wife’s submission to her husband must be a subset of her submission of Christ. What if Your Husband is an Unbeliever? Now, more specifically, "what if my husband is a non-Christian, what do I do then? Well, I want to commend to you, 1 Corinthians 7:13-16, and also 1 Peter 3:1-6. I'm not going to go carefully through those, but in 1 Corinthians 7, basically, it says if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her she must not divorce him. Instead she must live with him there to do life together. Paul says, The husband is in some sense sanctified or set apart by having a godly wife. Clearly Paul does not mean he's definitely going to be saved, because he says at the end, you don't know that you're going to save your husband, but if he's willing to live with her they should live together. You do your best as a Christian wife in that situation to follow whatever leadership he gives that's not ungodly. When it comes to the raising of the children, you should raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, you should say. I've got to bring them to church. This is what's commanded. Obviously, the more belligerent or intractable he gets about that the harder it gets, I understand that but fundamentally do what you can to submit to your husband when he doesn't contradict the word of God. Your overall demeanor should be one of loving submissiveness. Same thing in 1 Peter 3. The idea in 1 Peter 3, as he says that without a word, you can win over an unbelieving husband when he sees the purity and submission and beauty of your life. The gentle and quiet spirit, so you're not murmuring or rolling under him. And when it says without a word, it means you don't nag your husband into the kingdom. You don't manipulate him into the kingdom, you just share the Gospel, and pray, and live your life, and pray and pray and pray some more. Honestly, I actually think 1 Peter 3 goes also for the Christian husband who's not behaving well on a given Tuesday afternoon, it's been known to happen. I'm not sure how bad I am on Tuesdays, but Wednesday can be a tough day. Alright, so there are times that Christian husbands don't behave well, they don't seem to believe the word. I think it's wrong to take 1 Peter 3 and say it's only for the unbelieving husband. I think in general, all sin comes from unbelief and there's going to be a time that every husband in here, will be, to some degree, not believing the word at that moment. Same principles 1 Peter 3. Win them over without a word. Not saying you should never speak a word of correction. I already said you can, but I'm just saying your demeanor and your submissiveness will be powerful. Practical Advice More practical advice. What about abusive situations? Well, I don't think we're ever commanded by God to stand there and take a beating. As a matter of fact, the apostles, sent out on mission, he said “If they persecute you in one place, flee to the next, if you can get your freedom, do it.” And so, I think most Christian pastors that teach on this say that an abusive situation is grounds for separation and divorce and I believe that. Now when it comes to emotional or verbal abuse, obviously it gets a little more difficult just because you've had an argument, I wouldn't use the word “abuse” there. We all have a sin nature. You just need to be very careful what you mean. But fundamentally, the desire is that this headship is not abusive. This is something that feeds and nourishes the wife, ultimately the godly wife as you feed her with the word of God, as you pour into her the Gospel she's going to become a better and better counselor she's going to be able to give good advice to her husband. And she will be a helper suitable for him. So we'll talk about that more next time, but as you pour the Word of God into your wife cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, she will give godlier and godlier council. The Delight of a Wife’s Submission The Husband’s Obedience Leads to the Wife’s Delight Finally, the delight of a wife's submission. Well, the basic idea is this, and you've heard it before, but I'll say it. The more the husbands do their part, the more delightful it is for the wife to do her part. And so, next week, we're going to talk about the husband's work and his calling to be a Christ-like head. The more he actually lives that out by the Spirit, the more delightful this will be. So, “Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.” The more you love your wife brothers, the more delightful this will be for the wife. But even if the husband doesn't, there's still a secret delight that comes to any Christian, who by the power of the Spirit even when it's very difficult, obeys the commands of God. So wives submit to your husbands by the power of the Spirit next week, pray for me as I preach to the husbands. I want to say one final thing, as we go to the time of the Lord's supper. Call to Repentance This is a time for us to celebrate the ordinance of communion. It's a time for Christians who have confessed faith in Christ and been baptized to partake. If you have not been converted, if you're not a Christian. If you've not testified to your conversion by water baptism, we'd ask that you refrain. But I just want you to know how glad I am that you're here, how glad I am that you've heard even if you wonder “What is this, how is this relevant to my life? I'm a single guy. I'm 30 or whatever, not a Christian etcetera.” Well, if I can just say this, maybe you're here for just this moment. That you would realize that God sent His Son into the world to die for sinners like you and me, and that maybe God brought you here, not so much to hear about a submission of a wife to her husband, but your submission to Christ the King. So I'm going to say again, Matthew 11, come to Him, Christ come to me. All you who are weary and burdened and I'll give you rest" yield to Jesus submit to him, let Him forgive you for your sins. Now I'm going to close the sermon time in prayer, and then we'll have the time of the Lord's supper. Prayer Father, we thank you for the opportunity we've had today to hear the Gospel, to see it applied specifically to Christian wives and how they relate to their husbands. Father, as we turn now to the ordinance of communion, we pray that you would please enable us to hear and believe the Word and take it to heart. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.