Podcasts about jehovah god

Sent from GodJohn 1:6-13“but was sent to bear witness of that Light”John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness of the true light that was sent by God, Jesus Christ. What a wonderful gift sent by God! Thank you, heavenly Father. Never forget Jesus Christ was sent by God. The Holy Spirit was sent by God. The Holy Bible was sent by God. The Church of Christ was sent by God. The world has misused, abused, and killed the precious gifts. That has been sent by God. Let every born-again child of God lift his hand and his heart to God and say, “Thank you, Jehovah God, for the gifts that were sent by you.” Amen.Thank you for tuning into Daily Bible Benefits Have a good and godly Day

*A Prayer for You* Heavenly Father, we lift up every subscriber and listener of the Hallelujah Everyday Podcast with Pastor Leke Toba before You. We thank You for their lives, their families, and their faith. Lord, we ask that You fill this month with unending praises to Your holy name. Let their hearts overflow with thanksgiving and their mouths sing songs of joy to You, Jehovah God. May Your divine presence abide with them daily. Open doors of opportunities and blessings that no one can shut. Let their paths be directed by Your light, and may their testimonies bring glory to Your name. Surround them with peace, protect them from harm, and grant them favor in all areas of their lives. We declare that this month will be one of supernatural breakthroughs, abundant grace, and evidence of Your unfailing love. May they always have reasons to shout "Hallelujah!" In Jesus' name, Amen. Stay blessed and may this month be extraordinary in every way! *Signed Pastor Leke*

WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS EPISODE? This Jesus Stories episode delves deep into Jesus' teaching on greed, worry, and generosity. We connect all three concepts and the life-giving focus which bypasses greed and worry to leaning on Jehovah God for everything we need and more. Such reliance on Jehovah leads to generosity and the accumulation of treasures in heaven. SCRIPTURES USED IN THIS EPISODE Luke 12:22-40 Ecclesiastes 5:10 (The Message) Joshua 6:18-19 Joshua 7:20-21 Proverbs 1:18-19 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Isaiah 26:3-4 Philippians 4:6-7 Proverbs 21:26 1 Timothy 6:7-8 FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JesusStoriesThePodcast X: https://x.com/JesusStoriesPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesus_stories_the_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JesusStoriesthePodcast SUPPORT THIS PODCAST This podcast cannot exist without support. We offer several ways to help us out. Find all of them on our website: https://jesusstories.info/support-this-podcast/ Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

As the creator of all things, Jehovah God is widely considered the Master Mathematician. His relationship with numbers, averages, dimensions and more are rooted in perfection. So, why does he suck at math? 607 B.C.E.? Noah's Ark? The 'last days' that never end, defying all concepts of timelines and calendars? TWITTER: @exjwpodcastINSTAGRAM: survivingparadisepodcast

No one who has placed their total trust in God has ever been failed by Him.Scriptures used: Proverbs 3:5, Acts 9:15_________Subscribe and share this podcast with your family and friends.Have questions? Send us an email via info@icgcholyghosttemple.org and we will be glad to assist you.

A sermon delivered by C.H. Spurgeon, Lord's day morning, October 30th 1887.Some of us neglect the Minor Prophets; but here is a seam of gold found in each one. The verses before us are from the prophet Zephaniah. They speak of the delight that Jehovah God has in His people! He rejoices over them, and rests in His love for them.Spurgeon saw the application of this scripture to 1887. I think we can all see its relevance for today also. Our joy, our security and our hope are to be found in God alone.Read by: Gavin Childress

(1 Timothy 3:16) Today we examine one of the great summary verses of the Bible. A verse that is about the great theme of God's Word - the Lord Jesus Christ. As we walk through all of Scripture we find Jesus on every page. (0944250218) ----more----  A One-Verse Summary About Jesus There are certain verses of Scripture that are great summary verses. I mean by that, they encapsulate so much doctrine in a concentrated way in just a few words. 1 Timothy 3:16 is one of those verses. Would you hear it with your heart today? 1 Timothy 3:16 says, "And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." The Person and Work of Jesus Christ What is 1 Timothy 3:16 about? It's all about the person and work of Jesus Christ. Literally, it summarizes in one verse the whole message of Christ in the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation. From creation to His glorification. It's God was manifest in the flesh. So the creator God of the universe God came to earth. Then He was justified in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit was evident through His life and ministry, His words and His works. He was seen of angels at different points all through His life and ministry. He was then preached unto the Gentiles. He's been believed on in the world, and now where is he? He's received up into glory, where he's sitting on the right hand of the Heavenly Father, praying for us, preparing heaven for us, and yes, coming again. I want to say to you today that you find Jesus on every page of the Bible. Someone has said that you can take your text from anywhere. And you can find some path that leads from that place to the person of Jesus Christ. I do believe that.  Jesus in the Old Testament Our study of Christ does not begin in the New Testament because He did not begin at Bethlehem. Earlier in this study, we began in Genesis 3, verse 15, with the first promise of Messiah. But I want to tell you, He was there in Genesis 1, 1, in the beginning God. Because He is the eternal Son of God. As you walk through the Old Testament, Jesus. I believe that He appeared many times. He appeared to Hagar, to Abraham, to Jacob, and Moses. Joshua saw him as the captain of the host. Manoah saw him, Isaiah saw him, lifted up, Zechariah did, and Gideon. He was manifested to many different people at many different times all through the Old Testament. As you read and study the Old Testament scriptures, there are over 300 prophecies concerning Christ. Think of that, over 300 of them. Many of the psalms are messianic psalms. There are lots of pictures of Christ in the Old Testament. Some people, like Joseph, is a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. But many objects point to Him. Noah's Ark is a picture of Christ, the brazen serpent, the tabernacle, the rock flowing with that living water, the Passover land, the cities of refuge, on and on throughout the Old Testament, Jesus. Jesus in the New Testament Then when you come to the New Testament, He's revealed as he is, as he's taking on human flesh, his incarnation. God became a man without ceasing to be God. That's powerful. He did not lay aside his deity, he just robed it, clothed it in humanity. Someone says, was he a man or was he God? Yes. And He wasn't 50-50. He was 100 percent man and 100 percent God and He was the perfection of both. He's the only sinless man who ever lived, and yet He is the perfect son of God. We see his humanity all through the gospel records. He hungered. He thirsted. He slept. He grew. He suffered. He had a body, a soul, and a spirit. He even referred to himself as the son of man. That was His favorite title for himself. Think of that. He had every right to call himself everyday Son of God, but He loved to refer to himself as Son of man. Why? Because He was connecting with us. Aren't you glad that we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin? Not only do we see His humanity, we see His deity. He is the Son of God, the Eternal Son of God. He claimed to be God all through his life He claimed to be the same things as Jehovah of the Old Testament claimed to be. He claimed to be the shepherd, the judge, the light, the first and the last, the I am. He claimed to have power to forgive sins. He raised dead people. He quoted Old Testament messianic passages and applied them to Himself. He placed His Word on the same level as God's Word. He received worship. He told men to pray in His name. Why would He do such things? Because He's not just the Son of Mary, He's the Son of God. All man - all God. We see Him in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, and then His death, His burial, and His resurrection from the dead. What makes the Christian faith distinct? We have a living Savior. For the record, I know He's alive because I've talked to Him today. And He's spoken to me today. He lives in my heart. When you read the Old Testament and Jehovah God, and then you read the New Testament and Jesus Christ, I want you to know they are one in the same. And the Old Testament is just a big pointer. It's all pointing to someone that's coming. The final fulfillment and revelation of God, it's pointing to the person of Jesus Christ. Think about this. You have all these prophecies in the Old Testament leading up to Christ. Did you know that for only 16 prophecies to come true in Jesus lifetime, the mathematical odds are 1 in 10 to the 45th power? Translation, impossible. The mathematical odds are staggering. And yet when you come to the New Testament, he fulfills everything that was foretold about his first coming. And while I'm on it, let me just tell you, if he fulfilled everything that related to his first coming, he's going to fulfill everything he promised for his second coming. He who has come and has gone away is coming again to get us away. I'm looking forward to that day. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He died for your sins, He was buried, He rose from the dead. Praise God for that. And now He's ascended to the right hand of the Heavenly Father. The Bible says that He ever liveth making intercession for us.  The Continuing Work of Christ The work of Christ did not end when he left this world. No, his work continues at this present moment. As a matter of fact, the book of Acts, chapter 1, verse number 1, tells us about his continuing work. Some people want to limit his work to while he was here on earth, but listen to Acts 1:1, "The former treaties have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach." He just began. He set it in motion, but He continues. At this present moment. He's working in heaven right now. He is our priest. He's praying for us. He's interceding for you. Let me encourage you today. Jesus is praying for you at this moment. And He's still at work here on earth. Through believers, through His church, He's at work to draw all people to Himself. Yes, He's at work. He is the perfect prophet, always speaking the truth. He is the perfect priest, always speaking of holiness. He is the perfect king, always speaking of His power.  Knowing Jesus Personally The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and I'm glad to report to you today, he's my Savior. I hope He's your Savior too. And I hope today that no matter where you're reading and studying in Scripture, on every page of Scripture, you'll meet Jesus there. And as you journey through the Word of God and meet Jesus along the way, you'll come to know Him. In a more deeply, personal, and intimate way. The Apostle Paul, after he'd been saved for more than 30 years, wrote that I may know him. And the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death. This study of the doctrine of Christ is not just for us to know something, it's to know someone. I hope you'll make the application of it to your life today. I hope you'll make it deeply personal and intimate. I hope you'll determine a day by the grace of God to truly know the Lord Jesus Christ and to seek Him on every page of the Word of God. Repeating what other people have said about the Bible is not enough. We must know the biblical reason behind what we believe.  Outro and Resources We hope you will visit us at etj.bible to access our library of Bible teaching resources, including book-by-book studies of Scripture. You'll also find studies to watch, listen to, or read. We are so grateful for those who pray for us, who share the Biblical content, and for those who invest to help us advance this ministry worldwide. Again, thank you for listening, and we hope you'll join us next time on Enjoying the Journey.

When God came to Moses and declared His Name Jehovah, He told Moses that by my name Jehovah, they did not know me, speaking of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  However, with a search of scripture we will see they called Him Jehovah.  The New Living Translation says that His Name wasn't revealed.  This is right on.  What I believe He was saying that by my name Jehovah or Yahweh I was not revealed to them. He appeared to Abraham as El Shaddai, The Almighty God.  What does this mean?  What does it matter?  As El Shaddai he was the All Mighty, God of All.  You could say God of Heaven and Earth, the only God.  However, if we look closely, He would appear and then leave in His appearing to Abraham.  When He came to Moses as Jehovah, He was coming to be God in the Midst.  The God of Covenant.  He came to dwell among the people of Israel.  This I believe is what He was saying in Jehovah.   This goes deeper.  In this name He reveals Himself to a people.  He appeared to Moses and declared that "I AM Who I AM."  Then He declares He is JEHOVAH.  From here He makes known He is Jehovah their Healer, Jehovah their Shepherd, Jehovah their banner, Jehovah their righteousness, God all in all.  He makes known in this name who I AM That I AM is, and He makes it known in a people.  The people of Israel.  This finds its fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus comes and is among the people of Israel.  He becomes among them Christ their Healer, Christ their Provider, Christ their Teacher, Christ their Righteousness.  Again we can go on and on.  However, Jesus says these profound words recorded in John 14.  "At that day you will know I AM in my Father, and you are in Me, and I AM in you.  All that He is, is in the Father.  All that He is in you.  Now He is God in You in All That He is.  This is the New Coveanant, Christ in You! Glory to God!! Exodus 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. John 14:20At that day ye shall know that I [am] in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 

"Call Upon The Name of the Lord"Exodus 3:13-14Pastor Nate ClarkeJanuary 19, 2025NEW KIDS SPACE NOW OPEN!We have expanded with 3x more space for the babies, kids, and youth in your family. https://www.instagram.com/oasischurchva/reel/C8FqHIipr3u/Learn about this year's Kingdom Builder's project: https://www.oasischurch.online/kingdom-buildersHow should Christians think about politics and voting? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak82aD16r04OUR NEW VISION STATEMENT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0WFhtL7h3ISERMON NOTES- Exodus 3:13-14- Call Upon The Name of the Lord - Yahweh / YHWH - Adonai / LORD - Jehovah- God has a name- God cares about His name - Ezekiel 36:22-23 - Psalm 23:3 - Psalm 106:8- God wants us to call upon His name - Genesis 4:26 - Genesis 12:8 - Genesis 26:25 - Romans 10:13- God has a name, He cares about His name, and He wants us to call upon His name- Jehovah Jireh: The Lord will provide - Genesis 22:10-14- Jehovah Rapha: The Lord who heals - Exodus 15:26- Jehovah Nissi: The Lord is my banner / my refuge - Exodus 17:10-11, 13, 15 - Deuteronomy 20:4 - 1 Corinthians 15:57- Jehovah Shalom: The Lord our peace - Judges 6:23-24- Jehovah Shammah: The Lord is there - Ezekiel 48:35 - Psalm 139:7 - Revelation 21:3Oasis Church exists to Worship God, Equip the believers, and Reach the lost.We are led by Pastor Nate Clarke and are located in Richmond, VA.Stay Connected:Website: https://oasischurch.online Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oasischurchva/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OasisChurchRVA/

Leviticus 9~10 Obedient Service - Part 5 Called to service! Just as it was for Aaron and the Old Testament priesthood, when we serve and minister, God's honour is released. This is done because service is to show the beauty and glory of God to others. Serving, service and ministry are never to be about what we as mere humans can get out of it. When that is the motive, God is neither honoured nor glorified. God's glory and supremacy is to be the ultimate reason for service! God is both zealous and jealous for His glory and honour to be upheld! Nadab and Abihu could testify to that I am sure! As Christians, as part of our life of true Joy, we are called to serve and minister. We are called to exhibit and show our true Joy - just as Aaron and his family were called into a lifetime of obedient service to Jehovah God. Their JOY motto was to be "Jehovah Over Yourself". For us, true joy is to be "Jesus Over Yourself". Each of us here tonight is called to perform a unique serving and ministerial function. Showing love, serving each other and giving to others are a practical outworking of our joyful obedience to God. The ministries of Nadab and Abihu were cut short and hallmarked with disobedience. Our ministry, and all Christians have one, is to be hallmarked by obedience borne out of love for God and Him alone. Devoted obedience to God borne out of a desire to see God glorified, regardless of what other people may say or think. And we are not left alone to serve in our own power! We would most certainly fail if that was the case! God Himself has lovingly equipped all those who follow Him, to serve! God the Holy Spirit, who lives inside each believer, has endowed each Christian with gifts, talents and abilities for that purpose - service! This is so that the whole church is built up and "that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." God wants you and I to be active in service - life long service hallmarked by loving obedience to Him, which reflects our joyful dedication to Him, to His praise, honour and glory! Judged for our service! Finally, just as God's judgement was upon Nadab and Abihu, the Bible also tells us that all those who follow Jesus Christ will be judged according to what they have done, with what God gave them. That includes any spiritual gifts, talents and abilities we have! This judgement will not be for salvation, because if we have decided to follow Jesus Christ, judgement for our sins has already fallen on Him, when He died on the cross. Of our sinfulness we have been set free and declared innocent! If we here tonight, have accepted God's free offer of salvation by grace alone, through Jesus Christ alone, then we are declared right with God and in a joyous relationship with Him. Again, it is amazing! However, our belief and faith are to be visibly manifested through joyful obedient service of, and to, God! This judgement is not for your salvation but for your rewards! As followers of Jesus Christ, God will ask you and I, to give an account of ourselves, and we will be judged according to what we have done. The quality of our work will be tested and our motives exposed - either we did things for God's glory or we did them for our own glory. We will give an account of the opportunities and abilities entrusted to us as instruments of God's orchestra of joy. Conclusion! For those of us who would call ourselves Christians, the Bible is very clear - you are called to lovingly and obediently serve in some capacity. A life of true Joy is seen in obedient service to the glory of God the Father, through God the Son Jesus Christ, in the power of God the Holy Spirit who lives in you. Tonight, if you are engaging in either intentional or unintentional acts of disobedience, then you need to turn your life around to one of utter obedience to the God you profess to follow. As a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit within you, as a seal of your salvation. Your body is the temple where God now resides! You can't hide from Him, so you may as well choose to be obedient to Him in a life of joyful service, exhibiting that true Joy and the hope you have in Him! Just as joy followed Moses and Aaron's obedience in Leviticus 9, so too can it be for those of us willing to lovingly serve obediently! But if you are not a Christian yet, then please do make yourself known to us afterwards and we would love to talk to you about becoming a Christian. While you have breath, it's not too late to start this life of joyful obedience to a loving God and enter into a living and dynamic relationship of true Joy with Him. Don't leave it so late that you incur God's judgement for your sins and have everlasting separation from Him and others! God does indeed love you and He is calling you to come into a dynamic relationship of true joy with Him today. Take the opportunity today - come and follow Jesus Christ. He is calling you to respond! Right mouse click or tap here to save/download this as a MP3 file

What Happens in this Episode? We conclude our narrative of the Sermon on the Mount in this Jesus Stories episode. Jesus starts by getting into our wallets and our stuff. “Don't store up treasures here on earth…” He tells us not to worry since Jehovah God will take care of his followers. He reminds us that judgment of others brings judgment back upon us. We can only judge with the guidance of Jehovah God. Then he points out the choices that we must make. Which road will we travel? Which voices will we listen to? On what foundation will we build our lives? Scriptures used in this episode: Matthew 6:19-34 Luke 6:37-42 Matthew 7:6-29 Luke 7:24-30 Find us on Social Media: Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube And don't forget our web-site: Jesus Stories. A Special Offer: If you are also a podcaster, check my Support this Podcast page for a special offer from my host service, Blubrry. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Demonstrating Dr. Barnhouse's acute understanding of Romans and his heart for effective preaching, these messages skillfully and reverently expound even the most difficult passages in a clear way. Dr. Barnhouse's concern for a universal appreciation of the epistle fuels this series and invites all listeners into a deeper understanding of the life-changing message of Romans. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/791/29

Usama Dakdok is Founder of the Straight Way of Grace Ministry. He is the speaker on the daily radio broadcast Revealing the Truth About Islam. Born and raised in Egypt, Usama learned about Islam just as every other student does in a Muslim country. He also studied for a university degree in Egypt which included the study of Sharia, which is Islamic law. He first came to America in 1992. With his knowledge of Islam, he founded The Straight Way of Grace Ministry. Usama speaks fluent Arabic and has translated the Quran into English. He is the author of Exposing the Truth about the Qur'an, Exposing the Truth About Jihad, The Violent Truth about Islam and The Straight Way to Eternal Life. For many years Usama has travelled the country to equip the church to minister to Muslims and to warn Americans about the deceptive methods being used that lead many into the cult of Islam.While many have falsely called Islam "a religion of peace," Islam continues in its threats against Israel, Europe and the United States of America. And yet Islam is viewed by many as just being another religion.Some erroneously teach that the god of Islam and Jehovah God are one in the same. Don't be deceived. They are not one in the same.Rapes and sexual assaults continue rampantly in the name of Allah. There are so-called "honor killings" from Muslims against their own family members who leave the teachings of Islam. Threats continue against Jews, Christians and nations that have not surrendered to the teachings of Islam. Usama Dakdok has been trying to awaken many out of their slumber on this issue.

Usama Dakdok is Founder of the Straight Way of Grace Ministry. He is the speaker on the daily radio broadcast Revealing the Truth About Islam. Born and raised in Egypt, Usama learned about Islam just as every other student does in a Muslim country. He also studied for a university degree in Egypt which included the study of Sharia, which is Islamic law. He first came to America in 1992. With his knowledge of Islam, he founded The Straight Way of Grace Ministry. Usama speaks fluent Arabic and has translated the Quran into English. He is the author of Exposing the Truth about the Qur'an, Exposing the Truth About Jihad, The Violent Truth about Islam and The Straight Way to Eternal Life. For many years Usama has travelled the country to equip the church to minister to Muslims and to warn Americans about the deceptive methods being used that lead many into the cult of Islam.While many have falsely called Islam "a religion of peace," Islam continues in its threats against Israel, Europe and the United States of America. And yet Islam is viewed by many as just being another religion.Some erroneously teach that the god of Islam and Jehovah God are one in the same. Don't be deceived. They are not one in the same.Rapes and sexual assaults continue rampantly in the name of Allah. There are so-called "honor killings" from Muslims against their own family members who leave the teachings of Islam. Threats continue against Jews, Christians and nations that have not surrendered to the teachings of Islam. Usama Dakdok has been trying to awaken many out of their slumber on this issue.

Tuesday November 26 Dear Friends, Starting today, and for the next seven to eight days, I will not be able to do a new pastor's chat each day from the Gospel of Luke. I will be away from my office in Sneads Ferry NC and will be visiting with family and friends in the Roanoke VA area for the Thanksgiving Holidays. During this time, I will continue to post a series of chats that I did a couple years ago from the Book of Psalms starting in Psalm 20. The brief title of Psalm 20 tells us that this Psalm was written by King David and was given to the “Chief Musician” to be sung by the choir of Israel. Over the years I have often used this Psalm to encourage people to pray and believe that the Lord will answer their plea for help in the times of their troubles. I've signed many notes and letters with Psalm 20:4-5 after my name. “May He grant you according to your heart's desire, And fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.” Psalm 20 is a prayer and a plea for God's help before the battle, while Psalm 21 is the praise after the victory in battle. In verses 1-5, the people pray for their king, David, who will be leading them into battle. Notice the words “we and you”. In verses 6-8, David the king encourages the people to trust in Jehovah for victory and not in chariots and horses like the other nations did. In these verses notice the words, “I, we and they”. Both the king and the people speak in verse 9, where "the king" is Jehovah God, The King. The psalm begins and ends with a plea for God to hear them as they pray and to give victory to the army of Israel (vv. 1, 9). The anointed king was the very life and breath of the nation (Lam. 4:20) and the lamp of Israel (2 Sam. 21:17), and the enemy soldiers would make him their special target (1 Kings 22:31). Those who have problems with the military aspects of some of David's psalms should remember that David went to war only when the enemy attacked Israel. He did not invade other nations just to gain territory, and he was fighting the Lord's battles (1 Sam. 17:47; 25:28; 2 Chron. 20:15). The covenant God made with David (2 Sam. 7:11) assured him of victory over his enemies. In this regard, David is a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Commander of the Lord's armies (Josh. 5:14-15), who one day will ride in victory against the armies of this world (Ps. 45:3-7; Rev. 3:14; 17:14; 19:11-21). As I have read the Psalms, and the many prayers and pleas for God's help in the times of trouble, I have pictured the reality of the daily battle that we all fight as believers against the devil and demonic forces, against the world and its allures of pleasures and wealth, and even the battle against our own flesh (Rom 7). Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:11-13: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” We are reminded in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”   This Psalm is a great prayer and plea for God's help, and to believe and trust the LORD for victory every day. May the Lord help you today to “fulfill your purpose”, and answer “all your petitions”!   God bless!

What Happens In This Episode? We continue reviewing Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus challenges his listeners with his look at “the Law”. He outlines what the law says and continues with “but I say” to explain the expectation that Jehovah God held. In each case, the heart of the individual was to match the observed behavior. He talks about divorce, vows, retribution, and loving your enemies. Then he moves to talk about the acts of worship given to Jehovah God. In talking about giving, praying and fasting, he warns against posturing before “our Father” – an unusual term for his Jewish listeners. He warns that such posturing is its own reward. There is no heavenly reward to follow. Scriptures Referenced in this Episode: Matthew 5:31-48 Matthew 6:1-18 Luke 6:27-36 Deuteronomy 24:1 Find us on Social Media: Facebook Instagram Twitter/X You Tube Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

What Happens in This Episode? This Jesus Stories episodes begin to go deeply into Jesus' teaching regarding the honoring of the Law and the Prophets. Jesus compares the sayings of the Law – "You have heard it said" – with the intention his Father had for the saying – "But I tell you". We talk about the commands “do not murder” and “do not commit adultery.” What is Jehovah God really saying in these commands? How does it mean we are to act now? Scriptures Used in this Episode Matthew 5:21-26 Ephesians 4:26 Romans 12:16 Matthew 5:27-30 Job 31:1 Mark 7:21-23 Other references used in this episode include: The Divine Conspiracy, Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God, by Dallas Willard We're on Social Media Facebook Instagram Twitter/X You Tube Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Pharisees were quick to find fault and criticize Jesus and His disciples as they minister to both the physical and spiritual needs of the people. First, they couldn't believe that Jesus and His disciples would hang out with sinners. Next, they questioned their spirituality because instead of fasting like John's disciples, they were feasting. Now in Luke 6, they are accusing Jesus and His disciples for breaking their man-made Sabbath Day laws on two occasions.   On this first occasion, their criticism had to do with the disciples “plucking heads of grain and eating them after they had rubbed them in their hands.” In the field (vv. 1-5). It was lawful for a Jew to eat from a neighbor's vineyard, orchard, or field, provided he did not fill a container or use a harvesting implement (Deut. 23:24-25). The disciples were hungry, so they picked the heads of wheat, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. But in so doing, according to the rabbis, they broke the Sabbath law, because they were harvesting, winnowing, and preparing food!   Always alert for something to criticize, some of the Pharisees asked Jesus why He permitted His disciples to violate the Sabbath laws. This was His second offense, and they were sure they had a case against Him. How tragic that their slavish devotion to religious rules blinded them to the true ministry of the Law as well as the very presence of the Lord who gave them the Law.   The accusation of the Pharisees had no support from Scripture. The Scriptures did not prohibit this eating of grain on the Sabbath. The support came only from the man-made rules of the religious leaders, not the law of Moses. The religious leaders had made a host of rules, which were not in Scripture either by principle or precept; but they liked these rules for these religious rulers made their piety based on outward conduct rather than the condition of the heart. Not focusing on the heart, their rules emphasized the trivial and neglected the important. Jesus addressed this specifically in Matthew 23:24.   Jesus did not argue with them; instead, He took them right to the Word of God (1 Sam. 21:1-6). The "showbread" was comprised of twelve loaves, one for each tribe in Israel; and it stood on the table in the holy place in the tabernacle and then in the temple (Ex. 25:23-30; Lev. 24:5-9). Fresh bread was put on the table each Sabbath, and only the priests were allowed to eat the loaves.   But David and his men ate the loaves, and what Jew would condemn Israel's great king? "He was God's anointed!" they might argue, but that was exactly what Jesus claimed for Himself (Luke 4:18). Not only was He God's Anointed, but He was also the Lord of the Sabbath! When Jesus made that statement, He was claiming to be Jehovah God, because it was the Lord who established the Sabbath. If Jesus Christ is indeed Lord of the Sabbath, then He is free to do on it and with it whatever He pleases. The Pharisees did not miss His meaning, you can be sure.   God is more concerned about meeting human needs than He is about protecting religious rules. Better that David and his men receive strength to serve God than that they perish only for the sake of a temporary law. God desires compassion, not sacrifice (Matt. 12:7, quoting Hosea 6:6). The Pharisees, of course, had a different view of the Law (Matt. 23:23).   The Apostle Paul would later write in 2 Corinthians 3:6, that “as a minister of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” This reminds us that God is more concerned about us keeping the Spirit of the Word with to please the Lord from our hearts and not the rules and regulation to outwardly make ourselves look spiritual before others!   May the Lord help us not to become like the Pharisees, outwardly religious but inwardly full of corruption!   God bless!

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.”~Gloria Steinem, journalist and activist “…pride can grow as well upon our virtues as our vices…. For you can have no greater sign of a more confirmed pride than when you think that you are humble enough.”~William Law (1686-1761), English clergyman in A Serious Call “On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.”~Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), French philosopher “With great power comes great responsibility.”~Ben's advice to his nephew Peter Parker (aka Spiderman) “I cannot accept your canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men, with a favorable presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other way against holders of power, increasing as the power increases…. Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely…. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.”~Lord Acton (1834-1902) in a letter to Bishop Creighton (1843-1901) in 1887 “A canoe does not know who the leader is – when it turns over everyone gets wet.”~Madagascan proverb “…Jesus our Savior is described as Jehovah God. He is spoken of as being clothed with irresistible power: ‘See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him;' but, as if to soften a glory that is far too bright for the weak eyes of the trembling, the prophet introduces the delightful words of the text: ‘He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.' Here is divinity; not Jehovah the Man of War, but Jehovah the Shepherd of Israel…. It is the sign of a noble character that it can be majestic as a lion in the midst of the encounter, and roar like a young lion on the scene of conflict, and yet it has a dove's eye and a maiden's heart. Such is our Lord Jesus Christ; he is the conquering Captain of salvation, but he is meek and lowly of heart.”~C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) in his sermon “The Tenderness of Jesus” SERMON PASSAGEProverbs 4 (ESV)Proverbs 41 Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,2 for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.3 When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,4 he taught me and said to me,“Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.5 Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.9 She will place on your head a graceful garland;  she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.” Proverbs 1215 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,   but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 1520 A wise son makes a glad father,   but a foolish man despises his mother. Proverbs 1912 A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion,   but his favor is like dew on the grass. Proverbs 2421 My son, fear the Lord and the king,  and do not join with those who do otherwise,22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and  who knows the ruin that will come from them both?Proverbs 256  Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence   or stand in the place of the great,7  for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”   than to be put lower in the presence of a noble….15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,   and a soft tongue will break a bone. Proverbs 2812 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,   but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves…26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,   but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered….28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,   but when they perish, the righteous increase. Proverbs 292 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,  but when the wicked rule, the people groan….23 One's pride will bring him low,   but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. Romans 13 1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 1 Peter 313 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

There are things in this world we all have waited for and when it came we were happy and once we knew we had to be patience we settle down and found another way to occupy our hearts and minds. Today we can do the same while we wait on Jehovah God. Trying to ruch the time will not make it come any faster. Whenever waiting on Jehovah look for things to do to help others it shows God you have the patience and you are not selfishness. Wait on the Lord and be of a good courage. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

The Importance of Baptism  (audio) David Eells (8/11/24)  There is a great disconnect in the church today concerning baptism and it is so important! If a person just looked at the Scriptures and read all the verses, you'd know this. When I first became born-again the first thing that the Lord began to impress us to look at was baptism. So we looked up every verse concerning baptism and printed them out. With them all written out on pages before us, we just knew, “Yep, we have to do it. There is no choice. We have to do this.” So we looked for a church to do it.  Well, a lot of Christians today don't read their Bible, so they just wouldn't know unless the preacher emphasized what the scripture emphasizes. We noticed in the Bible, that as soon as someone believed, the next emphasis was to be filled with the Spirit. Once in a while, being filled with the Spirit got ahead of the baptism, but baptism was right there always when someone first believed. And there's a reason for that. It's because it's important. Some churches do not even mention it, as though it's not important.   So, I thought we'd look at a few scriptures and study what the importance of baptism is. Remember, it's not just what they say about baptism, it's the emphasis they put on it and that should be our emphasis too. I mean, if it's that important to Jesus and the apostles, we don't care that others don't think it's important. It should be just as important to us as it was to Jesus and the apostles.  I'd like to start in Acts 22. Well, you remember how Paul was converted and then got himself in trouble with the religious folks and he was recounting to them about his conversion in Act 22:12-14 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there, 13 came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.  As important as Paul was to the Lord and to God's plan, he still needed to be baptized. 15 For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? (I.e., What are you waiting for?) arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name. (Amen. Do you hear that? He is saying, What are you waiting for? Get baptized and wash away your sins. That sounds very important, doesn't it?)  So baptism has a key work in doing this. People argue about what is that work. But I think we can cover that a little bit today. So yes, baptism is important in washing away thy sins. It is an act of faith that God recognizes and it's our obedience to our Lord. You know, faith without works is dead. Some people say they have faith, but they don't have works. So, obedience is important in the Kingdom.   Well, it says in 1Pe 3:19-21 in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, (Speaking of Jesus.) 20 that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water: 21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, (That sounds very important, doesn't it?) not the putting away of the filth of the flesh (In other words, it's not the water washing your skin, that makes you clean), but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; It is through the resurrection gift of Jesus Christ given to us and it is given to us through baptism, as we'll see in Romans chapter 6. When we come up out of the water, we claim His resurrection life.   So you see, baptism is very important. You know, tell your children; tell your lost loved ones, “Yeah, believing in Jesus is important, and so is baptism.” It's a command from God and any command from God is important. Sad to say, but some people don't read their Bible to find out these things and the poor preachers don't know enough either.  Another great example is in Act 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened: and every one's bands were loosed. 27 And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?   31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. 32 And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, (And that's just how important it was. Most people today would make excuses; they would say, “Well, wait till the preacher preaches on baptism. Next month I think we're going to have a baptism…”, and so on. Well, they thought it was so important that in the middle of the night, they were going to go and baptize this person because you have to start your Christian walk with baptism as an act of faith. It's an act of faith that gives you the good confession that you make before Satan and before the world that now you don't live, Christ lives in you.) and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. This shows how important baptism is. I've done the same thing in the middle of the night. When people believed, we started looking for a pool in the middle of the night. And it's just that important to God. Our emphasis needs to be God's emphasis in this regard. Jesus said in Mar.16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. Now it says in 1Co 10:1 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; Look at that, “all of them” It must have been important to do that right? God wants to show us through this type and shadow that it's also important to us. So what can we say? We're warned not to add to or take away from the words of the Book, or He'll take away our part in the tree of life. We're warned to obey, just as they did.  So it's important because it says in 1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. (We are a many membered body of Christ.) 13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, (Baptized into the body! My goodness, that makes baptism very, very important. We're talking about one body, and we're supposed to be a member of it. Some people say this is “spirit baptism”. Folks, the overwhelming majority of Christianity out there have never been spirit baptized, so none of them would be in the body. No, this is talking about being baptized into Christ, which is what the baptism verses say. It never says that about spirit baptism.   Now we all need spirit baptism too, because as we just read, Moses and the children of Israel were baptized in the cloud and in the sea. And that represents our spirit baptism and water baptism. We're just saying what the Bible says. Now some people say, “Oh, David, you're preaching baptismal regeneration.” I don't care what you call it, I'm just saying what the Bible says. It doesn't matter what you call it. Regeneration is not something you do when you step over a line somewhere. Regeneration is something that's carried out in your life as you repent and believe.)  It goes on to say, 13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. Wow, sounds kind of important, doesn't it! Many people are missing God on this regard here. There's a lot of people I've run into that have been Christians for a long time and yet they haven't been baptized. And God's even brought it to their attention, but they just hardened their conscience against it because nobody else around them thought to be baptized. We're not following the people around us, folks. We're following the living Word of God. We dare not follow men. They have been so foolish over the years and they've forgotten baptism and you can see how very important it is! We need to tremble before the Lord.   It sounds pretty important in Mark 16:15-16, the Great Commission. Well, if He sent them out to do this, we have to go do the same thing. If we talked to somebody about salvation, baptism is supposed to be a part of it, every time; immediately as we just read. If a person gets saved and they don't want to get baptized, well, we'll find out what the Bible has to say about that.   Here's the good word in Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. Notice, He said two things here. “He that believeth and is baptized”, So it's not just believing, it's actions that go with that believing. Baptism is the New Testament sign of the Covenant. The sealing of the Covenant. Just as circumcision was the sealing of the Covenant in the Old Testament, according to the apostle Paul. And so, He said, preach the Good News to them. And then those that believe it and are baptized shall be saved.  Well, now I'm just going to say a few words about this before we go on. I know a lot of you out there may have been sprinkled and they call it baptism. But really, not anywhere in the scriptures is there sprinkling when dealing with baptism. There is a word, rhantizō, which means sprinkling, like sprinkling of the blood. However, the word baptism is the only one that's used for baptism, and we're told in Vines, it says it's a process of immersion, which means submersion and emergence. And submersion is going under and emergence is coming up. And it comes from the word baptō, which means to dip or plunge beneath, which is exactly true. Strong's, for instance, says that to make overwhelmed. In other words, he says, fully wet. And it's from the word baptō which means to cover completely with fluid, Strong's says.   So, it's a pretty strong emphasis on being plunged beneath, the waters. There is no such thing as “sprinkling” in baptism. And there's no such thing as sprinkling babies in the scriptures, because the Bible says, repent and believe and repent and be baptized. We'll look at that in just a minute. So babies don't repent and they haven't done much that they're held guilty for. Basically, if you've only been sprinkled, you need to get baptized. Who can baptize you? Well, our examples in scripture are men who baptize. Can women baptize? The scripture doesn't say.  It has to be done. I would say in most cases people say, “Well, go find a preacher.” Well, that's a possibility to go to a church to get somebody to baptize you, but most preachers don't believe it is necessary and may put you off until they have more people who want to be baptized. Baptism is very important concerning your faith. It's an act of faith.   People think it's just joining a church. Well, it's joining the Church. It's being baptized into the body of Christ. But it's not talking about joining a local assembly. And it's not just a thing of naught, you know, it actually has an effect upon you. I've seen people that couldn't overcome certain sins until they got baptized because they just weren't obeying; they weren't washing away their sins. I mean, it's an act of faith for you, that you believe your sins are washed away when you get baptized, and we will study this.  No, there's no such thing as infant baptism or sprinkling. Because obviously sprinkling is dead wrong and even the dead church used to teach that. And if I remember correctly, it was Constantine who ordained sprinkling as baptism because on his death bed he just wanted to be baptized. He thought if he was baptized just before he died he would be okay, which was totally false. So, he got sprinkled over and over until he died. Silly stuff that people want; they want some kind of magic to make sure they can get into the Kingdom of heaven. But without repentance and faith you just get wet when you get baptized. Notice this progression: Act 2:38  And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Just obey the scriptures and you will be safe. Trust in men and you will not. Now let's look at Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name (Now listen to this. You're not baptizing someone in a name, you're baptizing them into the name. You know, when you get married, you wives out there, you took on the name, right? And thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. When you take His name, you need have faith to live up to it.  God's given principles whereby you can do that if you believe the gospel. Baptizing them literally, it says into the name, so it's not talking about using a name over someone. It's talking about baptizing you into the name of someone. Who is that? Well, this is the only place in the Bible that uses this term, so you need to understand it in regards to the other places in the Bible where it says being baptized into the name of Jesus. Because some people think these are formulas. And then they pick and choose which formula they think is the right one. But that's phony, and it's wrong. There is no scripture that contends with other scriptures. It all fits together. So therefore we need to understand how “this and that” go together.   Well, it says you baptize them into the name, that is, …baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Notice that if you understand your English here, there's only one name here. It's baptizing them into the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and notice also that Father is not “a name” and Son is not “a name” either, and neither is Holy Spirit “a name”. Those aren't names. He's telling you to baptize them into the Name. So what is this name?  Let me read the next verse first in Mat. 28:20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Notice that we not only baptize, we tell them to obey everything Scripture says. But when they baptize into the name, what is the name? Some people nowadays are very confused about what the name is. I just want to point out to you one thing that's very important to you Judaizer out there. That is, you folks who want to go back and be Jews. Now the Lord was so fed up with the Jews that He wrote the New Testament in Greek, and we have absolute proof of that. The Old Testament Hebrew has a numeric pattern that won't let you add a letter or take a letter in the original Hebrew without ruining the Hebrew pattern in the text. And we've written about that, if you'd like to go and read it. This book is available on our website, The Numeric English New Testament. Here's a link: NGNT  And here's why God put His signature in all of the scriptures. So in the Old Testament He used the Hebrew and in the New Testament, He used the Greek. That's a fact, because the New Testament Hebrew texts that are out there don't have a numeric pattern in them. And I'm talking about not just the pattern here and there, like you can find in War and Peace, which have little bits and pieces of things that accidentally come up to have a little bit of a numeric pattern with just a few letters. I'm talking about every letter of every word being a part of a numeric pattern and that's in both the Old Testament Hebrew and the New Testament Greek. So when you talk about “name” in the New Testament, you're talking about the word, onoma and it means character, authority, and nature. In the Old Testament, it's the word Shem, it was the chosen lineage back after Noah, because he took the name. He was the name. So in the New Testament, when you're baptized into the Name, you're baptized into the nature, character and authority of Jesus. We'll see that even more as we go on. So, it's into the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit which is spoken here. These three agree it's only one name, Jesus.  Act 4:12  And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.    Also, I want to point this out to you that are caught up in the Judaizer thing. I'm going to read Jer 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah; and all the nations (Gentiles) shall be gathered unto it, to the name of Jehovah, (Notice that the name of the Lord is synonymous here with gathering unto Jerusalem, and the apostle Paul said that “you have come unto the Heavenly City, the New Jerusalem”, meaning those Christians then who were baptized and filled with the spirit, and believe what the Word of God said. This is talking about Gentiles coming to it. Now, so this is not the Old Testament Jerusalem, but the New Testament, born-again Heavenly Jerusalem that he said we had come to. And all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord. Now we know the name of the Lord in the New Testament. That is my own new name.) We'll talk more about that in just a minute.   So going on here, … shall be gathered unto it, to the name of Jehovah, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart. (Now, so this is a born-again experience because they were certainly stubborn!) Jer 3:18 In those days the house of Judah (You know, by the way, folks, I got to tell you that just as there were 12 tribes back then, there's 12 today. Many have received that revelation from the Word. And there is a Judah; Judah was first. Judah means praise, and Judah represents the spirit-filled people.) … the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance unto your fathers.   19 But I said, How I will put thee among the children (This is the true children of God here), and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of the nations! and I said, Ye shall call me My Father, and shall not turn away from following me. Now, these Gentiles that came to the Jerusalem, he said, “you shall call me my Father.” And Jesus taught in the New Testament for us to call Him, My Father! All you need do is get out your concordance and look up the word. It'll be two pages. Father. Father. Father. Father.  This is the relationship the Lord wants us to have with Him in the New Testament. Not an Old Testament name that is not in the New Testament or covenant. The only thing you can see Jesus calling Him is, Father. Amen. He said it again in Jer 3:4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth? So forget all these Jewish names. You're not Jews, at least most of you aren't. And even if you were, you've got a New Covenant and the anointing is in the Greek. The New Testament Greek has the numeric pattern, which is God's signature. So, the name of the Lord; what is the name of the Lord? Jesus. Why does He say of the Father? Because it's the same nature, character and authority in the whole family; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is the same name. You understand? We're not talking about a title, here. We're talking about the nature, character and authority that's passed on from generation to generation. Now in the natural you inherited a name from your parents and in the spiritual you inherited a name from your spiritual parent, so we have to pay attention to that. We inherited the blood of Jesus. He is called “Everlasting Father” in Isa 9:6. Neither the Father nor the Holy Spirit have blood. So if you want to see this, for instance, you look in Gen 3:22 And Jehovah, or Yahweh, as some people say, or other names they put in here. But the truth is, that was what was in the Tetragrammaton, which is YH, or VH if you hold to the Jewish, or WH if you hold to the English translation YHWH, and YHVH. Now how can you baptize somebody in the name of YHWH when you can't even pronounce it? Because that's not what it's telling you to do. It's telling you the name, the nature, character and authority. And Jehovah God, Yahweh Elohim, it is translated in this Bible. Yahweh or YHWH, Elohim; and did you know Elohim is plural, never singular?   And so He says, Behold, the man is become as one of us (So we're talking about why YHWH is plural here. Who is he talking about? “…has become as one of us.” The Lord and the Angels know, in fact all through Genesis, He uses this terminology. I'll just point this out to you. So YHWH or YHVH, if you prefer, that's plural. Yes, it is in Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, (Oh my goodness. Now you know He's talking about God, right?) after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish… so on and so forth. And we see in Genesis, by the way, we see that Jehovah God translated from YHWH, Elohim is used quite often. For instance, Gen 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Jehovah God (YHWH Elohim, so He's plural, the family name.) made earth and heaven.   And here's another example. Gen 2:7 And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground,… So there's the name. However, not in the New Testament, because now it was written in the New Testament as Greek, you understand? For instance, in the Greek it's something like, Iésous, and Spanish it's Jesús “hay-SOOS”. Some Jews use Yeshua, but that doesn't come from the Greek, it comes from the Hebrew. There's no numeric pattern in the Hebrew NT. It's in the Greek. Some people say, “Oh, you can't use ‘Jesus'.” Well, why not? I've been using the name of Jesus to cast out demons and see miracles for over 50 years now. And you know what? He works. He doesn't care if I use the name Jesus. So they're just trying to drag you back under the Law and into the Old Covenant, which the Bible says passed away in Christ. Now, not one jot or tittle will pass away until all is fulfilled, because the Law is the letter that has to be made spirit, and that's the fulfillment. The New Testament is a fulfillment of the Old Testament. But God didn't make the Old Testament with you, He only made it with the Jews. Psa 147:19-20  He showeth his word unto Jacob, His statutes and his ordinances unto Israel.  20  He hath not dealt so with any nation; And as for his ordinances, they have not known them. Praise ye Jehovah. So the Lord turned away from their covenant and language. All but a remnant rebelled up unto the end. We know they even crucified the Christ, and they crucified the prophets and the apostles. So does that mean they can't be saved? Nope, we're supposed to be believing for a remnant of them to come into the New Covenant and of course, the Lord will do that. Oh, praise be to God!  So we understand that the Lord accepts these names in the New Testament, the transliteration of Iésous is Jesus into English, and He certainly answers to that. And if you go to Spanish and use Jesús, He will answer to that, and if any other translation He will answer that. Because it's not the word that you're speaking over someone. Notice you're not baptizing them in a bucket of Jesus. You are baptizing them into the Name and the Name is His nature, character and authority. Praise God!  So we see that we are also to do all in the name as it says in Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. It's not that you have to “say” the name to do it in the name. You do it in the nature, character and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the scripture says. Because the Lord Jesus Christ is a name. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not a name. They have a name, they have a nature, character and authority, and it's always the same. But it's not that you speak, “the Father, Son, Holy Spirit” over someone and there's something magical about that or a particular formula of doing it. It's that they're baptized into the Name.  Now Jesus is a name and everywhere else in the Bible it uses the name Jesus because you're baptized into His death, burial, and resurrection. That's what baptism is. So if you want to say the name of Jesus, that's fine. It's still not a formula to say over someone. I hope you understand that because we are ambassadors for Christ, as it says in 2 Co 5:20. It means we are sent forth to do and to speak with authority in His name. Do you have to “say” His name every time you do anything? No, but you have to be in His name. The scripture says you “do all in the name.” In the name means, in the nature, character and authority. That's what it means. It doesn't mean, “say” the name. Now, can you say the name of Jesus? Yes, I do it all the time because I want everybody to know who Jesus is. And it's His authority, it's His power! Praise be to God. But I'm an ambassador on behalf of Christ to this world from His Kingdom and I'm coming to the Kingdom of this world. And so everything that I do in His name has authority you see. I hope you understand that.   And I'll point out something else to you in Acts chapter 2. We see here that Peter is preaching the Gospel to these Jews, and they were convicted of their sin, so we read Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? 38 And Peter said unto them, (This is a very important answer here. Thousands were converted here you see) Repent ye, and be baptized (Babies can't do that. Now just understand babies don't need to be baptized. Those that need to repent need to be baptized.) …Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you (Did he say, “some of you”, or “if you want to?” No. Did he say, “you need to and another doesn't?” No, every one of you.) in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.   Maybe that's why some people don't get the Holy Spirit, because they're not even being obedient unto baptism. Well, that's clear. Notice, he said “every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.” And can you say the name of Jesus Christ? Definitely you can, you know, because it is a name; Father, Son and Holy Spirit is not a name. There's just one name there, you understand one nature, one character and one authority. And we're baptized into Jesus Christ. So if you're going to say the name, you need to say the proper name here. It is the name. It's Jesus. It means “Jehovah is salvation,” or “YHWH is salvation.”  So who was in Jesus? The Father! The Father was in Jesus. In fact, let me just read to you, Joh 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, (Oh, praise the Lord! So, what did that mean? Was the Father's name, Jesus? That's kind of the oneness doctrine. Generally it's the oneness doctrine or Trinity doctrine and neither one of them are quite right. Because if you just read the scriptures, you don't have to make up formulas that don't quite fit anything, and neither one of them do, actually.) But notice, He said, I am come in my Father's name and you received me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. Now, what did He mean by this? He came in His Father's, nature, character and authority. Another person can come in their own nature, character and authority, and they will listen to them, but they won't listen to somebody who is an ambassador of Christ. That's what He was saying. 44 How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?   Let's look at Act 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, (The Jewish were calling the apostles on the carpet. The Sanhedrin really didn't have any authority from God. They had failed and gone their own way.) they inquired, By what power, or in what name, (Not by what name, it's in what name. We have to do all in the name, in the nature, character, and authority of Jesus. You can say things using the name or “by the name” and nothing will happen. Have you ever noticed? But if you do something in the name, well then the authority of heaven is behind you because you're an ambassador for the Kingdom.) By what power, or in what name, have ye done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders, (We have the same problem today.) 9 if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole; 10 be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ (In the name, not by the name) in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole.   11 He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, (And this is still happening today.) which was made the head of the corner. 12 And in none other is there salvation: (Can you “say” the name of Jesus and still not have salvation? Of course, and a lot of other things you won't have if the only thing you're doing is “saying in the name of Jesus,” you'll be without a lot. But you can't do anything in the name and not see results. You're in the nature character and authority of Jesus Christ.) for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein (not “whereby”) we must be saved. (That's what it says in the original, “wherein.” Salvation is in Him.” And to have salvation, you must abide in Him. If you don't abide in Him, you're cast forth as a branch and picked up and thrown into the fire.)  Another example is in Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ (There it is again. We're baptized into the body. Doesn't that make it very, very important? Absolutely. So why aren't people doing this? Well, because they don't mind just filling churches up with people that tithe, then they come and listen and they become “cookie cutter Christians.) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. (So when you're being baptized into the nature, character and authority of Jesus, you are putting on His acts. What you put on represents your actions, or works. Is the fruit of the Spirit those actions? Yes, of course it is. The fruit of the Spirit is the manifestation of being in Christ. We are first in Christ by faith. You accept everything that Christ gave you, and your faith is accounted as righteousness. But while you walk in that faith, God's going to be manifesting it. And if you don't see any of it manifesting, guess what? It's not faith in what the scripture has to say. Because there's definitely always going to be fruit of faith in what the scripture has to say.)   28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man (man was added in there) in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise. Baptism is very, very important. You see that? Glory be to God! It's the truth.  Let's read another one. Let's go to Col 2:11 in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; (How were we circumcised? We as Gentiles don't' get circumcised as Paul said in Galatians chapter 5. If you trust in circumcision, you are separated from Christ. You're not, naturally speaking, but if you do it in order to be justified, you're separated from Christ. Circumcision has a different meaning in the New Testament.) 12 having been buried with him in baptism,… (We see here that circumcision in the New Testament is baptism. How do you fulfill Old Testament circumcision? “Having been buried with him in baptism.” Cutting off the flesh from sowing our seed has the same meaning as cutting off the flesh man in baptism.     He tells you very plainly in Galatians that seeking to be justified by the works of the Law, Christ won't profit you anything. In Gal 5:2 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. (You're not to go back under the Law. You're supposed to be obeying what it points to.) 4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.   And all the rest of the Law is the same way. It's all a type and shadow of something in the New Testament, and all you need to do is start reading the New Testament and you'll find out what it is. In this case, circumcision equates to baptism. Now, if you were in the Old Testament and you didn't get circumcised, you were cut off. Now, if you're in the New Testament, you don't have to get circumcised because you have a New Covenant, but there is also a baptism that equates to circumcision, which is the sign of the Covenant. Let me explain that to you. Let's go back and read Genesis 17 and we'll see the type and the shadow of what baptism was, and we'll see how important it is!   Gen 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised. (So, that's the sign of that Covenant. And what is the sign of the New Testament covenant? Baptism.) 11 And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner that is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.   So some people say, “Oh it's everlasting!” Well, yeah but except for one thing, it's being interpreted when you come into the New Testament. You're still keeping it, but you're keeping it because you're keeping the Spirit, not the letter. You're actually fulfilling it with baptism. If you get circumcised in the New Testament and you're not fulfilling it, you're going back to keeping the Law. But if you understand that it's being translated from letter understanding to spiritual understanding, you get the real understanding. The letter kills but the spirit gives life, according to what the apostle Paul said.  Every jot and tittle of the Old Testament must be fulfilled in the New. Now continuing 14 And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. So that was true about circumcision if you are under the Old Covenant. Now that you're under the New Covenant, this shows the importance of baptism! So let's look at Romans now. Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin. 9 Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness. 10 How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision: (Because he was reckoned righteous by his faith before he got circumcised. Is it same truth for baptism? Yes. He was reckoned righteous, not righteous, but reckoned righteous.  We are also reckoned as righteous when we obey the commandments on baptism. Now, I want to also say this regarding, opportunity. See, some people say, “Oh, the thief on the cross, he wasn't baptized, so we don't have to be.” No, wait a minute, the thief on the cross had no opportunity to be baptized. The Bible says also, you need to pay attention to this. Speaking of baptism Paul said, We become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall also be of his resurrection. (Rom 6:5) Now the thief was united with him in the likeness of his death. So he fulfilled what baptism and Romans 6 says, because if he “died with Christ, we shall also be raised with him”. He died with Christ, so he fulfilled it in that way. So now, you are not like the thief on the cross. You have opportunity to obey this word. If you have faith without works, how can that faith save you? You say, “Do we have to do this? Do we have to do that?” If you're just trying to get your toe in the door, you've got nothing. You have not yet become a disciple of Jesus Christ. What do I have to do? You have to do everything He tells you. Because He bought you with a price. You are not your own. You have the privilege to do everything He and His apostles told you to do in this New Covenant.   And the proof as we read on here is in verse Rom 4:11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: (So faith came and works came and those works of obedience sealed what he received by faith.) that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them; (So when you believe, righteousness is reckoned unto you, but if you don't obey, you're not getting sealed. If you believe without obedience, that's faith without works. James said, Can that faith save him? No. Why do you become a disciple of Christ and don't do what He says? “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?” How can you call him Lord if you don't do what He says? It just can't be.   So their argument about the thief doesn't count for them because they have opportunity, and he didn't. Of course, if a person dies after becoming a believer, and they had no knowledge of a need for baptism and there was no opportunity, I believe their faith would be “accounted as righteousness”. But when you have opportunity, you need to do it. Notice that all through the Book of Acts, when they baptized people, they did it immediately. Why? Because it was important! It was an act of faith that washed away sin. Wow! You see, it's important!  So let's go on to look at the baptism chapter, Romans 6. It's so good, so full of power! Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (Well, there's a lot of people that believe that. A lot of dead religion out there that believes that. The “Once saved, always saved” love that. They don't understand what grace is, grace also brings obedience.) 2 God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? (That should be our attitude towards sin. We've been made free from sin. Why should we serve it anymore?) 3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Yes, many people get baptized and they are ignorant. They don't even know what it's for. They just think it's a ceremony so they can join a church. It's a ceremony, all right. But it's one that acts by faith and causes you to enter the church. The church, not a local building.)   …we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (So therefore if you were baptized into Jesus, you're dead. You're dead to sin. How shall you any longer live therein, he says. Do you believe that you're dead to sin? Or do you believe you're always going to be a sinner, like most preachers say? They're like the spies with the bad report. By the way, if you listen to them you won't enter the promised land. It says this very plainly. You were baptized into his death, you're dead by faith when you get baptized, you're dead to sin. You don't have to serve it anymore.)  4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: (Now if you're not being buried, it's not baptism. If you're being splashed in the face, that's not baptism. It says buried and that's what baptism is. The only difference here is, he's using water instead of dirt. When a person dies they're buried in dirt. But we die when we are buried in water, representing the washing of the Word of God, which puts to death the fleshly life. Every day that you walk in the water of the Word, it washes you clean. The water of the Word is to put to death your old man. When you obey the word, the old man who wants his own way dies. This is a type of being buried in the Word of God. Being overwhelmed as we studied what Strong's says about baptism. When you're overwhelmed by the washing of the water with the word, it's washing you clean. If you're ignoring God's word, don't bother getting baptized. Don't waste God's time and yours. You're committing to the death of self when you go down into the waters of baptism and you reckon it to be done. We're told how to do this. 4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. (Now why do we get baptized into death? So that we get resurrected to walk in newness of life. You can see here that it's not just a ceremony. Notice the condition.) 5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, (baptism) we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; (Notice the condition to have His resurrection life is going down in baptism by faith. Well, have you noticed there's good promises that come with baptism? Why are you tarrying? What are you waiting for? Get baptized and claim Jesus' new life and you will have it. That's why I'm sharing this with you today. What's the benefit of baptism through faith? The benefit of entering into the body of Christ. The benefit of washing away thy sins. People will try to pick this apart but I am just saying what the Bible says here. If they emphasized this and thought it was so important that they would bring people down in the middle of the night and dunk them, then you ought to do the same thing. You ought to not go on in your Christian life and not be baptized. You're taking a chance, aren't you? Yes, and you have opportunity. You're not thief on the cross.)   Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, (So you see the purpose of baptism? That the body of sin is done away since the old man was crucified with Him. This is just awesome! Praise be to God!) …that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; (The purpose of baptism is so we are no longer in bondage to sin! What about the preachers out there that say you're always going to be in bondage to sin. Well, they're separating the people from the benefits of the Kingdom! They don't know what the Bible says, and they have no faith.) 7 for he that hath died is justified from sin. (When you go down and you come up, and you believe that your old man was crucified with Christ and buried, you're justified from sin, which means accounted righteous from sin. Is there an advantage here to baptism? I'd say so. Would you like to be justified or accounted righteous from sin?)  8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; 9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; (So that's part of eternal life. It's part of the obedience you do with your faith to receive eternal life.) death no more hath dominion over him. (So now think about this, baptism is an act of faith which is fulfilled the rest of your Christian life. It can be just getting wet if you are not holding to faith in the purposes we have looked at. See when the Lord tells you in His Word to do something, what He's telling you is for your own good that you may prosper in the fruit of His Kingdom. Rom 8:11-13  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.  12  So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:  13  for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Your spiritual man must be obeying this word, and disobeying the flesh-man. The flesh says, “No, I don't want to do that.” And the Spirit-man says, “It doesn't matter; I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ and I will walk in His steps. I have the authority to do it because you are dead. Therefore, I can do this.”   I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It says who strengthens me in all things. When God gives you a command to “resist not him that is evil”, for instance, and “love your enemy”, for instance and so on, and you ignore it because you think nobody else does it? Or you ignore it because you don't want to do it? Then the water of the Word is not putting to death your old man. Don't waste God's time. Don't take His name in vain. Your baptism means nothing. Do people get baptized for nothing? Yes, they do because they're not planning on walking in it. In fact, quite often “they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies”, speaking the lies of the Pharisees and dead religion.)   So going on to Rom 6:10 For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Amen. When you went down in those waters, friend, you died. When you came up, that's Jesus, that's not you anymore! When you go down in the water, the “old you” died under those waters. It's the same thing with the Word of God. You read this Word in order to be a disciple of Jesus, which is a learner and a follower. And it puts to death your own life in the water of the Word. You have the ability to do it because you received this by an act of faith at baptism. You're “calling the things that be not as though they were.” Jesus said, “all things whatsoever you pray and ask for believe that you received them and you shall have them”. So what happened at baptism? You believe you received it, God gives you the power to walk it out. You're walking out your baptism as you read this Word daily.   It should be the most important thing in your life, to read this Word. Do you love Jesus? Well, it'll be proven if you do. If you love Him, He said you would keep His commandments. There's no salvation if you don't love Him. The Bible says if you don't love Him, the Father won't love you. There's no salvation if you don't love Him.  Verse says 11 Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, (Which means, consider it done. This is faith. This is totally contrary to what's being taught in most churches. They're taking away your faith. They teach you to walk by sight, and that you're always going to be a sinner saved by grace. No, grace saves; it really saves so they're liars.) 11 Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. (Oh, praise God! You're alive unto God. You are now alive in Jesus! Now you can follow Him. You're baptized and your old flesh is dead. But the flesh is going to say, “No I'm not.” And the devil's going to say, “No, you're not.” But you say by faith, “Yes, I am.” When the devil tempts you, you tell him, “You can't tempt me because the one you can tempt was the one who died back there in those waters of baptism”. Jesus did that against the devil. He used the Word. He slapped the devil right in the face every time he tried tempting Him, He said, “It is written.” He was using the water of the Word. You got to fight the good fight of faith here. You need to see the “new man” Who is Christ in you, in the mirror and you will be changed into His image from glory to glory. Amen.)   Rom 6:11 Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. (What power will this faith give you?) 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof: (So how do you not let sin reign? You use verse 11, you are dead to sin and alive unto God. You use your faith in this verse and you can do verse 12. Now can you see why baptism is so important and it needs to be at the beginning of your Christian walk?) 13 neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; (Now you don't want to go and foolishly tempt yourself either. You don't want to hang around with drug users or sit and watch T.V. and all that garbage available these days in the Media.   Don't put yourself into a position so that you're presenting your members to sin.) but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (You say, God, here I am! I'm alive from the dead and Jesus lives in me. How do you do this? Don't put yourself in a position to be tempted. When you're tempted, the first thing you feel is the old man's power. Now, if you're not doing it on purpose, you might receive grace from God, but if you're purposely going because you desire these things, you're presenting your members as instruments of unrighteousness.   Be not deceived, evil companionships corrupt good morals. (1Co.15:33) That's why when there's a little leaven in the church, you cast it out because a little leaven, leavens the whole lump. You don't want to fellowship somebody that's going to feed your soul through the devil. Ministers, you are commanded in 1Co. 5 to cast them out. You have to obey the Word of God if you want a holy church!) 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace. (So, if you are truly under grace through faith sin has no power over you. Grace is not permission to sin; its power over sin.  See if you're under the Law, you're going to a place where you won't receive any help from God. Remember the Old Covenant was a type and a shadow of the new. The Law was the letter, and “the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life”. The spirit is given to those who receive grace through faith.)  So he goes on to say, Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid. (We know that sin no longer has power over us and we don't have to sin. That wasn't true under the Law, because the Law could not make perfect. That's why God saw need for a New Covenant based on better promises. You believe and reckon yourself to be dead to sin and that He will rise up in you and He will do the work. That's what grace is, it's the unmerited favor of God.) 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? (You can obey the flesh if you want, you're free! You never were free before you came into faith. You can still go back and serve your flesh if you want to. Or you can obey Jesus Christ calling upon the Lord to give you grace and His help. He wants to help you. He wants you to overcome.)  Going on in verse 17 But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, (Notice: You're no longer a sinner.) ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; (So we need to be overcome by the truth that sets free! There's no power under the Law. Faith gives power. People always want to do something so that they can feel justified. But that's self-righteousness, and that's not going to work and the Lord won't permit it.) 18 and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. (Do you believe it? Because you have to believe it before you can receive it. We no longer live in sin. We need to see it put on Jesus on the cross. Like the serpent on the pole in the wilderness. Everyone who got their eyes on the serpent on the pole were healed of the snake bite, which is sin. Now anything under the curse is the snake bite. But when we see the curse put on Jesus we can be free of it. It already happened back there at the cross.   You apply what you received at the cross at your baptism. If you haven't been baptized, you need this act of faith. There's something about humans that we're able to apply things when we do things. In other words, your faith becomes effectual when you act it out. Faith without works is dead. Now one of our works is baptism. Is that a work that saves you? It's a work of God. He saves you, His work saves you. By grace have you been saved through faith, and that's not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works; (that's your works), lest any man should boast, for in Christ Jesus, were we created for good works. (Eph 2:8-10) Oh, praise God!   Back to Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification. 20 For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness. (So when you were a servant of sin, you had no ability to be righteous.) 21 What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. (You know, if you're not ashamed, the end of those things is death; remember that.) 22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification,   (I will say it again, the reason you get baptized first is so you can look back at that and say, “It was done.” And every time you're tempted, you tell the devil it was done. Every time your flesh tempts you, you tell it, “It's done, you're dead. You have no authority over me anymore.”) and the end eternal life. (Notice and the end eternal life. So you're claiming eternal life by faith. How do you get manifestly eternal life? Well, he's telling you to walk in faith and because of that faith, God empowers you to walk in righteousness, and that is eternal life.) 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (It's freely given to you, accept it by faith, stand on the Word of God. Speak faith. Don't let the devil talk you out of it, and don't walk by sight.)  Let's read next 1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith, (Obviously you can't do verse 11 unless you do verse 12. Fight the good fight of the faith; these things are yours! They've been given to you in Jesus Christ. You were baptized into His nature, character and authority. Fight the good fight of the faith.   Faith is believing you've received something that you can't yet see. He says to Christians;) lay hold on the life eternal, (Notice that you manifestly lay hold of the life eternal by fighting the good fight of faith and laying hold on these attributes. You're laying hold on Jesus Christ.) whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. (Confess means “to speak the same as.” Speak what Jesus Christ says. He said, if you confess me before men, I will confess you before the Father. He says your old man is dead and the new man lives and you've been made free from sin.) 13 I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession; 14 that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:   He says if you love Me you will keep My commandments. Now you understand that you can keep His commandments by faith. You can't keep them as long as you don't understand. You live in Christ and the old man has passed away. You're a new creature in Christ. Remember your baptism, the one that went down under the water was you and the One that came up out of that water was Jesus Christ. When you devour this Word, it overwhelms your old man and puts him to death. The Word is Jesus Christ. Ask Him to give you a hunger for His Word. So fight the good fight of the faith and lay hold on life eternal!   You're saved from the old man. You're saved from the devil, saved from the world, saved from the curse. That's what the Bible says. It doesn't say you're saved so you can continue on in your sins. We just read Romans 6, right? Oh, this is Good News! It's the Good News that makes you holy; it separates you from this wicked world. It delivers you from the power of Satan and the power of the flesh and the power of circumstances around you. Glory be to God! So lay hold on life eternal. Lay hold on the attributes of Jesus Christ! He set you free!   Okay, let's go to 2Pe 1:2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; (We looked at some knowledge today that empowers people to overcome sin.) 3 seeing that his divine power (Your baptism helps you to be able to apply this.) hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life (Life here is Zoē' It's God's life.) and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; (When you read the Bible, it gives you knowledge of what is yours. God knows if you think it's valuable to read the Bible and get the knowledge that gives you the power of God, godliness, and holiness.)   4 whereby he hath granted unto us (You have to see that He's already given all this to you by faith.) his precious and exceeding great promises (These will give you faith. Are they precious to you? If they are then you're going to spend time with them because they're valuable and because you like to spend time with Jesus.); that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature (The divine nature is Jesus. Faith in your baptism just gave you His divine nature!), having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. (The apostate preachers do not offer escape from lusts.) 5 Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence in your faith, (I put the coma after faith here and not behind diligence because you really don't have any power to be diligent without faith.) supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; (I've shared before that each one of these attributes of Christ are inside the previous one, and it's inside of faith.)   6 and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience (If you have patience in your faith, you'll lack nothing James 1:4 says.  When the answer doesn't come immediately, you have to be patient in your faith. He wants your faith to grow so He's going to try you.); and in your patience godliness; 7 and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love. (That's really the end result because God is love.) 8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Notice this, it starts with knowledge and it ends with knowledge too, because you accept the knowledge you walk by faith.   God gives you the gifts of what you read there, and it enables you to gain more knowledge. Why is that? Because we walk in the light as He is in the light. And thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. See it tells you where you're walking and where you should go. So if you will walk in the light that you have, God will put more light in front of you. The more knowledge you get, the more holiness you can have.)  9 For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. (Remember, that old man is dead. He has no power anymore. You don't have those sins anymore. People forget that and they can't bear this fruit that we just talked about.) 10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: 11 for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  (Notice that you should be leaving the kingdom of this world and entering the eternal Kingdom of God where he rules.  Oh Hallelujah! Believe in your baptism, Saints! Glory to God! Thank you, Father! 

Series: 2024 Summer Series: Behold Our GodService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Trey Haskett

Jehovah God, I'm believing for that loved one who has lost their way. Scripture: Joel 2:29Keywords: Distant; crossroads; will; lost; seen; welcomed; Holy Spirit. Best of, Summer.

Do you think it's important to know who God is? Many people do but unfortunately, many do not. It is vital tht everyone give an audience to discover the One True God.In this message you will learn who the Jehovah God really is and hopefully find acceptance, forgiveness and security in Him.

We are looking at the faith of Rahab the harlot. Remember only two women have their name listed in Hebrews 11, God's Hall of Faith Heroes. One is Sarah, Abraham's wife whose faith gives her the miraculous privilege of giving birth to Isaac, the son of promise, at the age of 90. The other was Rahab the harlot whose faith saved her and her family and gave her courage to risk her life to hide the spies Joshua sent into the city of Jericho. “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.” (Hebrews 11:31)   Rahab's faith was not only courageous, but it was also a confident faith! Her faith was not in the spies but in their Jehovah God. In verse 9 she said, “I know that the LORD has given you the land…”. In verse 11, she went on to say, “…for the LORD your God, He is the God in heaven above and on the earth beneath”. Today, we need to exhibit this kind of faith that is willing to risk our lives for the sake of the Gospel. In Mark 8:35, Jesus said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.”   Now in verses 12-14, we find that Rahab's faith was also a concerned and contagious faith! Rahab wasn't concerned only about her own welfare, for once she had personally experienced the grace and mercy of God, she was burdened to rescue her family. After Andrew met the Lord Jesus, he shared the good news with his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus…” (John 1:41-42) The cleansed leper went home and told everybody he met what Jesus had done for him (Mark 1:40-45).   Rahab wanted assurance from the two spies that when the city was taken, they would guarantee her family's safety. The men gave her that guarantee in two ways: They pledged their word, and they pledged their lives that they would not break their word. In other words, they became surety for Rahab's family, the way Judah became surety for Benjamin (Gen. 43:8-9).   We are saved because Jesus Christ, who owed no debts, was willing to become surety for us (Hebrews 7:22). The next time you sing "Jesus Paid It All," remember that Jesus has pledged Himself as "the guarantee of a better covenant" (Heb. 7:22). He died for us; and as long as He lives, our salvation is secure. Because of the promise of His Word and the guarantee of His eternal suretyship, we have confidence that "He is able to save completely [forever] those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25). Peter said it this way in 1 Peter 1:5, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”   The spies warned Rahab that she must not divulge any of this information to anybody in the city other than the members of her family. If she did, their agreement was canceled. What a contrast to the believer's relationship to Jesus Christ, for He wants everybody to know that He has paid the price of redemption and that they can be saved by trusting Him. If Rahab talked too much, her life was in danger; but if we don't talk enough, the lives of lost people around us are in danger.   One of the best proofs that we have met Jesus is that we can't wait to share Him with our family and friends. Our faith should be contagious like Rahab's! I love these following verses: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise" (Prov. 11:30). “Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3)   And finally, we should never forget James 5:20: “Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”   God bless!

The story of Rahab the harlot ought to be a great source of encouragement to many of us who have so many regrets in our past. We participated in activities and have done things that we really would not like for anyone to know and that we would like to forget. The devil then convinces us that we are so bad that God would never forgive us and if He did, there is still no way that He would ever use us to in any capacity in His kingdom work. Well, Rahab's story should prove the devil wrong and give you hope to be greatly use of God for whatever He might call you to do!   I love the words of the Apostle Paul that he wrote to the members of the Corinthian Church who were saved out of a very corrupt and evil culture. “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)   God called Abraham who was an idol worshipper and chose him to become the father of the Hebrew nation, Israel, who would give us the Bible and the Messiah, Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. God chose Ruth, a Moabitess Gentile pagan to become the wife of Boaz and to be in the line of Christ. God called David from following smelly sheep to lead His nation, Israel.   God was already at work in the wicked city of Jericho speaking to a prostitute's heart about her only hope of salvation before the spies ever showed up. Despite her past, when Rahab hears about the God of Israel and His great wonders that He did for Israel in delivering them from Egypt and the miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea, she chose to trust Him by faith! Both Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 indicate that Rahab had put her faith in Jehovah God before the spies ever arrived in Jericho. Like the people in Thessalonica, she had "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thess. 1:9).   What also really amazes me about the story of Rahab is seeing God's providence at work. God sees Rahab's heart and knows that she will have a courageous faith and divinely directs the two spies to her house of all the places in the City of Jericho. How did the two spies make their way through the city without being immediately recognized as strangers? How did they meet Rahab? We certainly have to believe in the providence of God as we watch this drama taking place. Rahab was the only person in Jericho who trusted the God of Israel, and God brought the spies to her.   Rahab took her life in her hands when she welcomed the spies and hid them, but that in itself was evidence of her faith in the Lord. True saving faith can't be hidden for long. Since these two men represented God's people, she was not afraid to assist them in their cause. Had the king discovered her deception, he would have slain her as a traitor.   It might be that God has a divine appointment for you today with someone who is just waiting to hear about God's love, mercy, and grace!   God bless!

In This Episode This episode delves deeper into the passion of John the Baptist for becoming less as Jesus becomes more. That humility translates into example from the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman. Jesus shares with her the concept of worship that Jehovah God seeks – worship in spirit and in truth. How do John the Baptist and Jesus himself exemplify this principle? What does that mean for you and me? Listen as I tie these concepts together for a greater understanding of both. Scriptures Used in this Episode John 3:26 Luke 9:46 John 3:30 Numbers 12:3 Daniel 10:12 John 4:17; 21-24; 26 Romans 12:1-2 2 Corinthians 516 Philippians 2:7-8 We're On Social Media Reach out with our content or talk with us via a DM: Facebook Instagram Twitter Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The forever settled in Heaven Covenant Promise to the people of Israel that is written in Genesis 17:1-8, where Jehovah God declares that: “I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojourning's – all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God,” is being fiercely challenged by the agents of Lucifer who carry within their hearts the same deep hatred for the Jewish people and the true Messiah, that this dread adversary of the One True and Only God has held since pride entered into him, and corrupted him. He, therefore, has been attempting to destroy Israel from the beginning, with failed hopes of destroying the Messiah as well – and he is still fiercely attempting to do so today through Israel's enemies and the false claims of a people who present themselves as the “Palestinians.”In this Podcast, we will give definite proof that the push for a Palestinian State is a demonic device of Satan – and that, in fact, the proposal of a unique Palestinian people is a made-up myth that will soon be dismantled and demolished when Lord Jesus the Christ returns and utterly destroys them and their evil intentions!Support the showVisit our website: https://agapelightministries.com/

Put Your Trust in the LORD! Psalm 146:1-6 1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 2 While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. 5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, Psalm 146 is the first of the last five psalms of the book of Psalms that are called the “Hallelujah Psalms”. The very first verse uses the word “praise” four times. When we praise the LORD, we are acknowledging that He is worthy of our adoration, love, and worship. In verse 2, the psalmist declares that as long as he is alive and has “his being”, and breath in his body, he is going to praise the LORD! And so should we!!!! Now in verses 3-6, the psalmist is encouraging us that as long as we are alive, we should put our trust in Jehovah God! Far too often, we trust in "flesh and blood," ourselves and others, instead of trusting the Lord. We try to use our own strength and wisdom to accomplish His will (Psalms 118:5-9; 44:4-8). But my friend, we need to always remember, what nobody else can do, God can do for us and through us. These verses also suggest that the psalmist was concerned that Israel's leaders not enter into ungodly alliances, but that they turn to God for help. Beginning with Abraham (Gen. 12:10ff) and the exodus generation (Ex. 14:10-14; 16:1-3; Num. 14:1-10), the people of Israel turned to Egypt for help instead of trusting the Lord, and this was true even during the days of Isaiah (Isa. 31) and Jeremiah (Jer. 2:18; 37:1-10; 42-43). To trust in human wisdom and strength is to depend on that which cannot last, for all people die, and the brilliant ideas of one leader are replaced by the not-so-brilliant ideas of a new leader. In the Hebrew text, "man" is adam, which comes from the word adamah which means "earth." We came from the earth and return to the earth (v. 4; Gen. 3:19). "But will the Lord help me, as weak and failing as I am?" many believers might ask. Well, He is "the God of Jacob" (v. 5), a title used at least a dozen times in The Psalms. (See 20:1; 24:6; 46:7, 11.) Jacob was far from being perfect, yet God honored his faith and helped him in times of need. Jacob trusted God's promises, for his hope was in the Lord, but too often he depended on his own schemes to see him through. The beatitude in verse 5 is the last of twenty-five in the book of Psalms, starting with 1:1. But Jehovah is not only the God of Jacob, He is also the "God who made heaven and earth" (v. 6; Psalms 115:5; 121:2; 124:8; 134:3; Ezra 5:11) and has the power to act on behalf of His people. When we pray, we come to the throne of the universe to ask our Father for what we need. Israel knows Him as the God of the covenant. But today, believers and followers of Jesus know Him as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who initiated a new covenant by giving His life on the cross. His resurrection proves He is alive, and that Jehovah is a God who can be trusted to keep His Word. We have the “new covenant” promise that “if God be for us, who can be against us and if God spared not His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Finally, He is the God who "keeps truth or faith forever" (v. 6). Yes! You can always trust Him with everything because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).  God bless!

A Psalm of Praise. Of David. 1 I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. 5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. 6 Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. 7 They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. 10 All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You. 11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power, 12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. 14 The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. 16 You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. 20 The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever. Psalm 145 is the last psalm in the book attributed to David. It is a psalm of pure worship, a fitting end to the Davidic psalms. It brings all of David's other hymns to a climax. It forms an end, too, to the main body of the book of Psalms itself. The remaining five psalms are an appropriate appendix of appreciation for God, a supplementary doxology. Psalm 145 is the only psalm that has this particular title, “A Psalm of Praise. Of David.” Some translations render it: “David's Psalm of Praise.” It is David's, David's very own, David's favorite. It is David's Praise just as Psalms 86:1-17 is “David's Prayer”. It is altogether praise, and praise pitched in a high key. David had blessed God many a time in other psalms, but this he regarded as his peculiar, his crown jewel of praise. Certainly, David's praise is the best of praise, for it is that of a man of experience, of sincerity, of calm deliberation, and of intense warmth of the heart. Psalm 145 is also the last of the acrostic psalms. All the letters of the Hebrew alphabet are present, with the exception of the letter nun, the fourteenth letter of the alphabet. (Some early versions of Psalms based on the Septuagint have a verse starting with nun.) The use of acrostics no doubt means that the Holy Spirit and David intended that this psalm be memorized and used often in praise and worship of our great Jehovah God. I also couldn't help but think it so awesome, that by God's divine providence, we begin looking at Psalm 145 on a Sunday, our day of the week that we have specifically set aside for praise and worship! Today, I thought it fitting to read Psalm 145 in its entirety and let it speak for itself. You will notice that David mentioned several attributes of God throughout the psalm, among them His greatness (v. 3), His grace, mercy, goodness and compassion (vv. 8-9), His glory and might (v. 11), His righteousness and kindness (v. 17), and His providential care (v. 20). Who could not praise a God with all these wonderful characteristics? As you read and meditate on this wonderful “Psalm of Praise”, I'm sure you will agree that indeed this is David's crown jewel of praise! God bless!

Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalm 144 was written by David to remind the people of Israel that there are tremendous benefits and blessing in store for the people who will acknowledge Jehovah God as their God, put Him first in their lives and will honor and obey His Word. This is true of any nation that makes the one and only creator God, the God that they worship, honor and obey! God blessed America because our founding fathers believed this and incorporated the Laws and Word of God in our founding documents and sought His guidance in the building of our nation. Already in this psalm David proclaims that Jehovah God is his Rock, his lovingkindness, his fortress, his high tower, his shield, and his refuge! That the LORD is the One who brings the people of a nation together in unity (v. 2b). He is amazed that the creator of the universe takes notice of mere man who is but a breath and only lives a short time (vv. 3-4). We should always remember that we have a loving God who cares for us personally (vv. 1-4). But not only does God love us and takes notice of us, David declared that God is mighty and can rescue and deliver us from our enemies (vv. 5-11). And we should respond like David did and “sing a new song” of praise and worship to the LORD (v. 9). Now David concludes the psalm confirming that Jehovah God blesses His obedient people abundantly (vv. 12-15).  It is interesting to note that King David never engaged in war just for the sake of conquest of other nations so that he could rule the world. His goal was always to defend the land so the people could live peaceful and profitable lives. That is God's ordained purpose for human government which is to deal with evil and protect and defend its citizens (Romans 13). That is why we are to pray for our government leaders according to 1 Timothy 2:1-4. The people of Israel were God's people, and they had a work to accomplish on the earth. God called Abraham to be the father of a nation that would declare to the world that there was only one true Jehovah God and the only way you could know and experience Him is by faith. God's covenant with Abraham included being blessed as he by faith obeyed God and becoming a blessing to all the nations of the earth. This has been fulfilled by the fact that it was through Israel that we have the full revelation of God in a book called the Bible, and we have a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, Israel had to have children (v. 12), the necessities of life (v. 13), and peace in the land (v. 14) to accomplish God's plan and purpose for them. All of these blessings were promised to them in God's covenant (Deut. 28:1-14), if the people and their rulers obeyed the laws of the Lord. David mentioned the home and family first, for as goes the home, so goes the nation. He compared the sons to strong growing plants (Psalms 127:3-5; 128:3) and the daughters to beautiful graceful statues that could support buildings. Then he moved to the fields to behold bountiful crops and multiplying flocks and herds. Even the oxen are heavy with young and bearing heavy loads because the fields are so fruitful. "No breaking in… or no outcry in our streets” (v. 14b), describes a nation that has peace and security in its cities. But the opposite is true if we forsake God!  Instead of happiness and blessings we will have violence, insecurity, and fear in our streets and homes.   Yes, my friend, "How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!" For He cares for us personally, delivers us victoriously, and blesses us bountifully. Is He the LORD and God of your life today? God bless!

Jehovah God has the final say and his counsel always stand. Be blessed as you listen to this episode of the podcast.

Here is help and encouragement for those who have gone (or are going) through the dark valley experiences of life. Gary expounds on 1 Kings 20:28, showing that the Lord is not only God of the hills (blessings), but also God of the valleys (trials). To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29

Here is help and encouragement for those who have gone (or are going) through the dark valley experiences of life. Gary expounds on 1 Kings 20:28, showing that the Lord is not only God of the hills (blessings), but also God of the valleys (trials). To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29

Here is help and encouragement for those who have gone (or are going) through the dark valley experiences of life. Gary expounds on 1 Kings 20:28, showing that the Lord is not only God of the hills (blessings), but also God of the valleys (trials). To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29

Here is help and encouragement for those who have gone (or are going) through the dark valley experiences of life. Gary expounds on 1 Kings 20:28, showing that the Lord is not only God of the hills (blessings), but also God of the valleys (trials). To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29

Here is help and encouragement for those who have gone (or are going) through the dark valley experiences of life. Gary expounds on 1 Kings 20:28, showing that the Lord is not only God of the hills (blessings), but also God of the valleys (trials). To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29

Here is help and encouragement for those who have gone (or are going) through the dark valley experiences of life. Gary expounds on 1 Kings 20:28, showing that the Lord is not only God of the hills (blessings), but also God of the valleys (trials). To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29

Here is help and encouragement for those who have gone (or are going) through the dark valley experiences of life. Gary expounds on 1 Kings 20:28, showing that the Lord is not only God of the hills (blessings), but also God of the valleys (trials). To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29

Here is help and encouragement for those who have gone (or are going) through the dark valley experiences of life. Gary expounds on 1 Kings 20:28, showing that the Lord is not only God of the hills (blessings), but also God of the valleys (trials). To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29

Here is help and encouragement for those who have gone (or are going) through the dark valley experiences of life. Gary expounds on 1 Kings 20:28, showing that the Lord is not only God of the hills (blessings), but also God of the valleys (trials). To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29

Here is help and encouragement for those who have gone (or are going) through the dark valley experiences of life. Gary expounds on 1 Kings 20:28, showing that the Lord is not only God of the hills (blessings), but also God of the valleys (trials). To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29

When God hasn't answered your questions, when you can see no justification for what's going on in your life, learn to talk to yourself. In Psalm 77:7-9 we see an example of Asaph talking to himself. He expressed his rage, saying, Will the Lord reject forever?     Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever?     Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Then after saying those words of doubt and anger, and I think hearing in his own ears how foolish they were, Asaph said, in Psalm 77:10-12, Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:     the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord;     yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works     and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Asaph got the foolish, angry words out of his mouth, expressing to his understanding and patient God all his anger and frustration. And then he changed his thinking and started remembering all that God had done. Ah, there's our answer, friends. Renewing our minds with correct thinking about who God is and what he has done for us. Just as Asaph needed to get back to who Jehovah God is and what he had done, so we must as well. When the questions have no answers, you may have to abandon them or be willing to live with the unanswered questions. But you don't have to live in despair or anger; the same God who for whatever reason does not answer your questions is the God who will bring you comfort and strength to face them. I often think of the question Jesus asked his disciples when many of his followers were forsaking him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (John 6:67-68). Friends, where else will you go with your unanswered questions? If there are no answers from God, then trust him to see you through. There's a song I like a great deal, which says, "God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind. So, when you can't understand, when you don't see his plan, when you can't trace his hand, trust his heart.” And that's what I would leave you with today. When you can't see why he's doing what he's doing, you can still trust his goodness and his love for you. When you can't trace his hand, trust his heart.

Ephesians 6

The Faith Path In Action (2)   (audio)   David Eells – 12/27/23  Expectation In Faith   Anonymous 12/12/23 (David's notes in red)   There is something I had been praying and trying to believe God for a while now and I know He can instantly answer this prayer and He can instantly provide because He owns everything and can do beyond our imagination. However, it hasn't manifested into the physical realm yet. (So our faith must be tested until we get rid of doctrinal and imaginary loopholes as to why we will not receive our request. Mar 11:24 ASV Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them.) This experience was an answer to why this prayer hasn't been manifested physically yet and I felt it is also relevant to healings, deliverances, and all prayers etc.    I saw a bright gold light as a path or a connection between me and God. (This path to God and His answers to prayers is available to all because of the sacrifice of Jesus but “all have not faith” which is a “gift of God”. It's “to whosoever will” but few have that will. “God works in us to will and to work.” Psa 65:4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, That he may dwell in thy courts:   Joh 6:44 ASV No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him…) The path and connection have always been there and always instant when we believe it. It was understood that a few people have actually connected with Him in this way. It was understood that only a remnant of those that will be with Him in eternity, will experience this connection with Him on earth.  (Heb 11:6 ASV  and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.) It was an instant connection with God where He hears EVERYTHING we say and He instantly responds. The connection is beyond perfect and greater than we can imagine. (I have been having this connection with the Father and Son for some time. It used to be that I had to wait for replies from Him in a word, dream or scriptures. Now it is an easy conversation and I hear them clearly. Eve says she has this experience too. I believe all of the Bride will experience this at the restoration.)  The path wasn't long but so short and closer than I can describe. With this path or connection, we are instantly heard and our prayers are instantly answered. (Even when Father says yes, there is a perfect timing. 1Jn 5:14-15 ASV And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: 15 and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him. So it takes knowledge of his will to base solid faith on which many Christians do not have or seek out.) Isa 65:24 And it shall come to pass that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.  I saw this path or connection has ALWAYS been there for every human. (We are born into sin and the adamic nature but we are innocent because of ignorance. At that time we have our best connection to God unless we are born again. Our spirit, which would connect us to God, dies through sin. So, the rebirth of our spirit through the gift of faith opens this path to Him.) Jesus made this path before the worlds foundation and He already has made the connection for every prayer to be heard, every healing to manifest, everything to be instantly answered. (As we have studied in Quantum Physics or Mechanics.) He has already paved the way for all these things and greater and He has given everyone instant access for this. (Through faith in the promises.)  Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me no question. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name.   I saw this and it was so perfect and everything was already complete and because of His Grace (through faith) we always have access to this Holy connection and path because Christ already made it.   However, I then came out of this pure path connection so I could see the instant Holy connection, but there were fallen angels standing in between me and God on this path. One of them specialized in doubt and unbelief, another in rejection and unworthiness and I forgot the other ones. But I knew that I had been listening to these lies of doubt and unworthiness of God keeping my prayer from manifesting in the physical. I had doubt that it was really God's will because it hasn't manifested yet and doubt that I am worthy or deserve to have it manifest.    Because I was listening to the thoughts and feelings of these demons, even in the tiniest amount they were then allowed to stand between me and God's blessings manifesting in the physical. It was this part of me, a carnal and yet to be perfected state of myself, standing in between my prayers being answered; because Jesus had already made the path for ALL prayers, blessings and all holiness to manifest. (Through our faith)    He even has already made the path for us to all manifest Jesus 100 fold in the physical. We aren't waiting on God to move; He is waiting for us to get in line with Him and what He has already done. We are the only ones blocking it. It isn't the demon's fault, the demons can only do what we allow them to do, they aren't the ones stopping anything, it's us.   As soon as I confessed the doubt, unworthiness and rejection etc. the demons instantly moved off the path and out of the way and the perfect Holy connection was manifested again. As soon as I told them to go, they had to go and as soon as I confessed this sin separating me from God's blessings being manifested, all blessing blockers left because of what Jesus has already done.   I understood that these demons will keep testing me with thoughts and feelings of doubt until I overcome them fully. But I have to ALWAYS be on guard as the devils use some truth and sugar coat it to make it sound fine and they are good at pretending to be God with His voice and twisting His Word. As soon as we agree with them it blocks us from the full 100% instant Holy connection and communication with God that He has already prepared and paid the price for us to have.     It was also made known to me that Jesus paid the price for all humans to have this instant connection, but majority don't want it and majority of those that do want it don't really want it 100% in full because they want to hold onto even little sins that block this.     Now we all need to be in agreement with God, without opposition, doubt or unbelief. This is forged on the altar of our sacrifice of self to allow Jesus to complete the intercession and manifestation on our behalf. Let's stand in faith to His whole Word together for all our needs to be met!    Authority Over Demons  David Eells    I want to speak to you of our authority over powerless demons. Luk.11:20 But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. (21) When the strong [man] (The word “man” is actually not in the original; it was added-in later. Jesus was calling the devil “the strong” when He was spoiling the devil's kingdom.) When the strong [man] fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace: (22) but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. (23) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.   It actually says, Luk.11:21 When the strong fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace. These “goods” Jesus is talking about are the things that the devil, “the strong,” has been given authority over in this world through our sin, and the “court” here represents his kingdom where he, “the strong,” rules and reigns. That's what Jesus was talking about.   Luk.11:21 When the strong (the devil) fully armed guardeth his own court, his (referring to “the strong.”) goods are in peace: (22) but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him (That was Jesus and that's been done.), he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted. Did you see that the devil has no armor? His kingdom and his demons have no armor. They have no protection against the authority that God has given to us. Their protection has all been taken away from them. It is God in Col.1:13 Who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.   He gave us authority over the devil's kingdom and as His servants we are to fight His battles. Luk.10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. Notice, this has already been accomplished; it isn't something that we have to accomplish. God has given us authority to partake of everything that Jesus did at the Cross.  Col.1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet (The Greek there is “made us able or competent.”) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Whatever a saint in light is entitled to, God made us able to partake of that, so you lack no ability you need to do the work of God as shown in the light of the Scriptures. As a baby Christian I was devouring the Word day and night and since I had no scriptural background, or training from man to overcome, I was seeking to act out what I saw. So as a baby Christian I didn't know much about demonology but I was casting out demons. I cast the demon of alcoholism out of my dad.  He went everywhere bragging on God because he had tried everything and failed. A.A., self help, and all had failed.   Don't worry, baby's sometimes make mistakes but its ok because it's a part of learning. God made you able to do this and the people of God and the demonized need you so put on your armor and go to work. Eph.6:13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (16) Withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one].   And Php.4:13 I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. Jesus made us able to be a partaker in whatever we need. He made us able to plunder the devil's kingdom, and the devil's kingdom is wherever he rules or his curse reigns. Wherever the devil has ability, we have the ability to take it away from him. The devil has no power except what we give him in our ignorance.   Do you remember when Joshua and Caleb were seeking to bring the children of Israel into the Promised Land? After spying out the land, these two said that their enemies' defense was removed from over them. This defense includes the demons. Num.14:9 Only rebel not against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is removed from over them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.  All that the other ten spies could see were the giants, but Joshua and Caleb saw that the enemy had no armor.   That's the way we have to see the enemies of God's Kingdom. It makes no difference whether those enemies are the lusts of the flesh, works of darkness, demons, the devil, or whatever. Their defense is removed from over them. They have no power against the Word of God. Jesus was the “Stronger” Who came and took away their whole armor as we saw.   Jesus crippled the devil and divided his spoils. Those “spoils” of the devil's kingdom are all the places where he has taken advantage of your life or taken authority over the things or circumstances that God has put in your hands. All these add up to “spoils.” When Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38), He was spoiling the devil's kingdom. If you are being oppressed of the devil, remember Jesus destroyed this oppression. He broke this power everywhere He went.   Whether it was hunger, sickness, demonic possession, or mental weakness, it didn't make any difference; Jesus broke the oppression and He told us to do the same thing because He said in Mat.12:30 He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. This scattering basically means that if you are not chasing the devil and his demons you will be running from them.   The devil's power over God's people rests in the fact that they don't know that his power has already been broken, and they don't know the authority that's been given to them. Although the Word speaks it plainly, it still has to be a revelation that you pick up and do something with. The Bible says of Jesus that, Col.2:15 Having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. “Triumphing” is not winning the victory. “Triumphing” means celebrating the victory that has already been won.   Jesus triumphed over the devil and He rubbed the devil's nose in what He had accomplished on the Cross. The victory was at the Cross; what came after the Cross was the triumph. 2Co.2:14 But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place. We are to simply celebrate His victory.   What we need to do is repeat what the Word says about our circumstances or situation, and we do that by stating what the Word says about our authority and righteousness. All we have to do is believe that. The devil wants us to look at ourselves and our weaknesses or failures and the curse around us, but we just need to remember that we have authority over that curse because of Jesus. Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. We've been crucified with Christ and we're not alive anymore; now it's Christ Who lives in us. Gal.2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.    We should be confident like Paul that Jesus is in us to do this job. This is the Gospel that we must be unveiled about, that Jesus is in us to live the Christian life and do the Christian ministry.  2Co 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. Notice seeing Jesus in the mirror by faith causes us to manifest His glory in us. When we remember what the Word of God says about us and about our circumstances, we can celebrate the victory.  Demons cannot enter a person just any way or time they want. You have to open a door. They suggest thoughts to you, fiery darts, that are contrary to the Word of the Lord and meant to burn you. When you accept those thoughts you can be inhabited by them in oppression or worse possession. Contrary to popular simplistic opinions the demons can reside in your flesh and oppress your soul or they can reside in your flesh and possess your soul if you sin in your thoughts. And God can reside in your spirit and possess your soul because you are full of His Word.  We have the authority to resist the demons thoughts and so win the battle for holiness. Eph 6:16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts (or Evil thoughts) of the evil one. (When you have faith that Jesus delivered you from sin, you do not have to fall when tempted because you are shielded.) 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (When you have faith that you are saved and helmeted from the mind control of Satan because the Word says in Col 1:13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.) So your heart and mind is protected when you believe the gospel and you can cast down vain imaginations that come to destroy you.  2Co 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds, 5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. A stronghold is a position that the devil can make effective war against you from. Like in all wars He sends disinformation to make of no effect your strategies. By casting down imaginations that are against the Word you are safe.  In not permitting in your mind thoughts that are against the Word you are resisting the Devil. Jas 4:7 Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (Notice if you resist his thoughts He will flee, meaning in terror.)  If you permit the devil's disinformation thoughts he has a right to bring the curse on you. Rev 22:18 I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: 19  and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.   He had to get Eve to question the word to cause her to fall. Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?  Another problem is that many will not use their authority and fight for themselves and others. They just don't know why God won't do it for them.  There isn't any place in the NT where we are told to pray to Jesus to cast out demons or for Him to do anything with the Devil. Jesus said, “it is finished” and in Joh 16:33 These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. It's all been accomplished at the cross. God “delivered us out of the power of darkness and healed us, for by whose stripes we were healed.” Now by faith we take the authority He gave us and cast out demons or we can do without.  We have been delegated the authority of Jesus over the devil. He wants us to be sons of God and we won't learn any other way than to take His authority and use it. Authority is the right to use God's power. Joh 20:21 Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Luk 9:1 And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. Luk 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.  He delegated his authority to us and if we don't use it God's will will not be done through you. Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.    Notice, according to this verse, what Jesus commanded the early disciples He commanded us today. So He told us in Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give. Mar 3:14 And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,15 and to have authority to cast out demons:  He told us to cast out demons not pray to him to do it. Mar 16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. 17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.    If you do pray to God to cast out someone's demons He will do what He has done all though the New Testament, He will use someone with faith to do it. Who better than you who knows the problem and is supposed to be faithful and obedient. Jas 4:17 To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. We are to be on the front lines and are forbidden to give place to the devil.  Eph 4:27 neither give place to the devil.  We are commanded to withstand the devils works against us and our brethren with our faith and authority. 1Pe 5:8-9 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, 9 whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.  Who has the scriptural right to deliverance, healing, etc., which Jesus called “the children's bread”? Although God can give these benefits to others they are guaranteed to God's children. 1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for them that sin not unto death. Notice when we sin we are entering into spiritual death and are in need of life, which comes in many forms like healing and deliverance. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request.  I.e. the one who sins unto death has no kingdom benefits.  What is a sin unto death? Heb 6:4-6 For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Notice that Baby Christians cannot sin a sin unto death. But when someone who meets these conditions fall into sin especially willful sin they can be reprobated. You ultimately will not succeed to deliver them. I have seen this in the factious. How can we sin unto death? If a person stays in willful sin they will spiritually die because they have no sacrifice. Heb 10:26-29 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, (Some in willful sin ignorantly believe the blood covers everything but we see here that Jesus didn't bear the curse for this sin so we have to. Certain judgement comes for them.) 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.   28 A man that hath set at nought Moses' law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: 29 of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Preachers have turned grace into a license to sin with impunity. For this they will be judged.  Praising God is triumphing over the devil; it's celebrating the victory. Praising God is not necessarily singing songs, and some songs that you sing in church don't really praise God. Many songs don't even confess the Word of God. They don't celebrate the victory, and as a matter of fact, a lot of them just confess the problem. We are not under the curse anymore because in Gal.3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.   (He became accursed for us so that we could have Abraham's blessings. So how was Abraham blessed?) Gen.24:1 …And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. Gal.3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto. (16) Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (The promises were given to Christ and they are ours as we abide IN Him.) (17) Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul (Annul), so as to make the promise of none effect. (So we still have the Abraham covenant promises and the Law did not annul them. Many are deceived about this.) (18) For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise. Now we are celebrating the victory that He already accomplished.   Jesus said in Joh.16:33 …In the world ye have tribulation: be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. And He said, Joh.19:30 …It is finished… That's what we have to remember when we look around us and see the very opposite. If we apply the Word to the problem, we are going to spoil the principalities, the powers, and the rulers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). The Bible says when Jesus took away the devil's armor, He divided the spoil. Isa.53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death…   Jesus said, Luk.11:23 He that is not with me is against me… He's talking there about those who are dividing or plundering the spoils. If you are with Jesus, then you are going to do what He did, and what He did was plunder the devil. All of His physical life, He plundered the devil, and by His victory over the devil, He made it possible for us to plunder the devil's kingdom. We should be spoiling the devil's kingdom; we should be destroying the curse around us. We should be bringing people into victory by putting faith in their hearts. We should be delivering those who are captive by casting out demons. And we should be delivering those who are oppressed of the devil by healing the sick. We should be doing everything our Lord Jesus did.   Jesus went on to say in Luk.11:23 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. So you are either going to be “gathering” or you are going to be “scattering.” That means you are either going to be on the attack or you are going to be on the run. You're going to be doing one or the other, and sad to say, most Christians are on the run because they don't understand what Jesus did. They don't understand what the Word of God says. They don't understand what their position is in this world. We believers are on the attack.   We are going into the Promised Land to take this land for Jesus Christ, and not a man can stand before us. Jos.1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life. as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Most Christians don't understand that the victory has already been given to us.   Saints, Get into this battle. It will spare the Woman for the wilderness teachings through the Man-child reformers. Rev 12:7-11 ASV  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels;  8  and they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven.  9  And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.  10  And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night.  11  And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb (They believed in the sacrifice of Jesus), and because of the word of their testimony (What they spoke out of their mouth); and they loved not their life even unto death (Denied themselves to follow the Lamb.).   Satan Cast Down Marie Kelton - 12-22-23 During the meeting, while we were worshipping. I had an open vision of a dark angel with white wings falling from heaven I saw this multiple times throughout the worship and I heard this scripture Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS EPISODE: This Jesus Stories episode tells the whole Christmas Story. Did you know that the story begins with Creation? “In the beginning….” From there it proceeds until the baby is born in Bethlehem that is destined to change the world. After he is killed, Jehovah God raises him from the dead giving new life, reconciliation, salvation, and love to all mankind. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17) MUSIC HEARD ON THIS PODCAST: This episode contains a lot of music for a Jesus Stories podcast. Here is a list of the selections. Joy to the World, by Isaac Watts. Performed by Quincas Moreira Music O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles), attributed to John Francis Wade. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale I Come to the Garden Alone, by C. Austin Miles. Performed by Praise and Harmony TV. https://youtu.be/FxPXJmUqkaA O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel), M. Neale. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale Away in a Manger, attributed by Martin Luther. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale O Little Town of Bethlehem, by Phillips Brooks. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale Hark the Herald Angels Sing, by Charles Wesley. Performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale Why Did My Savior Come to Earth?, by J.G. Dailey. Performed by Margie Mitchell, from the Worship Ministry of the New York City Church of Christ. WE'RE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook Instagram X Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Psalm 114:1-8 1 When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language, 2 Judah became His sanctuary, And Israel His dominion. We have an awesome God who always takes care of us. You can always trust Him to deliver you, to protect you, to provide for you! You can always lean on Him to be close to you and you can be assured that His everlasting arms are always underneath you! It is possible that the psalmist who was writing Psalm 114 had just finished studying the five books of the Law and had read Deuteronomy 33:26-28, "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, 'Destroy!' Then Israel shall dwell in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine; His heavens shall also drop dew.” Although Psalm 114 has no actual "Hallelujah," it is linked with the psalms making up the Great Hallel. Like Psalm 113, it was sung at the Passover before the meal began. For the full spiritual significance of this psalm, we must imagine ourselves back in that upper room on the night in which the Lord Jesus was betrayed. We see Him there with His disciples, singing the rousing verses of this psalm. Psalm 114 is a song of the exodus. The Exodus is mentioned frequently in the psalms (Psalms 74:13; 77:17-20; 78:12-16, 52-53; 106:9-12; 136:10-15) because Israel's deliverance from Egypt was their "national birthday." The people were now set free to serve God and accomplish the important tasks He had assigned to them: bearing witness of the true and living God, writing the Scriptures, and bringing the Savior into the world. In terms of "biblical geography," Egypt represents the world and the bondage of the sinner to its evil forces (Eph. 2:1-3). It was the blood of the lamb applied to the doors that protected the Jewish firstborn from death, just as the blood of Christ, God's Lamb, saves us from sin and death. God's power in opening the Red Sea liberated Israel and separated them from their cruel taskmasters. This is a picture of the resurrection of Christ and the believer's participation in it (Eph. 2:4-10; Col. 3:1). In the centuries that followed, each annual celebration of Passover reminded the Jewish people that Jehovah was their God and that He was for them. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31). The prophet Isaiah saw the Jewish exiles' deliverance from Babylonian captivity as a "second exodus" (Isa. 43:14-21). What an encouragement it was to that struggling Jewish remnant to know that Jehovah God was for them! But not only is God for us, our God Is with us and He is over us! (v. 2). The Lord not only separated Israel from Egypt, but He also separated Israel unto Himself. They were His people, His treasure and His inheritance. "Judah" and "Israel" refer to the whole nation and not to the two kingdoms that formed after the death of Solomon. After the tribes conquered the land of Canaan, the sanctuary of God was placed in Judah, and that was where Solomon built the temple. The nations around Israel had their temples, but they were empty. God's glorious presence dwelt in the tabernacle (Ex. 40) and later in the temple (1 Kings 8:1-11). Today, God does not dwell in manmade houses (Acts 7:48-50), but He does dwell with His people, for our bodies are His temples and the church is His sanctuary (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 2:19-22). Jesus is "Immanuel, God with us" (Matt. 1:23; 28:19-20). What a privilege it is to be in the family of God! God bless!

Some years ago, someone sent me this story, which illustrates this truth—that God won't let you go. Let me share it with you. On a hot summer day in Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. He jumped into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father working in the yard saw what was happening, and in utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son. The little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father would not let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard the screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And on his arms were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too, because my Dad wouldn't let go." You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past as well as present troubles. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep pain or regret. But some wounds are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of our struggle, he's been there holding on to us, God just won't let you go, no matter what you're going through. Think of Joseph. Through no doubt some childish bragging to his brothers, they decided to get rid of him, and sold him into slavery in Egypt. Joseph had done no great evil; he didn't deserve to be so terribly mistreated, but there he was, a slave and a prisoner in Egypt. But God never let go of Joseph, because Joseph never forsook his faith in Jehovah God. And he was used by God to deliver many people, including his own family, from starvation. I wonder how many times, as he sat in that prison, he just wanted to give up. It looked hopeless, but God didn't let go. We have many wonderful illustrations in the Bible of how God didn't let go, even when his people foolishly waded into dangerous and sinful situations, sometimes out of ignorance, sometimes out of disobedience. Think of Elijah. You remember the story found in 1 Kings 18, where Elijah challenged all the prophets of Baal, with great courage, and their pagan gods could not deliver them. Elijah triumphed over all that evil, proving that Jehovah God was the only true god. It was an incredible victory. But the very next day, brave Elijah becomes a coward, fearful of one woman, Jezebel, who had threatened to kill him. And he starts running out of fear for his life. Elijah no doubt would have been diagnosed by doctors today as having a deep depression, even as being deluded, as he ran for his life. But God didn't let go, and with great patience and kindness, he nurtured him back to strength, taught kindness, he nurtured him back to strength, taught him some wonderful lessons, and brought him out of that deep funk an even better man of God—refined like gold. Are you there today? Has your faith failed you: are you full of fear? Are you in that kind of deep depression where everything looks hopeless, you feel feel worthless, and you're sure that life is coming to an end—at least life with any meaning? I can understand how the upside-down whole world we're in today could cause you to be frightened and depressed.  But I want to encourage you today to know that God won't let go of you.

Life is full of “what ifs” and often they are negative, right? They are usually full of fear and worrisome imaginations. And when you focus on all those “what ifs,” when you allow your mind to go to those negative possibilities, it just discourages you and frankly, makes you miserable. So, let me ask you: How much time do you spend in the “what ifs” of life? In fear and worry, thinking about what could or might happen? Here's another “what if”: What if you changed “what if” to “even if”? Even if I lose my job. . . even if I get a bad health report, even if I'm robbed, even if someone I love dies. If you're born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, what if you faced your “what ifs” with truth from God's Word, truth that would set you free from the fear and worry and despair that your “what ifs” have caused? We have promises from God's Word that we should throw in the face of our “what ifs.” Promises like: Isaiah 43:2: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Hebrews 13:5: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So, when you're facing a “what if,” stop and talk to yourself. Seriously, you need to talk to yourself—out loud if possible—and remind yourself of God's promises. Remind yourself of these truths. Bring those “what if” thoughts into captivity and make them obey the Lord. You remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, those three Jewish young men who were forcibly taken from Jerusalem to Babylon to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar's court.  Shortly after they were forced into the service of this pagan king, they were faced with a direct affront to their faith in Jehovah God, as the king set up a golden image and said that everyone had to fall down and worship this pagan image or else be thrown into a fiery furnace. Talk about “what if”! What if they continued to serve the true God, Jehovah, and refused to bow down and worship that golden idol? They would perish as young men in the prime of their lives. This was a serious what if; there was no question that refusing to obey the king's order would result in death. So, what was their decision? Here it is from Daniel 3:16-18: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They went from “what if” to “even if” and declared that they trusted in their God to deliver them, but even if they were burned to death in that furnace, they would not bow to any other god. Maybe you're facing a fiery furnace of your own—something that could totally destroy you, or so it seems. Maybe a financial furnace, or a health furnace, or a relationship furnace, and you're in the “what if” stage as you face that furnace. Can you replace your “what if” with an “even if,” declaring that even if your fears are realized, even if the worst happens, you will trust in God to deliver you, to go through it with you, and to rescue you? Can you say with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, “even if he does not,” you will trust him? That is walking by faith and not by sight, and even if your faith seems small or weak, God will be pleased with your “even if,” and you can be sure he will get you through. I pray you will place your trust in the same God who delivered these young men and who will deliver you. And then there's the story of Moses when God confronted him and told him he had a job for him to do—to face Pharaoh and deliver ...

Is God About to Seal the Deal?  Richard Ruhling pt 1 The Bible is clear in Matthew 24:37-40, “As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark.  And they were oblivious, until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.…”  To help bring some clarity to this topic and prayerfully touch the hearts of someone somewhere today with the Truth of the Bible, our good friend, Dr. Richard Ruhling is back to discuss this scripture,  as well as some others with us, about just how close we truly are to what the Bible calls, “the end time.”  Just to recap a bit from what we discussed last time, can you share with us what you have found from Paul's letter in First Corinthians 10, verses 1-11, as the Exodus being an example for us? God also said in Exodus 9:5-6, “If you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall  be to me a kingdom.”  This applies to us today, as well, correct?  Did we keep His covenant? In Revelation 6, we read where Jesus restores God's Name in the 1st seal. When did we lose God's Name? Doesn't the L-O-R-D (all in caps) translate as Jehovah God? (I-A-U-A) In marriage, the bride takes the name of the husband (at least that's how it's supposed to work, I can't speak for this day and time)… Isn't marriage based on the Covenant? We talked about the first seal, let's talk about the second seal. This brings worldwide war to the planet, correct? (Exodus 34:10) But doesn't Jesus tell us the first, Elijah must come to “restore all things?” When does that happen? What is revealed in the 3rd seal in Revelation 6? Folks, as always, Dr. Ruhling is leaving us with some serious things we need to think and pray about. If you or your loved ones are not right with God, there is not much time left. You need to pray...