Podcasts about lord because

The Great Vigil of Easter The Story of Creation Old Testament Genesis 1:1-2:4a In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights--the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night--and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky." So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.   The Flood Old Testament Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18, 9:8-13 The Lord said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth. For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground." And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him. In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons entered the ark, they and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every bird of every kind-- every bird, every winged creature. They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in. The flood continued forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters. At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; but the dove found no place to set its foot, and it returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days, and sent out the dove; and it did not return to him any more. In the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the ground was drying. In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. Then God said to Noah, "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh-- birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth-- so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." So Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives. Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth." Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac Old Testament Genesis 22:1-18 After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you." Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, "Father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together. When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided." The angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, "By myself I have sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice." Israel's deliverance at the Red Sea Old Testament Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, 'Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still." Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers." The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, "Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt." Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers." So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea." Old Testament Isaiah 55:1-11 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Old Testament Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord God, you know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord." So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.' Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act," says the Lord. Romans 6:3-11 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. The Gospel Luke 24:1-12 On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.  

Saved from Rejection and Fear (Audio) David Eells – 1/5/25 God loves you, rejected brethren, and He has a plan to set you free. Many millions of people are so wounded inside that they don't even want to examine the real cause of their pain. It's like they are saying, “Leave us alone and let us serve the Egyptians”. This is a self-preservation tactic of the demons who keep them in bondage. Christian, you are not wrestling with flesh and blood but principalities and powers and rulers of this darkness. The demons have deceived you into thinking men are your enemies so you will leave them alone and be a submissive host in their divide and conquer tactics. Their plan is to break up every family and fellowship so they can pick the lambs off one by one. When I speak on this subject, I know these spirits will speak to their hosts and say, “He is talking about you again” and they will feel that pain again. But we must get to the real problem and the real solution. So bear with me and a little pain and those of you who believe will be totally set free. Those of you who do not believe will destroy and be destroyed. You are a porcupine Christian. You are wounded and you wound everyone who gets close to you. When someone deals with you they have to be so careful or they will get stabbed. When someone tries to help you, it's like a man who finds a spiny cocklebur on his socks and tries to take it off and it sticks in his hand. He quickly tries to pull it out of his hand and it sticks in his other hand. I would like to share with you from my own painful experience with these demons and about God's solution. My own dad inherited a spirit of rejection from his dad and passed it on to me by association and by blood. When we were in darkness, we could not do anything about what we inherited through the gene pool but we can now. I loved my dad but to my mind I couldn't please him because he couldn't show any love or favor to me for “fear of rejection”, a companion spirit to “rejection”. He was a stern disciplinarian but he couldn't show any love with it. So I grew up with feelings of rejection, which were very painful. This spirit brings feelings of being unloved, unwanted, disliked, looked down on, incapability and loneliness, even in the midst of a crowd, etc. {Pro.18:14} The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear? I was tormented with recurring thoughts from this spirit that I was rejected because of what my dad or some other person said or did to make light of me or criticize or correct me. Correction, although necessary and necessary for growth, is always seen and felt as painful rejection by one who has this spirit. This is a terrible trap because being angry at correction ultimately makes one a fool. This spirit blows minor correction or criticism all out of proportion to actuality with his lies and constant bringing of these things to memory. Some literally shake their heads when these painful thoughts come. This constant pain programs the host into a deadly spiral of other spirits of unforgiveness, frustration, hopelessness, depression, anger and retaliation, or it goes the other way to suicide. This is all unloaded on the person they FEEL is the culprit because the spirits make them feel that the problem is NEVER, NEVER them. Everyone else can know it's them but they refuse any blame for fear of more rejection. This is another self-defense mechanism of the demons in them. Some people go beyond fear to paranoia about what they perceive everyone is thinking and saying about them. When this perceived offence is unloaded on the perceived culprit, that person is at a loss for words, wondering what just happened and what is wrong with this person. Little do they know it is a coven of evil spirits warring with and through this host. The host is equally dismayed, wondering why this culprit does not understand they have offended him or her. And so two people are totally divided as the demons laugh at them. If a son feels rejected by his father, for instance, the demons can pull a switcheroo. The son will equate a father figure later in life with the rejection of his father and unload on him. And that father figure will wonder, “What in the world just happened?” A daughter FEELS rejected by her father and equates him with her husband many years later and unloads on him. And he wonders, “What just hit my family?” It is a vicious demonic cycle that never stops until families and churches have been destroyed and, ultimately, the host, too. As a young man, I didn't realize I was trying to ease the pain of rejection with alcohol and drugs. My dad was just like me. He tried to ease the pain with alcohol for a short time. After I became a Christian, I commanded this spirit of alcoholism out of him and it left immediately. He was thankful to God that He even cared about him enough to do this. Many people with drug, alcohol, sex, food, etc. problems need to be delivered of unforgiveness and rejection so they can get and stay delivered of these crutches and false comforts. Having my dad's fear of rejection made me close many out of my life for fear of being hurt, so I had no social relationship to people who were not like me. I built a spiritual wall around me for fear that if I let myself be known or love outwardly, I would be rejected. I became frustrated and angry with anyone's questions about my personal life, in order to help me because I felt they wouldn't like what they saw. I always desired and sought my dad's acceptance but never FELT I had it. So now I felt rejection, fear of rejection, frustration and anger about people who were much more normal than I and sometimes just wanted to help me. In my mind, I turned their attempts to find out my problems and help into attacks against me. These demons had me in a sullen, stand-offish trap that I would have died in, had I not come to the Lord and found out their lies. I learned of the sovereignty of God and learned to pity and forgive others as I wanted to be forgiven. I learned it was I who was deceived and not they. This delivered me from the wall I had built all around me with the demons' help. When I had these spirits, they made it painful for me to be around good people who could help me and they lied to me about them. They made me comfortable to be around people who had the same spirits that I did so I would never get deliverance through association and transference of demons with them. When I raised my own kids, some of whom also inherited rejection through the blood, I didn't like bringing them around my father because I saw that these spirits strengthened in them when they associated with these spirits in him. There was a transference of spirits through association. When they got away from him, this subsided. I raised my children as Christians but when they got out on their own some of them went their own way and became cold toward the Lord and began to manifest the same spirits inherited from both sides of our family. I have told them to forgive and they would be delivered and I know that they will be soon. The Lord has shown me that many of the ministers who have attacked me or our ministry have done so because they were infected with these spirits and are seeking a place God has not given them. Although not ordained by the Lord, they seek to be in the ministry for selfish, egotistical desires. It is easy to do nowadays; with the Internet, anyone can share knowledge that they have gained from others and before you know it, they have claimed a title and no one knows where they came from. These men don't just teach against bad doctrines and principles, they teach against individuals by name a lot, which is very seldom done in the New Testament. This was never done by Jesus, once by Paul and once by John. In these few cases, these men were causing great destruction to the local body because of their own ego and rebellion against the Lord. The reason these self-ordained or Babylon-ordained preachers pick out certain men to rail at is because, in a perverse way, this soothes their own ego that they are better than someone else and they are saying this very loudly. Why do they do this? Those who have rejection spirits many times desire and seek what they don't feel they are getting from others: acceptance, esteem, respect, even worship. This leads to much idolatry and submission to what the world expects of you. If they don't feel they get this respect from you because what you teach is against their wicked lifestyle, they will attack and belittle you to make them feel better about themselves and to make sure their followers won't hear you. This, of course, is a perverse way to gain esteem in their own eyes and in the eyes of others who are like them. Birds of a feather flock together. {Mic.3:5} Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people to err; that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and whoso putteth not into their mouths (or feed their egos and wallets), they even prepare war against him: {6} Therefore it shall be night unto you, that ye shall have no vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down upon the prophets, and the day shall be black over them. When you see these people, pray for them. Like Paul, they can be delivered and be a great witness. The Lord moved me to write this article when I was realizing how big this rejection problem is among Christians and that day I was put in contact with a young man who was a drug addict and wanted deliverance. It was ruining his relationship to everyone, including his wife. As I spoke to him, I felt the drugs weren't the foundational problem. I asked him what kind of mental pain he was seeking relief from in drugs. He wasn't sure. I asked him if he was not forgiving anyone. I asked him if he felt over-corrected and under-loved by anyone. He said that would be his dad who recently died. He said his dad was constantly correcting him and he couldn't take it. His dad was at one time an alcoholic. I told him that his dad had passed on a spirit of rejection to him through constant correction without the ability to show love. He basically said I hit the nail on the head, although it was the Lord. I told him he was trying to cover up or get relief from the mental and emotional pain of a rejection spirit with drugs. I told him he should forgive and pity his dad because he was also in bondage to rejection and didn't know how to be free and used alcohol to relieve the pain. I asked him to pray a prayer of forgiveness for his dad and his granddad that he said he felt unforgiveness toward because he left him alone through his death. When he did this, I commanded rejection, fear of rejection and abandonment to leave him in Jesus name, which they did. He had labored under their bondage for some years. He had been delivered over to the tormentors because of unforgiveness, as Jesus said would happen. After this, we were able to command the spirits of addiction to leave him and they did. We talked again and he was feeling greatly relieved and had come off the drugs and is seeking to be a disciple of Jesus. His mom told me, “I can see the son I haven't seen for quite some time and I praise the Lord for that”. He said, “I wanted to let you know that my sickness has passed. Thank you, Lord, and thank you, David. Thank you for your help; you guys saved my life”. Jesus saved his life through his forgiveness and faith. As a young man, I never forgave from the heart and, therefore, rejected others in return. I was, therefore, delivered over to the tormentors, as Jesus said. {Mat.18:32} Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me: {33} shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee? {34} And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. {35} So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. So the key to take away the demons' rights over you is to forgive and to believe that Jesus delivered you from them at the cross. {Col.1:13} who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love. Friend, if you will be sure to forgive everyone and exercise your faith toward God's promises, you will be a new person who is free to love and associate with good people. You may believe that a person's sins are cast into the depths of the sea, as Micah 7:19 says, to be remembered no more. But when a person does not forgive, their past sins are remembered and they are judged for them. {Eze.21:24} Therefore thus saith the Lord: Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand. ... {Mat.6:12} And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. {13} And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil [one.] {14} For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. {15} But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. I pray you will forgive whatever you believe any has done to you so you will be forgiven and the tormentors will have no authority to hold you in bondage ever again. There is not a set of classic symptoms for this spiritual disease. Rejection isn't always the same because it is only one spirit, but depending on the tactics they are using to destroy the individual, other spirits are invited in. It's like a demonic family tree which changes with different people and their blood inheritances. Some seek acceptance and recognition in order to comfort themselves and end up with pride, manipulation and controlling others. Many seek to be pastors because of this. Satan loves that. Some go another way and have fear of more rejection so they separate from others and become very introverted and cannot be joined to anything or anyone. Some cannot be corrected because of their fear of rejection and become fools, as the scriptures say. The demonic branches are as different as family trees. We are told that many ways seem right unto men but the end of this all is death, just as Satan plans. But for the grace of Jesus there go I. If some of these symptoms are in you and you will seek to be honest with yourself and God, He will deliver you. Please pray with me. Father, with my will I forgive _______ _______ and I ask you to take the emotions of unforgiveness and bitterness from my heart. I ask you to forgive and bless them to know You in all Your fullness and restore them from any damage I may have done to them. Now, please take the authority given to you by Jesus, Who said: {Mar.16:17} And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons. If possible, do this with other Spirit-filled believers. Say with me: I command you, spirits of rejection, fear of rejection, frustration, hopelessness, depression, anger, retaliation, suicide, etc., to leave me now in Jesus' name. Now agree with me that this is done according to: {Mat.18:19} Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. And: {Mar.11:23} Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. {24} Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Now go and confess your deliverance before men, according to: {Rom.10:10} for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. {11} For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. ... {Mat.10:32} Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. {33} But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. Now walk in the steps of Jesus as His disciple. Love from your servant in Christ, David Friends, the solution for what you have suffered all your life could be forgiveness from the heart. Listen to The Curse of Unforgiveness series. It ends with part seven, which is a revelation on rejection, anger and retaliation. If a Christian does not forgive from the heart, he will go to hell, no matter how much he has done for the kingdom because he cannot be forgiven, according to Jesus. Read Deliverance from Rejection. Read about how good and evil traits are passed generationally through our DNA. Also, a sister suffered all her life with bondage to rejection, fear, anger and separation from others. She began to have terrible headaches and we would pray them away but they continued to come back until she seemed to have a stroke. Her speech was slurred and her leg was numb and she would drag it. The pain was terrible. Everyone was praying for her, as we are you. She got a revelation that she had only been forgiving her ex-husband with mental assent and not from the heart, as Jesus commanded in Mat.18:34, 35 under threat that the tormentors would have control of her life. Esau was a son of Abraham and Isaac, as we are through faith, but sold his birthright through a root of bitterness that defiled his seed -- Hebrews 12:14-17. Don't let this happen to you. This sister repented under this pressure and forgave him from her heart. Then something wonderful happened to her -- her bonds just fell off and she was a completely different person than she had ever been her whole Christian life. She is loving, friendly, outgoing and joyous. Everyone recognizes that she is totally different. She has been bubbling over with joy since this happened. Her husband has never known this person.   Chris Boswell - 05/20/2010 I just read the above article. Rejection and fear of rejection are big in my family and have been in me, also. I am glad I read this article because it brought me great insight and deliverance from these demons! I pray also that my whole family be delivered from these evil spirits, in Jesus' name! I can also see how these demons have destroyed many lives around me, and people I grew up with, and I pray that they would all be delivered from these destructive spirits. I am so glad to be rid of these demons; it has brought me great relief! And I know now that I also am able to receive forgiveness and healing that I so desperately need. Thank you, brother David, for sharing your own testimony about deliverance from rejection and its fears. God bless!   Lorena Wagner - 05/20/2010 Tonight's Bible study was absolutely fabulous!!! I loved it! I know it was for me. I have been devouring The Curse of Unforgiveness audios. Last year I was royally burned. All I thought about was, just add water -- The Water of the Word -- and turn the other cheek, which I did. With the ashes of burning the wood, hay and stubble, and the Water of the Word, it was a potent, purifying cleanser. I was delivered of two demons that flew out of me with such a strong force that it woke me up. I had been sleeping at the time. One demon flew out and hit my window, and my window even rattled because of it. I wasn't even trying to get rid of any demons when that happened. Tonight I was delivered of the spirit of rejection, the fear of rejection and condemnation, which I had been battling all my life. Father is amazing!   Jim and Andie Dearest family and friends, We read the article above this morning in our daily devotional and prayed the enclosed prayer and received deliverance from the feelings of rejection and the fear associated with it that have plagued us (both) all of our lives. Praise the Lord! In His love, Jim and Andie   Melanie - 01/06/2011 It seems peculiar but I was helped to see that I had a spirit of rejection when I was listening to your broadcast last night and after reading about the railings and the topic of slander. Though I hate such things, I did realize that I had a spirit of rejection when I realized how insurmountable it would seem to me to address all of this as the elders and David have. I looked up the post on the spirit and rejection and prayed and forgave all others I could think of. I believe that God has done a great deliverance in my life because of this. Thank you God and UBM.   Rejection Lied; Father Loves Me Anonymous - 04/04/2015 (David's notes in red) Friends, one of the biggest plagues in Christianity is people who received rejection spirits through their relationships with their earthly parents and/or inherited them through the bloodline, who now relate to their Heavenly Father or spiritual fathers in the faith in the same way because of these deceiving spirits. This is also what spawned the faction movement. I hope this will help the saints not to fall into the same traps of Satan. It was sure an eye-opener for me, though. I wasn't realizing that the thoughts and feelings I was having were sinful and were grieving Father. Most people don't recognize that feelings of unworthiness and self-pity or self-loathing (all side effects of rejection) are sin and contribute to fear, doubt and unbelief. They create a huge gulf between us and the saving power and deliverance of Jesus, and keep us from receiving the gifts of God. I feel there are two manifestations of rejection. One is that people lash out at others and defend themselves and the other is that people turn inward on themselves in the form of self-loathing and unworthiness. (We cast these spirits and their thoughts down from all who agree with the good news that Jesus bore this curse on the cross.) I believe these issues go along with unforgiveness, even of oneself. I think there may be others besides me who have forgiven everyone else, except themselves. (Unforgiveness of oneself or of Father God or of spiritual fathers causes many much grief and gives the devil authority over us.) Father has shown me in this dream that now it is time to forgive myself. I believe Father has shown me that this has been a main block to overcoming and receiving healing for trials and temptations. (I pray, Father, that You will show Your love, grace and forgiveness of all who have this need today.) There may be other things but Father is being faithful to reveal these things to me. I know in my head that He loves me but I desire to know it in my heart also. (We pray that all who hear these words and have a need to feel the love of the Father, that they receive this today, in Jesus' name.) It is His will that I be in perfect health. I know He will be with me every step of the way and that I will have a great testimony at the end. I dreamed that I was in a white surveillance van parked outside of the home of an old, Middle Eastern man who was a doctor. (He represents Jehovah Rapha, our healer. [This is Jesus Christ who repairs broken lives and bodies.]) His home was my childhood home. (Many people's hurts start in their childhood but our Healer was there and knows of these hurts and is meeting those needs today.) I remember that this house faced east. (The coming of the sun/Son in their lives.) {Eph.2:19} So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God, {20} being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; {21} in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; {22} in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. I was watching the doctor closely through a pair of very powerful binoculars. I watched every move He made and studied all His activities and His comings and goings. He was very predictable and seemed like a nice, gentle man. {Heb.13:8} Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and forever. I was studying him from afar because I was fearful of Him and concerned about His activities. (This represents trying to understand the Father through natural senses and finite understanding and assigning our own human nature and qualities to our Heavenly Father. Trying to make Him into our image and trying to understand His ways through a human perspective. This causes us to be fearful of God in the wrong kind of way. We cannot understand God through our own intellect. We need the Holy Spirit to understand anything about God and His ways. (God's foreordained plan to transform us starts in our beginning with the dirt He sows the seed in. Our natural life is the dirt, which cannot be compared with the eternal seed of the sons of God. All sons and daughters of God must be saved from sin so that they know and understand grace -- unmerited favor of God.) (Jesus said, “He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father”.) (Jesus' giving heart. His kindness and graciousness to men exhibited in the Gospels is an example of our Heavenly Father's love for us. He cries to us.) {Isa.55:6} Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near: {7} let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. {8} For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. {9} For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. {Joh.14:8} Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. {9} Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; How sayest thou, Show us the Father? {10} Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works. One day, when this kind doctor went out on an errand, I decided to go inside his house and find out what was inside and what he was doing in there. I thought he might be doing something to hurt the 'children'. (This represents viewing God as an angry and punishing father. Many, like myself, who have had this type of earthly father, may unconsciously project that experience onto our Heavenly Father. This is caused by a spirit of rejection that will keep you from an intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father and from being able to receive all the benefits He has for you.) {Luk.11:9} And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. {10} For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. {11} And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent? {12} Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? {13} If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? When I went inside, I saw that he had a bunch of servants (angels [and earthly ministers]) who were preparing many gift packages out of the gifts that the doctor had made for the 'children'. They were wrapping them in clear cellophane and getting them ready for delivery. {Heb.1:13} But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet? {14} Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation? (These gifts represent salvation through Jesus and the promises of Father in His Word to us.) {Rom.11:28} As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. {29} For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of. {30} For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, {31} even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy. {32} For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all. Only sinners can be saved and understand mercy and grace, given to those God loves in manifold ways to bestow upon the needy. {12:6} And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; {7} or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; {8} or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. The gifts were all over the house on tables and along the floors next to the walls. I was surprised at all these wonderful gifts he had prepared and then I felt ashamed. I had thought that he meant to do harm to the 'children' and that I didn't trust him. Then I realized that so many of these gifts had been sitting in their places for a long time because many of the 'children' felt the same way toward the doctor that I had felt. I thought to myself, ‘If only they could see these gifts!' Then my husband (representing Jesus) came up behind me and encouraged me to go lay down and rest on the large king-sized bed that was in the middle of the living room. I was still fearful of the doctor because, even though I saw all the wonderful gifts that he had prepared for the 'children', I felt that he didn't intend any of those gifts for me and I thought he would be angry at me for intruding into his house and doubting his person. (This is representative of a lying spirit of rejection. If we listen to these lies, it will keep us from receiving all the gifts that Father has intended us to have.) {Heb.4:2} For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. So I decided to lay on my right side, underneath the bed. My husband was disappointed and didn't agree with this, but he loved me so much that he still went and laid next to me under the bed with his arm around me to bring comfort and peace to me. (Many live beneath their privilege and relationship with Jesus. We are sons and daughters of God through Him.) {Rom.8:35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (We endure the death of the old man of self.) {37} Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. {38} For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, {39} nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The underneath of the bed was very high up, so that I could sit up underneath it and there was a blue, transparent bed skirt that I could see the front door and the rest of the living room through. (The place of rest, on top of the bed, is high up in Heavenly places. Laying underneath represents being overcome by our carnal mind.) {Rom.8:6} For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace. I then saw the doctor come in through the front door. I watched his every move, while laying under the bed, through the transparent bed skirt. My husband gently said to me, “Let's get out from under here. It's okay. It's safe”. So I came out from under the bed, but I couldn't face the doctor. He knew what my thoughts were and saw the brokenness of my being. He knew I felt unworthy of his gifts and his love. This saddened him. He longed for me to come to him and receive his love with open arms. {Heb.3:17} But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? (Fear, doubt and unbelief are sin and it grieves the Father. Spirits of rejection, self-loathing, self-pity and unworthiness hide very well in “religion” and in those who are under the law and self-works. We must not forget that it is the sacrifice of our Savior and the grace of the Father that we are counted worthy and reckoned as righteous.) (This is what we must believe for deliverance.) I went out and sat on the front porch on the first step. I was feeling hopeless when, suddenly, I saw the doctor's hand place a love letter to my right on the step next to me. (The Word of God is His love letter to us and all His promises in it. This is always the “first step” to victory over the enemy and his lies!) I looked at it. It was in a white business envelope with my name written on it with fancy lettering (like calligraphy). I then looked away from it, as tears rolled down my face and a pain went through my heart. I was afraid to read it and afraid to accept His love. Then the evil voice of Rejection told me that if I opened it there would be nothing but rebukes and words of rejection and condemnation! Self-pity said that I didn't need any more of that in my life and Self-loathing said, “How could you even think that He could love you?” All the while, my Spirit man, inside, knew how special I was to the doctor, but the lies of the enemy were casting me down, discouraging me and making me feel unworthy. (And so having no faith toward God, we miss out on all of His benefits, as the demons plotted.) I wanted to leave the letter there, unopened, and slide down a yellow slide that appeared, now, in front of me, off of the porch. (“Yellow” signifying being fearful or chicken.) My husband appeared behind me and again told me, “Please! Don't go! Open the letter. It is a love letter just for you! He wrote it just for you! Can't you see how much he loves you? You are so special to Him”. I could see past my husband and through the wall of the house that the doctor was sad that I was ignoring His special letter that He had written just for me. I wanted to believe so much that I was special to Him but at the same time I was afraid to let myself believe it because I was afraid that my trust in Him would be betrayed and that eventually He would turn on me in a punishing way. (These demons are called fear of rejection and fear of failure.) When I woke up, I knew that I was making Father sad because I wasn't trusting Him for His gift of healing and deliverance from the enemy and that I needed to get back into His Word to renew my mind daily and remind myself of His love for me. {Eph.6:16} withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. {17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. I asked Father for a verse or text through faith at random for this dream and He couldn't have picked a better “love letter”! My finger landed on Psalm 40:11, but here it is in context. {Psa.40:1} I waited patiently for Jehovah; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. {2} He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; And he set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. {3} And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, And shall trust in Jehovah. {4} Blessed is the man that maketh Jehovah his trust, And respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. {5} Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which thou hast done, And thy thoughts which are to us-ward; They cannot be set in order unto thee; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. {6} Sacrifice and offering thou hast no delight in; Mine ears hast thou opened: Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required. {7} Then said I, Lo, I am come; In the roll of the book it is written of me: {8} I delight to do thy will, O my God; Yea, thy law is within my heart. {9} I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly; Lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Jehovah, thou knowest. {10} I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great assembly. {11} Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Jehovah; Let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. {12} For innumerable evils have compassed me about; Mine iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of my head; And my heart hath failed me. {13} Be pleased, O Jehovah, to deliver me: Make haste to help me, O Jehovah. {14} Let them be put to shame and confounded together That seek after my soul to destroy it: Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor That delight in my hurt. {15} Let them be desolate by reason of their shame That say unto me, Aha, aha. {16} Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: Let such as love thy salvation say continually, Jehovah be magnified. {17} But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinketh upon me: Thou art my help and my deliverer; Make no tarrying, O my God. Important messages in this regard: Letter to a Prodigal Son Freedom of Forgiveness Deliverance from Rejection and its Fear Seeing Others through Eyes of Faith https://www.ubm1.org/?page=rejection-conquered https://www.ubm1.org/?page=delivered-lorena https://www.ubm1.org/?page=deliverance-from-rejection 

Today's 22nd chapter of Luke tells us of the arrest of Jesus, it is quite detailed and we pondered the probability that some in the crowd that came to arrest him and brought him to the High Priest's house later believed and joined the early believers on the Day of Pentecost or soon after. Luke and the other gospel writers would have had their testimony corroborated and maybe amplified by such.  We note how John ends his Gospel account by stating, “Now there were many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”  Jesus was totally conscious of the Old Testament books that God caused to be written and preserved.  Apart from his exchange of thoughts with those in the Temple at the age of 12, the initial evidence of his great consciousness of them was in his temptations in the wilderness – in refuting those temptations.  How conscious have we become of them?  Do we use them in the same way? In the final hours before his arrest he tells his disciples, I tell you this scripture must be fulfilled in me … for what is written about me must have its fulfilment.” [v.37] And so, tragically, it happened but also wonderfully; for its fulfilment was in his sacrifice for our sins, made effective when we decide(d) to belong to Jesus, becoming his brother or his sister.  There are a great many other Old Testament prophecies, such as those we will soon come to in Ezekiel about the latter day climax of events in the Middle East.  We must put these alongside the last days predictions Jesus made which we read and commented on yesterday.  In Ezekiel 25 today there is a prophecy that has been fulfilled.  “Thus says the LORD: Because the Philistines acted revengefully and took vengeance with malice … I will execute great vengeance upon them …”  [v.16-17] These people have disappeared from history, there is no mention of them in the New Testament. Maybe we might conjecture that the Palestinians are the modern equivalent, they occupy the same territory!  What fate awaits them? So – “scripture must be fulfilled” – we are living in awesome days. Let us accept the challenge of Jesus to “search the Scriptures” [John 5 v.39] but not be like those to whom he said this! He told them, you “refuse to come to me that you may have life.” [v.40]

FOOLS DISCOURSE THE PATH TO EXITING TO THE MILLENNIAL REIGN QUAT Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a 1974 spy novel by British-Irish author John le Carré. It follows the endeavours of taciturn, aging spymaster George Smiley to uncover a Soviet mole in the British Secret Intelligence Service. The novel has received critical acclaim for its complex social commentary—and, at the time, relevance, following the defection of Kim Philby. X2M.1-71 Hebrew Ethnic X2M.72-90 Israelite Covenant X2M.91-110 Seed of Abraham/Christ X2M.111-144 Starchild X2M.145-172 Starcaster, cluster, field and fighter SLIPPING THROUGH THE HOLE OF ETERNITY ”but I was let down in a rope-basket through a window in the city wall, and escaped his hands.“ ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬ ‭NET‬‬ ”Now after some days had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him, but Saul learned of their plot against him. They were also watching the city gates day and night so that they could kill him. But his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall by lowering him in a basket.“ ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭NET‬‬ THE SYRIAN MINDSET ”A man of God came and said to the king of Israel, Thus says the Lord: Because the Syrians have said, The Lord is God of the hills but He is not God of the valleys, therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hands, and you shall know and recognize by experience that I am the Lord. [Phil. 4:13.]” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭20‬:‭28‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ ”So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. [Deut. 30:19; Jer. 21:8.]“ Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ REIGN ”I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows–was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man–whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows– Was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter.“ ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ ”Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men. [Ps. 68:18.] [But He ascended?] Now what can this, He ascended, mean but that He had previously descended from [the heights of] heaven into [the depths], the lower parts of the earth? He Who descended is the [very] same as He Who also has ascended high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things (the whole universe, from the lowest to the highest). [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.“ Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭10‬, ‭13‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ MILLENNIAL MYSTERY “My children – I am again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed in you!” Galatians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NET‬‬ “Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you!” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NET‬‬ Gorification | The Final Frontier Going Boldly Where The Last Man has Gone Before! Decrease time over target:  PayPal or Venmo @clastronaut Cash App $clastronaut

1 Kings 20:28 Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.'”

Notas en español e inglés:

A Christmas Prayer of Ephraim The feast day of your birth resembles You, Lord Because it brings joy to all humanity. Old people and infants alike enjoy your day.   Your day is celebrated from generation to generation. Kings and emperors may pass away, And the festivals to commemorate them soon lapse.   But your festival will be remembered until the end of time. Your day is a means and a pledge of peace.   At Your birth heaven and earth were reconciled, Since you came from heaven to earth on that day You forgave our sins and wiped away our guilt.   You gave us so many gifts on the day of your birth: A treasure chest of spiritual medicines for the sick; Spiritual light for the blind; The cup of salvation for the thirsty; The bread of life for the hungry.   In the winter when trees are bare, You give us the most succulent spiritual fruit.   In the frost when the earth is barren, You bring new hope to our souls.   In December when seeds are hidden in the soil, The staff of life springs forth from the virgin womb   A Christmas Navity hymn & prayer of Ephraim the Syrian (AD 306-373)   Right Mouse click or Tap here to save this as a mp3 file! Click on the appropriate link below to subscribe or share

Welcome again to another Word of Encouragement Video, # 35 of 2022, entitled, Is There Wickedness in The House of The Lord Because both The Prophets & Priests are Profane ? References 1. Zoom 2. Pixabay, Motion Videos 3. Youtube 4. The Authorized King James Bible 5. Twitter 6. LinkedIn Scriptures mentioned 1. Jeremiah 23 : 1 - 4, & 23 : 9 - 14, Written by Jeremiah, An Old Testament Prophet of The Bible 2. Isaiah 61 : 1 - 4 , Written by Isaiah, An Old Testament Prophet 3. Hebrews 4 : 12, A Spiritual Circumcision of the Spirit from It's Soul Stories Mentioned 1. The Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus and The Easter Bunny 2. God Didn't Tell Me to do this, But I think it is a good idea Each Video is placed on the web site of Agape Love, Love Is Here at https://www.agapeloveishere.org Also, each video is audio Podcasted out to a Podcast Show. All Podcast Shows are accessible on the front page of the web site on the left hand side of the page. You can also follow Pastor Deborah on Twitter and Linkedin Love Pastor Deborah

Welcome again to another Word of Encouragement Video, # 35 of 2022, entitled, Is There Wickedness in The House of The Lord Because both The Prophets & Priests are Profane ? References 1. Zoom 2. Pixabay, Motion Videos 3. Youtube 4. The Authorized King James Bible 5. Twitter 6. LinkedIn Scriptures mentioned 1. Jeremiah 23 : 1 - 4, & 23 : 9 - 14, Written by Jeremiah, An Old Testament Prophet of The Bible 2. Isaiah 61 : 1 - 4 , Written by Isaiah, An Old Testament Prophet 3. Hebrews 4 : 12, A Spiritual Circumcision of the Spirit from It's Soul Stories Mentioned 1. The Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus and The Easter Bunny 2. God Didn't Tell Me to do this, But I think it is a good idea Each Video is placed on the web site of Agape Love, Love Is Here at https://www.agapeloveishere.org Also, each video is audio Podcasted out to a Podcast Show. All Podcast Shows are accessible on the front page of the web site on the left hand side of the page. You can also follow Pastor Deborah on Twitter and Linkedin Love Pastor Deborah

-Weeping in the Night, Joy in the Morning--Psalm 30-I. Introduction-II. Text-- Psalm 30-5 For his anger endureth but a moment- in his favour is life- weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.-III. Doctrine -- The Lord Brings His people from Brokenness to Rejoicing. -IV. Exposition-V. Praise the Lord Because of Deliverance -1-5-VI. The Lord Answers prayer in the Darkness -6-10--VII. The Lord's Deliverance Leads to Temporal and Eternal Rejoicing -11-12-

Give Your Wholehearted Allegiance to the LORD Because of His Undeserved Saving Grace Established Through His Covenantal Mediator Jesus Christ.

Give Complete Allegiance to the LORD Because of His Sanctifying Work in Your Life.

Live Holy to the LORD Because of God's Future Grace.

Live Holy to the LORD Because of God's Sovereign Grace and Your Responsibility.

Please read 2 kings chapter 3 to get the full understanding of this word king jehoshaphat had been asked by the king of Israel who's father was Ahad and his mother jezbell who had both been wicked to help him fight the moabites who wanted to fight against him due to the death of his. Father who they always gave sheep's . He also got the king of Edom to go with them. But after seven days on there journey there was no water for them or there animals to drink. So king jehoshaphat asked is there not a man of God a prophet in the land.that we can inquire of the Lord Because we know from experience that unless God sends a word we are stuck. That is why jesus told the devil man cannot live by bread alone but by every word of God which is so true. And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said Elisha is here who poured water on the Hands of Elijah hands.who we know was a prophet of the Lord. because when he use to come into town the people use to tremble and wonder has he come for war or peace. And jehoshaphat said the word of the Lord is with him. So all the Kings went down to see him. And they did get a word to give them victory. And the Lord will fool our enemies into leaving us alone. Thank you for listening. Have a God blessed 2022. My email address blessedtobeablessing121gmail.com jesus is Lord amen

Readings for Wednesday, February 2, 2022 “Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord!” -- Psalm 134:1 Morning Psalm 96 1 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 Worship the Lord in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, “The Lord is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.” 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the Lord ; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth. Psalm 147:1-11 1 Praise the Lord ! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. 2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 6 The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. 8 He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. 9 He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. 10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; 11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Midday Genesis 22:1-18 22 After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. 9 When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” 15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, says the Lord : Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, 18 and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.” Hebrews 11:23-31 23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king's anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. 29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. John 6:52-59 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. Evening Psalm 132 1 O Lord, remember in David's favor all the hardships he endured; 2 how he swore to the Lord and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, 3 “I will not enter my house or get into my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, 5 until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” 6 We heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. 7 “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool.” 8 Rise up, O Lord, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. 9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your faithful shout for joy. 10 For your servant David's sake do not turn away the face of your anointed one. 11 The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. 12 If your sons keep my covenant and my decrees that I shall teach them, their sons also, forevermore, shall sit on your throne.” 13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation: 14 “This is my resting place forever; here I will reside, for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless its provisions; I will satisfy its poor with bread. 16 Its priests I will clothe with salvation, and its faithful will shout for joy. 17 There I will cause a horn to sprout up for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed one. 18 His enemies I will clothe with disgrace, but on him, his crown will gleam.” Psalm 134 1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord ! 2 Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord . 3 May the Lord, maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion. You can also find all of today's readings at PCUSA.org. The Daily Lectionary podcast is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh, NY, read by Pastor Timothy J. Luoma.

Preserved From the Beast (17) (Audio) David Eells - 10/24/21 Deb Horton just received by faith at random for the morning prayer meeting. Pro.25:4 (4-5) Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner: (5) Take away the wicked [from] before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness. (Deb said, "I have a note here from one of your teachings that says "Judas restraineth.”) (The text here in 2th 2:1-8 speaks of the falling away revealing the sons of perdition who restrain the coming of the Lord for His body "Until he be come out of the midst” in the numeric pattern. God is sanctifying a body of its Judas' to be prepared to receive Him. This is happening before the Tribulation for the Man-child and Bride and during the Tribulation for the Church. It is a confirmation for the revelation below. We pray that the faction will pay attention to God's intentions towards them unless they repent.)    Factious Dogs in the DS and Church Rounded Up and Euthanized Eve Brast - 10/12/21 (David's notes in red) I dreamed that I was in a huge warehouse that had many different sections and at least 3 levels. (As we will see, the Father not only stores up provision for His people in His warehouse but judgement is also stored up for the wicked. Rom.2:5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest (or storeth) up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. The ground level of this warehouse represents this earth and the earthly happenings. The second level represents the spirit realm where the directives are handed down from the Father and also from the intercessions of His saints to the angels who are the law enforcers and who carry out the directives of the Bride and the Man-child. Psalm 103:20-21 Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts, Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.) I was standing on the cement ground floor with a 7 ft. tall, very muscular policeman at my right side who was dressed in a navy blue policeman's uniform. He had a silver badge on the right side of his uniform pocket. Even though he was dressed as a 'beat cop', I knew in the dream that he was a police detective. (This police detective represents the angels that carry out and enforce God's directives according to His Word and His will.) On the ground floor of the warehouse was a veterinary medical bay in the back left corner with exam tables and I.V.'s set up along with I.V. catheters and syringes for lethal injections for euthanasia. In front of that was a large chain link fence containment or holding area. (This lethal injection could also be representative of the vaccines that are putting many of the DS minions to death through the side effects. We've heard that many arrests of DS individuals are taking place currently and that they are being questioned and held awaiting military tribunals and sentencing to be put to death. (Our parallel runs true because many of the factious in the church leadership are also being arrested for spiritual child trafficking and crimes against God's children.) The actively factious in the church will also be put to death through lethal injection, (and for many it will be the jab), because they are killing God's children.) I asked the police officer where we were; what I was seeing and what was going on? He began explaining everything to me. It was dark on the ground floor of the warehouse except in the veterinary bay which had some very limited lighting capabilities. (Could this take place on a grand scale during the 10 days of darkness when all the power is cut off and the EBS is enabled to expose all the DS evil crimes against humanity? On the political side they are rounding up these people and executing many. (But also God is using their own spike proteins to take down these people as He said.) As the police officer began explaining I had a vision of the second floor of the warehouse which was very well lit. There were many offices and cubicles with law enforcement support personnel talking on phones and typing on computers and doing all kinds of office work. It was busy and bustling. I asked the officer what all the bustle was about and he said, “A directive has been handed down from the top to round up all the dogs.” (These dogs represent the faction in the Babylonish DS and the religious faction that have conspired to crucify the righteous just as it was with Jesus.)   (Prophesying of David, Jesus, and the man-child's persecutions we are told in:) Psa. 22:12-22 Many bulls have compassed me; Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13 They gape upon me with their mouth, As a ravening and a roaring lion. ... 16 For dogs have compassed me: A company of evil-doers have inclosed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may count all my bones; They look and stare upon me. ... 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, My darling from the power of the dog.) Then I saw the woman in charge of carrying out this directive. (The woman represents the Bride, who in Esther as a type, is given authority by the King, representing Father God, to put Haman and his sons to death as well as all of the other enemies who have lifted up their hands against her to kill her and her people.)  She had a lot of authority from the top and was in charge of the second floor and all the law enforcement personnel. She was a thin woman with very straight hair that was shoulder length and she was standing in the middle of it all dressed in a women's business suit with her arms folded. (This woman is thin because she has gotten rid of all her excess flesh. Her hair is straight representing submission to Jesus, the Word, which is the straight and narrow way.)  Occasionally, I saw her bring out her right arm and point off into the distance with her pointer finger and I would see many law enforcement personnel going around the city and rounding up large groups of all different sizes and breeds of dogs. They would put them in temporary holding areas until they could be transported to the warehouse. I was not able to see the third level of the warehouse. (The Bride is dressed in a business suit because she is about her Father's business just as Jesus was and commanding the angels as she sees and discerns the Father's will. Heb. 1:13-14 But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?) (But the head of the Bride is the also the Man-child who is shown in all the scripture to take down the factious Edomites. A Christian brother had a dream where the Lord quoted the following text to speak of the David Man-childs in whom Jesus lives.  Isa 11:1-5  And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.  2  And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.  3  And his delight shall be in the fear of Jehovah; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears;  4  but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  5  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins.) Suddenly, I felt a dark presence behind me and I turned around to see a large black dog the size of a Great Dane. (This great dog is a factious person we know and also is the same factious man in the warehouse dream below.) Its ears were clipped like a Doberman Pincher. I asked the police officer what it was doing? He said, “Some of them are turning themselves in because there is nowhere left to go and no other choice.” (They are coming under the authority of these angels because of their great sins. They have "no other choice".)  It came into the warehouse through a large open bay door and was turning itself in to the authorities because the round up campaign was so wide and far reaching that there was nowhere else for it to go. None of the dogs realized that a death sentence was decreed for them and some were turning themselves in in hopes of leniency. (Hopefully, some may repent and be saved right before they die.) When I turned back around I saw many kinds of dogs in the fenced holding area in front of the veterinary bay and then my vision became telescopic and I zoomed in on a Chinese Shih Tzu dog that was being held down on one of the exam tables and they were injecting it with a lethal injection. It was panicked and flailing; yelping in fear. Then I woke up. (According to Wikipedia: "Shih Tzu's are highly independent dogs. Due to their independent nature, they are not considered the most obedient breed. (Due to their self will and rebellion they will lose their lives.) The Chinese have described their head shapes as "owl head" and "lion head", and their mouth as "frog mouth”. The name comes from the Chinese language word for "lion" because this kind of dog was bred to resemble the lion.” (Satan is described as a roaring lion and lions are described as predators in the Bible and Howard Pitman saw a vision of demonic frog spirits coming out of people who were in lust and fornication, just like these people.) I asked Father for a word for this dream by faith at random and my finger landed on the phrase, “the king's business” in Est. 9:3. (I laughed when I saw where my finger landed because of the woman dressed in the "business suit" in this dream. God has such a sense of humor!) Est. 9:3 (In context 1-5) Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them, (whereas it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them,) 2 the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them was fallen upon all the peoples. 3 And all the princes of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors, and they that did the king's business, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai (Meaning little man or Man-child) was fallen upon them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. 5 And the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they would unto them that hated them. This dream reminds me of a past dream that I had about the Apostates being rounded up and put to death in another warehouse.   Apostates Killed by the Plague Eve Brast - 12/14/17 (Davids notes in red) I dreamed that I was again in the operating room and an apostate factious man (Who was also in the dream above symbolized by the Great Dane.) was in front of me holding the unsterile D&C curette with which, in the previous dream, he was attempting to kill or abort Christ in me typed as a baby in my womb. (Spiritually this is what the factious do to their victims with slander and witchcraft demons.)  But this time the surroundings of the operating room morphed into a large gray metal warehouse. The man's face changed to bewilderment as he realized that he was surrounded by people packed, shoulder to shoulder, inside this warehouse with him. (A warehouse is a place where things are stored for later use. God declares that the factious, who are judgmental and do what they falsely accuse other of, store up as in a warehouse for themselves wrath from Him. Romans 2:1-8 Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things. 2 And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practise such things. 3 And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest (or storeth) up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 who will render to every man according to his works: 7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: 8 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation, Suddenly, I was caught up in the Spirit to the ceiling of the warehouse. (As a type of ascending into heavenly places in Christ above all the wickedness, where all needs are supplied by abiding in Christ. Eph.1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.)  The factious apostate man began to look all around in a panic because I had vanished before his eyes. (Notice that Eve, possibly a type of the Bride of the Last Adam, Jesus, was hidden just like in Pam's revelation in part 1 where the Lord said, Tell my people to hide themselves even as you are now hiding. It is disease I am sending. Only you who truly believe in My Saving Power will be safe from this pestilence, for it does not originate from this earth. Many people now drawing breath will be dead in a few short months. (We spoke in the last broadcast about the alien technology and creatures in the so called va/cci/nes.) As I looked down in the Spirit, I was aware that all the people in the warehouse were apostates and had been gathered there for judgement. (An apostate is some one who has fallen away from the covenant as it was given. Men have added to and taken from the eternal covenant and taught others to do so. These are under the curse of the plagues in 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. Those who have eaten the whole Passover Lamb, which represents having our minds renewed with the true original Word and believe in the blood of the covenant that Jesus shed to save and heal us from the curse on sinners, will escape the plagues. Galatians 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 [a cross]: Exo.12: 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to their fathers houses, a lamb for a household. 6 and ye shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at even. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and put it on the two side-posts and on the lintel, upon the houses wherein they shall eat it. [i.e. They shall walk under the blood of the sacrifice by faith] 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roast with fire; its head [the mind of Christ] with its legs [the walk of Christ] and with the inwards [the heart of Christ] thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; but that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. [meaning it will be wasted for the destroyer is on his way] 11 And thus shall ye eat it: with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand [ready to leave Egypt]; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is Jehovah's passover. 12 For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt [The first born is the fleshly man. Many of the lost and unbelieving Christians shall die too.], both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am Jehovah.  13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and there shall no plague be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. ... 23 For Jehovah will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, Jehovah will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. Many consider themselves to be under the blood falsely. Heb 10:26-27  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins,  27  but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. All at once, I saw hundreds maybe even a thousand small, transparent, (or unseen) coral snakes that were red, black, and yellow. (The coral snake has been known as the deadliest snake in North America. It paralyzes your nervous system with lungs and other organs shutting down in as little as a couple of hours. They have enough venom to kill 5 people but their delivery system is not good. Small fangs which they use to chew on a person until they get enough venom into them. (This Represents an injection of a euthanizing agent.) They were falling like light snow would (Like a plague or pestilence sprayed from the sky) and descending upon the wicked people to bite them and take their lives. (Numbers 21:6: And Jehovah sent fiery serpents (Called the fiery flying serpent in Isa.30:6) among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.)  The people began to scream and cry out when they realized what was happening. (If the transparent coral venom were spread from the sky, or spiritually from heaven, like the spike protein chemtrails, which can penetrate the skin, it would be an extremely deadly delivery system, possibly like what  A.A. Allen saw, to major population centers. Now this coral venom sounds like the plague in Pam's revelation where there was no antidote. The Lord said to Pam in part 1, No one will have the remedy. I will laugh at the mighty men as they run futilely for their holes. Tell the internet readers to forget their word searches, etc…There is NO REMEDY but ME and ONLY ME. I believe this means that no remedy can be counted on to save from this but Gods. He is in control over who lives and who dies and no vaccine can circumvent or stop him. The condition for immunity to plagues is stated in Exo.15: 26 and he said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am Jehovah that healeth thee. Deu 32:39: See now that I, even I, am he, And there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal; And there is none that can deliver out of my hand.) Like the coral venim, C/19 and its spike protein variants are a lung disease that cuts off breath. So now we have the coral venom and the plague coming from the sky or from heaven. Add to this the fact that the chemtrails are a practiced delivery system that brings lung disease all over the nation. The hospitals are full of people with pneumonia type symptoms that they are now labeling C/19.) Again, In the spirit, I saw what looked like snow flakes beginning to fall through the ceiling of the warehouse. Then the snakes appeared and fell on the people with the "snow". (The "poison with snow" could represent the pestilence that comes from the sky by the hand of God in chemtrails for judgment in the winter time.) (Sounds like it) Maybe the people were repenting when they were crying out as the snakes landed on them. (Some will repent but most won't.) See the revelations about the evil snow. We saw snow here that was made up of tiny capsule looking things that were not flakes and fire did not melt them.) Then I woke up and I asked Father for a word concerning this continuation dream and received by faith at random: Jer.9:23 (in context 21-26), and my finger was on "let not the wise man glory in his wisdom” 21 For death is come up into our windows, it is entered into our palaces; to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets. 22 Speak, Thus saith Jehovah, The dead bodies of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman; and none shall gather them. 23 Thus saith Jehovah, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; ...  25 Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will punish all them that are circumcised in their uncircumcision: (He will punish the apostates who sow flesh) 26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that have the corners of their hair cut off, that dwell in the wilderness; for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.   His Angels Shall Gather Out of His Kingdom All That Cause Stumbling Joshua - 10/13/21 (David's notes in red) Joshua said, "About 2 or 3 months ago, I had a bizarre dream. I can't forget it and it keeps coming to mind." I dreamed that I was in a small, dark, derelict classroom in the Far East. It was very dimly lit by indirect light coming from weak light bulbs or candlelight. (Derelict means: delinquent, slack, irresponsible, lax, undependable, unreliable, etc… This classroom represents the Genghis Khan Spirit Deception in the DS church and government which we will discuss in the following revelations.) In the room were two Asian children about 10 years of age or so. (According to bible study.org The number 10 signifies testimony, law, responsibility and the completeness of order.)  I (Joshua, meaning: "Yahweh is salvation”) was in the room as a teacher. (The Man-child will teach many the truth and the good news of the gospel during the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation). In my hands was the album from the satanic, hard rock, band Black Sabbath. It was their first album also titled "Black Sabbath". (Note: I have NEVER listened to that album and have never been a fan of Black Sabbath at all.) (This represents a very dark, evil entity. It probably by its name represents those in darkness under the law. As we will see this black sabbath represents those ruled by principalities and powers in heaven and on earth.) I and the Asian children were looking at it and I was identifying it as Satanic. (The Man-child will teach God's elect the difference between good and evil; between what is leavened and worldly and what is unleavened and heavenly. I think this dream is about to happen. The Satanists of the DS elite and faction in the Church have killed multitudes with their evil. The DS are invading the southern border with enemies right now and shooting has begun.) Suddenly, there was a very loud roar of a rushing wind; the sound was distorting my hearing, but, strangely, nothing was being blown; but the shaking was distinct and could be felt. In the dream I understood that “This is God's judgement falling”. (This could represent the end-time revival that is going to fall upon God's people as well as a storm of judgment that is falling upon the DS in the Church and state.) Then the album instantly disappeared from my hands and I was left there standing with the children and we were trying to remember what we were doing, like when you walk into a room for a purpose and then forget what you went in there for. (With the spiritual warfare backing by people of faith, the Alliance is doing a masterful job of removing many and prosecuting them in military tribunals. What we are hearing: The militaries of the Alliance are continuing the job of draining this swamp. They have been practicing and will agree to make a fake WWlll as an excuse to come together. However they will go after the remaining DS governments and people but the job is huge and without God cannot be done. The Man-child is coming to fight the Edomite factions and drive them out as David did in scripture.) There was absolutely no trace or memory of the album. It was like the evil had been supernaturally removed without the slightest disturbance or speck left over. Then I woke up. (They will suddenly be like a distant memory; gone away without a trace. PTL !!  God has promised to utterly destroy the DS in the Church and government.) I thought of verses like Proverbs 2:21, For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; 22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it. And Mat 13:41  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity, etc. If God's judgement falls soon and in this way, I will be thankful if the evil and the minions of evil are removed.   Genghis Khan Spirit Deception in the Church (1) Eve Brast - 12/25/2011 (David's notes in red) In a dream I saw many people being deceived by a much more powerful and deceptive evil principality called a Genghis Khan spirit. It will be worse than the false revival Kundalini eastern spirit. (Genghis Khan was the Mongol who led legions of demon-possessed men to conquer most of Eurasia by the edge of the sword, massacring whole populations, about 40 million people. The factious in Church and state are eugenicists just like this. Genghis is still worshipped by many in Mongolia, so he could represent here a religious spirit. No doubt this is a spirit that will bring spiritual death, conquering multitudes of Christians, like the Kundalini spirit's false revival. This new factious spirit conquers people by the sword or WORDS, written or spoken, which makes it much more dangerous than the Kundalini spirit, which was mostly imparted by laying on of hands. These words are in the form of unforgiveness, bitterness, back-stabbing, criticism, slander, gossip, railing, lying, perversion, witchcraft, voodoo, etc.) I was shaking my head in disappointment as I watched the people act like they were in love with this spirit; it was like a worldwide orgy. (The true people of God who stay with the truth of His Word won't be overtaken, even with this deception.) This is all I was shown. (We have been shown many times that this is a worldwide attack on the saints by apostates. The corporate beast spirit from the abyss is coming forth to enter the sons of perdition [Judases] and use them to conquer and make war on the true Christians. {Rev.17:8} The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, [they] whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come. As the Word says, a great falling away to strong delusion is upon us. I asked the Father what this Genghis Khan Spirit was or what it represented and when I opened my Bible my finger was on: (1Jn. 2:22) Who is the liar but who denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even who denieth the Father and the Son. (Antichrist spirits always deny the true Jesus and Word. The rest of this text tells the whole story. {2:18} Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. {19} They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. [Notice that many antichrists in this "last hour" will separate from us because they do not belong with the true Church due to their corrupt leavened nature. In this they deny the Father and Son (verse 22) because they deny the true Word given from the beginning in order to abide in Christ, which is eternal life.] {24} As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. {25} And this is the promise which he promised us, [even] the life eternal. {26} These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray.   Genghis Khan Spirit Deception in the Government (2) Eve Brast - 12/29/11 (David's notes in red) In the dream above, I saw many Christians being deceived by a very powerful and deceptive evil principality called a Genghis Khan spirit. I had seen that this spirit is manifesting in the factious who kill by the sword of slander and now below I am seeing it also is taking over a beast government. (There has always been a beast government to back up the factious, religious government. Jesus' time was a good example of this.)  I had seen a cleansing of the true church by this spirit rising up in apostates to separate them from the Man-child and Bride, but also now, in the revelation below, I see a global shift and transfer of secular governmental power in the spirit realm to this Genghis Khan spirit. As I was laying down to sleep, I asked the Father to show me more about the Genghis Khan spirit in a dream or vision. As I was laying in bed, praying in the Spirit, He gave me this vision on 12/29/11: I was high above Earth, looking down from a southern viewpoint toward the North at the Asian continent where Russia and China are. It was dark upon the earth. Suddenly, I saw something dark rising up from beneath the Asian continent, from the center where Mongolia is located (where Genghis Khan came from). The Spirit told me that Mongolia is the opening to the womb between the two legs of Russia and China and this spirit is rising up in and coming forth from them. Its back rose out first, hunched like a mountain; then its head and shoulders came out bowed down toward the east; then its arms and finally its legs. It stayed kneeling down on one knee toward the east, bracing itself with its arms and hands -- one on Russia and the other on China (similar to the stance runners have at the start of a race). (This Genghis Khan spirit is a spiritual type of a conquering Beast spirit ruling in the world and in the Church faction.) It had a human form with sharp nails on its fingers, pointed ears and a bald head. Heaven gave it permission to raise its head and take its first breath and as it opened its mouth and drew in a large breath, some more stars were sucked into its mouth from the night sky, along with the breath it inhaled. (The Dragon Beast drew a third of the stars represents by the seed of Abraham to the earth. The precursor Mark in the va/cci/nes is doing this to by changing DNA.)  I could see very sharp top and bottom canine teeth. (Just as the secular beast has physical power to devour the saints, so does the religious beast have spiritual power to devour the saints. (Psa.37:12) The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth. (57:4) My soul is among lions; I lie among them that are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.) This spirit was very black with many stars in it. (Abraham's seed are "as the stars of heaven” and they are falling by the work of this spirit. This changing of the DNA is to humble people to the DS.)  It looked like the mirror image of the night sky inside it. It didn't stand up, but if it had, the earth under its feet would have looked like a large beach ball. It was gigantic. (Genghis Khan is a world-conquering spirit of the beast in the secular realm, just as it is in the religious realm. Genghis was a merciless murderer of men like faction and slander is a murderer of souls.) I later asked the Father for a verse for this vision of the Genghis Khan spirit and my finger fell on: (Eze. 21:24) Therefore thus saith the Lord: Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand (There is no covering for Unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred and retaliation, which is the nature of those who have this spirit and God does not forgive or forget their sins for this reason. In verses 11 and 12 of this text, God says the sword "is upon all the princes of Israel", meaning the apostate leadership of God's people.), (25) And thou, O deadly wounded wicked one, the prince of Israel, whose day is come, in the time of the iniquity of the end, (26) thus saith the Lord: remove the mitre, and take off the crown; this shall be no more the same; exalt that which is low, and abase that which is high. (This is clear that this spirit is in an apostate leadership of God's people in the end and they will be spiritually wounded and lose their crown being removed from their high position over any true people of God.)  When I read the last part of this scripture, the Spirit brought to my remembrance what Mary, who brought forth the Man-child, said: (Luk.1:51) He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. (52) He hath put down princes from their thrones, And hath exalted them of low degree. (Again, this was spoken of the removal of the apostates over the true people of God by the coming of the Man-child ministry, as the next part of the vision shows.) Right after this, I saw the upper half of a giant woman in the heavens with long blonde hair and very fair skin cradling a newborn with golden hair in her right arm. (The worldwide woman and true Church having brought forth the Man-child ministry.) Light from heaven was shining down upon them. (I only saw her profile and the top of the newborn's head.) She was also facing east (toward the coming of the Son), looking down at her baby, her white garment lowered off her right shoulder in preparation to nurse Him. And a clear vial filled with golden oil appeared without hands and poured oil onto the infant's mouth and onto the woman's right breast. Then she brought the baby to her breast to nurse Him. (This Man-child will partake of the oil and gold of heaven -- the anointing and nature of Jesus.) I asked the Father for a verse concerning the vision of the woman and my finger fell on : (Psa.128:3) Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, In the innermost parts of thy house; Thy children like olive plants, round about thy table. This whole Psalm is awesome! (God will prosper the woman Church to bear fruit in the wilderness, in spite of the dragon of Genghis Khan trying to destroy her and her Man-child. Escaping this evil is for them a Passover of the Destroyer before leaving Egypt for the wilderness. It is the Man-child escaping the dragon which is trying to devour them.) These two events seem again to be happening almost simultaneously or very close together but they are both under the Father's sovereign control! Claire also had a recent dream about the “Mongolian Beast kingdom” Here is a portion of it:   The ‘Mongolian' Beast Kingdom Claire Pienaar - 6/1/21 (David's notes in red) I dreamed of Mongolia all night. The word was said over and over in my mind. (I believe this represents the Genghis Khan Spirit referenced in the dreams above.) In the dream I was traveling there. (She was going into a revelation of the governmental form of this Beast.) I was talking to British generals. They were dressed in black and red military uniforms and explaining to me why they had named it Mongolia. (Black and red are the colors of anarchy and also the Dragon Beast.) Then I was talking to a blonde woman who had adopted boys from Mongolia and wanted to place them in the right grade. (This could represent the bride in Eve's revelation above who not only gives birth to the Man-child company but also nourishes God's elect who come out of this Beast system.)   Then I was talking with Riaan about how to get there and we decided motorbikes would be best. Then I woke up. (Motorbikes have 2 wheels and require balance and forward movement in order to ride them. They also represent having an eye that is single and full of light representing sanctification. This is the best way to have God's provision and protection against this Beast.) (It is interesting that Genghis Khan established the Mongol Empire in 1206, which became the largest entirely connected (contiguous) empire in history. It occupied approximately 22% of all land on Earth. It might well be a type and shadow of the world-wide beast kingdom that we're currently in.)   White Washed Sepulchers Full of Dead Men's Bones Marilyn Klinke - 10/12/21 (David's notes in red) I believe the Man-child is going to overrule the DS politicians and turn this thing in our favor soon. We have been casting down the DS attempts to delay this thing. The DS politicians are in white because they want us to believe they are our benefactors but they are demon possessed and antichrist. I dreamed I was in a place like a state or federal capital building. I saw a few politicians that I recognized, mainly from the Bush family. (The Bush family were all Republicans. This could represent the “Right Wing" Republican Party politicians.) (The politicians were also dressed mostly in white. (Representing, "white washed sepulchers full of dead men's bones”; hypocrites, Matt 23:27-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.) (As I have shared, the DS Babylonish Beast is being conquered by Cyrus who represented the Medio-Persian Beast. We are merely moving from one Beast to another. We are in agreement with Cyrus/Trump in that he is conquering the previous Beast, who is intent on killing God's people.  Trump is using their ill-gotten gains to build the kingdom. The time will come that we will be separated from the new age people on the right who are representing this beast and tolerate us for their purpose of bringing in their “1000 years of peace”.  The book of Revelation which they discount is coming instead for "There is no peace, saith Jehovah, to the wicked" Isa 48:22.  They will be alienated from us for our strictly Christian stance.  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. Their pre-cursor of the mark is turning hearts to the Beast and against us by changing their DNA. Mat 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name's sake.  I saw Jesus, dressed in white, sitting in a chair and watching what was going on. The politicians were completely oblivious to the presence of Jesus. (The politicians right and left overwhelmingly do not serve the one true God and this is why they are oblivious to His Presence. Jesus is always watching. He and the Father are in complete control of all vessels of honor and dishonor. Father uses them all for His purposes and His ends. Isa. 45:6-7 ...I am Jehovah, and there is none else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things.) Jesus then handed me a clipboard with a printed page of writing. I don't remember what was written, but I know that there were 3 paragraphs and the first 3 words of each paragraph were in bold type. I knew that the bold type words were the names of 3 men and what followed each of their names, was an account of their individual lives and why Jesus had chosen them to be on this list. I think the 3 men listed on the page were there, but sitting, very quiet and humble. (These 3 men represent the completeness of the Man-child reformers whom Jesus is anointing to do His work. The White Hat Alliance leaders and politicians will ultimately fail in their goals because they do not pray to, nor worship, the one true God and are not on His side. According to bible study.org: The number 3 is used 467 times in the Bible. It pictures completeness, though to a lesser degree than 7. The meaning of this number derives from the fact that it is the first of four spiritually perfect numerals (the others being 7, 10 and 12). The 3 righteous patriarchs before the flood were Abel, Enoch and Noah. After the deluge there was the righteous "fathers" Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (later renamed Israel). These men were being anointed by Jesus to do His work. Jesus then told me to read what was written on the page. I was told to read aloud, but the politicians were not listening at all. Then I woke up. (The “white washed” politicians are not listening to the one true God and His Son Jesus. This is why their plans will fail. In Eve's dream of the Trump/David Parallel  it was the Man-child David's that showed up for the press conference and ordered the mass arrest of the criminals in the DS church and state. Everyone was expecting Trump to make his acceptance speech at the podium but he never showed up. We believed that this was going to be in reference to the 2020 election that ended up being stolen by the Democrats. I believe this was for the purpose of showing the world the evil of Communism.  The Man-child will be the one to conquer the Edomite factions of Church and state and bring all the glory to God and His Kingdom. Isa 40:10  Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.)  I received by faith at random for this dream, Job 20:19-20. 19 Because he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away a house which he builded not. 20 Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired. (The whole chapter speaks of judgement on the wicked.) I know Father sees everything. It is such a comfort to believe that nothing is hidden from Him, even though the wicked are oblivious and their evil plans mock God. He hears the prayers of His people and is sending His anointed ones in the Man-child ministry. I pray and believe everyday for this. If it's not today, then we are one day closer to the fulfillment.    Slander Adversaries Against UBM Deb Horton - 10/12/21 (David's notes in red)   I had a dream this morning that shows the attack of the slanderers against the David's and UBM.     In a dream I was shown an intersection of John Dodd Road. (This intersection is where I was previously shown the broken traffic light. (A broken traffic light represents the breakdown in the laws that offer people direction and guidance. Our governmental authorities have descended into lawlessness just like the factious in the Church do when they reject God's commands in His Word.) I drive past this intersection on John Dodd Rd. multiple times on a daily basis. John" means "the Lord has been gracious," (He has certainly been patient with the factious.) But, according to Dictionary.com Dodd has multiple meanings, which are, "to praise or celebrate, to gather together, to seize by or as if by authority..." (This sure sounds like the factious.) Wikipedia says, “The surname Dodd may also be derived from the Old English word "dydrian," which means deceiver or rascal, or from the word "dod," which means to make bare or to cut off.”) (I believe this “John Dodd intersection represents a fork in the road we travel in life. We can choose the way of grace and repentance and obedience to the Word of God or we can choose our own self-willed ways and be cut off; like the branches that didn't abide in the vine who is Jesus.) The street to my left was Avanti St. (Representing the way of the goats. Jesus put the goats on His left.) ("Avanti" is Italian for "come on, forward, onward, in front," but it's just a short dead-end street that takes you around to the Amazon Warehouse Distribution Center. "Amazons" were "a race of female warriors of Greek mythology.” Is a woman going to lead this factious attack? Or does this refer to the Jezebel spirit behind the attacks? A Jezebel spirit can be quite seductive.)   The street to my right was Derrick Rd. ("Derrick" actually has a Hebrew counterpart. It's the Strong's H1870 meaning: "road, distance, journey, manner," but it is translated 382 times as "way." UBM is guiding people to walk in the Way. The meaning of Derrick is "power of the tribe, ruler of the people”. (Representing the Man-child ministries.)  A "derrick" is "a hoisting apparatus employing a tackle rigged at the end of a beam." UBM is trying to lift people out of the dirt by feeding them the unleavened bread of the pure Word of God which will wash us whiter than snow.)  I knew, in the dream, the time of day was immediately after sunset when it's getting dark but you can still see a few details, and I was looking at the corner of John Dodd and Derrick. (Spiritually speaking, it is getting very dark with all the deceptions flying around in order to try to deceive even the elect of God. But they won't succeed because the elect love the truth and are enlightened by the wisdom of God's Holy Spirit that lives in us and guides us into all truth with His discernment.) In real life, there is a row of large trees running down John Dodd and then one large tree just past the corner turning right onto Derrick. But in the dream, there was a small group of trees of various sizes filling in the corner. (Representing UBM local; trees represent ‘men'.)  I saw that there were piles of fresh dirt heaped up in the spaces between the trees. (The word dirt is slang for "scandalous, malicious, or incriminating gossip and slander”)  I don't remember if the dirt stopped just before the trees or if any of the trees were touched by the dirt, and I wondered why anyone would do that because if too much dirt is piled up around a tree, then it girdles the tree, which causes the protective bark to rot and the tree dies. Then I woke up. (The factious leaders and their followers have tried for many years to heap up dirt around UBM and kill the ministry and individuals with their lies and slander, but the Lord has said they will not succeed because this is His ministry and He desires “David's house" for His dwelling place. Eve said concerning a previous revelation, "I asked Father concerning some of David's questions. One was about David's house.” And Father said, (Speaking to David) “Do not be anxious or troubled concerning the house. I have desired it for My dwelling place…   I asked the Father to give me another word by faith at random concerning the house and my finger was on Psa. 68:16, Why look ye askance, ye high mountains, At the mountain which God hath desired for his abode? Yea, Jehovah will dwell in it for ever.) In this case the house of David is the Man-child's house meaning his heritage and offspring.)  The verse that I received by faith at random this morning after this dream was, Jer. 51:51  We are confounded, because we have heard reproach; confusion hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of Jehovah's house. This is like Eve's dream of the Factious dog's judgement and their shame and executions. Like Edom's blood staining the Lords garment when he slaughtered them. I asked the lord a few years ago if he would hit them before they hit us and got a YES. Here is what came to me:  Mic 4:9-13  Now why dost thou cry out aloud? Is there no king in thee, is thy counsellor perished, that pangs have taken hold of thee as of a woman in travail?  10  Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail;(MAN-CHILD COMES) for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and shalt dwell in the field, and shalt come even unto Babylon: there shalt thou be rescued; there will Jehovah redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.  11  And now many nations are assembled against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye see our desire upon Zion.  12  But they know not the thoughts of Jehovah, neither understand they his counsel; for he hath gathered them as the sheaves to the threshing-floor.  13  Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; for I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass; and thou shalt beat in pieces many peoples: and I will devote their gain unto Jehovah, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.   Select LanguageAfrikaansAlbanianAmharicArabicArmenianAzerbaijaniBasqueBelarusianBengaliBosnianBulgarianCatalanCebuanoChichewaChinese (Simplified)Chinese (Traditional)CorsicanCroatianCzechDanishDutchEsperantoEstonianFilipinoFinnishFrenchFrisianGalicianGeorgianGermanGreekGujaratiHaitian CreoleHausaHawaiianHebrewHindiHmongHungarianIcelandicIgboIndonesianIrishItalianJapaneseJavaneseKannadaKazakhKhmerKinyarwandaKoreanKurdish (Kurmanji)KyrgyzLaoLatinLatvianLithuanianLuxembourgishMacedonianMalagasyMalayMalayalamMalteseMaoriMarathiMongolianMyanmar (Burmese)NepaliNorwegianOdia (Oriya)PashtoPersianPolishPortuguesePunjabiRomanianRussianSamoanScots GaelicSerbianSesothoShonaSindhiSinhalaSlovakSlovenianSomaliSpanishSundaneseSwahiliSwedishTajikTamilTatarTeluguThaiTurkishTurkmenUkrainianUrduUyghurUzbekVietnameseWelshXhosaYiddishYorubaZulu Powered by Translate Printer-friendly version

Readings for Friday, September 17, 2021 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.” -- Matthew 5:14 Morning Psalm 130 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord . 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! 3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. 7 O Israel, hope in the Lord ! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. 8 It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities. Psalm 148 1 Praise the Lord ! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! 9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! 10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! 12 Young men and women alike, old and young together! 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord ! Midday 2 Kings 1:2-17 2 Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay injured; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.” 3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Get up, go to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?' 4 Now therefore thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not leave the bed to which you have gone, but you shall surely die.'” So Elijah went. 5 The messengers returned to the king, who said to them, “Why have you returned?” 6 They answered him, “There came a man to meet us, who said to us, ‘Go back to the king who sent you, and say to him: Thus says the Lord : Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not leave the bed to which you have gone, but shall surely die.'” 7 He said to them, “What sort of man was he who came to meet you and told you these things?” 8 They answered him, “A hairy man, with a leather belt around his waist.” He said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.” 9 Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.'” 10 But Elijah answered the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then fire came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. 11 Again the king sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty. He went up and said to him, “O man of God, this is the king's order: Come down quickly!” 12 But Elijah answered them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. 13 Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. So the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. 14 Look, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties; but now let my life be precious in your sight.” 15 Then the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he set out and went down with him to the king, 16 and said to him, “Thus says the Lord : Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, —is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? —therefore you shall not leave the bed to which you have gone, but you shall surely die.” 17 So he died according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken. His brother, Jehoram succeeded him as king in the second year of King Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat of Judah, because Ahaziah had no son. 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 18 Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. Matthew 5:11-16 11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Evening Psalm 32 1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. 6 Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord . 11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. Psalm 139 1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. 3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. 7 Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. 17 How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 I try to count them—they are more than the sand; I come to the end—I am still with you. 19 O that you would kill the wicked, O God, and that the bloodthirsty would depart from me— 20 those who speak of you maliciously, and lift themselves up against you for evil! 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord ? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. 24 See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. You can also find all of today's readings at PCUSA.org. The Daily Lectionary podcast is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh, NY, read by Pastor Timothy J. Luoma.

1 Kings 20:1-29 New King James Version Ahab Defeats the Syrians 20 Now Ben-Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his forces together; thirty-two kings were with him, with horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria, and made war against it. 2 Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, and said to him, “Thus says Ben-Hadad: 3 ‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your loveliest wives and children are mine.’ ” 4 And the king of Israel answered and said, “My lord, O king, just as you say, I and all that I have are yours.” 5 Then the messengers came back and said, “Thus speaks Ben-Hadad, saying, ‘Indeed I have sent to you, saying, “You shall deliver to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children”; 6 but I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants. And it shall be, that whatever is [a]pleasant in your eyes, they will put it in their hands and take it.’ ” 7 So the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, “Notice, please, and see how this man seeks trouble, for he sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold; and I did not deny him.” 8 And all the elders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or consent.” 9 Therefore he said to the messengers of Ben-Hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you sent for to your servant the first time I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’ ” And the messengers departed and brought back word to him. 10 Then Ben-Hadad sent to him and said, “The gods do so to me, and more also, if enough dust is left of Samaria for a handful for each of the people [b]who follow me.” 11 So the king of Israel answered and said, “Tell him, ‘Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.’ ” 12 And it happened when Ben-Hadad heard this message, as he and the kings were drinking at the [c]command post, that he said to his servants, “Get ready.” And they got ready to attack the city. 13 Suddenly a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel, saying, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’ ” 14 So Ahab said, “By whom?” And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘By the young leaders of the provinces.’ ” Then he said, “Who will set the battle in order?” And he answered, “You.” 15 Then he mustered the young leaders of the provinces, and there were two hundred and thirty-two; and after them he mustered all the people, all the children of Israel—seven thousand. 16 So they went out at noon. Meanwhile Ben-Hadad and the thirty-two kings helping him were getting drunk at the command post. 17 The young leaders of the provinces went out first. And Ben-Hadad sent out a patrol, and they told him, saying, “Men are coming out of Samaria!” 18 So he said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive; and if they have come out for war, take them alive.” 19 Then these young leaders of the provinces went out of the city with the army which followed them. 20 And each one killed his man; so the Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them; and Ben-Hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with the cavalry. 21 Then the king of Israel went out and attacked the horses and chariots, and killed the Syrians with a great slaughter. 22 And the prophet came to the king of Israel and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself; take note, and see what you should do, for [d]in the spring of the year the king of Syria will come up against you.” The Syrians Again Defeated 23 Then the servants of the king of Syria said to him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we; but if we fight against them in the plain, surely we will be stronger than they. 24 So do this thing: Dismiss the kings, each from his position, and put captains in their [e]places; 25 and you shall muster an army like the army [f]that you have lost, horse for horse and chariot for chariot. Then we will fight against them in the plain; surely we will be stronger than they.” And he listened to their voice and did so. 26 So it was, in the spring of the year, that Ben-Hadad mustered the Syrians and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. 27 And the children of Israel were mustered and given provisions, and they went against them. Now the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, while the Syrians filled the countryside. 28 Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’ ” 29 And they encamped opposite each other for seven days. So it was that on the seventh day the battle was joined; and the children of Israel killed one hundred thousand foot soldiers of the Syrians in one day.

2 Chronicles 17–20 2 Chronicles 17–20 (Listen) Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah 17 Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had captured. 3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. 5 Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. 6 His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 8 and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; and with these Levites, the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9 And they taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the LORD with them. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. 10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute, and the Arabians also brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats. 12 And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities, 13 and he had large supplies in the cities of Judah. He had soldiers, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. 14 This was the muster of them by fathers’ houses: Of Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, with 300,000 mighty men of valor; 15 and next to him Jehohanan the commander, with 280,000; 16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, a volunteer for the service of the LORD, with 200,000 mighty men of valor. 17 Of Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, with 200,000 men armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him Jehozabad with 180,000 armed for war. 19 These were in the service of the king, besides those whom the king had placed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah. Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab 18 Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab. 2 After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” He answered him, “I am as you are, my people as your people. We will be with you in the war.” 4 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the LORD.” 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.” 6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?” 7 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 8 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.” 9 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes. And they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.’” 11 And all the prophets prophesied so and said, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph. The LORD will give it into the hand of the king.” 12 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 13 But Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak.” 14 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And he answered, “Go up and triumph; they will be given into your hand.” 15 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?” 16 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’” 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” 18 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. 19 And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ And the LORD said to him, ‘By what means?’ 21 And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 22 Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. The LORD has declared disaster concerning you.” 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go from me to speak to you?” 24 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 25 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son, 26 and say, ‘Thus says the king, Put this fellow in prison and feed him with meager rations of bread and water until I return in peace.’” 27 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!” The Defeat and Death of Ahab 28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel.” 31 As soon as the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God drew them away from him. 32 For as soon as the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 33 But a certain man drew his bow at random1 and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” 34 And the battle continued that day, and the king of Israel was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening. Then at sunset he died. Jehoshaphat’s Reforms 19 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD. 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.” 4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. 5 He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. 7 Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.” 8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the LORD and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: 10 whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt. 11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the LORD be with the upright!”2 Jehoshaphat’s Prayer 20 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites,3 came against Jehoshaphat for battle. 2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom,4 from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. 5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6 and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 7 Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment,5 or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ 10 And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy—11 behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 13 Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 14 And the Spirit of the LORD came6 upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” 18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19 And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. 20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,   “Give thanks to the LORD,    for his steadfast love endures forever.” 22 And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 23 For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. The Lord Delivers Judah 24 When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there7 were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah,8 for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies. 28 They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the LORD. 29 And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around. 31 Thus Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 32 He walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the LORD. 33 The high places, however, were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their fathers. 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from first to last, are written in the chronicles of Jehu the son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel. The End of Jehoshaphat’s Reign 35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly. 36 He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber. 37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.” And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish. Footnotes [1] 18:33 Hebrew in his innocence [2] 19:11 Hebrew the good [3] 20:1 Compare 26:7; Hebrew Ammonites [4] 20:2 One Hebrew manuscript; most Hebrew manuscripts Aram (Syria) [5] 20:9 Or the sword of judgment [6] 20:14 Or was [7] 20:24 Hebrew they [8] 20:26 Beracah means blessing (ESV)

Morning: 2 Chronicles 17–19 2 Chronicles 17–19 (Listen) Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah 17 Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had captured. 3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. 5 Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. 6 His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 8 and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; and with these Levites, the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9 And they taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the LORD with them. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. 10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute, and the Arabians also brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats. 12 And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities, 13 and he had large supplies in the cities of Judah. He had soldiers, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. 14 This was the muster of them by fathers' houses: Of Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, with 300,000 mighty men of valor; 15 and next to him Jehohanan the commander, with 280,000; 16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, a volunteer for the service of the LORD, with 200,000 mighty men of valor. 17 Of Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, with 200,000 men armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him Jehozabad with 180,000 armed for war. 19 These were in the service of the king, besides those whom the king had placed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah. Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab 18 Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab. 2 After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” He answered him, “I am as you are, my people as your people. We will be with you in the war.” 4 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the LORD.” 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.” 6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?” 7 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 8 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.” 9 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes. And they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.’” 11 And all the prophets prophesied so and said, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph. The LORD will give it into the hand of the king.” 12 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 13 But Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak.” 14 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And he answered, “Go up and triumph; they will be given into your hand.” 15 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?” 16 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’” 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” 18 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. 19 And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ And the LORD said to him, ‘By what means?’ 21 And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 22 Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. The LORD has declared disaster concerning you.” 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go from me to speak to you?” 24 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 25 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, 26 and say, ‘Thus says the king, Put this fellow in prison and feed him with meager rations of bread and water until I return in peace.’” 27 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!” The Defeat and Death of Ahab 28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel.” 31 As soon as the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God drew them away from him. 32 For as soon as the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 33 But a certain man drew his bow at random1 and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” 34 And the battle continued that day, and the king of Israel was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening. Then at sunset he died. Jehoshaphat's Reforms 19 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD. 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.” 4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. 5 He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. 7 Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.” 8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the LORD and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: 10 whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt. 11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the LORD be with the upright!”2 Footnotes [1] 18:33 Hebrew in his innocence [2] 19:11 Hebrew the good (ESV) Evening: John 15 John 15 (Listen) I Am the True Vine 15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,1 for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. The Hatred of the World 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,2 but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. Footnotes [1] 15:15 Or bondservants, or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface); likewise for servant later in this verse and in verse 20 [2] 15:22 Greek they would not have sin; also verse 24 (ESV)

Today we live our heroes, on the sporting field, in politics and in movies. I was watching TV recently and saw an ad with a montage of the various stars of  Discovery channel shows and they start to applaud and when the shots pull back they are applauding doctors, nurses and first responders in this pandemic.   Suddenly we see the fact that real heroes are very often ordinary people who, through adverse circumstances, rise to do extraordinary things. Today want to examine the life of an ordinary, discouraged, oppressed even timid guy who became a judge, a leader and a conqueror. His name is Gideon.   SIX LESSONS ON FAITH FROM A FAITHLESS GUY   In Judges, we see the cycle of the nation of Israel’s fortunes. They rebel against God, God allows Adversity and oppression, in their pain they cry out to God, and God in His love sends a hero to rescue them. They repent, then fall away again and the whole cycle continues. Maybe this is how your life looks?   That’s where we meet an ordinary guy called Gideon, who has something to teach us about faith. He’s as oppressed and scared as the next guy with his situation, not an impressive hero at all, and I for one relate to that!   1.      GOD USES TOUGH TIMES TO GET OUR ATTENTION   This pandemic has driven some people away from God, and some of us towards Him. Either way, for the first time in a long time, He has our attention. People are not thinking about cars, houses, things, football or food, they are thinking about life, family and what really is important in this world.   But the end of Judges 5, we find the nation at peace, at ease and, as often happens, complacent and apathetic about God… Many of us just a few months ago. They had it all, and as it tends to happen to us all in such times, Israel forgot God. They became self-sufficient. They didn't need God.   So the Lord thought He’d shake things up a bit by rousing an enemy against them to show them how hard life can be without Him.   Judges 6:1-2 (ESV Strong's) The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.   So God sends these evil Midianites to oppress them for 7 years. The Midianites were a terrifying and warmongering tribe who raided and stole all the produce on the land, forcing the Israelites to live in fear and even retreat to caves to survive. And although these Israelites had largely forgotten God, and were back into idolatry by this stage worshipping Baal, in a pinch they turned back to the true God…   7 years, you might ask why they waited so long to turn back to the Lord? Because they're a lot like us - they waited until every other possible option played out and they couldn't take it any longer.   Judges 6:6 (ESV Strong's) And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the LORD.   How many times have hard circumstances come to us, and we never stop to ask what God is planning for us in those circumstances? Instead we hold out, thinking that we can handle it on our own. Learn this from Gideon: every experience in life is a test. And every trial in the lives of God's people is tailored to draw us closer to God, and grow faith in our hearts.   Here's the point: When tough times come, instead of looking at them as if God is punishing you, instead of whining and complaining about how tough life is, try to see them as God's gift of grace. A test, even a blessing to grow your faith.   C.S. Lewis said it like this, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It's His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."   Right now God is shouting to a unbelieving world, and to us who are Christians, and we need to hear Him and respond by turning to Him.   Hebrews 12:11-12 (ESV Strong's) For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,   2.      GOD’S VIEW IS BIGGER THAN OURS   God sees far more than we do, and He is waiting for us to turn to Him. He sends an unknown prophet to call the people back to repentance, then He raises up an unknown and unlikely hero, called Gideon.   Gideon’s name actually means, “One who cuts down tress and destroys stuff,” But he was anything but that! He was frustrated, timid and scared.   Judges 6:11 (ESV Strong's) Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites.   Winnowing wheat should be done in a breezy area, not a hole in the ground. But so scared were the Israelites of Midian they resorted to compromise. And the angel of God, with ironic humour, says this…   Judges 6:12 (ESV Strong's) And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”   God sees things inside us when we cannot. Here’s Gideon, threshing in a wine press, and he is greeted not as who he sees himself as, but as who God sees him becoming!   One of the biggest lies the devil sells us is that God only uses special people. If you are a born-again believer, you are God's child, royalty, a prince or a princes, and God says He has plans to prosper you. He says you are His workmanship, His masterpiece, and He is out there preparing opportunities for you to become the mighty man or woman of God you are destined to be!   Ephesians 2:10 (ESV Strong's) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.   God sees not who you are right now, but who you can become in Him.   3.      GOD CONFIRMS HIS PRIORITIES WITH HIS PRESENCE   Gideon felt like God had long abandoned them…   Judges 6:13 (ESV Strong's) And Gideon said to him, “Please, my Lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.”   Some of you feel like that right now. Isolated, lonely, socially distanced, many feel disconnected from the church, and from God. Gideon felt like that. It’s ok to feel like that, it’s just not ok to stay there. God looked him full in the face,   Judges 6:14 (ESV Strong's) And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”   Gideon then throws up his upbringing.   Judges 6:15 (ESV Strong's) And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.”   Listen, whatever your family, your background, your failures or your past, destiny is determined not by circumstances, but by choices. If the devil tries to remind you of your past, try reminding him of his future! God’s reply was   Judges 6:16 (ESV Strong's) And the LORD said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”   When God calls you, He empowers you and even better, He walks the road with you. You are never alone. People ask where is God in all this COVID stuff, and I tell them I know where He is… Right here with me, walking the road!   God confirms His priorities with His presence. He says, I will be with you, and He doesn’t lie…   Numbers 23:19 (ESV Strong's) God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it?   But Gideons lack of faith began to shine through in his next words…   Judges 6:17 (ESV Strong's) And he said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me.   Many of us are like this, we doubt the promises of God. Gideon is talking directly to God, and has nothing but doubts and excuses. Here’s the thing… God didn’t zap him! God loved him, and showed grace by slowly building his faith. But once built, Gideon needed a test to prove to himself that God can use him to rescue his people.   4.      PERSONAL FAITH PRECEDES PUBLIC USEFULNESS   How could Gideon leads his people to victory when his own family were idolators. God isn’t God to Gideon’s people, Baal was!   So the first assignment from the Lord was to take his dad's prized bull and tear down the idols. Then, Gideon was to sacrifice said bull using the wood from the destroyed idol. Gideon did it, passed the test and kicked up a huge storm of reaction.   Why would this detail be in the Bible? To show us that, if we want to become great for God, we must first set our own house in order.   Before God can use you mightily, He must be magnified in your own life, in your own home. Private faith prepares us for public power from God, and there are no short cuts… Holiness is holiness.   Judges 6:27 (ESV Strong's) So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night.   So there was still fear, but he stepped out and did it, scared or not. So is there anything you've been holding on to? Is there any sin that you're clinging to? Knock down your idols today. Confess your sin. Deal with it and return to full obedience to God and the God will use you to impact the world!   Will it stir things up when you do this? You bet, but God will honour those who honour Him! It happened for Gideon, and even his idolatrous father Joash began to change and stand up for his son and the Lord.   Judges 6:31 (ESV Strong's) But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been broken down.”   5.      GOD IS PATIENT WITH OUR FAITH   Now despite Gideon being touted in Hebrews as a hero of the faith, his story shows anything but a hero for a long time.  He passed the personal test of faith, and now people rallied to the cause of fighting Midianites, 32,000.   Judges 6:34 (ESV Strong's) But the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him.   If this were a movie, he’d come up with a rousing speech, “We will fight them on the fields, on the ground, in the mountains, this is our finest hour, this is our Independence Day. But no, Gideon was busy doubting.   I’m like that as a pastor. You’re called, God has anointed you, but some days your faith just has the wind sucked out of it. It only takes a few words of criticism, a questioning glance, and suddenly you doubt that God’s even called you at all.   Even after his encounter with Almighty God, even though he had been obedient to clean shop at home, and even though the Holy Spirit was empowering him, Gideon still struggled with doubts. He knows that God has promised to save Israel through him, but he's looking in the mirror and the reflection he sees doesn't look encouraging.   God still doesn’t zap him. God doesn’t even chastise him for lack of faith. God loves him, and extends grace to him and meets his bizaar request about fleeces.   Judges 6:37-38 (ESV Strong's) behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.   A fleece is not faith, but it is faith building. Faithful people don’t need to put out a fleece, but sometimes some of us do.   Great… Fleece put out, God comes through, I’m ready to go Lord! Oops, maybe not…   Judges 6:39 (ESV Strong's) Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.”   Again God does it to prove He is with him in power.  I love how loving, tender, and patient God is with us. Gideon is making a deal with God. He wants a confirming sign. I bet most of us are no different.   Why did God bother? Why not just say, I’ve had enough of your doubting attitude Gideon, I’m going to empower Joshua down the road instead of you.  That’s how we think God is with us, but when we genuinely have doubts, God loves us enough to persist… Not forever, but until our faith is stronger.   Our Lord was developing this man into a fully invested man of faith, matching each doubt with a kind reassurance. God will show you the same patience as well as you seek His face, dealing with each of your fears to grow you into a man or woman of God.   6.      VICTORY IS OBTAINED BY GOD’S POWER, NOT OURS   Gideon is good to go, it’s game on, and he heads off to war with his 32,000, knowing God is empowering him. But God has other plans. We think we know  best, we have ideas and opinions, but sometimes God just trumps them.   Judges 7:2-3 (ESV Strong's) The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.   Brilliant God, just chop our numbers by 2/3. Why? Because God doesn’t want us to take the glory for ourselves, thinking we did it all! And God knows us so  well. Pastors think they are great because they have a big church. Business people who are successful praise their skills and hard work. Families where kids turn out good praise their parenting. Yes, our actions and abilities influence it, but no matter how good we think we are, it is all, every bit of it, a blessing from the Lord.   James 1:17 (ESV Strong's) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.   BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!   Only 10,000, but still God says that’s too many. Really God? Yes, He culls the army down by 9,700 men who stoop to drink from a river, leaving only those 300 who lapped water from their hands. Now God’s happy, and Gideons faith is stretched but holds…   Judges 7:7 (ESV Strong's) And the LORD said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.”   God does this to us as He builds our faith. Little by little He teaches you to rely solely on Him. Ignite Church is scattered and stretched in this COVID time. My faith is stretched, and trying to restart live church is scary. It’s an unknown, and perhaps God is stripping us back to teach us to trust Him more. Jesus said,    Luke 18:27 (ESV Strong's) But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”   God created an impossible situation of human weakness to exalt His own strength. This is His specialty!   Accomplishing God's purposes is not determined by the bottom line on a finance sheet, or the size of our congregation, or the efficiency of our plans, or our skills, talents or determination. We need to attend to all those things, sure.   But the truth is, God is looking to glorify Himself on earth through people who are fully dependent on Him, who believe He is with them and are ready to charge the enemy in the name of the Lord!   God doesn't need a majority vote from us on this. He doesn't need us at all. But He loves us so much He invites us to join Him in doing His will. When we do, we reap the blessing and He gets the glory. D. L Moody said: "Give me ten men who fear nothing but sin and love nothing but God, and I shall change the world."   So Gideon led the 300 out with trumpets, torches, and jars to meet the crazy killers. God sent confusion into the ranks of the enemy so that they began attacking each other. When it was over, 120,000 Midianites had killed one another and the other 15,000 fled. God had answered Israel's prayers, and He did it all using a fearful, normal bloke who decided to trust God.   SO WHAT ABOUT US?   Gideon shows us that you don’t have to be a super Spiro to be used by God. You don’t need a Bible degree, a ton of money or extreme talent.   God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things, and in this extraordinary time, I believe God wants to use you. You don’t need anything special, just a heart for God, a phone, a Facebook account and it also helps to have a church who believes in you.   But you need 2 things… A heart devoted to God, and I mean really devoted, not just “Hey God, can you get me this,” But, “I’ll serve with everything I have no matter what.” And the second thing you need is faith, faith to step out and believe God, faith to stand when others fall, faith no matter if you get what you want or not.   I know many of you watching want to be used by God. Maybe you struggle with faith. Pray with me and let’s commit ourselves to the Lord to use us as a church over the next many months to shine God’s love.  

2 Chronicles 17–20 2 Chronicles 17–20 (Listen) Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah 17 Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had captured. 3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. 5 Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. 6 His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 8 and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; and with these Levites, the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9 And they taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the LORD with them. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. 10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute, and the Arabians also brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats. 12 And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities, 13 and he had large supplies in the cities of Judah. He had soldiers, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. 14 This was the muster of them by fathers' houses: Of Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, with 300,000 mighty men of valor; 15 and next to him Jehohanan the commander, with 280,000; 16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, a volunteer for the service of the LORD, with 200,000 mighty men of valor. 17 Of Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, with 200,000 men armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him Jehozabad with 180,000 armed for war. 19 These were in the service of the king, besides those whom the king had placed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah. Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab 18 Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab. 2 After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” He answered him, “I am as you are, my people as your people. We will be with you in the war.” 4 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the LORD.” 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.” 6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?” 7 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 8 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.” 9 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes. And they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.’” 11 And all the prophets prophesied so and said, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph. The LORD will give it into the hand of the king.” 12 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 13 But Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak.” 14 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And he answered, “Go up and triumph; they will be given into your hand.” 15 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?” 16 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’” 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” 18 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. 19 And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ And the LORD said to him, ‘By what means?’ 21 And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 22 Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. The LORD has declared disaster concerning you.” 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go from me to speak to you?” 24 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 25 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, 26 and say, ‘Thus says the king, Put this fellow in prison and feed him with meager rations of bread and water until I return in peace.’” 27 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!” The Defeat and Death of Ahab 28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel.” 31 As soon as the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God drew them away from him. 32 For as soon as the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 33 But a certain man drew his bow at random1 and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” 34 And the battle continued that day, and the king of Israel was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening. Then at sunset he died. Jehoshaphat's Reforms 19 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD. 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.” 4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. 5 He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. 7 Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.” 8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the LORD and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: 10 whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt. 11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the LORD be with the upright!”2 Jehoshaphat's Prayer 20 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites,3 came against Jehoshaphat for battle. 2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom,4 from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. 5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6 and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 7 Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment,5 or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ 10 And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy—11 behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 13 Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 14 And the Spirit of the LORD came6 upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” 18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 19 And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. 20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,   “Give thanks to the LORD,    for his steadfast love endures forever.” 22 And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 23 For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. The Lord Delivers Judah 24 When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there7 were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah,8 for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies. 28 They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the LORD. 29 And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around. 31 Thus Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 32 He walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the LORD. 33 The high places, however, were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their fathers. 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from first to last, are written in the chronicles of Jehu the son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel. The End of Jehoshaphat's Reign 35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly. 36 He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber. 37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.” And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish. Footnotes [1] 18:33 Hebrew in his innocence [2] 19:11 Hebrew the good [3] 20:1 Compare 26:7; Hebrew Ammonites [4] 20:2 One Hebrew manuscript; most Hebrew manuscripts Aram (Syria) [5] 20:9 Or the sword of judgment [6] 20:14 Or was [7] 20:24 Hebrew they [8] 20:26 Beracah means blessing (ESV)

Chad Ramsey presents a study from Mark, chapter 7-9. This is an audio lesson. Imitate the Lord Because of What He Does, Chad Ramsey

Chad Ramsey presents a study from Mark, chapter 2-6. This is an audio lesson. Imitate the Lord Because of Who He Is, Chad Ramsey

'Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. So he went up to him; and there he was, sitting on the top of a hill. And he spoke to him: “Man of God, the king has said, ‘Come down!’ ” So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. Then he sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty men. And he answered and said to him: “Man of God, thus has the king said, ‘Come down quickly!’ ” So Elijah answered and said to them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. Again, he sent a third captain of fifty with his fifty men. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and pleaded with him, and said to him: “Man of God, please let my life and the life of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight. Look, fire has come down from heaven and burned up the first two captains of fifties with their fifties. But let my life now be precious in your sight.” And the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king. Then he said to him, “Thus says the Lord : ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’ ” So Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken. Because he had no son, Jehoram became king in his place, in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?' II Kings 1:9-18 How do you respond to the scars you carry? It matters greatly how you respond - life or death How we respond will many times tell the rest of the story You have to remember that you have influence over those around you When you fall, have set backs and failures - it affects those around you Your words and your actions have impact We need wisdom if we are going to serve God for a length of time Everyone bares scars - you need to learn from them Men and women fall because they got to close to the edge We have to have some separation from the world if we are going to live clean and for God Most Christians Want to receive text updates from our church? Send the keyword VBPH to 757-665-2410. Please let us know how this message has influenced you using one of these options: Email: pastor@vbph.org Voicemail: https://anchor.fm/vbph-sermons/message Thanks for listening! Has this message been a blessing to you? Please consider giving a generous donation --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this Communion message Pastor Gary speaks from Psalm 116 in his message titled "I Love the Lord Because...".

2 Chronicles 18:1–19:3 ESV 1 Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab. 2 After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” He answered him, “I am as you are, my people as your people. We will be with you in the war.” 4 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord.” 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.” 6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?” 7 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 8 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.” 9 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes. And they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.’ ” 11 And all the prophets prophesied so and said, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph. The Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” 12 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 13 But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what my God says, that I will speak.” 14 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And he answered, “Go up and triumph; they will be given into your hand.” 15 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” 16 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’ ” 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” 18 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. 19 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ 21 And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 22 Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. The Lord has declared disaster concerning you.” 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “Which way did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?” 24 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 25 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son, 26 and say, ‘Thus says the king, Put this fellow in prison and feed him with meager rations of bread and water until I return in peace.’ ” 27 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!” 28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel.” 31 As soon as the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him; God drew them away from him. 32 For as soon as the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 33 But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” 34 And the battle continued that day, and the king of Israel was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening. Then at sunset he died. 1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.” Decisions that will take us places we don’t want to be: 1. Putting relationships with people above our relationship with God . 2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? We need to know what we believe and why it’s important . 2. Discovering we’ve made a mistake , but being too prideful to change. 3. Not listening to God when He tells us something we don’t want to hear . 1 Kings 21:27–29 ESV 27 And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. 28 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”

Christmas 2018 - Light of the World   Nativity Prayer of Ephraim the Syrian from the 4th century... The feast day of your birth resembles You, Lord Because it brings joy to all humanity. Old people and infants alike enjoy your day. Your day is celebrated from generation to generation. Kings and emperors may pass away, And the festivals to commemorate them soon lapse. But your festival will be remembered until the end of time. Your day is a means and a pledge of peace. At Your birth heaven and earth were reconciled, Since you came from heaven to earth on that day You forgave our sins and wiped away our guilt. You gave us so many gifts on the day of your birth: A treasure chest of spiritual medicines for the sick; Spiritual light for the blind; The cup of salvation for the thirsty; The bread of life for the hungry. In the winter when trees are bare, You give us the most succulent spiritual fruit. In the frost when the earth is barren, You bring new hope to our souls. In December when seeds are hidden in the soil, The staff of life springs forth from the virgin womb A hymn / prayer of Ephraim the Syrian (AD 306-373) Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file ~ You can now purchase our Partakers books! Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site! Click or tap on the appropriate link below to subscribe, share or download our iPhone App!

Why should God be our Lord? Because of what he has done for us and what he can continue to do for us. Therefore, we must abide in him in obedience as he faithfully fulfills his promises in and through us. - Pastor Arthur Hsu

www.blogtalkradio.com/thekingdomofgodornothing/2016/06/28/prophets-seers-and-revelators-on-zions-redemption-radio-06-27-2016 Prophets, Part 3: We Thank Thee, O God, for a Princess Therefore, thus saith the Lord: Because of the hardness of the hearts of the people of the Nephites, except they repent I will take away my word from them, and I will withdraw my Spirit from them, and I will suffer them no longer, and I will turn the hearts of their brethren against them. —Helaman 13:8 In the first two posts in this series, we discussed the fruits of a prophet, and the standard set by the Lord for discerning a true prophet. "By their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20) We also covered the fact that, without the fruits of prophecy, visions, and revelation, it's impossible to tell if someone is a prophet, seer or revelator. The fruits come by gifts of the Spirit, not by virtue of any office in the church. Sadly, these fruits have been absent from the LDS church for quite a long time—that is, we cannot point to any new revelation, prophecy, or vision to the church in the last hundred or so years.  When I have pointed out this fact to my brothers and sisters in the church, and even church leaders, the most common reply is that we receive revelation at every General Conference. Indeed, some regard every talk by the members of the First Presidency or an apostle as revelation—because these men are sustained as prophets, seers and revelators.  I disagree. As I discussed previously, prophecy and revelation are different than inspiration. Many church leaders give inspired talks by the power of the Spirit, teaching great truths. Many General Conference addresses share this common inspiration and are filled with light. But revelation is something more. Prophecy is something different than just a great talk.