Podcasts about lord cursed

Reading IJeremiah 17:5-8Thus says the LORD:            Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings,                        who seeks his strength in flesh,                        whose heart turns away from the LORD.            He is like a barren bush in the desert                        that enjoys no change of season,            but stands in a lava waste,                        a salt and empty earth.            Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,                        whose hope is the LORD.            He is like a tree planted beside the waters                        that stretches out its roots to the stream:            it fears not the heat when it comes;                        its leaves stay green;            in the year of drought it shows no distress,                        but still bears fruit.Reading II1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20Brothers and sisters:If Christ is preached as raised from the dead,how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised,and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain;you are still in your sins.Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.If for this life only we have hoped in Christ,we are the most pitiable people of all.But now Christ has been raised from the dead,the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.GospelLuke 6:17, 20-26Jesus came down with the Twelveand stood on a stretch of level groundwith a great crowd of his disciplesand a large number of the peoplefrom all Judea and Jerusalemand the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:            “Blessed are you who are poor,                        for the kingdom of God is yours.            Blessed are you who are now hungry,                        for you will be satisfied.            Blessed are you who are now weeping,                        for you will laugh.            Blessed are you when people hate you,                        and when they exclude and insult you,                        and denounce your name as evil                        on account of the Son of Man.Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.            But woe to you who are rich,                        for you have received your consolation.            Woe to you who are filled now,                        for you will be hungry.            Woe to you who laugh now,                        for you will grieve and weep.            Woe to you when all speak well of you,                        for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany Old Testament Jeremiah 17:5-10 Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength,  whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse--  who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. The Psalm Psalm 1 Beatus vir qui non abiit 1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, * nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful! 2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, * and they meditate on his law day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; * everything they do shall prosper. 4 It is not so with the wicked; * they are like chaff which the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, * nor the sinner in the council of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, * but the way of the wicked is doomed. The New Testament 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ--whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. The Gospel Luke 6:17-26 Jesus came down with the twelve apostles and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor,for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now,  for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now,  for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets." "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets."

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAGiantSlayer@Gmail.com    Garth Heckman  The David Alliance TDAgiantslayer@gmail.com     Website: www.aegisdefensesolutions.com Insta:   For anyone in IL. Luke is a linseed professional counselor who specializes with kids, teens, and families in Christian Counseling. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, mood challenges, ADHD, and other mental health concerns, reach out to Luke   https://www.whitestoneresources.com/counselors-list/lmerrill   My media channels all go to Garth Heckman    Text me 30 second interviews of you asking people “whats it take to be a man”   Parenting in the presence evil Join us for a 3 week series on the perils of parenting in the new realm. The enemy is out to destroy your kids, your family and your future. What does Gods word say about victory in the middle of viciousness. How do you train your kids for battle in todays Spiritual War. The questions may be different, but the answer is always found in Gods word.  NOV> 3rd     Here is a word for you and I . GOD awards us with attacks . Just like JOB. He told me to quit being concerned about being attacked (your demon in the first service for example). I'm building your faith and responsibility (my response to HIS ability). Garths thought on this: is the man who invested the talents got even more and we know that when you invest talents, there's risk this hard work, but it's a test.   Thick skin people get things done.    Paul said In Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.   Prov. 29:25 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.   Jer. 17:5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.   Matthew 10:32-33 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.   Paul himself told stories of being whipped, stoned, beaten with rods, shipwrecked, robbed and numerous times. In fact in Galatians 6:17 He said I wear the scars of standing for Christ.    Just recently on social media I have been called a cult pastor of a gun church, I have been called someone who thinks they are chosen by God to speak for him… I kind of am… and so are you, I have been called a hypocrite a pedophile, a sicko,  In person I have been told to be quiet, to get out of my face, I have been told of F off…  I don't find delight in it, I actually pray for the people because I truly want them to know Jesus.    Here are five ways to cultivate grit: Embrace Challenges: Seek out situations that push you outside of your comfort zone. Challenges help build resilience and determination. Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Believe that your abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. This mindset fuels perseverance. Set Meaningful Goals: Having clear objectives gives you direction and motivation to overcome obstacles. Practice Deliberate Practice: Focus on specific areas for improvement and engage in consistent, focused practice. Learn from Failure: View setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. Analyze what went wrong and adjust your approach. Not that these are not good, and they apply to many things… however the best way to become thick skinned and take on a greater influence as a follower of Christ is simply - serve him publicly, speak of him publicly, be his example publicly, You will get thick skinned pretty fast when you pray for people in public, share Christ with people in your neighborhood  or work place. You gotta step out to step up and you will step on a lot of rough patches… but it is worth it.  All five of these are all wrapped up in being a follower of Christ Daily. 

Flourishing Mark Evants Notes, Sunday, 10/13/24   Jer.17:5-8: Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs [heb turns aside] from the Lord. 6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit […]

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________LentLet my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Psalm 141:2 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. O Gracious Light Phos hilaronO gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life,and to be glorified through all the worlds. Psalm 118Confitemini Domino1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *his mercy endures for ever.2Let Israel now proclaim, *“His mercy endures for ever.”3Let the house of Aaron now proclaim, *“His mercy endures for ever.”4Let those who fear the Lord now proclaim, *“His mercy endures for ever.”5I called to the Lord in my distress; *the Lord answered by setting me free.6The Lord is at my side, therefore I will not fear; *what can anyone do to me?7The Lord is at my side to help me; *I will triumph over those who hate me.8It is better to rely on the Lord *than to put any trust in flesh.9It is better to rely on the Lord *than to put any trust in rulers.10All the ungodly encompass me; *in the name of the Lord I will repel them.11They hem me in, they hem me in on every side; *in the name of the Lord I will repel them.12They swarm about me like bees;they blaze like a fire of thorns; *in the name of the Lord I will repel them.13I was pressed so hard that I almost fell, *but the Lord came to my help.14The Lord is my strength and my song, *and he has become my salvation.15There is a sound of exultation and victory *in the tents of the righteous:16“The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! *the right hand of the Lord is exalted!the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!”17I shall not die, but live, *and declare the works of the Lord.18The Lord has punished me sorely, *but he did not hand me over to death.19Open for me the gates of righteousness; *I will enter them;I will offer thanks to the Lord.20“This is the gate of the Lord; *he who is righteous may enter.”21I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *and have become my salvation.22The same stone which the builders rejected *has become the chief cornerstone.23This is the Lord's doing, *and it is marvelous in our eyes.24On this day the Lord has acted; *we will rejoice and be glad in it.25Hosannah, Lord, hosannah! *Lord, send us now success.26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *we bless you from the house of the Lord.27God is the Lord; he has shined upon us; *form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.28“You are my God, and I will thank you; *you are my God, and I will exalt you.”29Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *his mercy endures for ever.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsJeremiah 17:5-14English Standard Version5 Thus says the Lord:“Cursed is the man who trusts in man    and makes flesh his strength,    whose heart turns away from the Lord.6 He is like a shrub in the desert,    and shall not see any good come.He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,    in an uninhabited salt land.7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,    whose trust is the Lord.8 He is like a tree planted by water,    that sends out its roots by the stream,and does not fear when heat comes,    for its leaves remain green,and is not anxious in the year of drought,    for it does not cease to bear fruit.”9 The heart is deceitful above all things,    and desperately sick;    who can understand it?10 “I the Lord search the heart    and test the mind,to give every man according to his ways,    according to the fruit of his deeds.”11 Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch,    so is he who gets riches but not by justice;in the midst of his days they will leave him,    and at his end he will be a fool.12 A glorious throne set on high from the beginning    is the place of our sanctuary.13 O Lord, the hope of Israel,    all who forsake you shall be put to shame;those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth,    for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water.14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;    save me, and I shall be saved,    for you are my praise. Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Mary - MagnificatMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as It was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Mark 13:24-37English Standard Version24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Simeon - Nunc dimittisLord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesThat this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord.That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord.That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. Fourth Sunday in LentGracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.A Collect for PeaceMost holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.A Collect for Aid against PerilsBe our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.For MissionKeep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionMay the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. - Romans 15:13

Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.“ When God gives you a vision, that vision cannot be achieved outside of God. You can't do by your power or might, except by total dependence on God.

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________LentLet my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Psalm 141:2 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. O Gracious Light Phos hilaronO gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life,and to be glorified through all the worlds. Psalm 15Domine, quis habitabit?1Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *who may abide upon your holy hill?2Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *who speaks the truth from his heart.3There is no guile upon his tongue;he does no evil to his friend; *he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.4In his sight the wicked is rejected, *but he honors those who fear the Lord.5He has sworn to do no wrong *and does not take back his word.6He does not give his money in hope of gain, *nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.7Whoever does these things *shall never be overthrown.Psalm 92Bonum est confiteri1It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, *and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;2To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning *and of your faithfulness in the night season;3On the psaltery, and on the lyre, *and to the melody of the harp.4For you have made me glad by your acts, O Lord; *and I shout for joy because of the works of your hands.5Lord, how great are your works! *your thoughts are very deep.6The dullard does not know,nor does the fool understand, *that though the wicked grow like weeds,and all the workers of iniquity flourish,7They flourish only to be destroyed for ever; *but you, O Lord, are exalted for evermore.8For lo, your enemies, O Lord,lo, your enemies shall perish, *and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.9But my horn you have exalted like the horns of wild bulls; *I am anointed with fresh oil.10My eyes also gloat over my enemies, *and my ears rejoice to hear the doom of the wicked who rise up against me.11The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, *and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.12Those who are planted in the house of the Lord *shall flourish in the courts of our God;13They shall still bear fruit in old age; *they shall be green and succulent;14That they may show how upright the Lord is, *my Rock, in whom there is no fault.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsJeremiah 17:5-14English Standard Version5 Thus says the Lord:“Cursed is the man who trusts in man    and makes flesh his strength,    whose heart turns away from the Lord.6 He is like a shrub in the desert,    and shall not see any good come.He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,    in an uninhabited salt land.7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,    whose trust is the Lord.8 He is like a tree planted by water,    that sends out its roots by the stream,and does not fear when heat comes,    for its leaves remain green,and is not anxious in the year of drought,    for it does not cease to bear fruit.”9 The heart is deceitful above all things,    and desperately sick;    who can understand it?10 “I the Lord search the heart    and test the mind,to give every man according to his ways,    according to the fruit of his deeds.”11 Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch,    so is he who gets riches but not by justice;in the midst of his days they will leave him,    and at his end he will be a fool.12 A glorious throne set on high from the beginning    is the place of our sanctuary.13 O Lord, the hope of Israel,    all who forsake you shall be put to shame;those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth,    for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water.14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;    save me, and I shall be saved,    for you are my praise. Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Mary - MagnificatMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as It was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. 1 Corinthians 10:1-13English Standard Version10 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Simeon - Nunc dimittisLord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesThat this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord.That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord.That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. First Sunday in Lent (BCP 1979)Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.A Collect for PeaceMost holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.A Collect for Aid against PerilsBe our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.For MissionKeep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionMay the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. - Romans 15:13

5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:5-8 (ESV) Ask yourself, “Who am I trusting?” Takeaways for a New Year Tend the Garden Take the Garden Transplant the Garden

5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:5-8 (ESV) Ask yourself, “Who am I trusting?” Takeaways for a New Year Tend the Garden Take the Garden Transplant the Garden

Today's TreasureThus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.Jeremiah17:5-6Support the show

Walk In Heavenly Places By Faith (7)  (audio) David Eells - 10/1/23 My Mercy Is Pouring Down  Debbie Fenske 9/26/23    “I have extended great mercy to you, my people. My mercy is pouring down like rain. Even now. For I see your heart. I see the desires of your heart to overcome in areas.   I see your weaknesses, and you're giving in when you are overcome. But I see your desire. I see your heart. I hear your cries of repentance. And I forgive.   I see deep in your heart. I know your heart; I know your thoughts. I see your hearts as one heart with the desire to press in for more and more of me, and for more and more of my power to crush those desires, thoughts, and those temptations of your flesh, and of the world that tries to rule you.  You shall overcome! I am pouring down my mercy and my grace upon you. I am getting my Bride ready. Walk in triumph and continue triumphing for the victory won in your life.   Do this by faith. For I see the deep desires of your heart. I see purity. I look beyond the weaknesses, and I see purity there. I see victory. Overcoming victory, and purity is what I see. See it in yourselves, my children. Me in you. Look to the cross.   There, the victory was won. It has been won!! You will come into your victory individually, and as one. Praise me! Victory will come as you praise me and let the chains of weakness fall.   Through praise, in faith it is done. It IS done! I see it. Be encouraged, my children. I have nothing but great love for you. My love is a love that sees farther than you see. For I do see the end. See your victory, and rejoice in it, as you rejoice in my great love, and my great mercy, and my great grace. I see your personal, and corporate battles victoriously won by my great mercy and grace. The battles have been won in Me! Remain in me with your sight on triumphant victory! There is no defeat!”  Thank You Father! All glory and power belong to you and is ours to have overcoming faith. Thank you for raining such great mercy and great grace upon us. We receive it! We can do nothing of ourselves.   Thank you for being such a loving Father, encouraging us in the faith to overcome, and see that we are victorious, even now, by your mercy and grace, we choose to walk triumphant in over the world and our flesh, and over everything the enemy throws at us. We are, and we will continue to be victorious in you. Thank you, Jesus! All glory to you!   Revelation 12:7 Amen, Blessing and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever!   Amen!      Provision  Samuel Fire 11/21/22   We went to the shops in a town a couple of hours away and we do not know anyone in this town.   We went to get a doorbell and they only had 1 left and it was greatly discounted, praise God that He always provides even when we don't expect it.   We then went into a bakery to get some lunch. We were the first customers in there but then a man came in after us and we let him go before us. We moved over to the right of him, not behind him. All these other people then came in and lined up behind him.   He paid for his lunch and then he handed the cashier lady a $100 note and told her, this is to cover the next person getting food and he looked over and pointed at us. We weren't even properly in line, praise God!   The man then quickly ran out of the store. We looked over and saw that everyone standing in line was frozen in shock and couldn't understand why he did that. The cashier lady said that we were next, and she asked us what we would like to order. I was praising God in front of everyone and giving Jesus all the Glory! Every person in there got to witness that God provides for His children!   Praise You Lord, and thank You for always taking care of us and blessing us with so much more than we want or need!   We ran out to try and find the guy to tell him about Jesus but he was already in his car driving off, but we waved, and he waved back, ALL Glory to our Heavenly Father and Jesus!       Deliverance From Rejection  Matthew Stewart 11/9/22  I would like to start out with a verse: John 8:36 “If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”   After our seven day fast, while worshipping the Lord on the eighth day meeting, I felt a great burden left off me. I knew when that happened that I had some deliverance, but I didn't know at the time, what from. But I knew I would find out later. A few weeks later, I had a birthday and, normally, for many, many years, I have dealt with a lot of rejection regarding my birthday. This time was different. For the couple weeks leading up to my birthday, I didn't feel any anxiety, rejection, or depression. This time, I felt peace and love. It felt different to me because I have never felt this way before. It is amazing how much rejection tries to steal from you, tries to hold you back, and tries to keep you from receiving the Father's love. I felt, and am still feeling, the Father's love for me.  He wanted to show me how much He loved me, so He orchestrated so many things for my birthday, things that no man could really plan. The first thing He did was took me off of a machine I was running at work, that I had been running for the last couple of weeks, because the person who normally runs it was out on medical leave. This machine was hurting my back, so the Lord orchestrated it so that the person that was gone came back on my birthday for a gift to me. The second thing He did for me was one of my co-workers, who is not generous nor gives anything to anyone, gave me two shirts for my birthday. The third thing is, on one of the shirts was a number seven, which is significant to me, because when I played baseball in high school, my jersey number was seven. The fourth thing is on the second shirt was two sevens, and, with the other shirt, that makes three sevens, which means completion. The fifth thing was that my coworkers, in times past, never regarded my birthday, but on this birthday they all sang me happy birthday. The sixth thing is that my dad texted me happy birthday, for the first time. There was a lot more that happened that day that I don't remember, but I know the Lord made it special for me.   You don't realize how much rejection you have until you are delivered from it. For me, rejection was a big part of my life. It had roots growing in every part of my life and my walk with God. Rejection was not only keeping me from receiving love from the Father, but my wife, my family, and my friends. It was building up a wall between me and everyone else. For me, rejection was blocking me from really being one with Jesus; from being one in the Spirit. Rejection was destroying my marriage, and my relationship with my kids. I didn't fully understand all of this when I had rejection. I knew a little bit of what it was doing in my life, but now, being free from rejection, I understand it more.   Now I can receive the Father's love; now I have a relationship with the Father, and my wife, and kids. Now I don't constantly see the Father as someone who's constantly trying to condemn me. Now I see Him for the love and grace He gives me, even when I don't deserve it. Rejection has a way of twisting things in your mind; rejection has a way of making everything 100-times worse than what it really is. Now I am not afraid to receive correction. Things that would normally make me cower or destroy me emotionally, don't bother me anymore. I feel so much peace now in my life; the peace is indescribable. It's like there's no fear of anything and no worry. I know in my spirit, and in my whole being, that the Father loves me. (This made a great and powerful change in Matt and greatly blessed his family.)     A Word Regarding Rejection   Anonymous 9/8/22  This question arose when we missed an important Zoom meeting and we thought we had been rejected because of the message that was shared regarding a vision that Lord Jesus is pouring out anointing on everyone. Because we were not there, we thought we missed the blessing.  The Lord - “I Am with you; I will never leave you. I know you seek Me. Receive My love. Welcome Me and enter My love and feel My presence. I Am in you. I Am preparing you and all I can give you. Rest, relax and let go. I got you. I assure you and your life, purpose and efforts. I see and know and am glad. I accept and am happy to be with you. Keep on! Do not look back! Do not listen to lies!   My Son is pleased, and you are accepted to Me. I will pour out anointing and not withhold My blessings, receive it! Manifest and proclaim the Lord – all the kingdoms and everywhere – will rejoice! The King is here! Lead. Be. Behold your Groom! Shout in heart – show your love in actions. Allow the light to reach out and all darkness to be zero! Let My reach be from in you.   TRIUMPH! All Heaven rejoice – you are blessed in with Me! Keep refusing the enemy, keep saying no to self. Consider Me in everything. I know you want Me and I know you do try – I Am and you are, we go as one – in all. Keep in Me. Peace be with you and love.   “Ache no more,   I restore,   All is for,   The One above all,   I am sure,   There is no more,   I go before,   Even with law   Or when swore,   I have borne,   Lay all on the floor,   I am at the door,   You who are poor,   I give you My all,   I make you pure,   Keep and endure,   I want you more,   Blessings forevermore.”  I have a purpose for you – just be patient. Keep seeking Me. I Am pleased. You are worth more than you have ever known. Peace be still. The enemy and ‘self' are conquered. Stand and declare! Victory! Go and redeem and plunder. Much awaits you. Keep speaking and seeking Me. I Am with you always. Have no doubt. What a wonderful (you) I made! I Am so delighted in you! More and more I can be with you and excited we will be together forever! See all that there is – we enjoy together. You give Me all and I can give you more of my power. You give all glory so I can use my power. You return all – I accept and delight to give and pour and more into you.   My love when you return all. My love when you see and talk. I want to lift you and carry you. You want to serve Me and there is nothing we can't do together.  Beside, behind, ahead, inside, above and under to hold – around and between – I AM and you are. WE (are one). Let's go and do. My blessings dear. My love and all. Thank you. And yes, I know you already want to thank Me and give Me all. Don't let go of Me. If you wander – and wonder where I AM, I have gone before and show you. Hear Me. The best is still coming. More and more and forever. Peace. Perfection. I in you, We are in One.   My Son is so happy with you. I am excited to give. And you still give all and I want to bless you more. Be assured – don't worry. I have done it all, let go of everything. I see you try, I bless you and forgive you. I know all and I know what you have done. (What you hate) is gone. I see only love and want you and I know you give to me, but rest, I love you more! That love you have for me and I have for you is a fire that cannot be put out and only burns hotter and bigger! My Son wants to rejoice to all for you are with Him forever.   Do not worry about what or how or where and who you are – I know you are all for Me - I am delighted. The purpose and use is not to consider or worry. It is how I see you give all to Me, this is what I am joyful about. Keep giving for I give more because I delight to. Don't test yourself or think harsh - but let go. You are free from this. Keep and praise as you are. I made you and now you are very dear to Me – but more so until eternity. Looking ahead, as you give to Me – I pour into you more. I receive you and My Son is so excited”       By Works Is Faith Made Perfect (1)  David Eells  (Jas.2:22) Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect. The Greek word there for “perfect” is teleioo, and it means “reaching the end-stage, i.e. working through the entire process (stages) to reach the final phase (conclusion).” The root word of that is telos, which means “mature,” but it doesn't matter how old you are in the Lord, you can still walk as “perfect” before God because you're doing what you know to do. Your ignorances are covered before the Lord. They are not accounted against you. (Jas.4:17) To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. That's something that you can't get out of. If you are not doing what you know to do, then you're not walking with the Lord, and your sins aren't covered.   You know, I was just a baby Christian when I first started receiving signs and wonders and miracles. I didn't even consider whether I was supposed to be given these gifts, I was just speaking faith and seeing God do things like moving storms out of the way. People think that they have to grow up in their faith. No, you don't; the boldest people out there are baby Christians. They step out and do things that are beyond what most Christians can do who have been with the Lord many years.   In the church that I was first associated with, there were baby Christians getting miracles because they were believing God, but I saw a lot of older people in there not receiving much from the Lord. They had settled-in and it was kind of an obligation to them to go to church. They would go to the altar over and over to get prayed for about the same things, yet I saw the baby Christians getting miracles all the time. I felt sad for those baby Christians who stayed in that church after I left. I thought, “In a few years, they're going to be just like the old people there and won't be getting anything from the Lord, either.” They weren't teaching a lot of faith in that church. Even though it was a full gospel-type church, there wasn't a full gospel there.   If we want to grow up in the Lord, we need to please the God of the Bible and not pay any attention to what those old people say, because sometimes they aren't really walking with the Lord very well. I had never heard of praying for cars and praying for things to work and so on. I didn't have anybody around me doing such things. The church I went to had never thought about it, either. I was doing it because I saw it in the Bible, and I was reading the Bible day and night, so I just stepped out and did it. It was the grace of God in me.   It was a dead Pentecostal church that I went to, because after we left the Baptist church, we went to a Pentecostal church. They weren't doing anything like that. My friends were saying, “You must have a gift of faith,” or, “You must have some gifts of miracles.” I never even thought about what it was; I wasn't thinking about what I had or what I didn't have. Jesus said, (Mat.21:21) …If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, it shall be done. I haven't gotten to walk on water yet, but I'm looking forward to it.  Now, of course, if you're in a situation where you're possibly tired of the trial, or you're just plain exhausted, it can become a real temptation to accept a way out other than the one the Lord wants you to take. You can give up and accept something less than what God wants you to have. People do that all the time. Sometimes when you're believing God for something, the devil will send second-best around really quickly, so if you're believing God for something, don't necessarily accept the first thing that comes along. It might be the devil sending you second-best because he doesn't want you to see a major miracle or healing. And especially don't accept any way out that is a work of the flesh, because there's a curse in it somewhere. (Jer.17:5) Thus saith the Lord: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. You see, every kind of an effort to save yourself by your own works, rather than through faith, is just going to end up being a curse. That's what happened when Abraham listened to Sarah and had Ishmael by her handmaid Hagar (Genesis 16:1-12).   I remember when we first discovered faith and about trusting in God instead of acting in the works of the flesh. My oldest girl was a baby then. One day when she was just learning to walk, she stumbled and fell on her face into the carpet. After she got up, we saw she had a tooth that was broken-off. It was shattered all the way up into the gum, and you know how painful that can be. Well, we prayed the prayer of faith over her, but it was terrible to look at her and see that broken tooth, even though she still had a grin on her face. The whole trial was for us, and we realized that really quickly, because we were the ones who had to look at this thing. We prayed that the Lord would put a brand new tooth back in there, and over the next several weeks, we saw a piece of a tooth come out through her gums. It was forced out right through the gums, and she still had a smile on her face. It was a trial for us. So, these pieces kept coming out, and pretty soon a beautiful tooth just came right in there. It wasn't really time for her to receive a new tooth, but it came in there and forced all those pieces and the broken tooth out. The whole time, she was just easy-going and really enjoying life. We realized that it was only a trial of our faith to have to look at this thing, so we patiently endured, and God brought the end of it.   People like to think Jesus always got immediate answers, but that's not what the Scriptures say. Jesus didn't always get immediate answers. There is a “work” we have to do in the meantime, in order to bring to pass what God has given us. James says we are to (Jas.1:2) Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; (3) Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. (4) And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. You see, we are expected to go through trials of our faith, and we have many examples of that. Hebrews 11 is the trial and faith chapter of people who went through great trials of their faith, yet they endured to see answers.   We're not going to see immediate answers all the time, either. I have been doing this for over 50 years. I've seen some miracles, and I've seen other things about which I just had to be dogmatically determined to not depart from the Word of God, but to confess only the Word of God. One reason some people do not receive anything from the Lord is because they think that faith can be just in your mind, but there has to be a work that goes along with faith. I'm not talking about your works, because we know that we're saved by grace. (Eph.2:8 KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. So we know that it's not man's works here; it's not the ordinary works that people do to save themselves.   (Jas.2:14) What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? The fact is, according to the rest of this chapter, the answer is “No.” That faith will not save him. If you have accepted a healing, a deliverance, a provision, or a blessing from God, such as that your children have been saved, that your spouse is saved, or whatever you're believing God for, if you do not act on that, you won't receive anything from God. What would be the normal action of a person who believed that promise? That's what you have to ask yourself. “What would I do and what would I say if I really believed what this promise says?” If you really believe the promise, you are going to be giving a good report in agreement with the Word of God. It is going to be coming out of your mouth. Ask yourself that question often, because God will correct you. “What would I say to this person if I believed that I've received what God says I've received?” Jesus did say, (Mat.21:22) And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.   (Jas.2:15) If a brother or sister (He's giving a natural example here.) be naked and in lack of daily food, (16) and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? Of course, in that case, the work of the Lord will be to meet their needs. (1Jo.3:17) But whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him? That is not your works there, that's God's works. When you see your brother in need, you meet his needs. (Jas.2:17) Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.   If you think you have faith, but you're not acting it out with your mouth, your feet, and your actions, you've been deceived. If you think you have faith, but you're not showing it by your rest, your peace, and your patience, you've been deceived. If you're not walking in that faith, if there's no manifestation of that faith through your body, your mind, and out of your mouth, then that's not faith. You've been deceived. (18) Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith. This is the only way we can prove we have faith. It's what you say, it's how you walk, it's the peace in which you live, that proves that you believe the promise.   (Heb.4:3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest… If you really believe the promise, then you can rest, you can have peace that God has everything in His Hand, that everything is under control, and that He is going to work it out. We show our faith by our works. I'm not talking about works of the flesh, because we are not saved by the works of the flesh. We're not saved by any of our self-efforts to save ourselves. We're saved by the works of God through us. The works that naturally flow out of faith, because when a person believes a promise of God, they begin to act it out with all of their being. If they don't believe it, they act and walk contrary to it.   The Bible says, (Pro.18:21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. And (Rom.10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Notice that the salvation doesn't come until after the work that flows from that faith. If your actions disagree with that which you say you believe, it is not faith. First, you should believe with your heart, and then your mouth must “confess,” which is the Greek word, homologeo, that means “to speak the same as” or “to voice the same conclusion.”   If your works don't agree with your faith, forget it. You're just a double-minded person. (Jas.1:6)  But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.   (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; (8) a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways. It happens all the time. People go to receive prayer for some illness, but then they may continue to agree with the doctor that they're still sick. If they do that, then they've just denied the Lord. (Mat.10:33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. If we deny Him before men, He will deny us before the Father. And the opposite of that is also true. (Mat.10:32) Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. “Confess” in this verse is that same Greek word, homologeo, which means “to speak the same as.” If you really believe it, say it. Why are you going to ask for a second opinion? Isn't God's opinion good enough? If you really believe God's opinion, why are you going to go ask a doctor? Isn't God's opinion right? Isn't it good? Why are you going to get the opinion of a person who walks by sight and is just going to tell you what's wrong? They do not believe in the Word of God, and so you're going to do what? Are you going to confess God before them? Or are you going to confess them before them?   Here's the whole point: If you don't “confess me before men,” if you don't “ ‘speak the same as' Me before men, I will deny you before the Father.” In another place it says, (Luk.12:9) But he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God. That doesn't sound as if you're going to get what you're asking for. You have the authority to deny yourself the benefits of God by not confessing Him before men. After you've received a healing, if someone points out to you that you're sick and you agree with him, do you really think that you're going to manifest that healing? Not likely. As the Bible says, (Jas.1:7) For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; (8) a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways.   The Word of the Lord is true. If you believe that you're healed, why are you going to go and ask somebody else, anyway? The Bible doesn't say to do that. (Jas.5:14) Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (15) and the prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him. Are you going to get anointed by the elders but then go and ask somebody else if you got healed? Forget it, just forget it! You are to go there believing that you are going to receive your healing when you get prayed for. If you're double-minded, don't waste your time or anybody else's time. (Jas.2:19) Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.   What makes you different from the devil if you believe God is One? The devil believes that, too, but he's not going to repent and act in faith, is he? No. (20) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? The word “barren” here is the Greek word, argos, and it means “idle, unprofitable, useless, barren” and even “injurious.” The King James translates it as “dead.” I've had people tell me, “Well, David, I want to go prove to the doctor that I'm saved, so I go show myself to him.” That's fine, but when he tells you what he sees by sight, remember that you're still saved, because you're not saved by manifestation, you're saved by faith first. Accept only what the Bible says about you. Don't accept anything else. Confess your sins to God to make sure that there's nothing between you and Him, and do not deny the Lord, because if you get in front of men and deny the Lord, if you're ashamed of His Words and Him, He'll be ashamed of you before His Father. When men try to get you to deny the Word, even if they don't understand that's what they're doing, don't deny the Word of God. If you deny Him before men, He'll have to deny you.  (Mat.12:33) Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit. (34) Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (35) The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (36) And I say unto you, that every idle (That's the Greek word, argon, from the same root as argos, and here we can see from the text that it means “unfruitful.” He's talking about the need to bear the good fruit of words that are in agreement with Scripture.) word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Do you know that there are many days of judgment? The Bible says, (Joh.3:18) He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.   You are walking through judgment right now if you don't believe what Jesus said. Jesus is the Word: He's all the Word, He's not just the “red letters.” You're denying the Word if you speak an “idle” word, an “unfruitful” word. You are denying the Lord before men. “They shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” What does that mean? It means that you are still walking through judgment. “He that believeth not” on the Son “hath been judged already.” If you're not walking by faith and confessing the Word, then you're living under judgment.   Judgment is the Deuteronomy 28 curse all around you and there's only one way out of that: Don't add to, or take away from, His words. (Rev.22:18) I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: (19) and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.   He tells us to (Rom.3:4) …let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment. Do you want to be “justified”? Do you want God to say that you're righteous in your words when you come into judgment so that you can be delivered? That's what He's saying right here. (Mat.12:36) And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified (That means “accounted righteous.”), and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. So you see, we don't come into God's salvation without confessing it before men, and without walking it out.   Imagine, just as an exercise, “What would I act like if I really believed this promise?” Think about it. Search out those promises in the Word concerning the answer to the predicament that you're in and whatever salvation you need. Also there are the catch-all promises such as, (Mar.11:24) Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them. But there are others that are probably specific to your situation, because God covers us with promises. So, for instance, what would you say if you actually believed that by the stripes of Jesus you were healed, as the Bible says? What would you say if you actually believed that He bore your sins?  (1Pe.2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. What would you say if you actually believed that He became cursed for you and took away your curse? (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Look Jesus bore the whole curse in which is listed sin, sickness and lack of every kind. What would you act like? How would you confess this before men? How could you complete your faith? (Jas.2:22) Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect. The Greek word there for “perfect” is teleioo, and it can be translated “complete,” so faith without works is incomplete. You are going to be justified by what you say in front of people, but it can be an idle word, a useless and unfruitful word, which will not give you the manifestation of what you seek. If you don't think that this is important to God, look at how upset Jesus became with the disciples when they didn't carry through with their faith (Matthew 8:10-12, 17:17; Mark 4:39-40; Luke 9:41).   If God counts you righteous because you believe Him for a promise or for a deliverance, if He counts you righteous because you believe His promise in the midst of your wilderness trial, then what does He say when you don't believe Him? What does He say when you stop believing Him and you turn back to the world? What does He say when you confess the bad report, like the spies who were sent into the Promised Land? (Num.13:28) Howbeit the people that dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. (29) Amalek dwelleth in the land of the South: and the Hittite, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, dwell in the hill-country; and the Canaanite dwelleth by the sea, and along by the side of the Jordan.   (30) And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. (31) But the men that went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. (32) And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. (33) And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. God says He is going to disinherit them and smite them with a curse. (Num.14:11) And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have wrought among them? (12) I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a nation greater and mightier than they.  He promised them the land but now he is disinheriting them for unbelief.  How can He do that after He promised them? Because it is a covenant, our part is believe and then His part is to fulfill the promise. So if you don't keep your part of the covenant YOU broke it. Why was God so angry with them? It was because they confessed the bad report that was not what He had told them. Joshua and Caleb came back confessing the good report, but the ten others came back confessing the bad report that they couldn't take that land. They had negative faith!  Those ten thought they couldn't take the promises, which the land represented. (Num.14:1) And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. (2) And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would that we had died in this wilderness! (3) And wherefore doth the Lord bring us unto this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be a prey: were it not better for us to return into Egypt?  What negative faith they spoke! And so God said in (Num.14:28) …As ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: (29) your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, that have murmured against me, (30) surely ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware that I would make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. (31) But your little ones, that ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have rejected. Notice, they rejected the land because of unbelief.  (32) But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness. He really held them to their own words. They brought themselves under a curse by what they said, and it's the same way with us. Our words can be idle or unfruitful, too. We need to ask God that He would (Psa.141:3) Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips.   (Jas.2:21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works… There are so many people who speak against works, but it's because they're lumping all works into one bucket. We know that we are not justified by any works of man. You cannot save yourself. You cannot be good enough. You have to be justified by Christ's work at the Cross. So, if you believe that you were saved from sin, how would you act? How would you talk? Would you still be anxious and worried about your sins? Would you still be confessing that you're a sinner? Would you be confessing that you have a problem, or would you put it in the Lord's Hand by faith and watch Him do a miracle?   Many people never receive a miracle because their faith is faith without works. (Mat.15:8) This people honoreth me with their lips (They confess Him with their mouth.); But their heart is far from me. Anything for which you enter into faith with God cannot be just thoughts in your mind, it has to be manifested in your heart, your feet, your mouth, and your actions.   (Jas.2:21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Abraham had so much faith that he knew if he killed his son, God would bring him back, because God had made a promise to him that his seed would be like the stars in heaven (Genesis 15:5) or the sand on the seashore (Genesis 32:12; Hosea 1:10). His faith was there and he was acting on his faith. (22) Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect (Again, that word “perfect” means “complete.” If you're not going to act on your faith, forget it, because it's not real faith and it will not be completed, or “made perfect.”); (23) and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.   (24) Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. “Works” was a part of it; works complete your faith. (25) And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? (26) For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. He's saying that if your works are not in agreement with your faith, it's just like a body that's dead, because it doesn't have a spirit to give it life.   You may be thinking, “Well, what about Jesus? Did Jesus ever have to just walk by faith?” Let me point out to you that Jesus was always living in faith because He boldly spoke by faith before He saw anything.   Christians expect that they'll just wait until they see before they believe, but remember what Jesus told Martha and Mary. (Joh.11:25) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; (26) and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. And, (Joh.11:40) Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God? God expects us to believe first, and then we'll see. That's His demand. (Heb.11:1KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It's not faith if you can see the manifestation. (Rom.8:24) For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?   If you see the manifestation, obviously you don't need faith anymore. Faith is what you have to exercise in order to see it. “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” We have to believe before we see. That's why He said in (Mar.11:24) …All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them. To believe that you have received is contrary to normal human reasoning, but then, we're not normal humans, we're sons of God. God is teaching us to be sons of God, so we have to believe we have received before we see it. If you don't believe you have received, in most instances, you're never going to see it.   Again, I point out to you that Jesus spoke before He saw. He always walked by faith. If you boldly speak your faith out of your mouth, the Bible says that God is not going to let you be put to shame (Psalm 119:46; Romans 10:11; 1 Peter 2:6; etc.) God's people are afraid to boldly speak what others can't see, but we can't be afraid to confess the Lord before men. He said that if you're ashamed of Him and His words, then He's going to be ashamed of you before His Father. (Mar.8:38) For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man also shall be ashamed of him, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. We can't be ashamed of speaking His words, even before men who will not approve of us and will think we're crazy. They will be dumbfounded when you get the miracle, and all their theology will go out the window. God wants to give them these testimonies because He's going to convert people by these testimonies.   People may say, “Well, I can't really hope to trust in God. I don't have any examples of this,” but yes, you do. Let's look at a few instances where the deliverance wasn't necessarily manifested immediately, even in Jesus' ministry. (Mat.8:5) And when he was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 and saying, Lord, my servant lieth in the house sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. (7) And he saith unto him, I will come and heal him. (8) And the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.  (9) For I also am a man under authority, having under myself soldiers: and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. (10) And when Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. (13) And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. And the servant was healed in that hour. Wow! The centurion totally confessed the Lord. He had outdone everyone in Israel, according to what Jesus said. The centurion recognized that Jesus had authority in the Kingdom of God and that He didn't even need to come to his house; all Jesus had to do was say the word, and his servant would be healed.   Notice it was the centurion's faith that healed his servant. “As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.” Jesus always has faith and He's always with us. He said, (Heb.13:5) … I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. So Who is waiting on whom here? The whole point is that “as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.” We need to endure a trial of our faith by boldly speaking our confession, just as this centurion did. He goes on, “And the servant was healed in that hour.” Notice also that this wasn't an instantaneous healing, it was within “that hour.”   Now we know the Bible uses the word, “hour,” in more than one way (Matthew 20:12; Mark 13:32; John 7:30; etc.), but at the very least, here it is a twelfth part of a day or night. Many times they used phrases like “the sixth hour” (for example, John 4:6) or “the ninth hour” (for example, Matthew 27:45), and those are definitely talking about an hour of time, but there are other places where “hour” is not referring to an actual hour of time. Sometimes it can be more than an hour because it's speaking of an hour, spiritually.   For instance, in the book of Revelation, there's an hour that's 3 ½ years long (Revelation 12:6, 13:5, 17:12). Over in John, it says, (Joh.13:1) Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world… It took a little longer than that for Jesus to leave the world, so this is another example where an “hour” is used to mean more than an hour of time. It was longer than an hour from that point before Jesus was crucified. (Joh.13:1) Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.   So this was either a period of time, or it was a real hour, but it didn't happen immediately. Would you forgive Jesus if He didn't do everything perfectly from His beginning? The Bible says, (Luk.2:52) And Jesus advanced (The Greek word is prokopto, and it means “to make progress” or “increase.”) in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. So in other words, Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” And the Bible also says, (Heb.2:10) For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect (This is the Greek word, teleioo, “working through the entire process to reach the final phase” or “complete.”) through sufferings. (Heb.5:8) Though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; (9) and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation. The Bible doesn't say Jesus sinned, but it appears that He could have learned things and grown in wisdom and maturity because He had taken on real flesh (John 1:14; Romans 8:3), and He was growing up in that flesh to become the spotless, blemishless Lamb of God.   Let's look at another example where the manifestation was not instantaneous. (Mar.8:23) And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Seest thou aught? This is one time where Jesus asked somebody if they had received their manifestation, and let me point out to you that this wasn't an immediate healing. Jesus asked him if he could see anything, but I don't recommend that anybody answer, “No, I don't see,” because the Bible says that when we pray, we are to believe that we have received. (Mar.8:24) And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold them as trees, walking. He didn't see them very clearly; they were just kind of a blur. (25) Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked stedfastly, and was restored, and saw all things clearly.   Jesus is teaching us something here: If you're asking somebody to tell you what they have felt, seen, or heard in this world, they're going to confess something that's contrary to the Word. The Word says, (Mar.11:24) … All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received (The promise is past tense in the original.) them, and ye shall have them. When you believe you have received, you are thanking God for the thing that you don't see. You have received it. You are confessing it. It is yours.   When you come to the Lord, and you ask Him to save you, and you claim your salvation, do you realize that what you're proclaiming is total perfection? It's total deliverance from the curse and from sin, and it's total healing for your body because salvation concerns the whole man and all of its circumstances. You're confessing deliverance from the curse. When you claim that you're saved, you're claiming something by faith that encompasses all of the blessings and promises of God.   Some people don't realize that they're saying something by faith there; they think that they have manifested salvation. No, the truth is, when you claim that you are saved, you're claiming everything that God promised. Everything is included in salvation, everything. It's all past tense because it's all done, and so that's what you claim. You don't say what you see, feel, and hear in the world, like those ten spies did (Numbers 13). God called it an “evil report” (Numbers 14:36).   They were being honest about what they'd seen with their eyes, but that was all the bad report because it wasn't what God promised. They weren't claiming what God promised and therefore they never received it. (Num.14:36) And the men, whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up an evil report against the land, (37) even those men that did bring up an evil report of the land, died by the plague before the Lord. So this is an example where there wasn't an immediate healing, and notice that what the man initially spoke was contrary to the promise. Was Jesus trying to teach us something here? I believe so.   I believe we're about to come to a day when there are going to be many immediate manifestations, but what are you going to do if you don't get an immediate manifestation? Does it mean that God hasn't answered? That's what the devil tells you. That's what unbelievers around you will tell you, and that's what very religious people will tell you; they'll tell you that God hasn't answered.   Look at the story of Naaman. (2Kin.5:1) Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the Lord had given victory unto Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor, [but he was] a leper. (2) And the Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maiden; and she waited on Naaman's wife. (3) And she said unto her mistress, Would that my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! then would he recover him of his leprosy. (9) So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.   (10) And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. (11) But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and recover the leper. (12) Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.   (13) And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? (14) Then went he down, and dipped [himself] seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. If God, through Elisha, had asked Naaman to do some great thing, Naaman would have gone and done it because he believed in salvation by works, but God only asked him to dip seven times in the Jordan. Are You Going to act on your faith?   The point there is that He just wants us to obey the Word of God, and, of course, Naaman didn't receive his healing manifestly until he came up the seventh time. You know, sometimes the doctors may ask you to do some “great” thing, as a matter of fact. They may tell you to fast, to not eat this or that, or to take these pills. Doctors want you to save yourself. They don't have any problem with you doing some works to save yourself, but you have to act on the Word of God. That was the problem with Naaman until he finally realized that he was supposed to act upon the Word of God. It didn't matter that over in Syria they had much cleaner rivers and that if he wanted to go dunk in a river, he could go over there.  You see, rest is an action, because people who don't believe are running around trying to save themselves, and they don't have any rest. Rest is an action in our Kingdom. It is ceasing from your works to enter into His rest. That is an action. Everyone who believes enters into rest. And while they're resting, they confess that what the Word of God says is true. They confess they are healed, delivered, provided for, that their family is saved, and all these things. While they're resting, they do these works. You have to be resting in God to do the works of God. You have to be ceasing from your own works to do His works.   (Heb.4:1) Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. (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. (3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.   (4) For he hath said somewhere of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works; (5) and in this [place] again, They shall not enter into my rest. (6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, (7) he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts.   (8) For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. (9) There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest (Sabatismos = Continual rest) for the people of God. (10) For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. (11) Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience. The “rest” is ceasing from your own works. You can't do God's works unless you're ceasing from your works, which is seeking to save yourself. The rest doesn't mean you're not working; it means you're not doing your works. If you're resting in God, you're doing His works with confidence.   People think, “I'm believing, but...” For example, “I'm believing, but I'm going to take this pill.” The promise doesn't say that He needs our help. The promise says He's already done it. If you believe that God has already done it, then you don't have to earn it or attain it somehow by your works. What would you believe if you believed that God had already done it? What would you speak and how would you act if you believed that God had already done it? That's what the Bible says.   Here's an example, a common one: (Luk.17:12) And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off: (13) and they lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. (14) And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go and show yourselves unto the priests… Well, the lepers knew what that meant (Leviticus 13:1-46, 14:1- 32).   When a person is healed of leprosy, they are to go to the priest and he examines them. If they are healed, then the priest offers a sacrifice of two turtledoves for them and they are accepted back into the congregation of the people of Israel. That's what the Law said. Jesus told them to not worry about that, but to just go and show themselves to the priest. They knew that meant that they were healed, but when Jesus spoke that, they weren't manifestly healed. They were walking by faith. Those lepers were walking by faith and, not only that, but Jesus spoke it by faith, because He didn't see it.   (Luk.17:14) And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go and show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God; (16) and he fell upon his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. Where were the rest of them? Everybody ought to first give thanks to God. Maybe the rest were thinking, “Oh, I need to go to my family and show them what the Lord did for me,” when it should have been more important to them to go back and give thanks to God. I imagine that they had been separated from their families for a long time and there were people they really wanted to see, really wanted to go back and hug, but God wants the thanks first, doesn't He?    Testimony: We came out of the apostate church about five years ago. We spent the first three years studying on our own, going through the Bible, learning as much as we could. About two years ago we found your website and started going through all the teachings. We joined the conference talks about the time you had started doing the series on “The Real Good News.” Listening to the testimonies of the brothers has increased our faith tremendously.   Our eyes have really been opened to what living by faith is, and how to live by faith. For example, we have a Ford with 260,000 miles on it. When we learned that we could pray for our cars, we started laying our hands on it and praying fixes for it every time it started to have a problem. Now our van is running great. All our friends think we are crazy, but we know the Lord will continue to keep our van on the road for as long as we need it.   When we started working on some videos, our brand new DVD burner stopped working completely. After we asked for prayer during the broadcast, the next day the DVD burner started working again. We learned that the Lord heals more than people.   Then our daughter, who had been helping me put background videos together, woke up one morning with her wrist hurting so much that she couldn't use her hand. We prayed for her, but her hand and arm turned purple. In the weakness of our flesh, we took her to the doctor. The doctor said that her wrist had been sprained—she would have pain for the next few weeks—and that she couldn't use her hand. Not accepting that bad report, she refused to take the medication. After we prayed for her again, anointing her hand with oil, three days later her hand was completely healed.   We were traveling together with some brethren in Christ when their son fell and broke both of his wrists, sustaining fractures in both hands. The emergency personnel took x-rays and confirmed the broken bones. They bound his hands, telling him to go to the doctor when he got home in order to put casts on them. However, his mom also refused to receive the bad report. We asked him if it was ok to pray for him (since he was just seventeen years old and a new believer). We agreed together, then his pain was gone. When he got home, he went to the doctor and discovered that, even though the fractures were still visible on the x-rays, they were healing on their own. Since he had NO pain and could use both of his hands perfectly, they couldn't justify putting casts on him. The nurse and doctors were amazed, since they had never seen anything like that. His mother replied, My Lord Jesus has healed him.   The Lord has us walking on a journey through the wilderness that is going to get even more interesting now. [The Real Good News can be read for free on the website.] has really taught us to walk in faith. It came at the perfect time to strengthen our faith. PRAISE THE LORD!   (Editors Note) In the days to come the church will be cut out of worldly help by the mark of the beast them all will know the value of walking by faith. We caution that legalism does not heal for it is not of faith. Doing things because others do them or to be accepted or admired is not faith. A person must believe they have rescived or not go down this road. As James 1 says the double minded man is not to believe he will receive anything from the Lord.

Now on Rumble: The Infiltration of ChristianityStunning Revelations on Deep State Penetration at the highest levels in ALL DENOMINATIONS!  And it's been happening for a very long time.It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.   [Psalm 118:8] Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  [Proverbs 3:5-6]Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.   [Jeremiah 17:5]#apostasy #apostates #deepstatchurch #billygraham #normanvincentpeale #robertschullerSee Video Presentation on Rumble: https://rumble.com/v27rj9g-the-infiltration-of-christianity-fritz-springmeier-and-timothy-alberino.html

I will never forget, as a brand-new believer, how I was encouraged to memorize scripture by my dad, J.O. Grooms. Right after I told him that I felt like the Lord was calling me into the Gospel ministry in 1971, he actually told me, that all I need to do to prepared for it was to memorize the entire New Testament, large portions of the Psalms and Old Testament, and go for a week to a pastor's school in Chicago area. My Dad set a pretty good example himself as he had memorized more of the Bible than anyone else I have ever known. I first memorized the 180 verses that were in a little book that my dad had recently compiled called Treasure Path to Soulwinning. I fell in love with the Word of God and went on to memorize my first chapter in the Bible, James 1. Shortly after that I memorized Psalm 1 and continued to spend at least an hour or two every day memorizing Scripture by the chapters and even most of the Epistles. One of my biggest regrets in ministry is that I did not memorize more of the Bible, especially when I was younger, and it appeared to be easier. Needless to say, Psalm 1:2-3 became a couple of my favorite verses in the entire Bible! They have motivated me to continue to take the time every day personally in the Word and to encourage others to do the same. These verses have been a cornerstone in the ministry that the Lord has blessed me with. I have, by God's grace, done everything I could over the 47 years as a pastor to encourage others to listen, read, study, memorize and meditate on the Word of God in a systematic way. I believe every believer should read through the entire Bible at least once every year. It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes a day to accomplish this. We spend more time than that getting ready every morning. Think of all the time we spend looking at social media on our mobile phones and electronic devices. Goodness! We have no excuse not to spend time in a discipline that will literally bring us the greatest blessings in our life! By the way, on my website, https://www.pmiministries.org/ , I post a couple of monthly Bible reading schedules that will help you to read through the Bible each year. One schedule, Plan A, will take you through the Old Testament once, the New Testament twice, the Psalms twice and the Book of Proverbs every month. The other schedule, Plan B, takes less time each day, and will take you through the Old and New Testaments once and the Psalms twice. Over the years hundreds of friends and church members have joined with my wife Edith and me to use one of the plans to read the entire Bible every year. One of the greatest blessings I have received is hearing from these dear people how thankful they are that they were encouraged and motivated to take the time each day to read or listen to their Bibles. Over and over, we find Scriptures that commands us, encourages and motivates us to be in God's Word daily. God told Moses in Deuteronomy 6:6 to tell the people of Israel: “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.” God went on to say in the following verses that they were to talk about them and keep them before them all the time and teach them to their children! I think Jeremiah the prophet must have been thinking of Psalm 1:1-3 when he wrote this in Jeremiah 17:5-8: Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

PSALMS CLASS…………………………………09/19/2022 Psalms 1 & 2 PSALMS 1 (Continued)……. Vs. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the [c]rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. “Like A Tree” This Metaphor speaks of stability, Strength, Longevity ( See California Redwoods, some trees 4000 years old)..also being immoveable…a tree is never easily moved/uprooted…Also as  WELL as FRUITFULNESS This is a picture of stable, immoveable, persistent , FRUITFUL …Lasting eternal SAINTS….Because they are so strong In God They also offer protection/security for others Song..”I shall not be, I shall not be Moved….just like a tree planted by the waters, I shall not be moved” Ps. 15:5 He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent He who does these things shall never be moved. Ps. 46:5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be [b]moved; God shall help her, just [c]at the break of dawn.(city/ house of God) Matt15:13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. “PLANTED” This is a tree, that God PLANTED, This shows God's nurturing care & cultivation of this specific Tree. God did this intentionally, this is not just any wild tree or bush “By” literally ‘on' or ‘over'..planted right OVER water like an oasis, a tree of righteousness We are to Be  right in The Water (SPIRIT) of God ..Ro. 8:9, Gal. 5:16, 25;Eph. 2:22 “RIVERS” Plural in the Hebrew…could be canal or channels, has the idea of a ‘DIVIDE'…shows cultivation…irrigation ( we work with Abba to irrigate)…Trees like willow trees ‘hunt' for water with their root…A Garden of EDEN experience “RIVERS”…shows a Free-flowing Life in God..Jn.7:37-39 out of ones belly RIVERS of Living water shall flow…A CONTINUAL source of life Giving Water provided(joel 2:23) Rev. 7:7 For the Lamb at the center of the throne     will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.'[a]     ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'[b Jn. 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. II Peter 2:17 wells without water God will keep the woman/man who delights & meditates In Him flowing in His Spirit “That brings forth its fruit in its season,” …Times & ‘SEASONS” ( ECC. 3) of Fruitfulness…Wonderful & healthy fruit is brought forth, in correct season & order We get ‘rooted'  to provide good fruit as we ABIDE in Abba…Gal. 5:22,23 … Jn. 15:4-5 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Jn. 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. Gal. 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. A natural process to produce FRUIT in Abba's season for the BLESSED Man/Woman!..FRUIT is the proof of our quality, character , nature….we as God's children may produce different fruit. “Whose leaf also shall not wither”….this speaks of what we do, Godly activity in Kingdom work….we will not dry up, we are receiving Plenty of SON shine…because of our delight & meditation in ABBA we are ALWAYS Receiving & growing…producing fruit to nourish ourselves + others(chlorophyll, process)  ..Like a healthy fruit tree we are alive, fresh & full of ‘green' life   “And whatever he does shall prosper…” This is The PROOF of BLESSING For one committed to ABBA…To be a success, , Be profitable…from a root to Push forward or break out Psalm 92:12,13 The righteous will flourish like the date palm [long-lived, upright and useful]; They will grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic and stable].  Planted in the house of the Lord, They will flourish in the courts of our God. Genesis 39:3  And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did [a]to prosper in his hand….23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under [a]Joseph's authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper. Genesis 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: Jeremiah 17:5-8 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his [a]strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord. 6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not [b]fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. II Chron 31:20,21 Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God. 21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered.     THE CONTRAST………Ps. 1:4,5,6 Vs. 4, 5 & 6 4)The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6)For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. Vs 4)” The ungodly are not so,…” literally, ‘NOT  SO The Unrighteous!'..emphatic Hebrew expression….NONE of the Righteous mans Blessings will ever apply to the ungodly man/woman Last 3 verses of chpt. Refer in contrast to the righteous …now the ungodly Refers back to phrase in verse 1 ‘Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…'(both ½ lines) “CHAFF”      This word is used to show the unrighteous/ungodly as being opposite in character/life style of the Godly……Strong TREES have ROOTS, Life…..CHAFF is blown about, no substance, sustenance or LIFE=WORTHLESS…chaff is Dry & barren….processed in a ‘threshing barn' to separate it out from GOOD grain…slats built in to BLOW away worthless chaff….chaff is unstable & of no use. Matthew 3:11,12   11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Daniel 2:35  Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth. Isaiah 5:24 Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw     and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay     and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty     and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel. Jude 12,13 12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead, 5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in Judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous Not in the sense of Resurrection…speaks of being honored or debased….a state of shame is in view NO Justification in sin sacrifice or Christ's blood  , rather a condemning Judgment…as wicked will be cut off “Stand In judgment” Literally, ‘'they shall arise in vindication”    “Congregation” = community, assembly, gathering…a root= to TESTIFY Ps. 5:5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; Ps. 26:12 My foot stands in an even place; In the congregations I will bless the Lord. Ps. 73:18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Goats/sheep….wheat/tares…fruit/chaff God is moving now to expose sin In His Church..I Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Re. 6:17 “For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” Parallelism …. 6)For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. The ultimate factor in a life Is God KNOWING Us ….implies He has accepted Me, & Is INVOLVED INTIATELY with Me(YADA) II Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of [a]Christ depart from iniquity.”   6…………(KNOWS) continued I Cor. 8:1-3 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge [a]puffs up, but love [b]edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.   if anyone loves God this one is KNOWN by Him Matthew 7:21-23 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Job 23:10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. Jn. 14:6 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Heb. 10:20 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, PSALM 139 Matthew 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are numbered He Knows more about Us than even we know of ourselves “PERISH” Literally , “To Wander” A Person left to their own way & uncared for ,wanders aimlessly like a lost child & ends up perishing PSALM 16:8 I have Ever set the Lord Before Me James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. PSALM 112:1,2 Praise[a] the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed

Rev. Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux was preacher for this service. Jeremiah 17: 5, 7 & 14: Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.” Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.

Order of Service: - Prelude - Hymn 55 - Crown Him With Many Crowns: vv. 1, 3 & 4 - Jeremiah 17: 5, 7 & 14: Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.” Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise. - Devotion - Prayer - Hymn 593 - On My Heart Imprint Thine Image - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Rev. Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (Preacher), Kaleb Schmidt (Organist)

Matthew 17:19-20 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why could we not drive it out?” 20 He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and [if it is God's will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. Micah 7:5 Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms; Jeremiah 17:5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. Psalm 118:9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Psalm 118:8-9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Psalm 40:3-4 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

Start your morning with a devotional about trusting God as Dawn and Steve in the Morning share a devotional from Blackaby Ministries International.  Thus says the LORD:”Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.”         Jeremiah 17:5 In addition, listen as Dawn and Steve share an article by Rutledge Etheridge III called "How to Spot a Wolf" and learn how to recognize abusive church leadership before it's too late.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand. Proverbs 19:211. You must annihilate your self-confidence. How? Your infirmities will do it (Something you're weak at). Your infirmities are one of the greatest things to help you develop your God-ordained purpose; your infirmities mean more to you than you think. It prevents you from trusting in yourself. Read Jeremiah 1:12, Romans 4:20-21.·       Luke 18:9 He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous. ·       Jeremiah 17:5, 7 - Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. 7“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. ·       2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.2. Our job is not to achieve our job is to receive! Isaiah 55:11, Mark 16:20, 2 Corin 6:1·       Revelation 5:12 -“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive powerand riches and wisdom, and strength and honorand glory and blessing!”·       John 14:12 -“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.3. God always calls us out of something into something. Exodus records how God led his people out of bondage, while Joshua tells us how he led his people into blessings. Psalms 105:37·       Deuteronomy 6:23 - Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land.·       Psalm 68:6 - God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity.·       1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.4. You'll always be unprepared for your God-ordained purpose. David wasn't prepared for his level of anointing Read Luke 15:20·       1 Samuel 16:10-12 - Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.”And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!Support the show

What does it mean that The Way (Jesus) is Unstoppable. It means that when you have submitted to the rule and reign of Christ in your life, you will bear fruit in keeping with the truth. Mark 4:20 "But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." What is that fruit? Its practical outworking will look different in everyone's life, but it will most definitely be the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). But what about the life of porn addiction? It will also bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:5-6 says... 5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. And later in the same chapter... 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Every day we're producing fruit. That fruit comes from being planted and nourished by the Word of God in the presence of Christ. Or it comes from a life wandering in a spiritual desert. That fruit will not provide any nourishment for the man or his family.

Oliver Underwood is a CABC (Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor) with The Addiction Connection, a certified biblical counselor with ACBC, serves on TAC's advisory board. He is also the Director at Damascus House in the Seattle, WA area. Find more recommended residential addictions programs at TheAddictionConnection.org/residential-programs/ Habakkuk 1:2-4 "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted."(ESV) Habakkuk 2:15-16 “Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink—you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness! 16 You will have your fill of shame instead of glory. Drink, yourself, and show your uncircumcision! The cup in the Lord's right hand will come around to you, and utter shame will come upon your glory!" (ESV) 6:08 How does God's response to Habakkuk's plea relate to today? 9:00 How bad is the Fentanyl-lacing crisis that is pouring into the USA and what can Addictions Biblical Counselors do about it? 12:35 What insight does Oliver have from his experience at Damascus House? 15:10 Eric Smith from DEA, Houston, reported seizure of fentanyl. 15:38 Tim Murphy, Congressman in 2017, predicted fentanyl's rising overdose deaths. 16:15 What is the rising cause death those age 18-45? 17:12 What is hindering many local churches from taking opportunities to reach the addicted? 21:10 How did the stigma about alcoholism, recovery, and addiction occur and what is the only remedy to the problem of stigma? Does the biblical approach to addiction reduce it to a moral failure? 25:18 Jeremiah 17:5 "Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord." (ESV) 25:45 In what ways can a local church get involved combatting the problem at the heart of addiction with the hope of the Gospel? 27:01 What is the latest on the development of the women's program at The Damascus House? Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NASB 1995) says, "Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, 18 Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places." (NASB1995) 2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB1995) "...preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." (NASB1995) Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible. Scripture quotations marked NASB1995 are from New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

Opening Song:  O Lord, open our lips and our mouths will declare Your praise.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,  As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end,  Amen.    The Scripture for today is Jeremiah 17:5-10.    Let's prepare our hearts to hear from God's word as we listen to By the Streams by Jonathan Ogden. A steady rhythmic pattern is established by sustained piano tones; other electronic instruments are gradually layered on top. The vocal line is gentle as the text expresses yearning to be planted like a tree by the streams of living water. Lyrics: I have found my souls delight In You Lord In you lord I have found my souls delight In Your eyes In your eyes   Your word is water to my soul Your word is life to me   Plant me like a tree by the streams of living water Plant me like a tree by the streams by the streams   Day and night I will meditate on Your word Passage:  5   Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.   7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”   9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10 “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”   (Jeremiah 17:5–10 ESV) Musical Reflection:  “Air on the G String” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major by J.S. Bach Reflection Notes:  The slow, descending bass line creates musical “steps” in an elegant fashion while a suspended melody several octaves above creates a satisfying combination of sound registers. Prayer: This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

Reading I Jer 17:5-8 Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: it fears not the heat when it comes; its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.Reading II 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20 Brothers and sisters: If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.Gospel Lk 6:17, 20-26 Jesus came down with the Twelve and stood on a stretch of level ground with a great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

View the Bulletin for Sunday February 13, 20228:00 a.m. - Worship with Communion9:15 a.m. - Adult & Teen Bible Study & Children's Sunday School10:30 a.m. - Worship and CommunionAll are WelcomeArchive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”Old Testament Reading – Jeremiah 17:5–8 Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Epistle Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:1–20 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the sixth chapter. [Jesus] came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

Reading IJer 17:5-8Thus says the LORD:            Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings,                        who seeks his strength in flesh,                        whose heart turns away from the LORD.            He is like a barren bush in the desert                        that enjoys no change of season,            but stands in a lava waste,                        a salt and empty earth.            Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,                        whose hope is the LORD.            He is like a tree planted beside the waters                        that stretches out its roots to the stream:            it fears not the heat when it comes;                        its leaves stay green;            in the year of drought it shows no distress,                        but still bears fruit.Responsorial PsalmPs 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6R (40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.Blessed the man who follows not            the counsel of the wicked,nor walks in the way of sinners,            nor sits in the company of the insolent,but delights in the law of the LORD            and meditates on his law day and night.R Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.He is like a tree            planted near running water,that yields its fruit in due season,            and whose leaves never fade.Whatever he does, prospers.R Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.Not so the wicked, not so;            they are like chaff which the wind drives away.For the LORD watches over the way of the just,            but the way of the wicked vanishes.R Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.GospelLk 6:17, 20-26Jesus came down with the Twelveand stood on a stretch of level groundwith a great crowd of his disciplesand a large number of the peoplefrom all Judea and Jerusalemand the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:            “Blessed are you who are poor,                        for the kingdom of God is yours.            Blessed are you who are now hungry,                        for you will be satisfied.            Blessed are you who are now weeping,                        for you will laugh.            Blessed are you when people hate you,                        and when they exclude and insult you,                        and denounce your name as evil                        on account of the Son of Man.Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.            But woe to you who are rich,                        for you have received your consolation.            Woe to you who are filled now,                        for you will be hungry.            Woe to you who laugh now,                        for you will grieve and weep.            Woe to you when all speak well of you,                        for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

Once again we return to looking at what the bible says about those people who refuse to trust in the LORD but rather put their trust in mankind, self and things.  Thus says the LORD, cursed is the person who trusts in anyone or anything that is disingenuous and not of God.  He will be… Read more

Jeremiah 17:5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.

Have you ever noticed we really love those sermons that are positive, powerful, and encouraging?  Honestly, every sermon can be all theses things and much more with the correct Mindset and perspective.  This morning is one of those kind of sermons.  I personally like it when someone takes the time to warn and counsel me… Read more

Are we living in a Godless nation and have foolish elected leaders?   Please do not get me wrong I know there are many people the trust in God and believe in Jesus trying to live for Christ yes, this includes some of our leaders.   I love America I served my country, But God and Jesus I love more in will obey the word of God first.  Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.  Micah 7:5 Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms; Jeremiah 17:5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. Psalm 118:9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.   However, I think that many people are suffering from emotional abuse from our elected leaders. The Bible does not use the words emotional abuse, but there are plenty of characteristics of emotional abuse addressed in Scripture.  Emotional abuse can take many forms, including verbal assaults, threats, and insults, such as has been coming from many elected leaders.  And non-verbal rejection, neglect, and isolation; these behaviors are recurring and have become a pattern of emotional abuse. We can only pray for the elected leaders who choose to abuse their position due to their foolishness. I am basing the above title question on what is going on. Within our nation, our elected leaders support abortion, homosexuality, crt, cancel culture, day light mugging, and so much more, force their issues on the American population.  Politicians are boasting about the misuse of their position. Politicians are trying to intimidate parents into being quiet by using federal law enforcement.  Police being killed in an ambush, yet BLM and other anti-America groups running wild in the streets. Many of our elected leaders are being outright foolish. I wonder What does the Bible says about foolishness. Foolishness results from a person misusing the intelligence God has given him. Do you see our leaders doing this?  A fool uses his reasoning skills to make wrong decisions. The most basic type of foolishness is denying God's existence or saying "no" to God (Psalm 14:1). The Bible associates folly with a quick temper (Proverbs 14:16–17), perverse speech (Proverbs 19:1), and disobedience to parents (Proverbs 15:5). We are born with innate foolishness, but discipline will help train us in wisdom (Proverbs 22:15). Proverbs 19:3 says that foolishness is counterproductive: "A person's folly leads to their ruin." Jesus in Mark 7:22 uses a word which means "senselessness" and is translated "folly." In that context Jesus describes what comes out of the heart of man and defiles him. Foolishness is one of the evidences that man has a defiled, sinful nature. Proverbs 24:9 says, "The schemes of folly are sin." Foolishness, then, is really the breaking of God's law, for sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). To the fool, God's way is foolishness. "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing." (1 Corinthians 1:18; cf. verse 23). The gospel seems to be foolishness to the unsaved because it doesn't make sense to them. The fool is entirely out of phase with God's wisdom. The gospel goes against the unbeliever's native intelligence and reason, yet "God was pleased through the foolishness of  what was preached to save those who believe" (1 Corinthians 1:21). The believer in Christ receives the very nature of God (2 Peter 1:4), which includes the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). By relying on the Holy Spirit's indwelling power, the believer can reject foolishness. His thoughts can please the Lord, and he can make decisions that glorify God as he enriches his life and the lives of those around him (Philippians 4:8–9; Ephesians 5:18—6:4). When it comes to our eternal destiny, one is either a fool, meaning he rejects the gospel of Christ, or one is wise, meaning he believes in Christ and commits his life to Him (see Matthew 7:24–27). The believer discovers that the gospel—what he thought was foolishness—is, in reality, the wisdom of God providing his eternal salvation. I repeat that I think that many are suffering from emotional abuse from our elected leaders. Pray for our leaders and for this nation to come back to God. John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” All of man's questions of life are answered in this verse.

“The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars, 2 while their children remember their altars and their Asherim, beside every green tree and on the high hills, 3 on the mountains in the open country. Your wealth and all your treasures I will give for spoil as the price of your high places for sin throughout all your territory. 4 You shall loosen your hand from your heritage that I gave to you, and I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you do not know, for in my anger a fire is kindled that shall burn forever.” 5 Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?10 “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” 11 Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool. 12 A glorious throne set on high from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water.

Psalm 1:1–3 (ESV) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Jeremiah 17:5–8 (ESV); Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Philippians 4:6–9 (ESV) 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Readings for Wednesday, March 31, 2021 “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” -- Philippians 4:6 Morning Psalm 5 1 Give ear to my words, O Lord ; give heed to my sighing. 2 Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I pray. 3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch. 4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil will not sojourn with you. 5 The boastful will not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. 6 You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful. 7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house, I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you. 8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. 9 For there is no truth in their mouths; their hearts are destruction; their throats are open graves; they flatter with their tongues. 10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of their many transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you. 11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you. 12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord ; you cover them with favor as with a shield. Psalm 147:1-11 Psalm 147 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 Jeremiah 17:5-10, 14-18 5 Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. 6 They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. 9 The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? 10 I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. 14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for you are my praise. 15 See how they say to me, “Where is the word of the Lord ? Let it come!” 16 But I have not run away from being a shepherd in your service, nor have I desired the fatal day. You know what came from my lips; it was before your face. 17 Do not become a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster; 18 Let my persecutors be shamed, but do not let me be shamed; let them be dismayed, but do not let me be dismayed; bring on them the day of disaster; destroy them with double destruction! Philippians 4:1-13 4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. 2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. John 12:27-36 27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34 The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.” After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Evening Psalm 27 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. 6 Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord . 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! 8 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation! 10 If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence. 13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord ; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord ! Psalm 51 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. 5 Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. 6 You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. 17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, 19 then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar. 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.

https://youtu.be/9qDBcfPlUpA Matthew 7:7-10 God is so good to us. I am living a life that I don't deserve and I'm not living the life that I deserve. God has been so gracious. Can you say that God has been gracious?Key verse-  11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!“how much more” is what the heart of God is- he's not a somewhat God- he's a I will do it GodHe can, he will, he wants to . how much more.  1. How much more should we Stay dependent on God“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.Jesus is getting to the end of the sermon on the mount and using this time once again to encourage people to become people of prayerThe point that Jesus is making, and has made is that the disciples of Jesus should be completely dependent on God for everything that they want spiritually, physically, emotionally, relationally, and for any and all wants and needs they aspire to haveMatthew 21:22  And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”Individualism, self reliance, self aggrandizing is not the ethos of the kingdom- the ethos of the kingdom is dependence on God. We don't save ourselves, forgive ourselves, praise ourselves, accomplish our own Goals outside the help of God's sovereign hand. Psalm 10:4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.I get it- America is a ‘up by your boots straps get it done make it happen” kind of placeBut that's a American thought not a Godly thought- Kingdom thoughts are without God I can accomplish nothing- I can do nothing- its all on him- not on meThere's a balance here- bible says if a man doesn't work he wont eat- but it also says we can't trust in our own fleshJeremiah 17:5-9 READSelf accomplishment and glory gives God no glory which is the point of our life. 5 Thus says the Lord:“Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength,Whose heart departs from the Lord.This is very important distinction- Miss Ranger- food, walk, sleep, run- this what we're doing?That's how we should be- God- can I, should I, will I, can we, im not moving until you doWhens the last time you prayed and asked God about something that you could do?We must ABIDE- we must rest in HIM and HIS power and purpose and HE will do it if we ASKJohn 15:7  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.Now some have taken this to mean that whatever I ask for God has to give me and if he doesn't its because I'm not having enough faith, praying right, remembering the right scriptures etc. like it some cosmic spell we must cast to get God to move- its not- The decision and the outcome are in GOD's hands- not ours- we just keep asking- Forgiveness is always assured- Psalm 86:5  For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.Don't get it twisted- don't think that you're not forgiven if you've asked- forgiveness is instantaneous- you don't have to work for it at all- its assured1 John 1:9 if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Connection to God is always assured-  Jeremiah 29:12-13  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.James 4:8 draw near to God and he will draw near to you- It's the OTHER stuff that we're like- is this going to happen? Healing, promotion, moves, stuff, cars, house, relationships,  we ask- cause we want- but its in God's hands if we get itWe can't get discouraged tho- that's where God's sovereignty comes into play- his decisionJohn 16:23-24  “And in that day you will ask Me...

https://youtu.be/9qDBcfPlUpA Matthew 7:7-10 God is so good to us. I am living a life that I don’t deserve and I’m not living the life that I deserve. God has been so gracious. Can you say that God has been gracious?Key verse-  11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!“how much more” is what the heart of God is- he’s not a somewhat God- he’s a I will do it GodHe can, he will, he wants to . how much more.  1. How much more should we Stay dependent on God“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.Jesus is getting to the end of the sermon on the mount and using this time once again to encourage people to become people of prayerThe point that Jesus is making, and has made is that the disciples of Jesus should be completely dependent on God for everything that they want spiritually, physically, emotionally, relationally, and for any and all wants and needs they aspire to haveMatthew 21:22  And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”Individualism, self reliance, self aggrandizing is not the ethos of the kingdom- the ethos of the kingdom is dependence on God. We don’t save ourselves, forgive ourselves, praise ourselves, accomplish our own Goals outside the help of God’s sovereign hand. Psalm 10:4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.I get it- America is a ‘up by your boots straps get it done make it happen” kind of placeBut that’s a American thought not a Godly thought- Kingdom thoughts are without God I can accomplish nothing- I can do nothing- its all on him- not on meThere’s a balance here- bible says if a man doesn’t work he wont eat- but it also says we can’t trust in our own fleshJeremiah 17:5-9 READSelf accomplishment and glory gives God no glory which is the point of our life. 5 Thus says the Lord:“Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength,Whose heart departs from the Lord.This is very important distinction- Miss Ranger- food, walk, sleep, run- this what we’re doing?That’s how we should be- God- can I, should I, will I, can we, im not moving until you doWhens the last time you prayed and asked God about something that you could do?We must ABIDE- we must rest in HIM and HIS power and purpose and HE will do it if we ASKJohn 15:7  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.Now some have taken this to mean that whatever I ask for God has to give me and if he doesn’t its because I’m not having enough faith, praying right, remembering the right scriptures etc. like it some cosmic spell we must cast to get God to move- its not- The decision and the outcome are in GOD’s hands- not ours- we just keep asking- Forgiveness is always assured- Psalm 86:5  For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.Don’t get it twisted- don’t think that you’re not forgiven if you’ve asked- forgiveness is instantaneous- you don’t have to work for it at all- its assured1 John 1:9 if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Connection to God is always assured-  Jeremiah 29:12-13  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.James 4:8 draw near to God and he will draw near to you- It’s the OTHER stuff that we’re like- is this going to happen? Healing, promotion, moves, stuff, cars, house, relationships,  we ask- cause we want- but its in God’s hands if we get itWe can’t get discouraged tho- that’s where God’s sovereignty comes into play- his decisionJohn 16:23-24  “And in that day you will ask Me...

We only have one life here on earth, so we must live it for the King who died for us. Listen to this message as Jacob stresses the importance of the life you choose to live! 1. Work Out Your Connection “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” I John 5:14-15 * Jeremiah 17:5 * Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.” For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” 2. Turn on the Switch “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24 3. Shine “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Special Guest: Larry Ganschow, a Christ-follower who now serves Reigning Grace Counseling Center as the Addictions Services Director. www.rgcconline.org He also is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with The Addiction Connection. Dr. Mark E. Shaw asks Larry about Step 3. Their discussion centers around how the Bible speaks into the lives of God's people who have been addicted and are addicted, and how the Twelve Steps sometimes contradict what God says in His Word. Many people use this self-help movement to stay sober; but the problem is when the self-help movement sets itself up as a spiritual solution that often goes awry from the Bible and Christianity. Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. The instruction of this verse is YOUR responsibility. See to it that you don't get put into handcuffs (spiritually) by being deceived by the world's philosophies. Step 3 Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. https://aa.org/pages/en_US/read-the-big-book-and-twelve-steps-and-twelve-traditions Larry outlines his childhood drinking, his use and selling of marijuana and cocaine which led to his arrest. God answered His cry out to Him with a S.W.A.T. team and a shotgun up against his head. After his stay in the Halfway House he had an epiphany in which he wept and gnashed his teeth and decided that he would spend the rest of his life living sober and trying to help other get sober… and that was August of 1985. He's been doing it ever since. Larry's thoughts about Step 3 – which he calls his favorite step to stay sober. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. https://aa.org/pages/en_US/read-the-big-book-and-twelve-steps-and-twelve-traditions Larry tells us that Jeremiah 17:5 “Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.”

Sermons By Ed Ep. 31: Jeremiah Ed Underwood   The Book of Jeremiah (Yahweh establishes)—Weeping prophet to a wayward people Jeremiah’s message to Judah— Forsake idolatry and self-rule and return to covenant with your faithful God . If you don’t, God will not stop the im- pending judgment (loss of land, rule, & captivity). Yet in the end, there is hope—God will establish a new glorious covenant where He will remake and reestablish the people of God forever! Setting: Jeremiah is inserted in the turbulent years surrounding the decline of Assyria and the rise of the Babylonian Empire (627-582 [Jeremiah 1:2-3]).The backdrop is the rule of Josiah’s three sons and grandson (Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin & Zedekiah), the last four rulers of Judah. The nation’s independ- ence was ending and Jeremiah would witness the destruction of the city and the Temple. Jeremiah suffered for the message God gave him: whipped and put in stocks (20:2), accused of treason and desertion (26, 37:11-16), plotted against (12:6, 18:18), imprisoned in a cistern (38: 1-13), held under arrest (38:14-28). Jeremiah is very honest about the turmoil in his heart (4:19, 8:18-22, 9:1ff, 15:10-21 & 20:7-18) and longs for Yahweh to restore Judah. Once it became clear that Judah would not repent, Jeremiah advocates submission to Babylon and directs his sermons to the future returning remnant. The book can be divided into two main sections and 19 messages from the heart of God through His servant Jeremiah: Chapters 1-45—10 messages to Judah’s Kings, the False prophets, and Judah to repent Chapters 46-52—9 messages of judgment against the nations Jeremiah 31:31-34 describes a new covenant that has been implemented through Christ in the church and will be fulfilled with the house of Israel & Judah. Themes & Message of Jeremiah “Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘I will most assuredly give you the words you are to speak for me. Know for certain that I hereby give you the authority to announce to nations and kingdoms that they will be uprooted and torn down, destroyed and demolished, rebuilt and firmly planted.” (1:9-10). Jeremiah’s message is two-fold: 1) to destroy and 2) to rebuild. He was sent to Judah to rebuke them for their sinful ways and to announce that Yahweh has rejected them for a period of time, and has transferred the land (as predicted in Lev. 26 & Deut 28) into the hands of the Gentiles (Babylon). In chapter 18, God uses the illustration of the potter and the clay. As the potter shaped his pot according to a specific design, the clay proved to be unpliable, so the potter reshaped it into a different design. Judah, by continual refusal of God, kept getting harder and harder in heart, till eventually God could not mold the clay. If Judah responded to their rebuke, the Lord would relent the impending judgment. History proved that Judah did not respond, but God remained faithful—Jeremiah prophesied the preservation of a righteous remnant that will return (23:3, 29:10-14, 32:37-41, 36:11), the initiating of a shocking new covenant (31:31-34), and the coming of the Messiah and Kingdom (3:17-18, 23:3, 5-6, 33:15-17). Judah, played “the harlot” and was sucked into all kinds of sick Canaanite idolatry and immorality for political and “survival” reasons. Idolatry is described and condemned in Jeremiah—more than any other Book in the Bible (1:16, 2:5, 11, 28, 3:9, 5:19, 7:6-8, 18, 9:14, 10:1-16, 11:10, 17, 12:16, 13:10, 14:22, 18:15, 19:5, 13, 22:9, 23:13, 25:6, 32:34- 35, 50:2, 38, 51:17, & 47, etc.). Jeremiah calls Judah’s wicked acts as: harlotry (2:20, 3:1, 6, & 8), forsaking God (14 times), dealing treacherously with God (3:20, 5:11, 12:1, 6) and rejecting the covenant they established with Yahweh out of Egypt (Egypt is mentioned 60 times). Yet God’s covenantal mercy, grace and cry for the return of His people are seen throughout Jeremiah—“But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me....Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: `Return, backsliding Israel,' says the LORD; `I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,' says the LORD;`I will not remain angry forever...O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved....Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." (3:1, 12, 4:14, 31:3). God’s heart is for Judah to be His people and for Him to be their God (Jeremiah uses the phrase “My people” 46 times). That they may become My people, for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they would not hear (13:11). The steps of turning away from Yahweh, forsaking the covenant, and sinning against their Maker is described by Jeremiah as futile (10:3, 15, 51:18) and worthless (10:8, 14:14, 18:15, 23:16). Jeremiah describes this exchange of the living God for profitless and worthless idolatry as shockingly stupid and self-destructive. In Jeremiah 2:13, God points out the two evils that Judah has committed: “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns— broken cisterns that can hold no water.” The worthless idols of Canaan cannot and will not accomplish what only God can do. “Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit...Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble.” (2:11, 11:12) The universal problem of the people of God has always been the seduction of self-sufficiency and independence from our All-powerful Provider. Judah was no different, “Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD” (17:5). Human wisdom, might and riches are as bro- ken as blasphemous idolatry, “Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD” (9:23-24). The future hope for Judah and all of us self-sufficient, idolatrous, covenant breakers is the hope of the New Covenant (Jer. 31)—"But I will make a new covenant with the whole nation of Israel after I plant them back in the land," says the LORD. "I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. I will be their God and they will be my people. People will no longer need to teach their neighbors and relatives to know me. For all of them, from the least important to the most important, will know me," says the LORD. "For I will forgive their sin and will no longer call to mind the wrong they have done." (Jer 31:33-34). The Mosaic Law declares men guilty and imprisons humanity under sin in order to bring us to resolution that we need intervention—Christ (Rom. 7 & Gal. 3). What the people of God needed wasn’t more Law or clarification of God’s expectations, but the supernatural capacity to live in covenant relationship with Yahweh. To a generation of idolaters and covenant breakers, Jeremiah shares the great- est news any Israelite could ever hear—God will remake you with a new heart, directing you with His indwelling presence, you will experience intimacy and forgiveness like never before, that will result in trusting obedience and not failure and shame. 5 parts of the New Covenant: New heart New Spirit New experience and knowledge of God “God’s dream will become a Reality—I will be their God, they shall be my people!” (Jer 31:33, Ezek. 37:27) New level of forgiveness “forgiven, forgotten, & final” (Jer. 31:34, Heb. 10:4, 18) New results “new nature” (Jer 31:33, Ezek. 36:26, 2 Cor. 3:3) “New experience of God’s indwelling presence and guidance.” (Ezek 36:26-27, Isaiah 59:21, 2 Cor. 3:3, 6) “It will set people free!” (Jer. 32:40, 31:32, 34, Ezek 36:27, Rom. 7:14-18, 24, 2 Cor. 3:6, 9-11, Heb. 8:6)

Jeremiah 17:5–8   5Thus says the Lord:“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.6He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come.He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.7“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.8He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream,and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green,and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”    

Identity in Christ vs Interpersonal Conflict We've all experienced it: they're wrong, and I'm right. But what if we're not seeing reality for what it is? What if we're really not right? How does finding our identity in Christ allow us to step back and evaluate the best answer to any given conflict, without being afraid of what the outcome will do to our personal worth? Show Notes: If you’re reading this, you’ve experienced interpersonal conflict. It could have been with your parents, siblings, friends, coworkers, kids, or others, but in all likelihood, it’s been with as many of those as you’ve had a relationship with. Basic conflict is part of interacting with other people. Why? Because every person is unique in their combination of experiences, beliefs, personality, and upbringing, which means we all are coming at the world from a unique perspective. We think different things are important and have different solutions to problems. This leads to disagreements about how to do the laundry, market the product, built the church, raise the kids, and load the dishes into the dishwasher. The best way to handle this conflict is to ask thoughtful questions of the other person/people to see why they think their way is best, express why you feel the same way about your idea, and then take the idea or parts of all ideas that are best and form a solution everyone agrees on. Easier said than done, I know. Why is this? I think there are two primary reasons: either someone is holding too tightly to their own idea or someone wants something they shouldn’t want. What do I mean by this? Let’s look at the second reason first. James 4:1-2 says, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” The point James is making is two-fold. When we have unmet sinful desires, we are going to do whatever it takes, at whatever personal cost to others, to get what we want. Secondly, if we want wholesome and good things within God’s will for us, all we have to do is ask. So it could be that conflict you’ve experienced is because you or someone else wanted something sinful. Can knowing your identity help with this? Absolutely. The way that sin gets us is by whispering that we need something we aren’t supposed to have. When we believe that, we start opening doors of what we’re willing to do to get that thing. Maybe it’s not very far at first, but at the end of every hallway is another door. We always think that satisfaction lies on the other side of each door; we won’t have to go on beyond this one. But it’s never quite enough. There are a couple lies about God and His relationship with us behind this behavior. God does not have my best interest at heart. He has given me needs and then forbidden me from fulfilling them. God created good things and then put them off limits just to see me suffer. So what’s the truth that countermands these lies? James 1:17, “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.” Anything good in this world comes from God, and we’re not going to find something good by going around God. Jeremiah 17:5-8, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. ‘Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.’” God is trustworthy, and when we trust Him, He takes care of us. Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Everything we truly need, God gives to us. Part of knowing who we are in Christ is resting in who He is and His sufficiency for us. He is enough, His plans for us are for our good, and anything He has not given us or put off-limits to us is also for our good. When we ignore Him and think that we know best, that is when we end up in the weeds. Joy and fulfillment are not found is what is off-limits but in God and His purpose for our lives. The second reason I said you could be having trouble resolving interpersonal conflict is that someone is holding too tightly to their own idea. What would cause this? The roots are in, you guessed it, identity. There are two kinds of people who do this: those who are overconfident and can’t be wrong, and those who are underconfident and trying to prove themselves. The first group can’t see anything from anyone else’s perspective because it’s pointless to do so, since everyone else is always wrong, and they’re always right. This is classic pride, the lie of which could be: I was created better than everyone else at (fill in the blank), therefore I have a higher value than everyone else, and everyone should listen to me. The second kind of person is one who undervalues themselves and feels that in order to be valuable, they have to be right and have their ideas accepted. The lie goes something like this: my value is determined by how well I contribute and how often people think I’m right. The truth for both kinds of people is the same but with a different twist: Our value is found in God placing His image upon us at creation and Jesus’ death for us on the cross. Nothing we do or don’t do can change that value. All humans bear the same value as image-bearers of God. No one of us is better or worse than any other, because we are all inherently sinful, and anything good in us is because of God’s righteousness. Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—” Which type of person are you more likely to be? It’s easy to see these traits in other people, but the point of learning more about God and discipleship is to change us. Can you think of a time when your sinful desires got in the way of a relationship and caused conflict? Can you think of a time when you couldn’t let go of thinking you were right because of pride or under-valuing yourself? How can you remind yourself of the truth so that it’s less likely to happen again?

For me every Monday morning after a big weekend at church I tend to feel down, and if some aspect of Sunday was disappointing, I really flatline. Disappointments are inevitable in life, as we all experience from time to time. We can be disappointed by people, by situations, by ourselves and even by God.   By our very nature, being people of faith, hope and love, we open ourselves to potential disappointment. Sometimes we believe for the best in people and believe by faith for goodness to prevail, only to have our faith and our dreams shattered. You cannot stop disappointments in life, but you can manage them correctly and in a Godly way.   If you have recently suffered disappointment, I want to declare to you today that you can know and understand the truth by simply changing one letter… change the d for an h, and disappointment becomes His Appointment. Change that one letter, and it can change your entire perspective!   DISAPPOINTMENT… SET UP TO BE LET DOWN?   Why do so many of us struggle with disappointment in our lives? This week, many of us in leadership have had to work through a disappointment, a result we did not believe was right or fair, and while we boldly proclaim God is in control, our attempts to keep our chins up sometimes resemble hollow bravado.   Expectation plus reality often times results in disappointment. Disappointments, if not address in the proper perspective, will result in negativity and pessimism… and emotional flatline as I know too well. Christians are not exempted from this. Even worse, we may become critics of God as we can blame Him for inaction or being unfair in our time of distress. Listen to the opening verses of Habakkuk…   Habakkuk 1:2-4 (ESV Strong's) O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.   How do we set ourselves up for disappointments…   1.      HIGH EXPECTATIONS   Sometimes our high expectation disappoints us, but we need to discover that God has a better plan. Joseph expected to marry a virgin, so imagine how he felt when he discovered Mary was pregnant!  God had a better plan.   The people of Israel were about to enter the Promised land, and Moses sent in spies. They knew of God’s promises, but then 10 of the 12 reported back like this…   Numbers 13:32 (ESV Strong's) So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height.   High expectations can set us up at times for disappointment, especially when we tell God what we want Him to do for us! Listen, there is a difference between God telling you something and you telling God something.   2.      WRONG MOTIVES   Judas joined Jesus’ group expecting him to build an earthly kingdom, but his motives were wrong. His disappointment led to the grave mistake of betraying Jesus, and when we ask with wrong motives we often set ourselves up for disappointment and defeat.   James 4:3 (ESV Strong's) You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.   If your motive for asking the Lord for something is personal, to promote yourself, or your ideas, your provision, your comfort, etc., then disappointment often follows, so if you are struggling with disappointment, check your motives.   3.      MISTAKEN PRIORITIES   What we think is a priority, God does not see it that way.  People often look for comfort and material blessings from God, but frankly God is more concerned about our character development than our comfort. The symbol for Christianity is a cross, not a cushion.   What we think is important, what we deem is a better way ahead is what we tend to pray for.  We might think that God should do something for us because it will make life easier for us, but God often has a better plan, a wiser, higher, more far reaching plan beyond what we, with our limited perception, decide we want…   1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV Strong's) For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.   4.      FALSE RELIANCES   We often grow to rely on things that are based on man rather than God, and as such we open ourselves to disappointment. Connections, jobs, education and money are like shifting sand. They might be here at least right now, but the problem is that it is very easy to put our trust in these things instead of trusting in God. Our false reliance on worldly things often disappoints us.   Jeremiah 17:5 (ESV Strong's) Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.   Sometimes expectations occur simply because we are used to relying on certain things, and when they fail us we suffer disappointment, because we were not really relying on God.   WE MUST RECOGNISE WE HAVE LIMITED PERCEPTION   God is all knowing, and all seeing, and He alone sees the big picture. Many times He is taking us on a journey building our faith and our character, but we only see from our limited point of view… we often can’t see the forest for the tress!   The Disciples did not understand why Jesus the Messiah should be crucified. In their limited understanding, crucifixion meant defeat. Little did they know that Jesus’ death was part of God’s mighty plan to redeem the world from the slavery of sin.   Our limited perception will disappoint us many times, so we need to make a conscious choice to trust God instead of what we see…   Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV Strong's) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.   DISAPPOINTMENT IS NOT DEFEAT   Albert Einstein failed his college entrance exam. Walt Disney was fired from his first media job. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.   Abraham Lincoln, possibly the greatest president of the US, knew failure and disappointment… after losing his mother and later his fiancé, this is how his life moved ahead…   1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months. 1838 Ran for state speaker- defeated. 1840 Ran for elector - defeated. 1843 Ran for Congress - lost. 1846 Ran for Congress again - this time he won - went to Washington and did a good job. 1848 Ran for re-election to Congress - lost. 1849 Ran for Land officer in his home state - rejected. 1854 Ran for Senate of the United States - lost. 1856 Ran for Vice-Presidential nomination, failed 1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again - again he lost. 1860 Elected president of the United States.   I believe that much of our problem when it comes to major disappointments is about perception. When we see our well laid, even godly plans broken and destroyed on the ground, we get down and depressed. But we have to be like Rocky… “I ain’t going down no more!” It’s all about perception…   “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” – Abraham Lincoln   HOW TO TURN DISAPPOINTMENTS INTO HIS-APPOINTMENTS   Sometimes disappointment feels like defeat, it feels like you have nowhere to go and no hope for the future. Yet from the ashes of your disappointment fresh destiny can arise. So how can you turn disappointment into His Appointment, and how can you look to the future when you sit in the ashes of despair?   1.      DON’T BLAME GOD   When we experience disappointment, it is always tempting to blame someone else, and this needs to be avoided. We especially need to not blame God, because although He is working all things for good behind the scene, He is often hurting too.   Proverbs 19:3 (ESV Strong's) When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.   If we blame God or others, we tend to feel unjustly treated and victimised, and this entrenches things like bitterness and jealousy rather than setting us free to move into our God directed destiny.       2.      DON’T STOP LISTENING TO GOD   When we experience disappointment, we often get mad at God for letting us down, and then we stop listening to Him. We say “God, I asked and You let me down, so I’ve lost all confidence in you and Your promises.”   In Exodus 4, the Israelites believed that God would set them free from slavery, and Moses approached pharaoh. But they then found they had an even harsher demand put on them, so it seem the approach by Moses had backfired big time. The people refused to listen to God or Moses then,   Exodus 6:9 (ESV Strong's) Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.   In their disappointment at the result, they stopped listening to God. So if you are disappointed today, if you stepped out in faith and trusted God and you feel let down by the result, don’t stop following and listening to God!   3.      STEP BACK AND SEE THE BIG PICTURE   Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV Strong's) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares 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.   As an eagle’s eyes see far beyond what a human eye can see, so God in His infinite wisdom and understanding, can see far beyond what puny man can see.   God is eternal, and He sees the big picture. We see just our small portion, and it is sometimes like viewing the back of a tapestry. We see pain, disappointments, struggle, hardship, dark coloured threads as well as light, and they seem to just make a mess. But if we could see the other side of the tapestry, we would see a vision of great beauty. We have to trust the master weaver as He weaves even disappointments and hardships into our lives.  Here’s a poem popularised by Corrie Ten Boom…   My Life is but a weaving between my Lord and me; I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.   Oft times He weaveth sorrow And I, in foolish pride, Forget He sees the upper, And I the under side.   Not til the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly, Shall God unroll the canvas And explain the reason why.   The dark threads are as needful In the Weaver’s skilful hand, As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned.   He knows, He loves, He cares, Nothing this truth can dim. He gives His very best to those Who leave the choice with Him.   4.      SEEK GOD’S WILL, NOT YOUR OWN   As I said before, many of the things we pray and believe for are what we want, not necessarily what God wants. As Pentecostals, we are always stepping out in faith an believing for great things, which is wonderful, but sometimes we tell God by faith what we want, rather than allowing Him to reveal to us His will.   Matthew 6:33 (ESV Strong's) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.   That’s the awesome thing… we do not have to seek the results the world wants, because if we seek the Lord Himself, we get everything we need in life, according to His wisdom!   I know we at Ignite need a bigger building, and so does God. If we would just seek Him first, and His Kingdom, then we can trust that He will open the right door at the right time. Until then, we have 150 people and 2 toilets, and a lot of close fellowship, but God is here, folks, and He will lead us on!  We don’t have to issue instructions to Him, we have to listen for His instructions to us!   5.      LET GOD BUILD WHAT MATTERS   In God’s perspective, He allows us times of testing and disappointment to build what He considers is most important.   Are buildings and car parks important to God? Is having a big or comfortable church that significant? Or is building character and faith more important? Is unity in our church of a higher priority than the number of toilets?   Of course it is, and God can use our current disappointments to build things of lasting value into our lives, and into this church.   If you can trust God to answer your prayer the way you desire, can you also trust Him if He says no? If we think our way is a good idea, can we entrust it to God, even if He says He has an even better idea.  I have come to understand that true faith trusts God no matter the result, because   Romans 8:28 (ESV Strong's) we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.   Many of us seek God’s hand, but don’t seek His face. Many times we put our trust in the result of our prayers rather than in God Himself, and if we do this we will be disappointed! However, if we stand and see that God is building something incredible right here before our eyes, we know that He can and will use even the disappointments for His glory and our character!   BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS A PLAN   When you experience disappointment, never lose sight of the promises God has made to you. He promises that He has a plan for your life, and with His infinite wisdom and knowledge, He is in a far better position to decide things for us, regardless of what we think should happen.   Growing up I always wanted to be a doctor. I missed by a couple of marks, and so became an Optometrist, and could have swapped to medicine but strongly felt to stay in Optics. As it turned out, as an Optometrist in my specialist area I have been more free to minister than I ever would have been as a doctor. God had a plan to prosper me!   Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV Strong's) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.     STAY FOCUSSED ON JESUS   Circumstances do not determine destiny, choices do. Sometimes like Peter we step out of the boat by faith, with our eyes and our faith set on the Lord, but the waves and wind buffet us so much that we begin to look at them instead of God, and we begin to sink!   Colossians 3:2 (ESV Strong's) Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.   Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV Strong's) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,   Looking at Jesus, fixing our eyes on Him completely transforms how we view and deal with the disappointments. However disappointed you may be, keep focussed on God!     DISAPPOINTMENT AND DEFEAT DON’T DETERMINE DESTINY   Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes of defeat, like Jesus rising to fullness of life from a cold, dark tomb, we can rise above our disappointments and hardships if we change our perception…   2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV Strong's) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.   Our destiny as believers and our destiny as a church remains sure this day, whatever the disappointments we feel.   Imaging the incredible pain and disappointment Job faced, losing everything he valued in life, yet he could still say,   Job 13:15 (ESV Strong's) Though he slay me, I will hope in him;   I CHOOSE TO NOT LOSE   Remember, disappointment only needs the change of one letter to become His Appointment. It only needs a small change in our perception to overcome disappointment in our lives. If we feel disappointment today, it’s not the end. We may feel like we’re losing, we may feel like the bad guys have won, but if we change our perception, we can choose to not lose and we can choose to win big with our God! We have a choice… disappointment or His Appointment…   After all, a set back is just a set up for a come back!   I started this message with the prophet Habakkuk whining and complaining about how the bad guys seem to be winning. And for some of us here, the bad guys seem to have won and we are disappointed.  Habakkuk cried out to God and wanted to know why good men suffer while ungodly men seem to get the breaks. He wanted to know why it seems that nice guys finish last, why people who behave well are beaten by those behaving badly.   And so the prophet and God argued back and forth for 3 chapters, but is want to finish with the final verses of that book. After crying out against the injustice of what had happened, as many of us are today, after feeling the disappointment and being overwhelmed by seeing the wrong guys winning, Habakkuk finishes his book this way. (If you are disappointed, I’d encourage the same…)   Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV Strong's) Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.   Today I want to pray for those struggling with disappointment. If you’ve had a bad year, if you’re feel let down, if you question why the bad guys seem to be winning. If your trust in God is shaky because you cannot see what He is really doing, stand up.   Near the end of the year, you’re feeling down, run down or let down. We’re going to point your eyes up!

BUILT - NEW PREACHING SERIES When the storms of life come, are you BUILT? When the rains descend, floods rise and winds blow, are you unshakeable and unmovable; are you unstoppable? Is the storm: A relationship A disappointment A fear A compulsive and destructive behavior An under resourced vision A biological weakness TODAY'S EPISODE NOTES  PSALM 127:1-5 NKJV (Solomon said) Unless the LORD BUILDS the house, They labor in vain who BUILD it; HOUSE – represents any and every sphere of your life: Spiritually/Walk with God/Prayer Life/Faith Life Physically/Health/Strength Mentally/Emotionally Socially/Relationally/Family/Single-ly Financially/Vocationally Ministerially LABOR IN VAIN (Emptiness) - Putting confidence in things like: Working harder Talents Education Finances Politics Governments Who you know   QUESTION:  HOW DOES THE LORD BUILD THE HOUSE? _________________ MATTHEW 7:24-27 NKJV (Jesus said) Therefore WHOEVER hears these SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN who BUILT his HOUSE ON THE ROCK: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who BUILT his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. _________________ To be BUILT means I must integrate, regulate and activate GOD’S WORD into my thinking, feeling and doing! _________________ BUILT THINK IT FEEL IT DO IT _________________ HEBREWS 11:3 NKJV By faith we understand that THE WORLDS WERE FRAMED by the WORD OF GOD, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. JOHN 1:1 NKJV In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD WAS GOD.  2 PETER 1:4 NKJV (Peter said) … (we) have been given… exceedingly great and precious PROMISES, that through these you may be PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption [that is] in the world through lust. HEBREWS 4:12 NKJV For the WORD OF GOD [is] LIVING and POWERFUL… _________________ GOD’S WORD IS A … Piercing Sword Revealing Mirror Producing Seed Shining Light Consuming Fire Shattering Hammer _________________ ISAIAH 55:11 NKJV So shall MY WORD be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall NOT RETURN TO ME VOID, But IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH what I please, and IT SHALL PROSPER [in the thing] for which I sent it. JEREMIAH 17:5-10 NKJV Thus says the LORD: "Cursed [is] the man who TRUSTS IN MAN and MAKES FLESH HIS STRENGTH, whose HEART DEPARTS FROM THE LORD… 9 "The HEART [IS] DECEITFUL above all [things], and desperately wicked; who can know it? 10 I, the LORD, SEARCH THE HEART, [I] test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the FRUIT OF HIS DOINGS. _________________ DIVINE GUIDANCE:  CAN I BE CONFIDENT? JOHN 10:4-5, 27 NKJV (Jesus said) "And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for THEY KNOW HIS VOICE. 5 Yet they will by NO MEANS FOLLOW A STRANGER, but will FLEE FROM HIM, for they do not know the voice of strangers. … 27 My sheep HEAR MY VOICE, and I know them, and THEY FOLLOW ME.” _________________ FAVORED:  WILL THINGS WORK OUT? 1 CORINTHIANS 15:10 NKJV But by the GRACE OF GOD I am what I am, and His GRACE toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but THE GRACE OF GOD [which was] with me. _________________ FAITH:  CAN I DO THIS? ROMANS 12:3 NKJV For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to EACH ONE a MEASURE OF FAITH. ROMANS 10:17 NKJV So then FAITH [COMES] BY HEARING, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD. _________________ HOW WILL I… BUILT THINK IT? FEEL IT? DO IT?  

Jeremiah 17:1-10 English Standard Version (ESV) The Sin of Judah 17 “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars, 2 while their children remember their altars and their Asherim, beside every green tree and on the high hills, 3 on the mountains in the open country. Your wealth and all your treasures I will give for spoil as the price of your high places for sin throughout all your territory. 4 You shall loosen your hand from your heritage that I gave to you, and I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you do not know, for in my anger a fire is kindled that shall burn forever.” 5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength,[a] whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind,[b] to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

What to do when the unexpected happens Speaker: Rev. Patrick Kelley Originally Recorded: Jun 4, 2017 What not to do: 1. Gossip 2. Hold it in 3. Throw out everything Pastor Will has taught you Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. What to do: We stay together! Talk with the right people. Refresh your relationship with God. Pray! Forgive. Rebuke & Restore. Proverbs 24:5-6 A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety. Jeremiah 17:5-7 Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. Psalms 34:17-18 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Mark 11:25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. I Timothy 5:20-21 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. Big Idea: The unexpected happens to everyone, but how you walk through these times is vital because it shapes our experience.

2016 Feb 25 Thu: Lenten Weekday ===================================================A reading from the book of the prophet JeremiahJer 17: 5-10===================================================[5] Thus says the LORD:"Cursed is the man who trusts in manand makes flesh his arm,whose heart turns away from the LORD.[6] He is like a shrub in the desert,and shall not see any good come.He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,in an uninhabited salt land.[7] "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,whose trust is the LORD.[8] He is like a tree planted by water,that sends out its roots by the stream,and does not fear when heat comes,for its leaves remain green,and is not anxious in the year of drought,for it does not cease to bear fruit."[9] The heart is deceitful above all things,and desperately corrupt;who can understand it?[10] "I the LORD search the mindand try the heart,to give to every man according to his ways,according to the fruit of his doings."The Word of the Lord==============================================From Psalm 1Ps 1: 1-2. 3. 4 and 6==============================================Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust[1] Blessed is the manwho walks not in the counsel of the wicked,nor stands in the way of sinners,nor sits in the seat of scoffers;[2] but his delight is in the law of the LORD,and on his law he meditates day and night.Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust [3] He is like a treeplanted by streams of water,that yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither.In all that he does, he prospers.Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust [4] The wicked are not so,but are like chaff which the wind drives away.[6] for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,but the way of the wicked will perish.Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust==============================================A reading from the holy gospel according to LukeLk 16: 19-31==============================================[19] "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. [20] And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores, [21] who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; [23] and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom. [24] And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' [25] But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' [27] And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, [28] for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' [29] But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' [30] And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' [31] He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"The Gospel of the Lord

NotesVerses{Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the...

Amazon.com: pat holliday kindle: Books http://amzn.to/GF3mTC MORE THAN CONQUERORS Such positive, sure word: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us,” (Rom. 8:37). Every Christian emerges either trusting in man, or trusting fully in God, that is, either cursed or blessed. “God will go before me, and make the crooked places straight: He will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron: and He will give me the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places,” (Isa. 45:2, 3). Jeremiah encourages us to trust in God and His Word when he wrote, “Thus saith the Lord: Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the hearth in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited,” (Jer. 17: 5, 6).