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Most men spend their lives trying to escape the fire.But what if the fire isn't punishment?What if it's preparation?In this episode of King's Code Radio, we explore the difference between being purified and being forged. Through the lives of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and King David, we uncover how God uses pressure, trials, waiting, loss, and adversity to shape us into the men He has called us to be.Weak metal bends.Forged steel endures war.The question isn't whether you'll face the fire.The question is: Will you allow God to forge you through it?A King moves with purpose. Even through the fire. Men rising as kings under the King of Kings....The King's Code Is About Empowering Christian Men To Rule & Reign In Their Marriage, Business & Life.Schedule a call by applying to The King's Armory:https://www.kings-code.com/apply-nowHave you gone through the crisis of divorce and are now ready to start Rebuilding your life? Check out our Rebuild After Divorce Webinar: https://www.rebuildafterdivorcetraining.com/rebuild-webinarJoin the Movement Of Men That Are Rising Up As A King, A King Unto The King Of Kings.Find out more at: TheKingsCode.comOther resources:Win Back Your Wife - A Webinar for Christian Men That Aren't Willing To Give Up On Their Marriage: https://www.winbackyourwife.com/Also, check out our special Fight For Your Marriage Bundle! https://bundle.winbackyourwife.com/specialConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingscodemovement/Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kings-Code-570278420104239/#KingsCode #KingsCodePodcast
How much does your life revolve around God? Are we really more like Nebuchadnezzar than Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? And how do we keep God central? On Sunday 7th June, we continued our Daniel series reading chapter 3 and looking specifically at how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego resisted bowing down to an idol and remained faithful to God in the face of death, and what we can learn from them. Remaining faithful to God is for our good. Our Heavenly Father never leaves our side. He's with us always and he reigns. He is faithful like no other, and just as he was for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, he will be for us. For more information about who we are, what we believe and how you can get involved, please visit our website
Always On Time" I. Introduction: Defining "On Time" Human vs. Divine Timeline: We all view time differently (e.g., being hours early like Pastor Rhonda's father, pulling in at the last exact minute, or having a "when I get there, I get there" attitude). The Mismatched Watch: Pastor Rhonda shares a story of her father getting anxious about being late, only to realize his watch was still set to a different time zone. We often get aggravated or anxious with God simply because we are looking at our own clock instead of His. Core Truth: God does not operate on our timeline or synchronize His eternal watch with ours. His delays are deliberate, purposeful, and designed to bring Him glory. II. Point 1: The Danger of Rushing God The only thing worse than waiting on God is wishing you had waited on Him. Scriptural Warnings of Impatience: King Saul: Took matters into his own hands and offered an unauthorized sacrifice because his men were scattering and the prophet Samuel was delayed. As a result, the kingdom was torn from him. Abraham and Sarah: Attempted to force God's promise of a child by involving Hagar, resulting in the birth of Ishmael and generational warfare. The Counter-Culture of God's Delays: Even when humanity makes mistakes or tries to rush the process, God is powerful enough to rewrite the story (e.g., the massive revivals occurring today among the descendants of Ishmael in places like Iran). III. Point 2: The Nature of the Waiting Room What is "Waiting"?: In Isaiah 43, the Hebrew word for waiting (qavah) means to be tightly woven together like cords. The Principle: True waiting means binding your heart to the Lord, not to the outcome or the specific thing you are asking for. The Reality of Turbulence: Life brings unexpected turbulence, much like a bumpy flight 30,000 feet in the air. When God chooses not to immediately stop the turbulence, He provides the necessary grace to walk through it. God's Arrangement: In Ecclesiastes, "beautiful in its time" translates from a root meaning arranged, precise, orderly, and fitting. God is intricately preparing the circumstances to display His glory perfectly. IV. Point 3: He Reaches Down and Lifts Us Up An Eyewitness to Deliverance: Our survival through past trials isn't luck, coincidence, or superstition—it is a direct testimony of God doing what only He can do. The Ultimate "Reach": God bridges the massive gap between His absolute holiness and our deep hopelessness. Calvary was the ultimate extension of God reaching down to humanity. Deep Waters: Deep waters represent situations heavier and stronger than we are—depression, grief, financial crisis, or broken relationships. Even David, the mighty warrior who killed Goliath, had to admit when an enemy was too strong for him. The Parent Metaphor: Just as a parent jumps fully clothed into a pool to rescue a drowning child without a second thought, God moves urgently into our deep waters to rescue us and place us in a "spacious place" of freedom. V. Point 4: Walking Through the Fire The Purpose of the Furnace: Fiery trials are not strange occurrences; they are vehicles to burn off the "fake" attributes (like pride or addiction) and solidify genuine, veteran faith. Identity in the Fire: When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the furnace, the Babylonian king tried to change their identities by renaming them. However, Christ walked into the fire with them, burning away only their bindings. The Hebrew Meanings of the Three Hebrews: Hananiah (Shadrach): "Yahweh has been gracious." Mishael (Meshach): "Who is like our God?" Azariah (Abednego): "Yahweh has helped." The Fire's Expiration Date: Every trial has a limit. The world cannot alter your identity as a son or daughter of God, and you will come out of the fire not even smelling like smoke. VI. Conclusion: God Rescues Because He Delights in You Relentless Delight: God doesn't love or rescue us out of obligation or because we performed perfectly this week. He is overwhelmed with delight for His children because of Jesus Christ. The Final Declaration: God is worth waiting for. From Joseph to Esther, to the arrival of Jesus in the fullness of time, He has proven that He is an all-time God who cannot fail. Scripture Index Here are the key verses read, cited, or closely paraphrased throughout the service: Psalm 18:1-3 > "I will love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised..." Psalm 126:1-5 > "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like those that dreamed. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing... They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." 1 Samuel 13 (Referenced) – The account of King Saul prematurely offering the sacrifice and Samuel declaring the kingdom torn away. Genesis 16 (Referenced) – Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, and the birth of Ishmael. Isaiah 40:31 (Referenced) – Waiting (qavah) on the Lord to renew strength and mount up with wings like eagles. Ecclesiastes 3:11 > "He has made everything beautiful in its time." Romans 8:38-39 (Paraphrased) – The conviction that no principalities, powers, height, or depth can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 43:1-3 > "...Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." 1 Peter 4:12 > "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." 1 Peter 1:6-7 (Paraphrased) – Gold perishes, but a refined faith brings praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Daniel 3 (Referenced) – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace with the fourth man who looked like the Son of God. Numbers 6:24-26 (The Benediction) > "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." "Thanks for listening! For more information, visit churchoftheharvest.com. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and YouTube @cothcleveland.
"Thatyou may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in themidst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights inthe world." Whata description of the world in which we live today—a crooked and perversegeneration. The word crooked means twisted or bent away from God's standard.The word perverse means distorted or corrupted. Does that not describe ourworld today? Truth is being redefined. Morality is being distorted. Darkness iscelebrated while righteousness is mocked. We see it on every hand, all aroundus, throughout our world, and especially in our country, the USA. Yet God hascalled us not to hide from the world. He has called us to shine in it. Rememberin Matthew 5:14, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world."In verse 16, He said, "Let your light so shine before men, that theymay see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Light doesnot complain about the darkness. It does not fight with the darkness. Myfriend, all it has to do is shine, and the darkness flees. Iam convinced with all my heart that if Christians truly let the light of JesusChrist shine—remember, He said, "I am the light of the world." NowHe lives in us. His light shines through us. It is not our light; it is Hislight, and it shines through us. If we would only let it shine, the darknesswould be pushed back. It would flee. You do not go into a room and curse thedarkness when it is dark. No, you simply turn on the light switch. As soon asthe light comes on, everything becomes plain and clear, and you can see acrossthe room. That is what we do as believers. Our light shines. Paulsays believers are to be blameless and harmless. This does not mean sinlessperfection, but lives marked by integrity and purity. The world should not seehypocrisy in our lives. Our lives should support the message that we preach. Oneof the greatest tragedies is when Christians damage their testimony throughbitterness, compromise, anger, or constant negativity. We just talked aboutthat in verse 14. Yousee, the darker the world becomes, the brighter faithful believers will shine. Thinkabout Daniel in Babylon, along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Thinkabout Joseph in Egypt and the difference he made. Or even Noah before theflood. They lived in corrupt cultures, yet their lives stood out. The ApostlePaul and the early believers lived in a Roman culture that was dark, corrupt,and cruel. But, my friend, the light was shining. As it shone through theirlives, wonderful things took place that turned the world upside down. Yousee, God never intended for His people to blend into the darkness. Yet thatseems to be what so many churches and believers are trying to do today. Youcannot tell the difference between a believer and the world around them. NoticePaul says we shine in the midst of a crooked generation. We are in the world,but we are not of the world. That is why Jesus prayed in John 17 that theFather would not take believers out of the world, but that He would keep themfrom the evil one. Sohow do we shine in a practical way? We shine through holy living. We shinethrough kindness. We shine through truth. We shine through love. We shinethrough joy in suffering. We shine through forgiveness. We shine throughfaithfulness. A Christian filled with the HolySpirit of God becomes a lighthouse in a dark culture. Peoplearound us desperately need hope. They are confused, fearful, and empty. Manyhave never seen genuine Christianity lived out consistently. Itrust God will use you and me to make a difference in the world in which welive, because someone is watching how we handle stress, disappointment,conflict, and suffering. Are you shining clearly today? Or are you blendinginto the darkness? Ask God to make your light shine as a bright testimony forJesus Christ. Remember this: the darker the night, the more visible the light.
What do you do when life blindsides you, and everything in you wants to quit? In this message, Kiss The Fire, Pastor Shawn Johnson shares his testimony of facing an unexpected diagnosis and how we can get back up when we want to give up. We're learning to combat the quiet thoughts so many of us carry: Why would God let this happen? Is He even here? Through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we're reminded that faith doesn't keep you out of the fire, but it keeps you from being alone in it. This message will help you:- understand how to trust God in the middle of pain and uncertainty - discover how to turn your pain into purpose - build resilient, “even if” faith that doesn't quit NEXT STEPS:Ask for prayer or connect with a pastor: https://freshlife.church/contactRegister your decision to follow Jesus and receive free resources: https://freshlife.church/know-godGive a financial gift to support what God is doing as we take steps forward to see the Gospel reach far and wide: https://freshlife.church/giveSUBSCRIBE:Sign up to receive encouragement straight to your inbox, and to stay up to date with announcements, events, and more: https://church.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6ea4d82b2567db3e86b7767cd&id=451f2fe63eDon't miss a video! Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/freshlifechurch?sub_confirmation=1CONNECT ON SOCIALS:Website: https://freshlife.churchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshlifeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshlifechurchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/freshlifeYoutube: https://youtube.com/c/freshlifechurch/Fresh Life Church was pioneered by Pastors Levi and Jennie Lusko in 2007. We exist to see those stranded in sin find life and liberty in Jesus Christ. Today Fresh Life's ministry impacts people with the radical, life-changing message of Jesus' grace, spilling across Montana, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho… and beyond.
As we look at the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we are challenged to ask "Am I obeying God in faith or do I obey God conditionally?"Join me and listen to Pastor Matt teach us about having our obedience grounded in faith.Got a question about this teaching or a teaching from this series? Submit it here!About Music Track: Track: Inspirational Flight Artist: AShamaluev
What do Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have in common with a 19-year-old soldier who dove on a grenade in Vietnam? In this Memorial Day message, Pastor Kirt Anderson draws a powerful line between the courage of America's veterans and the ancient story in Daniel 3, where three men refused to bow to a 90-foot gold statue even when their lives were on the line. At the heart of the sermon is a question we all face: when everyone around you is going along, what gives you the strength to stay standing?Pastor Kirt explores how loyalty, sanctity, and knowing to whom we ultimately answer are not just military values but a moral foundation built into all of us. Anchored in Isaiah 43, he reminds us that the one who calls us by name walks with us through fire. Whether you are honoring a loved one this Memorial Day or wrestling with your own moment of pressure, this message speaks directly to the cost and the courage of standing firm.
April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 9:00 AM Session Location: Room 116 Instructor: Keith Kasarjian Title: Leadership - Why Is There Suffering, Evil, and Death Summary Keith delivered a practical lecture on equipping “equippers” to help people grapple with evil, pain, and suffering, emphasizing pastoral sensitivity over philosophical debate. He cautioned against three common missteps (dismiss, deny, dogmatize), offered perspective on the scale and faith-testing nature of suffering, outlined multiple causes (laws of nature, personal sin, others' actions, persecution for doing right, and testing), and presented a framework for understanding God's will in three dimensions: ideal (Eden), ultimate (eternal salvation and heavenly comfort), and present in light of human sin (enduring consequences while God provides salvation through Christ). He illustrated points with personal experiences, international ministry contexts (including India and Odisha), biblical examples (Job, James, Paul, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego), and a powerful story of prison evangelism in Cameroon that transformed suffering into gospel progress. The core aim was to better prepare leaders to walk with people through hard questions without pretending to have all answers, anchoring hope in God's ultimate will. Duration 39:52
The Porch explores steadfast faith in God amidst persecution, drawing parallels between biblical times and contemporary society. It highlights the importance of unwavering conviction, especially when facing trials orchestrated by the spirit of the Antichrist. Through the story of Daniel and his companions—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego—and their refusal to bow to idols, their miraculous deliverance from the fiery furnace, the Church is shown how to have faith in the fire. Firefall Talk Radio episodes are archived, allowing you to download them for future listening or to share with others. Feel free to share them with others as the Lord leads. Help us spread The Word. If our teachings are a blessing to you, let us know by using the contact button on our website. If you would like to support what we do, there are ways to do so on the main page for Firefall Talk Radio. We appreciate your support and encouragement. Follow us on YouTube at The Firefall Network. Links for all social media and streaming platforms can be found on the main page at firefalltalkradio.com.
This powerful exploration of Daniel chapter 3 takes us into the fiery furnace alongside Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—three young men whose unwavering convictions challenge us to examine our own. What makes their story so compelling isn't just their miraculous deliverance, but their willingness to die rather than compromise. The distinction drawn between preferences and convictions cuts to the heart of modern Christianity: preferences change under pressure, but true convictions remain steadfast regardless of circumstances because they're rooted in what God requires of us. Ridgecrest exists to reach the lost, build the believer, and connect the people of God to the mission and purpose of God. Our sermons podcast is just one way we seek to accomplish our mission online and you can help us by leaving reviews on your podcast platform of choice or by sharing our sermons with someone you know.To let us know how we can pray for you or to find out more about Ridgecrest, take a minute to fill out our Connection Card linked below. https://my.rbcdothan.org/connectioncardIf you'd like to receive our daily devotionals in your inbox, sign up HERE free of charge: https://mailchi.mp/4bcc8628406b/daily-heart-truth-devotionsThe Journey Podcast:- YouTube: https://youtube.com/@journeypodrbc?si=aIuVQ9Axv32Z-H_8- Substack: https://thejourneypodcast.substack.com- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-journey/id1785079800 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0syXQWFX6IhTZjeJsHWxtM?si=c4c7397b153248f6Heart Truth Devotions podcast: - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-truth-devotions/id1518661566- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/339RoxzO65vb8DX1P4E0YU?si=54f4735e6cc54fefFind us online - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RidgecrestDothan- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridgecrestbaptist/profilecard/?igsh=MWRrZHZwdXprYzhwZw==- YouTube: www.youtube.com/@rbcdothan- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rbcdothan?_t=ZP-8wfPSkVSuYo&_r=1- Our website https://www.rbcdothan.org- WATCH LIVE Sunday and Wednesday: https://rbcdothan.online.church
Fortesa Latifi (journalist and author) shares about her new book Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids & the Cost of a Childhood Online. Latifi's work focuses on the largely-unregulated child influencer industry, including helping shed light on the costs of internet fame and ethics of online content. Her work has been featured in Rolling Stone, the New York Times & the Washington Post. Scott Davis (historian & journalist) also joins the show regarding his new book The Last of the Old Breed: An Oral History of the Final Marines from World War II. Davis runs "The Vietnam Experience" channel on YouTube and has interviewed over 500 veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam over the past 10 years. (Should you be interested in a copy, it's worth noting Davis writes in the beginning of the book: "I have decided, for the sake of transparency, to report the stories exactly as they were told. Topics such as killing or war crimes have not been censored, nor have I altered any derogatory racial language. While I do not condone some of the views expressed, each veteran was encouraged to speak openly, lest we romanticize or glorify the past.") Tim closes out the show reading Daniel chapter 3 including noting the amazing power of God to the point that Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego--thrown into the fiery furnace--not only came out unharmed and unsinged, but also "there was no smell of fire on them." Whoa Nellie, talk about complete protection and rescue :). Sports clips:Don Mattingly (Philadelphia Phillies manager) (MLB.com)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We walk through Daniel 3 and watch Nebuchadnezzar move from “Who is the god who can deliver you?” to blessing the Most High God. We wrestle with where we run when pressure hits and why real faith stays steady even when the outcome is unknown. • Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue as a picture of self-worship • The shift from lowercase g gods to the one true God • A personal gut-check on where we seek deliverance • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's resolved refusal to bow • Faith as assurance plus conviction even if God says no • The furnace heated sevenfold and the cost of obedience • The fourth man in the fire and Jesus as the door • Why they have to be told to come out • The fire burning only the restraints If you want to learn more about the MidTree story or connect with us, go to our website HERE or text us at 812-MID-TREE.
Daniel 3:1-30: Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's firm faith in the face of death that testifies to the only God who can save.For the study resources and manuscript go to messiahbible.org
Everyday, we make decisions that reveal who or what we value most. It's easy to say we love God when life is working out according to plan. But, we have to decide if we will still trust and follow Him when it costs us. The bold faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego gives us an example to follow and challenges us to become the kind of people who refuse to compromise. -- In this series of Plans, with the biblical story as our guide, we will discover truths and develop skills that will help us become fully devoted followers of Christ. https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/28652-fully-devoted-the-church | SWITCH IRL | Find a location near you here: https://www.life.church/locations/ | SOCIAL |
What does it mean to be the one? In this episode of The Impossible Life Podcast, Nick Surface and Garrett Unclebach unpack one of the most powerful ideas for Christian men who want to live with faith, walk in purpose, and change the story of their family: becoming the one who breaks the pattern.Using The Matrix as a powerful illustration, Garrett explains how Neo's story points to a deeper biblical truth: most people are living inside patterns they never chose, accepting a reality that keeps them stuck, passive, and in bondage. But when a man wakes up to the truth of Jesus Christ, he is confronted with a decision. Will he keep living the way he always has, or will he become the one who breaks the pattern?This episode is not about being the savior. Jesus is the One who saves. But Christian men are called to represent Him on the earth. That means stepping into courage, taking responsibility, and refusing to pass brokenness, fear, addiction, divorce, anger, passivity, or trauma to the next generation.Nick and Garrett talk through what it looks like to become a pattern breaker in real life. Maybe your family has a history of divorce. Maybe addiction has been normalized. Maybe anger, anxiety, poverty thinking, passivity, or victimhood has been passed down for generations. At some point, one man has to stand up and say, “It stops with me.” That is what it means to be the one.This conversation challenges Christian men to stop living as victims of what happened before them and start living as men of faith who believe God has placed them on the earth for a reason. Your life has purpose. Your family has purpose. Your name can mean something different for the next generation.The episode explores biblical examples of people who became “the one” in their generation, including Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Ruth, Paul, Peter, John the Baptist, David, Joseph, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Each of them broke a pattern, stepped out in courage, and made a way for others. Nick also shares personally about deciding to change what the Surface family name would mean. Instead of accepting a legacy marked by suicide, divorce, and addiction, he made the decision to build something different for his children and future generations. Garrett connects this to the idea that every man has a role to play in God's story not as the hero replacing Christ, but as a son representing the Father.This episode will challenge you to ask: Where do I need to be the one? Where do I need to stop making excuses?Where do I need to break a pattern?Where do I need to step into courage?Where do I need to live by faith instead of fear?Where do I need to take responsibility for the purpose God has given me?Because your life is not random. You were made for a purpose. And if you are a Christian man, there are people on the other side of your obedience. Be the one who wakes up. Be the one who breaks the pattern. Be the one who changes the story.Get With NuWave Home Lenders By Clicking HereJoin a group of likeminded Impossible Life listeners in our FREE Skool community by clicking here.Get the Purpose Playbook by clicking hereGet the FREE Basic Discipline Training 30 Day Program by clicking hereJoin us in Mindset Mastery by clicking hereIf you're a man that wants real accountability and training to be a leader, click here.Level up your nutrition with IDLife by clicking hereGET IN TOUCHSocial Media - @theimpossiblelifeEmail - info@theimpossible.life
In this episode, Josh Baldwin and Kaitlyn Caffrey celebrate the incredible impact of Switch Fights Human Trafficking before kicking off the final series of the semester: Exile. Through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they explore what it means to have a bold, resilient faith that refuses to compromise—even when the pressure is intense. This conversation will challenge leaders and students alike to trust God beyond desired outcomes and stay faithful no matter the cost.
In this episode of the Fellowship of Kingdom Professionals, Michael A. Blue continues the teaching on Challenges with Images, revealing the deeper spiritual implications behind one of Scripture's most familiar stories; Daniel chapter 3 and the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to bow. Bishop Blue unpacks how wicked rulers like Nebuchadnezzar represent larger spiritual forces, and how systems like Babylon reflect the ongoing influence of distorted cultural structures. The golden image becomes more than an object. It represents imposed perspectives, identity manipulation, and the demand for internal conformity. From the renaming of Daniel and the Hebrew boys to the strategic conditioning of gifted individuals, this episode reveals how the enemy targets self-image as the entry point for control. As a kingdom professional, understanding this dynamic is essential for maintaining spiritual clarity, resisting cultural distortion, and walking in God-defined identity. New podcast episodes are available every Monday wherever you listen to podcasts.
This week, Pastor Kenny brings a powerful standalone message centered on trusting God through every season of life. Drawing from the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, this message reminds us that even in the middle of trials, God is present and faithful. When these men refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar, they were thrown into the fire—but the flames did not destroy them. Instead, the only things burned away were the chains that had been binding them. Sometimes God uses difficult seasons to remove the very things that have been holding us back. As we place our trust fully in Him, He can use trials to strengthen our faith, deepen our dependence on Him, and bring freedom where there was once bondage. No matter what fire you may be facing, this message will encourage you to trust that God is with you in the middle of it all.
Join David Lee Corbo (The Raven) and Top Lobster on Nephilim Death Squad as they welcome best-selling author Brian Godawa for an epic deep dive into his new Daniel Trilogy (Chronicles of the Watchers series). Godawa reveals how he retells the biblical story of Daniel in Babylon with the supernatural lens of the Watchers, fallen angels masquerading as gods like Marduk, Ishtar, Baal, Asherah, and Nergal. Discover why Daniel studied the language and literature of the Chaldeans (divination, astrology, astronomy) without compromising, how the Magi followed the Bethlehem Star 500+ years later, and the explosive spiritual warfare behind earthly kingdoms—including the Prince of Persia vs. Prince of Greece. Godawa breaks down his research on Daniel NOT being a eunuch, the love story with his Jewish maidservant, his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (one portrayed as autistic), and how the book fills in the biblical gaps with historical and mythological accuracy. Plus: Parallels between ancient Jezebel (child sacrifice, feminism archetype) and modern culture, the alien deception, Bohemian Grove event details, and why understanding the Watcher paradigm changes everything about spiritual warfare today. Godawa also discusses his full series—Chronicles of the Nephilim, Chronicles of the Apocalypse, Judah Maccabee, and Jesus Triumphant—plus the research appendices that prove it's all biblically grounded. Get your tickets to Bohemian Grove (Wildwood, Florida) before they sell out: toplobsta.com Buy "Daniel: Exile in Babylon" (eBook, paperback, audiobook) and the full Chronicles of the Watchers series: godawa.com or Amazon Support Nephilim Death Squad early access, ad-free episodes & merch: patreon.com/NephilimDeathSquad 0:00 - Intro & Bohemian Grove Event Promo (Wildwood, Florida Tickets)3:45 - Patreon Support, Nephilim Death Squad Communities & TopLobster Merch6:20 - Guest Introduction: Brian Godawa (godawa.com)9:10 - Official Trailer for "Daniel: Exile in Babylon" (Chronicles of the Watchers)12:05 - Chronicles of the Watchers Series Overview – Fallen Angels as Gods of the Nations17:30 - The War of the Seed & Deuteronomy 32 Watcher Paradigm Explained22:40 - Jezebel Book Deep Dive: Archetypes, Feminism, Child Sacrifice & Modern Parallels29:15 - Elijah vs Prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel – Spiritual Warfare Behind the Scenes33:50 - Why Brian Godawa Chose Daniel for a Trilogy (Prophecy, 70 Weeks, Revelation Links)39:20 - Daniel Chapter 1: Babylonian Schooling, Wise Men Training & Chaldean Literature46:05 - Was Daniel a Eunuch? Historical Research & Love Story Reveal52:40 - Magi Connection: Bethlehem Star, Astronomy vs Astrology & Mazaroth (God's Story in the Stars)1:01:10 - Daniel's Character Arc – From Royal Pride to Unshakable Faith1:08:35 - Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego – School Bullies, Autism in Hananiah & Harry Potter Vibes1:15:50 - Spiritual Realm in the Novel: Marduk, Ishtar, Nergal, Anzu Bird & Mushu Dragons1:23:40 - How the Spiritual Warfare Mirrors Earthly Kingdoms (Prince of Persia vs Prince of Greece)1:29:20 - “Are You Having Fun?” – Brian Godawa's Hollywood to Biblical Fiction Journey1:33:45 - Where to Buy the Books + Spiritual World of Daniel Research Appendix1:36:10 - Final Thoughts & OutroBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nephilim-death-squad--6389018/support.☠️ Nephilim Death Squad — New episodes 5x/week.Join our Patreon for early access, bonus shows & the private Telegram hive.Subscribe on YouTube & Rumble, follow @NephilimDSquad on X/Instagram, grab merch at toplobsta.com. Questions/bookings: chroniclesnds@gmail.com — Stay dangerous.
Hosts Pastor Vincent Fernandez and Pastor Robert Baltodano Question Timestamps: Chris, NY (2:10) - Is it possible that Jonah died and was resurrected? Paul, MA (6:33) - Do you know anything about George Ricker Berry's Interlinear Bible translation? Carey, KY (8:46) - Does John 12 verses 47 and 48 mean that people who trust Jesus will not be judged? Aurea, email (14:29) - Why did Abimelech take Sarah as his wife when she was already old? Was it customary? Anonymous, email (17:46) - How do I witness to a family member with stage four cancer? David, GA (21:28) - Should wedding vows be taken since Jesus says not to take vows in Matthew 5 verses 35 to 37? Michael, NJ (25:48) - Why did God create Lucifer if He knew Lucifer would turn evil? Jay, NY (28:26, continued at 33:28) - Why did God not start everything over after man fell? Lucinda, YouTube (36:36) - What are some of the differences between the Catholic and Christian faiths? Wendy, NJ (40:36) - What does the Bible say about putting down our pets? Justin, VA (44:05) - My daughter started attending a church that has a female pastor. She asked for my opinion on that, what should I say? Lynda, email (47:14) - What should I do about frequent condemning thoughts? Alan, email (51:24) - Where was Daniel when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were dealing with the fiery furnace situation? Bob, NY (53:03) - 1 Corinthians 11 helps comfort those stuck in self-condemnation. Ask Your Questions: Call: 888-712-7434 Email: Answers@bbtlive.org
Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Deacon Nathan Beiersdorfer to share thoughts from St. Francis de Sales on poverty. Other guests include Gary Zimak on the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and Karlo Broussard from Catholic Answers. Plus news, weather, sports, and more… ***** A Prayer to St. Joseph for Providence Joseph, with Jesus and Mary, you knew hunger, uncertainty, and illness.You turned your heart to God to lift up your needs and those of your family.In faith you accepted the Father’s response as events unfolded.Be with me today as I offer my requests to the Father.Joseph, let me recognize God’s will as I open my hands to accept what God bestows in loving kindness.With tenderness, God fills creation with life and love.Open my eyes to the wonders that God works without ceasing.Let me learn the true intention behind my request so that I may discoverwithin myself the lowly one that God commends. Amen. ***** Full list of guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We all have things we worry about. Finances, the future, family, work, health, and the unknown can easily take over our hearts and minds. In this message, Pastor Connor wraps up our Stressed series by looking at Jesus' words in Matthew 6. Jesus doesn't just encourage us not to worry, He commands us to seek first the Kingdom of God and trust Him with the outcomes of our lives. Worry can be a sign of a divided heart, pulling our attention away from Jesus and toward the things we are trying to control. But when we surrender our worries to God, we find the peace that only He can give. If you have been carrying worry, stress, or fear about what is ahead, this message is for you. 0:00 – YouTube Welcome from Pastor Brandon 0:28 – Welcome + Revival Night Invite 1:01 – Meet Pastor Connor 1:32 – Wrapping Up the Stressed Series 1:52 – Matthew 6:25 to 34 3:01 – Jesus Says Do Not Worry 3:27 – Look at the Birds of the Air 4:14 – Consider the Flowers of the Field 5:11 – Seek First the Kingdom 5:39 – Opening Prayer 6:01 – Pastor Connor's Family + Personal Story 8:36 – Why There Is So Much to Worry About 10:20 – The Promise of Peace 11:45 – Why We Still Feel Worried 12:24 – God Wants Peace for Every Day 12:41 – What Does the Bible Say About Worry? 13:25 – Your Life Is Bigger Than Your Worries 14:13 – Running After Things vs. Running After Jesus 15:12 – Do Not Worry About Tomorrow 15:38 – Why “Just Don't Worry” Is Not Enough 17:47 – Worry Is a Serious Command from Jesus 18:33 – You Cannot Serve Two Masters 20:41 – Worry Is a Sign of a Divided Heart 21:25 – Worry Is Like a Check Engine Light 21:51 – Worry Can Become Distrust 22:32 – What Has Your Attention Determines Your Direction 23:34 – What Do We Do With Worry? 24:21 – Surrender Your Worry to God 25:17 – Peace in Difficulty 25:39 – Take Every Thought Captive 26:20 – Peace Comes When We Surrender 27:02 – Bringing Desires to God vs. Surrendering Them 28:26 – Trusting God With the Outcomes 28:59 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 30:40 – “Even If He Doesn't” Faith 32:04 – Is Christ Enough for You? 33:18 – Prayer Moment 33:41 – Laying Worry at the Feet of Jesus 34:43 – Prayer for Financial Worry 35:24 – Closing YouTube Outro
Honoring Leadership Authority (1) (audio) David Eells, 5/3/26 Father, it says in Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… Help us to know how to cooperate with You in these days to come. We make our own future because You tell us that we reap what we sow. Lord, we would like to cooperate with You and be led by Your Spirit. Please, Lord, open our understanding and give us wisdom how to cooperate with You. Please help us to avoid the great tribulations that are going to come upon those who have been rebellious historically. We see that this cycle is about to start again, and we see that Your people once again are rebellious to Your Word, and in ways that we are rebellious to Your Word, it brings tribulation upon us. And we're asking You, Father, to please have mercy upon us and open our eyes and give us Your grace. We ask it all in the name of Jesus. Thank You, Father. Well, I've been thinking about this, and I feel like the Lord is showing me that what I'm going to share with you today could save some lives in the days to come. I just ask you to be patient with me and let me share this with you. I'm going to start in Romans 13. There's a thing going around in the patriot movement that preachers in the end times are working for the government, the beast government, and are going to be preaching Romans 13. Well, I was preaching Romans 13 before they ever thought about that, and I don't believe we should depart from anything that the Word has to say. I don't care who's doing it wrong out there. Romans 13 is in the Bible, and it comes from God Almighty, and now I'm not working for the government. In fact, I don't even think they like me. But at any rate, I think we need to obey this, because if we don't, it promises judgment. Let's read it. Rom.13:1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. Now, the people who don't believe in the sovereignty of God believe that there's good and there's bad. God's got the good, the devil's got the bad. But that's not biblical at all. God works all things after the counsel of His own will. (Eph.1:11) And He is even over the devil. If you read the Book of Job, you'll see that the devil had no free will. He was only permitted to try to tribulate God's people with God's express permission. God permits this if His people go astray or walk out from under the blood. The devil is there, as I say, like a mad dog, ready to give them a reason to get back under the blood. And the curse is out there to chasten God's people and bring them to the place of repentance to receive God's blessing. Jesus became a curse for us; He bore the curse on Himself. (Gal.3:13) But if you're out there doing your own thing, then you're under a curse. Well, He's telling us here, and He warns us that there's no power that's not of God on this earth. God claims the power over vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor. And I'll just point out to you one place in Daniel chapter 4. Listen to this now because some of you don't believe or obey this. Daniel chapter 4 says the same exact statement three times. When God does that in a text, believe me, He wants you to get the point. Well, the first one was spoken by a holy one, who came down out of heaven and spoke it to Nebuchadnezzar, and it's in Dan.4:17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the lowest of men. 25 … and seven times shall pass over thee; till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And then it's stated a third time, A voice came out of heaven and spoke it in Dan.4:31 … there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken:… 32 … thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen; and seven times shall pass over thee; until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. So God said three times in Daniel 4 The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And we just read in Romans 13 that there is no power but of God, and the powers that be are ordained of God. For that reason we respect these authorities. Rom.13:2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. See, when you rebel against the powers that be, whoever they are, you rebel against the ordinance of God. And He says, ‘They that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.' Now, I'm going to tell you, a lot of Christians are going to come under judgment because they don't understand this principle. It's very, very important. First, He says, there's no power but of God. Now, you need to realize who these people in power were back in those days. They were Herod and Pilate and Caesar and, even in later days, the Hitlers and the Mussolini's and the Stalin's and the Idi Amins and people like that. God is saying that He's still in control of all that. As a matter of fact, He raised up every beast empire that ever ruled over God's people, and God took credit for it in the Scriptures every time. And now we're coming to another beast empire, and God's people don't know this principle that we're looking at here, which is absolutely and totally important if you want to escape this judgment that's coming. Let's look at Act.4:25 who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves in array, And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord, and against his Anointed: How many of you know that in 1 Corinthians chapter 1, those who are filled with the Holy Spirit are also called God's anointed. Christos is the word there. We are the anointed of God when we are saved and filled with His Spirit. Now, where it's spoken here in the Book of Acts, this is the body of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who was God's Anointed. The body of Christ is still on the earth, and we, being anointed, are vessels through whom He can continue to do His work. That's the way it was planned from the beginning. I want to read on in Act.4:27 for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, (two vessels of dishonor that ruled at that time. I'll point out to you that Jesus wasn't even disrespectful to the leadership He met at the time of His trial. You understand?) both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together, 28 to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass. So, even the crucifixion of Jesus was totally foreordained of God, and He used Herod, and Pontius Pilate, and the Gentiles, and the people of Israel to bring to pass the crucifixion of the body of Christ. Now, this was spoken by the Holy Spirit out of the mouth of David. And Jesus was the David of His day, the son of David. Once again, this is going to happen in our day because it's a repetition of history. History keeps on repeating. So we're looking at this on a larger scale in our day. We're looking at ‘the people's imagining a vain thing, the kings of the earth setting themselves in array, the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against His anointed.' The same thing is going to happen. This is one of those prophecies that's fulfilled repeatedly. And the Lord foreordained this. Well, at this time, Jesus, Who didn't sin and took our sacrifice, became our sacrifice; His body took the punishment, He was crucified for us. But He also told us we have to take up our cross and follow Him. The fact that the church is rebellious doesn't mean that Jesus could have taken all the punishment. The reason is that the Bible says Heb.10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. So, when you walk in rebellion to God's Word, there is still crucifixion. There is still judgment upon the body of Christ, that is, the outer man, the man that's in rebellion. The Lord told us that we have to take up our cross and follow Him if we want to be His disciples. And that cross is for the crucifixion of the old self-life. And so God is about to do the same thing again. He's raising up the nations of the world, the kings and presidents of the world, to come against Him and to come against His anointed. And He foreordained this to come to pass. Now, in Romans 8, we can see that it is indeed going to happen. Rom.8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; 34 who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? God loves us. He saw us from the foundation of the world as a finished product. And we're actually in creation mode now. It's that we cannot take this old flesh, that old man with us. And there is a crucifixion foreordained. Rom.8:36 Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Why are we conquerors, in some cases, by being slaughtered? How could that be? For one thing, one of our enemies is this old man, this old life. It is an enmity with God, meaning the flesh is the enemy of God, according to the Scriptures. So, we're conquering this old man. Jesus conquered, in a type for us, the body of Christ. He conquered it on that cross, right? He went to the cross, He overcame, He was victorious. And we, too, in a spiritual way, have to take up our cross in order to be victorious. And God has created this world to cooperate with us in this process. But we go through many things we don't have to. And that's what I want to talk about today. Rom.8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Don't think that because you end up in a crucifixion that God doesn't love you. It is because He loves you that you're going through that. He is preparing you for another Kingdom, a Kingdom in which this old flesh cannot rule, cannot reign. I want to go back to Romans 13 and reiterate what was said here, Rom.13:1 … for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: (If we resist the power that God has put in place, again, this was spoken about in the time of Herod, and Pilate, and at the time of Caesar, and so forth. If you rebel against the laws that be and the leaders that be, when there's no need for it whatsoever, then God says, You're going to receive judgment. Why are judgments coming? I believe many of God's people are going to rebel and won't obey. And I'll point out to you what the Scripture has to say about that. But we need to totally respect the authority of what we call the beast government. In fact, reading on it says, and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. Okay, this is an important point here. Rom.13.3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: Now, how do we determine what is evil works? Well, for one thing, an evil work is when you do not respect the authority whom God put in position, and we're going to look at that. When I was younger even those of a different party spoke respectfully to the president, or about him, calling him “Mr. President” even if they disagreed with him. We saw what Daniel said. There is nobody in a position of authority who wasn't put there by God. Even Nebuchadnezzar, who was what? The king of the great eagle of Babylon. The head of the nation. Sounds familiar? God put that man in there. Daniel chapter 4 said this three times. Well, didn't Nebuchadnezzar conquer the people of God, kill many of them, take them away captive, into bondage? Exactly. And God still told them that He put this man in authority. They were to submit. And if they didn't, they were going to receive judgment. Why does God promote a beast kingdom over God's people? It's because God's people are in rebellion. God gave authority to the beast kingdom to crucify Jesus Christ. Was it because of His own sins? No, because He bore our sins. What was God crucifying there? Our rebellion was being crucified there, you see. We were crucified with Christ, the Bible says. Rom13.3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Now, we have to let the Scriptures tell us what is an evil work, right? And some people are already rebelling because they don't believe what the Scriptures are saying here in chapter 13, verses 1-3. Even now, they're rebelling against them. And the reason is that they're rebelling against them because they don't know how to cooperate with God. They don't know God's purpose. If you knew God's purpose, you would see a perfectly good reason for obeying this and respecting the leader. I just saw 4 leaders of the MAGA movement rail and revile (sins) President Trump because in their pride they disagreed with him but no one voted for them. And I can assure you they are headed for a spanking. Even if he was wrong, none of them have made the great changes he has at the threat of his life. They are giving the enemy ammunition. But people make God captive to their own mind and their own understanding. Listen, we don't know anything that God knows or even the president knows. And so, if we have to understand something before we'll obey it, that's just rebellion against God. God made the rules, so we're just here to obey Him. And we know that if we obey Him, we will see the good fruit of it, and we will ultimately understand. Rom13.3 … And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, (In other words, do that which is good in God's eyes, even according to this. That's a God-ordained law to be subject to the higher powers.) and thou shalt have praise from the same: 4 for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake. (In other words, for conscience of God, you should obey what the word of God says concerning rulers, concerning presidents. You should obey.) Let's go now to Tit.3:1 Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, 2 to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men. Again, this is addressing the same thing that Romans 13 says. But he carries us a little further. He wants us to even speak evil of no man and be meek towards all men. If the Lord wants us to be this way towards the rulers of this world, and we're antagonistic towards them, or insolent and rebellious against them, then we're rebelling against God. Why is it that we should have this attitude towards rulers who may not even know God? Well, for one thing, in 1 Corinthians 5, we're commanded of the Lord not to judge those who are without. He said, Do not ye judge those that are within, but those that are without, God judges. (1Cor 5:12) So, God doesn't want us ever to judge the lost. They don't have any choice because they haven't received grace from God to grant them repentance, to grant them the faith that they need to walk in His Kingdom. By the grace of God, He's given us a new nature, and we desire to do the things that are pleasing unto Him. If they don't have that grace of God, we certainly can't judge them. We'd be judging ourselves. We're forbidden to judge those who are without, to be angry, to be critical, as though they could be something other than what they are. They are what they are, and they do what they are. We want grace from God, so we give grace to everyone else, right? We want unmerited favor of God, so we do not judge what He commands us not to judge. We don't see that spirit of judgment in the scriptures of holy men towards even pagan government rulers, evil government rulers, and I'm going to point this out to you in just a few places here. Let me now look at 1Pe.2:13 Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: (People say, well, maybe it's not an ordinance, maybe it's a law. They're trying to get out of it. But actually the word here is ‘every creation of man.') whether to the king, as supreme; (God is telling us to submit to a king as supreme in judgments concerning the natural earth.) 14 or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (In other words, if we submit to the rulers, we will give honor to God in the earth. We will show people that we are law-abiding people, and that we keep His laws. God's laws, as we can see over and over, are to submit to man's laws. I know there is a condition to that, and we'll get to that too. 1Pe.2:16 as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all men. (Even wicked men, we don't have to treat them insolently or contrary. The Bible even says, ‘Love your enemies.' We don't have to treat them insolently, or arrogantly, or rebelliously, or speak evil things. He says, Honor all men.) Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (Listen to this. Honor the king? You know, he didn't say, ‘worship the king' He said, ‘Honor the king.' And the translators believed this not to be the King of kings. We know we're supposed to honor Jesus as the King of kings. This means we're not to be insolent or arrogant, we're not to speak evil of the natural king or president. We are to submit and be respectful. And if we disagree, we must do it respectfully.) I'm going to read Exo.22:28 Thou shalt not revile God, nor curse a ruler of thy people. (Some are calling him Hitler and antichrist. And as we've seen, this is not just talking about a religious ruler, somebody who's right, or honorable, somebody who is Christian; He says, ‘honor the king.' How many kings do you know of on planet Earth who are born-again Christian people? So, He's talking about the ‘king over you', whether he be a president or a king. Honestly, I think where we're going... that the president will eventually be a king. There just isn't going to be any difference, and anyway, it's somebody who is in a position of rulership, and we're supposed to honor them. Let me share what the apostle Paul said in Act.23:1 And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said, Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day. 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. 3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: and sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? (That was a good point he made, but he called this ruler a whited wall.) 4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? (Paul was right in what he was saying, but this was not permissible, according to what we've just read.) Act.23:5 And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler (not any particular ruler, but just a ruler) of thy people. So, Paul repented here. He spoke evil of a ruler. It may seem like he had a pretty good reason to do so, but we know the rules. We've read the rules. We know what God has told us already. And he wanted to be seen as respectful by those who are without, because they questioned him. Why would you say this to God's high priest? You're supposed to be seen as respectful to God's high priest. And so Paul knew that he should not give a bad name to Christians, and to not have people revile his God, he backed up and basically said, Okay, I repent. The word says, Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people. And when Paul was basically being interrogated, like in chapters 26 and 24, we read he was always totally respectful to these, what we would all recognize as evil rulers. Why does God do this? Because God doesn't want us to give Him a bad name, or to give Christianity a bad name. He wants us to be seen by ignorant people in the world as somebody who is totally respectful to authority and submissive, not as rebels. Act.26:24 And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad. 25 But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; (They were used to speaking respectfully to rulers, even evil rulers,) but speak forth words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, unto whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this hath not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, (meaning, a Christian) except these bonds. In other words, he was showing compassion for their souls, even these evil rulers. He wanted a good witness to go across to them, and he wanted them to have a chance to be saved. We should be the same way. The Bible says, ‘Know no man after the flesh.' We're supposed to see people through the light of the gospel, so every man is given his opportunity to be saved, right? And we want to be a good witness of Christ to every man, to love our enemies, not make enemies. Even as we're going to see people who are recognized as people who have killed multitudes of God's people. Act.26:30 And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: 31 and when they had withdrawn, they spake one to another, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. (Would they have said this if he had insulted them?) 32 And Agrippa said unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar. So, his humble representation of Jesus Christ in front of them said that the guy's not guilty and wanted to turn him loose. I think that is a good example of what the apostle Paul did to respect rulers, even evil rulers, even the kind of rulers that crucified Jesus Christ. And as Jesus Himself was respectful to leaders and rulers because He did not want to cause a stumbling block, right? Let me give you another example in Jude 1:8 Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, (Notice that) and rail at dignities. (If we had translated that in modern-day English, it would be dignitaries. This is talking about somebody who should be respected. Like a leader high up in government, or in religion, somebody of authority. And then he gives what I think would be an extreme example here:) 9 But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil (He picked the very worst; if it's true of the devil, it would be true with anybody else we ran into, right? So he's making an extreme example here to prove his point.) he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, (So he didn't bring a railing judgment against the devil. Should we bring a railing judgment against anyone? Or should we bring a railing judgment against a leader, or a ruler, or somebody that the Lord tells us we should be submitting to? We don't find anywhere in the scripture of any respectful person railing at authorities. But there are Christians who do it today. And I'm telling you, in some cases, this railing against the government is going to cost them their life because they're in rebellion against God's word, and He said in Romans 13 it would cost them their life. It would bring judgment upon their head. So even Michael, somebody who is a high dignitary himself, the leading warrior angel for God Himself, somebody of no little position. But yet, he didn't even bring a railing accusation against the devil when the devil was contending for the body of Moses.) but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Michael didn't take the authority to do it. He let the Lord do it.) 10 But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed. (Some people rail at dignities today. People who aren't nearly as lowly as the devil. And they rail at them and speak evil of them. And God is saying here, “Be very careful, because they don't understand that the authority of God is behind this person.” God is the One Who puts anybody in a place of power, according to what we've read in Romans 13, as a minister of His. That's what it says there, a minister. In fact, the word there is diakonos, a deacon. They are a deacon of God. He sent them to do this job. Does that mean they're holy? No, because God's got vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor. You have to respect the vessels that He sends to you, who have been given authority over you, even if they're vessels of dishonor. That's the example we see in the Scripture, repeatedly, by every holy man of God. Notice, … these rail at whatsoever things they know not. They don't understand the sovereignty of God in promoting this man over them. The Lord promoted the beast kingdom over His people in every instance. And when people like Mordecai, Daniel, and Joseph were under these people, who in some cases had slaughtered their own brethren, there was total respect in every case because they knew that God had put this person there. 10 But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed. Wow! They're destroyed! So, this is a really dangerous thing to do, especially at the time we're coming to right now. Now let's go to 2Pe.2:9 the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment; (Now, we've been reading about judgment and punishment. And this is going to come upon people because they rebel against the constituted authority that God brought forth.) 10 but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. (What dominion have we been talking about? He's talking about the worldly rulers that He's put over people, even in the case of Satan, despise dominion.) Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities: (Now, why would we tremble? Because God stands behind this person. If He's put them into a position of power over us, and He has, He tells you to submit. Why? Because He's bringing us to our cross. We have to submit. There'll be a day when we will have authority over all of them, but right now, He tells us to submit.) 2Pe.2:11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, bring not a railing judgment against them before the Lord. (Those holy angels that are around us who are totally submitted to God, couldn't they bring an accusation against us, just like we try to bring one against some other dignitary? God says this is foolishness. Do you see its foolishness?) 12 But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, (Wow, those who scoff at dominion that God has put over them, He says they are going to be taken and destroyed like animals, like beasts. You want to know why a lot of destruction is going to come to a bunch of what we loosely call ‘Christians' in these coming days? This is one of the reasons right now.) railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed, (So, they're ignorant of the fact that God put this person over them and to submit to them.) Well, what about Jesus? Jesus went to His cross. He submitted the whole way, and He didn't give us any reason to rebel or to fight or to take up the sword. He forbade all of that. He said that ‘He that takes the sword, shall die by the sword.' He wouldn't let his disciples take up a sword to defend Him. (Mat.26:52) And when He was before those evil rulers, He didn't resist. He understood this principle of submitting to authority, even the dishonorable. We still represent the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ upon this earth to all mankind. And they need to see us as people who are humble, submissive, people who do not seek our own will but who seek the good of all around us, including the lost people. Even as Paul was very humble towards those kings, to desire their souls to be saved. And we should be that way even with the most reprobate of leaders that we know of in this country or in any other. We should always have their soul in mind. Today, people take their own authority. They want to rail and fight against the government, thinking that in this way they can stop something from happening that the Bible says is going to happen, which is ridiculous, you know? God Himself is the One Who prophesies that this will happen. And He never tells us that this is against His will. It's a repetition of history. It's happened already before. Railers have caused evil men to shoot at the president. Don't you know that He can change government if a man is put in there that is totally contrary to godliness and if he's totally immoral? God still put him in there. Let God do what He wants to do, put the man in, take the man out. According to Daniel, He's the only One that does that. Shouldn't we leave that up to God? People are saying today, ‘We're going to take this country back.' You know what? That's rebellion against God. You want to take the country back? Go out and preach the gospel. That's God's method. Let God handle the government. We've been commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ to go out and do the Great Commission. You want to take it back, but you're never going to get it back by self will. Now, while you're out there fighting with the government, doing your self-will thing, who's going to be doing what we've been called to do, to actually save people of this system? The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes it. (Rom1:16) That's our job. That's what we need to do. We can give scriptural advice humbley. Let God take care of the government. Let Him rule through the government, and let Him raise up the biggest beast the world has ever seen, because that's what He said He was going to do. Let's just leave that up to God, and we'll just take care of what He told us to do, right? Let's get out of His business, take care of what He told us to do. God bless you, saints. I hope this is helping you understand. So let's look again at 1Pe.2:13 Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme; 14 or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (God wants us to reflect the life of Christ-likeness. People need to see Jesus in us. He wants the wicked to know that we are law-keepers.) 16 as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. We're trusting God and His sovereignty through rulers by submitting to them. So, how far should we go, and what examples do we have? We have the example in the Book of Esther. The people of God had been conquered and were under the authority of the Persian Empire, being ruled over by this pagan king. But they wanted their own nation and be ruled by their own people, but they got there because of rebellion. In fact, every time they were conquered by a foreign nation, it was because they had rebelled against the word of the Lord. And today, we're coming into just such a time. So we need to learn our lesson and submit to the word of the Lord. Est.2:21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate, (the King's Gate is a place of government, and Mordecai was a part of the government. He probably was a representative for the nation of Israel, which was being ruled by Ahasuerus at the time. The King's Gate was also a place of judgment and of counselors.) two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those that kept the threshold, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing became known to Mordecai, who showed it unto Esther the queen; and Esther told the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. (Mordecai saved the king's life from Bigthan and Teresh, who were two of the king's chamberlains who were going to lay hold on the king, and he put a stop to it. This is what they would have considered a pagan king who was ruling over them, a worldly king, keeping God's people in bondage. Mordecai honored the king. In all the things that he did in the Book of Esther, Mordecai was never once anything but respectful of the king and of his governor. And in this case, his governor was Haman, a man who really had an ambition to wipe out the people of God.) Est.3:1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. (Now, we're just looking at it in the letter, what actually happened, not spiritually. The king and his governor, and we say, “Well, how far do we go with this honoring the king thing?” Well, I believe we are going to see that next.) 2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed down, and did reverence to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence. (In other words, dishonoring the king, things go just so far; we cannot worship anybody but the living God. We cannot pledge allegiance to anybody but if we did it would be the living God. You may say, “Well, how come Mordecai served the king?” Because if you don't obey God's word, you won't serve the king. So in serving the king, you're serving the Master. You're serving the King of kings. He said to obey, to submit to, and to serve the king, and to honor the king. Therefore, if you don't do that, you're not serving God. Now, we come to a place where the king is permitted by God to cross his line that he's drawn in the sand. And that is, we're not permitted to worship anybody but the Lord God. And we're not permitted to take the mark of the beast because that's an identification of unification with the beast and being a member of that kingdom, which we're not. We are in the world, but we're not of the world. We don't belong to the world. And so, the example that we get from Mordecai, as he always spoke well of, he always served, he always respected the king and his governors, but he drew a line and would not step over it. He would not bow down, nor pay reverence to Haman in this case. Est.3:3 Then the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? (He'd always obeyed the king's commandment before, but now he came to a place where he wasn't going to do it. And we can't either. Read Foxes Book of Martyrs; they would not bow and died rather than bow.) 4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. (Meaning, that he can't worship any other god but the true and living God.) 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 6 But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. (Mordecai believed in the sovereignty of God. He believed he should obey God no matter what the consequences. And the consequences of this were big, I mean, major. He believed that God was in control and that if they submitted to governors and kings, God would be in control. And we should know that. But many teachers of Christianity have destroyed the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. Instead of giving in to willy-nilly Arminianism.) So, that's a really good example. We have another one in Daniel chapter 3. This is Nebuchadnezzar addressing the three Hebrews. And they, along with Daniel, had always been totally polite, submissive, and obedient, and yet this is the first time we read that they are rebelling against the king. They were submissive even in this fiery trial. Dan.3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands? 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king. (So, one way or the other, we're going to be delivered here. Even if it's through death.) 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was wont to be heated. (Time, times, and a half a time was three and a half years in tribulations, so seven times is seven years, you see. And this is a symbol, in fact, that Nebuchadnezzar here represents the beast. As we saw in the Book of Esther, in a natural way, that was the head of the beast's kingdom. Some people call him the Antichrist, which is false. He is just the head of the body of the image of the Beast. Both of these were images of the Beast. People would say today, “David, are you saying that we should submit to the Beast?” Yes, in every generation that God's people were taken captive, they were expected to submit, commanded of the Lord, and we don't see any place where Daniel or the three Hebrews were not submissive except in this one thing. The same thing that we saw in the Book of Esther, and that is worship, or bowing down to. There's only One Who is above all, and when they want to carry you across that line, there's always the higher order that we have to submit to, right? And so, yeah, we're talking about the beast here. Some people want to make war on the beast when they see him coming. We don't see that example in the scriptures anywhere. No, remember, God is the One Who is sovereign. He is the One Who has ordained the beast to conquer His people. It is coming because His people need a crucifixion. So God has ordained this. If God's ordained it, who are you to fight against God? We don't have any authority to do this in the Scriptures. We have to submit to God's will, even if it means, like the three Hebrews, going to the cross. Even if it means we physically lose our lives, we submit. We're not going to fight. They didn't fight. We don't see any example of that in the Scriptures. We have a good word in Pro.24:21 My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; (Fear a pagan king? Yes, because God has put you under His authority. God has given Him power over you. Therefore, we should fear and obey God.) And company not with them that are given to change: (So, anybody that's not going to do this, don't company with them.) 22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; And the destruction from them both, who knoweth it? Pro.16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right. 14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it. (We saw how Paul answered the king. It was an unrighteous judgment, but he was humble, submissive, and respectful. He did not rail at the king, as many are doing today.) 15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; (This is God speaking. He's saying that your life is in this man's hand.) And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain. (That could give you a symbol about what he's really talking about here. In the time of the latter rain, it will be very important to honor the king.)16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver. I want to share something that happened to me and how it relates to this teaching. On our website, we have many articles, and we made a page that was very unflattering, I would say, to the king. And believe me, presidents these days are becoming more like kings because of all the presidential directives they're taking over more power from the balance of powers. And so, this webpage was very unflattering, looking into the psychological problems of this particular king. And I don't know, I just didn't feel right about it. I felt something was wrong, but I really wasn't connecting this teaching. We generally look at the prophetic significance of presidents, and where they could be leading us, and so on, and I didn't think there was anything wrong with it. So, when I felt nervous about it, and I didn't know why, I asked the Lord to give me a couple of verses. I opened my Bible up, and I just blindly stuck my finger down. And I put my finger down in this very next chapter here of Proverbs 25:6. Remember that number, 25 and 6. And it said, Pro.25:6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, (I said, Okay, Lord.) And stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine eyes have seen. 8 Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. A lot of people are going to go forth to strive against the beast government. Because they don't understand what God has ordained it to, or what He's ordained it for. Many, many Christians are going to lose their lives because they will fight. God doesn't want you to do that. If any man is for captivity, into captivity he goeth. That's what the Lord said. He's got a plan. He wants you to submit. Then, a very interesting thing happened because I asked him to give me another verse. Guess what I got? Another chapter 25 verse 6! Wow, that's significant! What are the chances of that happening? I'd say pretty much a wild chance that that would happen. 2Ki.25:6 Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him. 7 And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him in fetters, and carried him to Babylon. (That's very interesting. Zedekiah led a rebellion against the king of Babylon. He was commanded to submit by God Almighty, but he didn't and this happened to him. And he represents Babylon, the modern-day kingdom of the United States, over the rest of the world. And prophetically speaking, Babylon was called in Ezekiel 17, the Great Eagle. And in Daniel, it was the head of the image of the beast, the world empire of that day. It had conquered God's people and brought them into bondage. And Zedekiah was their puppet king that they had set up, and he rebelled. And that's very significant. The whole story there is very significant of the days that we're in. But Zedekiah led a rebellion, and the Bible tells us quite a bit about that rebellion. Jeremiah spoke to Zedekiah in Jer.27:5 I have made the earth, the men and the beasts that are upon the face of the earth, by my great power and by my outstretched arm; and I give it unto whom it seemeth right unto me. The Lord is in control. We may want to take control or take political power; we may want to, as some people say, “take America back,” but if God has given the pagans authority over you, and given the rulers of a worldly kingdom authority over you as a Christian, then God's done that. What He's saying is, “I've got authority here, and I've got power, and I give the rulership of this world over to whoever I desire.” And we need to remember that. He raised up the King of Persia to conquer Babylon and to set the people free. Trying to take power doesn't mean God's with us. God waited many years to promote Trump as a type of the Persian, Cyrus, to conquer Babylon DS and to set God's people free. When has God put a Christian in the head office. I only know of once but the people threw him out shortly after. The Jews tried on their own many times to conquer the beast and failed. God wasn't with the Jews, and He's not with the Christians these days to have political power either. If it were, it would have happened, but it hasn't happened. People who have come into power are quite distinct from Christianity. Does that mean we're supposed to honor them? It certainly does. Just think about Mordecai, and Daniel, and others; we read a story about Paul. Just think about these people and who they were submitting to and what they had done. Think about what the king of Babylon had done here. He had conquered Israel, killed many of their people, and took the remainder into bondage. Verse 6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, (The one-world order. And what did he command God's people to do in Daniel chapter 3? Bow down to the image of the beast. And of course they refused, but many others didn't refuse. But God says He gave them into the hand of this beast.) the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field also have I given him to serve him. 7 And all the nations shall serve him, (Beasts are kingdoms. The kingdoms served Nebuchadnezzar and they were a part of the image of the beast.) and his son, and his son's son, until the time of his own land come: and then many nations and great kings shall make him their bondman. (Yes, that is happening for America as a modern-day Babylon. The head of gold that rules over the nations, that has conquered God's people and has brought them into submission. And now our Cyrus is flipping the whole system of Babylon who killed a lot of people. When the people try it on their own they end up like Zedekiah and the people that followed him who lost their lives.) 8 And it shall come to pass, that the nation and the kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith Jehovah, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand. (So God threatened His people that any nation, including them, that didn't serve the king of Babylon, He would use that king to destroy them by the sword, famine, and pestilence. This was because God ordained a cross for His rebellious people and they refused it.) 9 But as for you, hearken ye not to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreams, nor to your soothsayers, nor to your sorcerers, that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: (Zedekiah and his people disobeyed and refused their cross under the beast of Babylon and totally rebelled against God. You're going to hear false dreams, prophecies, and visions from the false prophets. In the next chapter, they said that they weren't going to serve the king of Babylon. Jeremiah said, “Oh, yes, you are, seventy years.” “Oh, no, we'll be free from him in two years,” Hananiah said. Well, these were the same people that were saying they were going to escape the beast and that didn't happen and they didn't fly away either. Here they are, finding themselves in the hands of this beast kingdom, and their prophets are saying, “We're out of here, we're going to be free, we're going to be free from this bondage.” And Jeremiah said, No, it's not going to happen until after 70 years. So, don't listen to your false prophets, who preach a prosperity doctrine that this is not going to happen to you. After the Man-child ministry begins in Revelation 12, the tribulation beast comes in 13 with the mark. A beast killed the flesh of Jesus and it will do the same with His body. Because this is history repeating. 10 for they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land, and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish. (In other words, God is going to take the side of the beast and use him and His sword, famine and his pestilence to destroy the person that didn't submit, who rebelled against the words that we've already read about submission to the king.) 11 But the nation that shall bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, that nation will I let remain in their own land, saith Jehovah; and they shall till it, and dwell therein. 12 And I spake to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. 13 Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as Jehovah hath spoken concerning the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? I believe we're coming to the place where God will very plainly demand that His people submit to the beast kingdom. I didn't say worship it, and I didn't say take the mark of the beast. I didn't say pledge allegiance to it, but they will have to submit. He said this to every nation that would not serve the king of Babylon. Jesus taught His disciples that they could flee but they couldn't fight, even to deliver Jesus the Son of God from the Roman beast. You say, “Well, this is the Antichrist we're talking about.” No, not really. That's a false doctrine. It's not even found in the Scriptures. Let's talk just for a moment about who the Antichrist is. And should we submit to the Antichrist? Let's take the term “the Antichrist” and see exactly what it says. The first thing we find out is that it has nothing to do with what people have been taught through prophecy that it means. 1Jo.4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: (Notice, every spirit, not just a spirit, but every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God.) and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already. (The Antichrist was in the world then. It's in the world now. It has nothing to do with some man coming on the scene now, because it didn't say a spirit. It said every spirit that does not confess Jesus Christ. A spirit that does not agree with the Word of God, a spirit that's not renewed by the Word of God. That's the spirit of the corporate Antichrist, every spirit, every lost spirit that's born from beneath is a member of the Antichrist, you see, because their spirit is unregenerate. In the New Testament there is no individual man called the Antichrist.) 1Jo.4:4 Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: (See, there are only two there, those that are serving God and those that are not, Christ and Antichrist. Jesus said, “There are two men in the earth, right? One shall be taken and one shall be left.” (Mat.24:40) It's the body of Christ and the body of Antichrist.) because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. (Antichrist is a spirit that speaks against Christ, (it's ‘anti'-Christ) or in disagreement with Christ, or does not confess, which Greek word means ‘speak the same as' Christ That spirit doesn't confess Christ. How many Christians don't confess Christ? To the extent a Christian speaks things that are contrary, or in other words, they don't “speak the same as”, they don't confess Christ, they speak contrary to Christ. That's antichrist coming out of them. To the extent that what we loosely call “a Christian” is not submitted to the Word of God and does not agree with the Word of God, to that extent, they're antichrist and will probably take his mark. Now, every lost person is antichrist. Are you going to be persecuted by the antichrist? Well, of course. Anybody around you who is carnal, a Christian or not, everybody around you who's lost, is a member of that body. They all submit to the antichrist spirit. They do not agree with Christ. So, therefore, you say, “Well, I can't submit to this guy because he's the Antichrist.” Well, no, he may be just the head of the body of the Antichrist, like Nebuchadnezzar, like Pharaoh, but what did God say in every case? Submit. The antichrist is also mentioned here. 1Jo.2:18 Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; (So they heard the same thing. Antichrist is coming, and he's correcting them.) whereby we know that it is the last hour. And John spoke of it here, too, in 2Jo.1:7 For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. (Now, listen, the Bible says, If any man speak, let him speak as an oracle of God. Say what the Bible says. The Bible never says the antichrist is an individual. Never. The antichrist is the whole body. The Bible never says the beast is the individual. Although it says every man is a beast. You see? All of them together make up a beast. And when Daniel spoke of the beast kingdoms, he spoke of multitudes of people that were beasts. You see? So, that doctrine is a false doctrine of the letter and not the Spirit. Now, do you have to deal with the king or the president the way the Bible commands? Yes, of course. If not, you're rebelling against the word of God. And then you're not serving your King, ‘capital K”. We have to serve the “little k” kings in order to serve our King, although we do not have to cross that line of worship, right? So, remember that. I think what Jesus said in John chapter 18 here is significant. Let me read this to you. Joh.18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (So, our kingdom is not of this world, and we can't fight either. You know, when Jesus was taken before Pilate, He was submissive. He didn't fight. He didn't grab a sword. He rebuked Peter for grabbing a sword to try to keep him from doing that. And in Joh.19:10 Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee? 11 Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin. (So, Pilate didn't have any power except what God gave him. Nobody's got any power over you except what God gives them. That's why you can totally rest in this whole situation. We have to submit to the ‘powers that be' because it's commanded of the Lord.) This puts us in a position of weakness, does it not? That we cannot fight with our enemies? God has put them in authority over us, and He tells us to submit to them. Let's read Mat.16:21 From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. 22 And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall never be unto thee. (You know, there are people saying today that none of God's people will go through a crucifixion, or go into the hands of the beast, none of them will have to go to their cross. But we all have to lose our life in order to gain our life. That's what Jesus said. I believe what the Lord has shown me very plainly is that if we will willingly give up our life, meaning our soulish life, we will be spared. And if we don't, we will have to give up our physical life.) 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: (See, who is it that's trying to stop us from going to the cross? It's the devil; okay, notice this.) thou art a stumbling-block unto me: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men. (Men don't want to give up their life, their psuche, their soulish life, their fallen life, but look at how Jesus responds.) 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Jesus was going to His cross, and He was telling them that they're going to be His followers, they have to do the same thing and they did. We're put here in the hands of people who've been given physical power over us and vastly outnumber us. And in most cases, it means a spiritual cross. We just submit and obey what the word of God says, even though these people who are, in many cases, obnoxious and persecute us, speak against us, do things against us, and take authority over us. You think that's not right to take away our rights, all these kinds of things. But we're like lambs to the slaughter; in most cases, it's that simple. In many cases, it will even come down to a physical, denying the Lord in order to escape physical death or else submitting to our cross to have eternal life. In some cases, it will come down to the physical aspect, especially in the days to come, because we've been warned about that from the scriptures.) 25 For whosoever would save his life (That's the word psuche, soulish life, I'm not talking about physical life.) shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life (that's psuche again) for my sake shall find it. (We're speaking about the higher life, the zoe life. God is going to give us the greater life if we will give up this carnal life, the soulish, or self-life.) 26 For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds. (He wants us to take up our cross and follow Him, and if necessary, even to death, like the three Hebrews who were already dead to self so the beast could not kill them.) 1Pe.1:20 who (speaking of Jesus) was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of the times for your sake, 21 who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. And in 1Pe.2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, (In other words, unjust suffering. The whole world's going to turn against Christianity, turn against the most peaceful people on this earth. And many are going to see it as very wrong, very evil, and they're going to be tempted to react to that. But listen to what the Lord says.) ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called (We were called to suffer for the name's sake.): because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: (Wow! Well, Jesus went to the cross, gave His life, so that we would be able to give our life. You see, we were crucified with Christ. (Gal.2:20) What was accomplished there was the crucifixion of this old man. But now, it's being manifested as we walk it out. 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (We're going to have to turn the other cheek and love our enemies, to give a soft answer and give answers that show respect. They need to see Jesus in us, somebody who's not retaliating or fighting. Have you ever seen Christians who like to threaten people? I have; I see them all the time. They're very self-willed, and some of them are very angry. But we're told, Rom.12:19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 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. (So even this sin of self-will, of rebellion against God, if we will repent, if we will confess it, if we will give up our anger, there's forgiveness.) If you don't believe that Christianity has been rebellious against God, you haven't been reading the Bible. The more you read it, the more you accept what it says, the more you're convicted that we have failed God, and we've rebelled against Him. You learn about the crucifixion of the self-will, and you see self-will is a total rebellion against God. God is going to have a holy people. One way He's going to do that is through persecution. The persecution and the tribulation that's coming is going to do a great work in purifying God's people, in delivering God's people, a powerful work. God's people are going to be holy through what we go through, especially if you will submit to the crucifixion, if you will treat the leadership of this world the way we see in the examples we've looked at. We're saved by grace through faith. We should submit and put our faith in God as Jesus did, and let God be the Judge. He is Sovereign. Please read our book Sovereign God for Us and Through Us. It will give you such rest and peace to understand God's plan that He is in control of the nations, the wicked and all the people around you. You can rest in Him. You can put your faith in Him. He is your Savior. He will deliver you through death to self, sanctified, meet for the Masters use. He will give you a fear of the Lord, so that you will respect His Word, so that you will obey His Word, even when your flesh doesn't want that. God bless you.
The weekly adult Sunday School class at OAG taught by long time teacher, Mrs. Jeanie Davis.** Edited to remove personal information shared in the class and extended pauses **Title: Unbound: Standing Firm in the FireSummary: Through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3, this lesson explores what it looks like to stand firm in conviction, trust God completely — even when He doesn't intervene the way we hope — and discover that in the fire, the only thing that burns is what tried to bind us.Approximate Outline:00:00 - The Preciousness of Time03:42 - The Gold Statue of Babylon06:52 - Bow or Burn09:04 - The Furnace and Its Purpose11:58 - Accused and Summoned14:06 - Even If He Doesn't17:41 - Into the Flames19:19 - Only What Bound Them Burned21:47 - Ten Excuses Not to Stand23:46 - Closing Prayer
Do you work in a hostile or competitive environment where your coworkers are contentious and will do anything to get ahead? That's a difficult place to be day in and day out, but with God's help, and lessons we learn from his Word, you can be a light in that place. For example, look at Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We read in the Bible about how they were targeted for their faith. Nebuchadnezzar, the king decrees that as soon as anyone hears the music they are to bow down and worship his golden image, which is the very definition of an idol. Anyone who doesn't obey will be thrown into a blazing furnace. Of course, these young Israelite men are God worshippers, and so they do not follow this order. And the other Chaldeans, or maybe we could call them coworkers, observe their behavior and call them out—basically tell on them to the king. Nebuchadnezzar confronts them himself and kind of gives them one more chance to worship him. Listen to their reply: King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up (Daniel 3:16b-18). Did you hear that? They are so confident God would rescue them. They know he can do it. They have heard the stories of how God rescued the Israelites from Pharoah, how God parted the Red Sea and led them in the wilderness, how God went before Joshua and the walls of Jericho came down from the trumpeting of the horns. They know God can save them. Then this phrase—But even if he does not— they will still not worship any other God. They have faith in an everlasting God, even if he doesn't save them from the immediate fiery furnace. And the end of the story is they do get thrown into the blaze—so hot the men who threw them in died. But they are not there alone. When king Nebuchadnezzar looks in, he sees four men walking around. God was there with them in it. And when they came out, not a hair was singed. God not only miraculously saves them as no one else could do, but because of their beliefs and behavior it is an example to everyone how great and mighty God is. I hope this encourages you to be your authentic, genuine self at work. May you find your identity in Christ and know you can trust him for anything! Even if you can't see how it could possibly resolve itself, you and I serve and worship a God who can do mighty and miraculous things, even in a contentious and hostile workplace. Trust him to guide and help you. You just might be an example to others and glorifying to God.
Phil Hudson - In Daniel chapter 3 we read the only recorded words of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This chapter is here to equip us to be able to say them: 'But if not...we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.' (Daniel 3:18) And so, we see the world wants our worship. It's fierce, but it's a farce. And our God alone is worthy of our worship because he saves his people.
Drew Balch - In a world that demands conformity, Daniel 3 confronts us with a stark question: bow or burn? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to compromise, even when the cost is a fiery death. Their courage isn't reckless; it's rooted in the deep confidence that God can save… and even if he doesn't, he is still worth trusting. Following God is never meant to be safe, though it is meant to be true. Will we stand, even when it costs us?
In this powerful installment of Unshakable, we explore Daniel 3 and the moment faith meets the fire. Daniel's three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego STAND while everyone else bows down. Moments of opportunity can reveal themselves during hard times. As we learn more about Daniel's three friends, we learn that we can be catalyst for global change, when we STAND right where we are.Main Scripture: Matthew 26:36–46, Luke 14:25–33, James 3:1Topic: Bible Teaching, Bible Study, Christian Leadership, Kingdom Builders, Living on a Mission, Use Your Gifts, Serve God, Pray Give Serve, Faith ForwardSupport the show ------------------------------------------WANT MORE?Say You Love Me 1: Building Healthy RelationshipsToxic 1: What are Toxic Thoughts? Things Jesus Never Said 1: Is Loving Money Bad?Bondage Breaker 1: Tormented by your past? ------------------------------------------ JOIN US!Visit us at www.FusionChurchNY.com for the most up-to-date in-person service times and events.Join a Small Group.------------------------------------------FOLLOW US!Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Tiktok.
Send us Fan MailWhen pressure turns up, most of us don't fail in one dramatic moment, we drift through a hundred small compromises. We wanted to talk about the kind of courage that doesn't drift. We call it moxy: grit, determination, and the willingness to stand for the Lord when standing costs you something. We open in Daniel with four young men taken from Jerusalem into Babylon, renamed, retrained, and expected to become “more Babylonian” than faithful. That's not just ancient history, it's a spiritual pattern we still live in: identity gets rewritten before worship gets redirected. We unpack how fear often ties to the unknown and our need to control outcomes, and why surrendering control to God is not weakness but wisdom. From the first quiet test at the king's table to the public command to bow before a golden idol, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego show what faith under pressure actually looks like. Their words still sting in the best way: God is able to deliver us, but even if he doesn't, we will not bow. Then comes the furnace, the heat, and the surprise that changes the whole story: the fourth man in the fire. We talk about Jesus' presence in suffering, modern idolatry, and how spiritual resilience forms when you choose worship over fear. If you're ready to grow in Christian courage, stand strong in a hostile culture, and trust God in your own “furnace” season, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs moxy, and leave a review with the line that hit you hardest.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram cornerstoneaz Facebook cornerstoneaz.org Twitter cornerstoneaz.org
In week three of our Babylon series, we look at Daniel 3 and the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to understand what it means to stand firm when faith is tested. We're reminded of this truth: we seek the good of Babylon, but we never bow down to Babylon. This message challenges us to develop an “even if” faith—one that refuses to bow, trusts God in the fire, and becomes a powerful witness to those watching.
This is a two-part message. When our worst fears become reality, faith can feel fragile and disoriented. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery sits down with Vaneetha Risner and Angela Mackey to explore how trust in God is rebuilt—not through changed circumstances, but through a deeper awareness of His presence. Vaneetha shares her journey through devastating loss, disability, and abandonment, and how God met her in the place she feared most. Rather than offering quick relief, He revealed something stronger: that His presence is a more secure foundation than any outcome she once depended on. Angela brings a complementary perspective through her “what if to even if” story, rooted in the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Walking through profound grief and physical trauma, she wrestled with God honestly and discovered that faith is not the absence of questions but the willingness to cling to Him in the fire. Together, these conversations reframe suffering—not as evidence of God’s absence, but as an invitation to encounter His nearness, deepen trust, and anchor hope in His unchanging character rather than fragile outcomes. Scripture Discussed Psalm 27:13 Isaiah 29:13 Exodus 3-4 Daniel 1–3 Resource Referenced: This Was Never The Plan:Walking with God through the Heartache of Divorce by Vaneetha Risner Connect with Vaneetha: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Follow her work on Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Daniel 3 isn't just a familiar story, it's about pressure to conform and the cost of staying faithful. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego face a culture that demands compromise, and their response is simple: God can deliver, but even if He doesn't, they won't bow.Brody and JB talk about what that kind of faith looks like today, how cultural pressure shows up, and why God's presence matters more than an easy way out. SWO 26Respond Women's RetreatLessons Learned From Hezekiah on Faith and Failure"In God's Underground" by Richard WurmbrandDaniel 3Send us Fan MailPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.
The resurrection power of Jesus transforms not just our eternal destiny, but our present reality. Through the story of Jesus healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, we learn that God wants us to stretch out what we consider our greatest weakness so His strength can be manifested. Faith without works is dead, and we're called to activate our faith by using what God has given us - our spiritual gifts, abilities, personality, and even our struggles. Sometimes God delivers us through trials rather than out of them, meeting us in our difficulties like He met Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Our perceived limitations can become platforms for God's power when we make ourselves available to Him.Thank you for joining us at NorthRidge Church! For more information please visit us online at http://www.northridgethomaston.com.
April 19, 2026Pastor Matt KendrickShadrach, Meshach, and AbednegoDaniel 3The Old Testament reveals one clear story: God loves you, and He'll do anything to save you. What we see from Genesis to Revelation is a God who steps into the fire on our behalf, to rescue us. And that's the headline of this story today. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is one of the most inspiring and relevant accounts in all of the Bible, and it points directly to Jesus.These stories don't provide heroes that we try to be but point to a Savior who we desperately need.Thank you for listening!For more info on Redemption City Church check out our website.If you'd like to connect with us further, please fill out a Connection Card and one of our staff will get in touch with you.Follow us on on social media: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube
What do you do when you know the right leadership decision—but you have no idea how it will turn out? In Episode #687, When "Perhaps the Lord" Is Enough: Leading with Faith in Uncertain Outcomes, we explore one of the most defining tensions in Christian leadership: acting without certainty. This episode centers on a powerful moment from 1 Samuel 14, where Jonathan steps forward against overwhelming odds with a simple but profound statement: "Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf." It wasn't a guarantee. It wasn't certainty. It was faith rooted in who God is. And that is often how God leads. As leaders, we naturally want clarity before action. We prefer assurance before risk. But Scripture consistently shows that faith operates differently—it calls us to move forward based on God's character, not predictable outcomes. Alongside Jonathan's example, we look at other biblical leaders who embraced this tension: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted God—even without a promised rescue. Esther acted courageously, accepting the cost of obedience. Joab led with strength while surrendering the outcome to God. David stepped forward based on God's past faithfulness, not guaranteed results. Each of these leaders demonstrates a critical truth: faith is not about controlling outcomes—it is about trusting God enough to act. This episode also addresses a common leadership danger—waiting for certainty that never comes. Many leaders delay decisions, avoid difficult conversations, or hesitate at critical moments because they want clearer outcomes. But hesitation often costs more than risk. You'll gain practical guidance for navigating these moments, including how to anchor yourself in God's character, clarify the next right step, act even when the path is incomplete, and release the outcome to Him. If you're facing a decision that feels uncertain, costly, or risky, this episode will encourage you to move forward—not because you know what will happen, but because you trust the One who does. Because sometimes, "perhaps the Lord" is not a lack of faith—it's the clearest expression of it.
What happens when your faith is actually tested?In this message through Daniel chapters 3 and 4, we look at two major tests every believer faces: the test of trust and the test of pride. Through the stories of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and King Nebuchadnezzar, we see that real faith is more than belief. It is surrender, even when life does not go the way we expected.A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted. True faith says, even if God does not, I still will. Pride builds kingdoms, but humility sustains them.Whether you are walking through a difficult season, questioning your faith, or needing a reminder of who is in control, this message is for you.Key Takeaways:- Faith is proven in the fire, not in comfort- Trusting God means surrendering outcomes- Pride leads to destruction, but humility leads to restoration- God does not owe us an explanation, but He is always worthy of our trust
The voices around you are shaping the choices within you. In Week 2 of Voices & Choices, Pastor Shannon O'Dell unpacks a powerful truth: wrong voices lead to wrong choices, but the right voices can change your future.From the story of Samson to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, this message reveals how friendships, influences, and relationships can either pull you backward or push you toward God's best.You are one voice away from the wrong life… but you're also one choice away from a better one. It's time to evaluate who you're walking with, standing with, and sitting with.If this message speaks to you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.
The voices around you are shaping the choices within you. In Week 2 of Voices & Choices, Pastor Shannon O'Dell unpacks a powerful truth: wrong voices lead to wrong choices, but the right voices can change your future.From the story of Samson to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, this message reveals how friendships, influences, and relationships can either pull you backward or push you toward God's best.You are one voice away from the wrong life… but you're also one choice away from a better one. It's time to evaluate who you're walking with, standing with, and sitting with.If this message speaks to you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.
Most people know a little bit of Daniel's story – something about Daniel in the lions' den, or Shadrach, Meshach and Abendnego in the fiery furnace. Often these tales are thought of as just quaint Sunday School stories for children. So, what's the relevance of the book of Daniel for us in the real world of the 21st century? I think you're going to discover that Daniel is possibly THE most relevant book in the Bible for sincere Christians in our time, because it is the true story of how God can make a difference through the lives of dedicated believers in hostile circumstances. Daniel is going to teach us how to live in a difficult world with courage and confidence because of the promises and the presence of God. Find out more in this episode of Gospel Wabi Sabi.
Some seasons feel like sand. Others feel like fire. In this episode of Layered in Grace, we talk about what happens when life turns up the heat — when the pressure is real, the grief is layered, and the questions feel heavy. Using the image of pinecones that only open in fire, we explore this truth: Sometimes the heat isn't destroying you. It's unlocking something. Drawing from: Daniel 3 (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace) Isaiah 43 ("When you walk through the fire…") James 1 (testing produces perseverance) The life of Job — honest anger and grief before God We unpack what fire seasons reveal — about our faith, our grief, and our marriages. This episode gently explores: Fire is not always punishment — sometimes it is formation. God does not always remove the heat — but He steps into it. Grief has two flames: sadness and anger — and both are biblical. Righteous anger is not weakness. Tears are not failure. Marriage in hard seasons requires layered grace, not silent resentment. We also ask the harder questions: What is this fire exposing in me? Where am I suppressing grief instead of bringing it to God? Am I expecting my spouse to carry what only Christ can carry? What if the fire is opening something eternal? The miracle of the furnace was not the absence of flames. It was the presence of the Fourth Man. If you are in a fire season right now, this episode is a reminder: You are not being consumed. You are being formed. And you are not alone in the heat. Scriptures Referenced Daniel 3 Isaiah 43:2 James 1:2–4 Job 13:3 Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 Colossians 3:13 Reflection Questions Where do I feel the heat in my life right now? Am I interpreting this season as punishment — or invitation? Which side of grief do I suppress — anger or sadness? Have I brought my honest questions to God — or kept them distant? What might this fire be opening in me? As we continue this Layered in Grace journey, remember: Fire does not mean abandonment. Sometimes it means God is nearer than ever. You are seen. You are known. You are deeply loved. This episode's companion resources: Fill-In-The-Blank Listening Guide Full Episode Study Guide Small Group Discussion Guide 7 Day Companion Scripture Guide
Send us Fan Mail“We have no king but Caesar.” That line from John 19 is only a few words, but it shines a harsh light on the way fear can hijack faith. I'm Dr Robert Jackson, and on More Than Medicine I read the Easter account with fresh eyes, then ask a question that refuses to stay in church language: when pressure rises, who actually rules your heart?We walk through the biblical worldview behind the moment. Israel's history is filled with people who refused to treat rulers like gods, from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego standing tall before Nebuchadnezzar, to Mordecai refusing to bow and Esther risking her life to speak. Those stories aren't here for nostalgia. They help us name modern idols: safety, approval, status, and the urge to let politics or institutions do the job only God can do.Then we bring it down to street level with a simple test. When your child is sick, when your marriage is on fire, when money gets tight, when a diagnosis lands, who do you call first? I also share my own kidney cancer scare and what it taught me about faith over fear, prayer, and trusting Jesus as King even when outcomes are unknown. Finally, I preview an upcoming conversation with Scott Shara and his book Is Our Government Legally Killing Us?, challenging the habit of treating government as our ultimate rescuer in healthcare and retirement.If this stirred something, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review. What's one moment in your life that revealed who your “king” really was?Support the showhttps://www.jacksonfamilyministry.comhttps://bobslone.com/home/podcast-production/
Hosts Pastor Robert Baltodano and Pastor Lloyd Pulley Question Timestamps: Maribel, email (2:17) - What does the Bible say about loving someone who is incarcerated? Frank, SC (5:34) - Where was Daniel during the fire of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? John, KY (8:06) - How should we prepare for war with Iran? Nadia, Facebook (12:59) - Do women have the gift of healing? Carrie, Youtube (14:22) - Did Jesus have the DNA of Mary? Moises, Facebook (15:15) - What happens with the sins committed while on your walk with Christ? Colten, YouTube (17:33) - If God knows what people need, what is the point of praying? Carol, NY (19:26) - Am I not saved because I don't understand the parables or speak in tongues? Andrew, AL (22:36) - Are paradise and heaven the same thing? Millie, MA (33:28) - Would Judas have gone to heaven if he had repented? Lucas, SC (39:44) - Do you think there is any room in Scripture for the belief that everyone will be saved or eventually get out of hell? Does Romans 10 give prerequisites for being saved? Mike, NJ (49:26) - What can I do about spiritual warfare I'm experiencing? Does Matthew 21 verse 22 mean that I am not being healed because I don't believe enough? Manny, VA (53:23) - Can you explain how Matthew 28 and John 20 complement each other? Ask Your Questions: Call: 888-712-7434 Email: Answers@bbtlive.org
One Bride – Gifts and Anointing (Audio) David Eells – 3/25/26 I'm going to share with you some revelations of the anointing and gifts that we can look forward to receiving and operating in soon. I Am Strengthening My People G. M.- 05/12/2016 (David's notes in red) I received this Word and vision: I AM strengthening My people. I AM drawing them closer and closer to Myself and to each other. Giving them a genuine agape love for each other, that they hold one another accountable to My standards, accountable to My Word. It is by their joining together in a tightly knit fellowship that they become strong. Satan is not able to divide and separate. They have each other's backs. They actively partake in one another's spiritual warfare battles through prayer and fasting. The enemy is defeated. The open doors have been closed, and My saints have girded themselves with My truth. They stand strong and unwavering in the faith that I have given them. Their focus is on the prize - the gift of the full manifestation of Eternal Life. They are of one mind and one spirit. They will not be denied their rightful inheritance. Their hearts are full of praise and thanksgiving. Murmuring and complaining have no place in them. They look past the present and see what shall be. They see the end from the beginning. They waver not in the midst of their trials. They are full of joy as they rest in Me and My faithfulness. As I was receiving the last few phrases, a vision appeared. I saw a large circle of God's people standing together, shoulder to shoulder. I saw a solid circle of people; there were no gaps or empty spaces anywhere. I sensed strength and unity and a deep love for all the brethren gathered together to pray and believe God for His answers to their prayers. Eph.4:16 from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love. I felt a strong commitment of this group to God and to each other -- a bond that couldn't be broken. It seemed as though there was an invisible shield (like shrink-wrap) that could not be penetrated by the enemy. Most of the people I saw were adults and a few children; all were wearing blue jeans and white t-shirts. This group of God's people was on a hillside, standing in the bright sun. I felt this was a representation of the local and greater UBM fellowship. The scripture I received by faith and by random was Joh.10:30 I and the Father are one. Praise God! What an awesome verse to go with the word and vision He had already given me. I'll share verses 27-30 in context: 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: 28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who hath given (them) unto Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch (them) out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one. And in Joh.17:11 And I am no more in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are. ... 22 And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me. The numbers and their meanings in the date 5/12/16 of this revelation are equally awesome: 5=Grace; 12=Divine power, rule or authority; 16=Love It is such a blessing to be a part of God's family and UBM! Gifts and Anointings Given to the Repentant Sandy Shaw - 02/11/2017 (David's notes in red) In a dream, I saw two angels with their arms held out and in their hands, holding two very large baskets. I don't know what the two baskets were made out of, but they were soooo white. One basket had a mix of silver and gold that was almost like fine powder. But you could see the individual gold and silver. God put His hand into the gold and silver and gently let it fall from His hand. I knew that they were blessings and gifts. I saw it fall on different individuals. The first one I saw it fall on was for the gifts of healing. This person sees a man in a wheelchair. (This person is no doubt representing a corporate body of people.) She feels compelled to pray for him, but does so only from a distance. Then, on a different day, this same woman sees a woman wearing a leg brace and using a crutch. She feels compelled again to pray. This time, she goes to her and lays hands on her and prays. After the prayer, the lady walks away. As she is walking, the brace on her leg falls away. She pushes the crutch down, throwing her hands in the air, clapping, and gives glory and praise to God. Then the same lady feels compelled again to pray as another woman in front of her, who is deaf, dumb, and blind, and she is instantly healed. The Lord says, “Just as I knew the woman who touched My garment, so shall you know whom to pray for.” I saw three Christians who were lacking boldness walking, and four people of the world were yelling and saying crazy things to them. They just put their heads down, and the four who had spoken finished and left. Then a different group of worldly people came up to them. And they yelled at them too. But this time the Christians spoke in love, and it calmed the others down, and then they were able to listen. Then they had a group hug, and they all prayed and left. Next, I see all of us at a meeting. And there was a prophecy given in tongues. But there is a battle going on inside of this woman: “Is this You, Lord? Should I say it?” And the boldness in her brought it forth. She couldn't contain it any longer. They waited for an interpretation, but it did not come. There was a man across the room who opened his eyes and looked around. For the Lord was giving him the interpretation. But he was fearful and did not say it. He questioned God and did not speak it. Then it was a different day, and we were in a meeting. We were praising and worshiping the Lord. Then, once again, the same woman felt the stirring of the spirit, but she questioned it because there was no interpretation the last time. But the Spirit kept stirring, and with boldness it came out. But this time, the man was able to allow God to move, and the interpretation was given. Now we were all at another meeting. We were singing and praising, and I saw white songbooks open. Then they are closed and put down on the seat. Everyone stands up with their hands raised, and the music changes. Now people are singing in tongues. They continue to sing in tongues, and the music continues. There is no doubt that the Holy Spirit is present there. Now, at another meeting, everyone came with their hearts prepared by worshiping the Lord long before they arrived. When the music started with the first song, the anointing was there. We did not use the books. We were singing from our hearts. We went from English to tongues. (We are commanded to desire and zealously seek these spiritual gifts. 1Co.14:1 Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts ... 12 So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church. Some will have to obey to receive the Giver of these gifts. And some will have to repent to receive His gifts. Act.5:32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 1Co.12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: 9 to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; 10 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.) Then I was standing with the angels who were holding the baskets. I saw the Lord put His hand in the second basket that was full of oil. Then He let the oil flow down his fingertips as drops. He sprinkled the oil, but we were all doused. (Great anointings to minister will be given also to those who walk with Him.) End of dream. I asked for a verse by faith at random and amazingly got verse 1Co.14:13. In context, 12-15 1Co.14:12 So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. John the Baptist Ignored Eve Brast - 02/15/2017 (David's notes in red) We were all praying for Father to show us more concerning what He was telling us through Sandy's dream (above) and I was given the following dream. I dreamed I was standing in the living room of David's house (representing the larger house of David) where the wood-burning stove normally is. (Standing in the place of the fiery furnace.) David was standing to my right, and he was telling me something important about John the Baptist, who was standing on my left. There were three of us in the furnace (just like the three Hebrews). (The Bride, the Davids, and the John the Baptists are in the furnace of crucifixion -- priests offering the sacrifice of flesh.) (I asked for a verse by faith at random for this and amazingly, I got: Dan.3:26 (My finger was on Abed-nego, which means “servant of Nebo”, their “god of wisdom”. But Jesus is the wisdom of God.) Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace: he spake and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the Most High God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego came forth out of the midst of the fire.) (As we just saw: Three groups of people who have been purified in the furnace of fiery trials.) While David was speaking to me, I was facing the direction of the kitchen. The wall between the living room and kitchen had only 2x4 framework. I could see that the kitchen was well-lit and was twice as big as in real life. (This is a sign that the house of David will be preparing much more spiritual food in the light of God's Word.) There was an old rectangular wooden table and chairs in the center. The house was larger than in real life, too. (A sign this is the larger house of David.) John the Baptist was standing to my left and looked to be 17 or 18 years old. He had beautiful olive skin, wavy, brown, shoulder-length hair, and piercing brown eyes that seemed to look past the exterior and directly inside an individual. He was wearing a white linen shirt and was holding a square wicker basket out in front of him with both hands. The basket was lined with white linen that folded outward over the top edge. The basket was filled with loaves of bread. (John the Baptist's bread is primarily about repentance, which means change your mind and believe and act on the Bible. To know the Bible in experience is to know what repentance is. The bread being the Word and in David's house could mean he received this teaching from the Davids, who sent him forth with the bread below. David had a ministry to feed his Father's sheep before he was anointed to be king. Just before Jesus was anointed, John said to Him that it was he who should be baptized by Jesus, recognizing Him as his leader and teacher.) I asked Father for a word concerning John the Baptist and received: Mat.26:18 (My finger was on the phrase “My time is at hand”.) 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Teacher saith, My time is at hand; I keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus appointed them; and they made ready the passover.) (If we understand that just the phrase is meant as an answer, then John the Baptist's “time is at hand.” If we look at the larger context, we can see that the Man-child's “time is at hand” to go to the cross, his furnace, and they are both in the furnace with the Bride. Also, a Passover of judgment is being offered to the disciples. A Passover is not possible without repentance and faith, which John preached.) There were quite a few people from UBM standing around in different areas of the house in groups of two, three and four. They were all chit-chatting and talking about all the usual stuff people talk about. I then heard David tell John to go around to the different groups of people and distribute the bread to them. (John's bread primarily represents repentance and belief of the Word.) Next, I was with him in the Spirit as he attempted to offer the loaves of bread to these people. As we approached each group, some were absorbed in conversation concerning their problems; others were laughing and cutting up; others were discussing various news articles they had read. This sounds like “the cares of the world.” Mat.13:22 And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. I watched as John earnestly went from group to group and person to person, trying to get their attention and hand them the bread that David wanted them to eat. But it was as if he were invisible because they paid no attention to him. (David is sending the bread through the spirit of John, but these particular groups are not repenting. This is not to say that others are not repenting, but these groups are ignoring the warning. Are you one of them? Part of the problem is the denial of sin. People with rejection do this commonly. It makes them blind and repentance invisible. They are afraid to admit or confess sin because of fear of rejection. The problem is always someone else whom they are glad to pin the blame on. When you face them with their sin, they ignore you and get mad. Their denial of sin is a blindness to the repentance of John the Baptist. On the day of this dream, Leon received by faith at random: Isa.59:9 Therefore is justice far from us, neither doth righteousness overtake us: we look for light, but, behold, darkness; for brightness, but we walk in obscurity. 10 We grope for the wall (sanctification) like the blind; yea, we grope as they that have no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the twilight.; among them that are lusty we are as dead men. And this same day, Eve received by faith at random: Joh.9:20 His parents answered and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 but how he now seeth, we know not; or who opened his eyes, we know not: ask him; he is of age; he shall speak for himself. Let us call upon Jesus to open their blind eyes and repent. Let us ask for mercy and grace from our God for those who are blind to their sin. I just received this: Psa.119:17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live; So will I observe thy word. 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold Wondrous things out of thy law. And this: 80:18 So shall we not go back from thee: Quicken thou us, and we will call upon thy name. 19 Turn us again, O Jehovah God of hosts; Cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. And I thought of these verses: 119:25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: Quicken [make alive] thou me according to thy word. ... 32 I will run the way of thy commandments, When thou shalt enlarge my heart. Son.1:4 Draw me; we will run after thee.... Php.2:13 for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.) Back to Eve's dream: Finally, in discouragement and frustration, John the Baptist gave up and went and sat down at the kitchen table and placed the basket on the table in front of him. He looked over at me and back at the basket and shook his head slowly, and sighed deeply, as if to say, “Look at what they're missing!” He reached his hand down into the basket and pulled up a huge handful of gold and silver coins the size of half-dollars. (The value of repentance is beyond worldly value.) He then let the coins slowly slip through his hand. (Just as these are letting the gifts slip through their hands.) The bread had transformed into coins. I realized these were the gold and silver gifts from Sandy's dream, and I thought to myself, “That's the basket from Sandy's dream. It's sad that none of these people wanted those gifts.” (Those who have repentance will receive God's gifts and those who don't have repentance will not. Without repentance from what they are hearing from John the Baptist, they will not receive these gifts of the Spirit. We must repent and act on what we hear to receive these gifts that we need to minister Jesus to ourselves and others.) They weren't interested or were too carnally minded and dull in their awareness of the Spirit. Then I woke up. (Our flesh wants to do anything and everything except focus on the things of the Spirit. (Food, entertainment, leisure, fellowship, ego, sports, news.) I asked Father for a word concerning these people and received: Eph.5:13 (1-20 in context) 1 Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; 4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them; 8 for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord; 11 and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; 12 for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of. 13 But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light. God is shedding the light on those who are intent on hiding their sin in darkness. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee. 15 look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit. 19 speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. I asked Father for a word for this dream, and my finger was on the phrase “Pray now unto the Lord our God for us” in Jer.37:3 And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto Jehovah our God for us. Recently, I had been speaking a bunch of unprofitable words concerning a situation in my life, and afterward I heard Father very clearly say to me in a stern tone, “No more idle words!” I understood that these words sabotaged my prayers and the faith I was trying to have concerning the situation. After this dream above, I realized this was more than an individual warning, but a corporate warning. Because a lot of idle speaking can also be a distraction and detraction from the things of the Spirit when the people of God are gathered together. (Idle words cancel words of faith. We call the things that be not as though they are and then we call the things that are to cancel the things that be not. 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. We must consistently and patiently confess what we pray for or command as ours. 4 And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. 5 But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 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 seems the Father's message for both Sandy's dream and this one is that we need to get serious about our priesthood and the ministration of the gifts for the body. He is more than willing to bestow these gifts upon us if we will focus on the things of the Spirit and not allow distractions and idle words to detract from what He wants to do in us and through us. Coming Anointing and Hidden Manna Revealed Bill Steenland - 07/29/2014 (David's notes in red) A few weeks ago, I had two visions and a word of knowledge as I was waking up at about 3:30 AM. The visions were more like experiences than visions, but they were not dreams. In the first vision, I was at my grandparents' house in New Jersey. (Representing being In the house of the early Church. Jud.3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.) I was alone and in a two-door open garage where we would have barbecues and parties when I was a little child. (It is open for the chosen to partake of. A place of rest for a vehicle or vessel, as we are receiving spiritual food and celebrating.) Just outside the garage was a huge pool where I would play as a child. (A place for immersion in much water of the Word that puts to death the self-life.) Bill: Isa.8:18 Behold, I and the children whom Jehovah hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Jehovah of hosts, who dwelleth in mount Zion. Mat.18:2 And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.... I was standing in the garage, in front of a refrigerator, opening the freezer. (I believe the freezer means what has been “preserved” and is coming or stored up for the tribulation.) When I opened the freezer, a golden white light anointing shone onto my face. (I had been reading the Book of Zechariah and Hidden Manna for the End Times a lot. This scripture jumped out at me when I was reading Zechariah 4 about the Two Witnesses, and it reminded me of the light and anointing that I felt in this first vision. Zec.4:11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 12 And I answered the second time, and said unto him, What are these two olive-branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that empty the golden oil out of themselves? 13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord. 14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. I felt the most love, faith, joy and peace I've ever felt in my whole life. It was like being in the glory of God in Heaven. This lasted for only a split second before it ended. I do not doubt that if anyone walked in that anointing and presence of God, there would be more miracles and power (and holiness) than anyone could imagine. It was the most awesome thing I've ever felt: peace, wholeness, faith, joy, love, and Jesus. The Bride is going to walk in this? Wow! I had the second vision directly after this one. In it, I was standing about 3-5 feet to the right of the first freezer, opening up a second freezer, but this one was on the ground, and it had a blue lid. (Representing A Heavenly door. Rev.3:8 I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.) It was about 3x5 feet wide and there was ice and water in the freezer. (Ice and water because the contents are thawing for use very soon.) The second vision started with me in the middle of pulling out a huge rack of meat (Ribs? Steak?) with my right hand. (The meat of the Word, as well as the works of God, are about to be seen. It has been preserved for this day, but now it's thawing for use.) Joh.4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work. 35 say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest. 36 He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 For herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor. ... Joh.6:28 They said therefore unto him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. This vision was more like an experience in that I could hear the water dripping off the meat and echoing as it dripped back into the freezer; it was strange. More than half asleep, still I awoke to go to the bathroom when this word came to me: (Joh.2:8) “And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it.” (Get ready for the greater works. Joh.14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do.) Notes: I was praying and seeking the Lord on my face, asking Him for this anointing of faith, peace, love, and joy in the Lord. When I finished, I turned to get up. I looked to my left at my alarm clock, and it was 1:44! (I have been seeing this so often that I don't even mention it anymore.) About a week later, I was about to go to sleep when I went to get my cell phone to put it on the charger. The lights were off, and I was reaching in the dark for my cell phone and knocked my copy of Hidden Manna for the End Times into a white cooler where my roommate keeps extra beverages because there is no room in the fridge. As I pulled it out of the water, I heard the water drip a couple of times. My eyes widened as I immediately thought of the vision I had in which I was pulling the huge rack of meat out of the freezer, except now the meat was Hidden Manna for the End Times. (To know what we are called to in these end times, read that book.) I thought to myself, there is no way that is a coincidence; no way at all, considering I have been praying and believing for this gift from God to be manifested in my life, and the two visions had a very profound effect on me. I'll never forget them. So now I have the faith to do the works, as God was using this scenario of events to show me that the time has come, and it is time to do the works of God in my life and change that water to wine and manifest Jesus. Interesting note: These two visions in a two-door garage, two freezers -- two witnesses? (As we learned in Hidden Manna, the Two Witnesses are two corporate witnesses, just like those who went out two-by-two after the Man-child Jesus.) Here we see that God has preserved His glorious anointing, meat of the Word, and greater works for this end-time revival. These will be hated and attacked by the religious, just as they were in Jesus' time. Get ready, saints! Bill's updated notes - 9/15/14: This is something that the Lord showed me after thinking about these visions so much! The second vision, where my hand was holding the rack of meat -- the flesh of Jesus, the veil! (Hebrews 10:20) Combining both interpretations from top to bottom will tell the whole story, but this is what the Lord gave me about the rack of meat I took out of the blue freezer/cooler on the ground: Joh.6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. (Partaking of Jesus' meat causes one to grow up past the milk of childhood, becoming Sons and not just children. Partaking of His blood represents His nature, replacing our fallen nature. This enables us to live in His presence.) Heb.10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (We were crucified with Christ. We don't live anymore; Christ lives in us.) Exo.26:33 And thou shalt hang up the veil under the clasps, and shalt bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall separate unto you between the holy place and the most holy. (The veil that hides the presence of God is the flesh.) Heb.9:2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein were the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy place. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; 4 having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded (Showing His authority through signs and wonders like Jesus and the Man-child.), and the tables of the covenant (representing the true Word); 5 and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak severally. David makes the point in Hidden Manna that the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat represent the throne of God. Below is an excerpt from Hidden Manna “Caught up to the Throne” chapter, sub-section “Spiritual Nature of the Throne”: Notice that the Man-child will speak to God's people on earth from behind the veil, which is exactly what Moses did when He was before the mercy seat, the place of God's throne, “behind the veil” of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. (Exo.25:21) And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. (22) And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. Notice that Moses, as the Man-child of his day, spoke with God behind the veil in the heavenly place and then told the people what he heard. (They saw the veil but the glory of God on His face was hidden by his flesh.) (Joh.5:30) I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge.... Another confirmation is when Moses began to wear a veil when speaking to the people about what God was saying. In other words, he spoke to the people from behind the veil; (inside his flesh). (Exo.34:33) And when Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. (34) But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out; and he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. (35) And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the veil upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. Notice Moses wore no veil when he spoke with the Lord because he was in the typical place of the Holy of Holies behind the veil, but when he went to give the Word to the people, he wore a veil that we might know he was still behind the veil and in the presence of God. As a type for the end-time Man-child, Jesus was of the order of the Melchizedek high priesthood. (Heb.6:20) ... Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Every high priest ministers both behind the veil before God and to the people. Also, an “order” is not just one but a series. The next in the series is Jesus manifested in the body of the corporate end-time Man-child who will go behind the veil and minister to the people, as Moses did. In Psalm 110 we are told of this Melchizedek corporate priesthood. (Psa.110:4) ... Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek. What we will see here is that this chapter also speaks of the end-time Melchizedek.
True Faith: Trusting in God's Plan 'But If Not'. ACU Sunday Series. The Most Inspiring General Conference Talk on Faith You'll Ever Hear! True Faith: Trusting in God's Plan 'But If Not' In this inspirational video, Elder Dennis E. Simmons reflects on his youthful misunderstanding of faith through a story from his eighth-grade basketball tournament. He emphasizes that true faith is more than wishful thinking—it's a deep trust in Jesus Christ. Using the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Elder Simmons illustrates how true faith means trusting God even when outcomes don't align with our desires. He explores how figures such as Abraham, Daniel, and Paul displayed unwavering faith under trials, demonstrating that great challenges can cultivate greater spiritual strength. The address underlines that the world is a test of faith, administered by a loving Heavenly Father, and highlights the importance of maintaining faith in God's plan, even amidst suffering and uncertainty. Watch this video at- https://youtu.be/NSZbc7SvP4M?si=PgOtPgS7VFzSIolv The Words of Christ 53.7K subscribers 47,389 views Oct 20, 2024
Peter Leithart, Jeff Meyers, James Bejon, and Alastair Roberts kick off a new series on the book of Malachi, beginning with a wide-angle look at the restoration era in which Malachi prophesied. Rather than treating this period as a mere gap between covenants - a so-called "intertestamental" silence - the team argues it represents a distinct and dynamic phase of covenant history, with its own new arrangements for the priesthood, the temple, the city of Jerusalem, and Israel's relationship to the Gentile nations. The conversation ranges from Ezra and Nehemiah's narrative logic to the dating of Malachi, the myth of 400 years of divine silence, and the ways Malachi's concerns anticipate the New Testament world Jesus enters. Timestamps (Aproximate) 0:00 — Welcome and introduction; transitioning from Hebrews to a new series on Malachi 1:00 — Overview of the restoration era; why "intertestamental" is a misleading term 3:00 — Jim Jordan's "Through New Eyes" and the idea that Israel never goes backward in covenant history 4:30 — "Latter days" / "last days" language; the 70 Weeks of Daniel as a framework for this period 5:30 — New features of the restoration era: the elevated role of the high priest 6:30 — A new temple, new geopolitical arrangements, and Israel's changed relationship with Gentile powers 8:30 — The holiness of Jerusalem extended to the city walls; Ezekiel's vision of the sacred territory 10:30 — Continuity with the law of Moses through Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi 12:00 — Ezra's role as teacher of the law; rebuilding the people alongside the house 13:00 — Malachi's focus on hypocrisy and priestly failure rather than open idolatry; anticipating New Testament concerns 15:00 — The sequence in Deuteronomy 30, Jeremiah 31, and Ezekiel 36 — scattering, regathering, new covenant, outpouring of the Spirit 17:00 — A partial outpouring of the Spirit in the restoration era; Zechariah's lampstand vision 18:30 — The spread of Judaism through the diaspora as a stage in Israel's mission to the Gentiles 19:30 — Why did the exiles not bring back idolatry from Babylon and Persia? 21:30 — Exile as the moment the law became an existential lifeline for Jewish identity 23:30 — The legacy of Daniel, Esther, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as a unifying memory 25:00 — The restoration era as both the birth of the new covenant and the "thinning out" of the old 27:30 — Malachi's final word — cherem (curse of utter destruction) — and the doom hanging over the old covenant order 29:00 — The three phases of Ezra-Nehemiah — temple, people, city — as one unified project; the role of Haggai and Zechariah 37:00 — Dating Malachi: most likely during or after Nehemiah's absence from Jerusalem 40:30 — Malachi 3:1 ("I send my messenger") as potentially having a near fulfillment in Nehemiah's return 41:30 — The significance of Malachi's name meaning "my messenger" 42:30 — The chronology of Ezra-Nehemiah and the 70 Weeks; arguing for a compressed (~50-year) timeframe 45:30 — Debunking the "400 years of silence" myth — gaps in the canon are not gaps in God's speech 47:00 — 99% of God's people never witnessed a theophany; scrolls were always the ordinary means 48:30 — Daniel's visions as a prophetic bridge connecting the restoration era to the New Testament 49:30 — The rise of the synagogue and lay scriptural literacy in the diaspora; parallels to the Reformation 50:30 — Malachi 2 and the priests' neglected teaching vocation
In this series about name changes, one big change is when Jerusalem gets conquered by Babylon and selected hebrews are forced to learn Babylonian ways and language. Today we look at the story of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; whose names were changed to Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We start with the ultimate truth that God wants us to find our identity in Him, and in the story of these hebrew men, it helps us to understand that not everybody who values what we can do, also values who we are. God is with us in the middle of our worst moments and will help us get through them; in the middle of temptations to make small, quiet compromises, and in the middle of large public temptations to go a different way than God's design. God will be with you. Through the lives of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, we can learn that our faith is in God's faithfulness. - Key Verses // Daniel 1:1-7, Daniel 3:16-30 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive
This week, we continue our "I AM" series by stepping into one of the most iconic stories of the Old Testament: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When life gets "seven times hotter" and the pressure to conform feels overwhelming, where is God? We're looking at Daniel 3 to discover that God's nearness isn't proven by the absence of the fire, but by His presence in it. Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church's mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week's sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We'd love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego weren't delivered from the furnace—but in it. The fourth figure in the fire reminds us that God's nearness isn't proven by avoidance of pain, but by faithfulness through it. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us
What does it look like to live as a citizen of heaven while serving on assignment in a world that resists God's Truth? In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains why speaking Truth is part of the Christian's calling—especially when leaders or systems pressure people to violate God's Word. Yet this boldness is never rooted in self-righteousness. Believers stand with humility, praying for leaders and lovingly pointing others to Christ—the only One who can truly set anyone free. To illustrate what faithful living looks like in the “City of Man,” Dr. Youssef takes us to Daniel 1:1–16, where Daniel and his friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—model courageous obedience in a hostile environment. Sometimes their tests seemed small (even what was placed in front of them at the king's table). Other times, obedience carried deadly cost—lions' dens and fiery furnaces. Yet their stance remained the same: no compromise, full trust in God's outcome. This devotional will challenge you to: stand firm when pressured to conform, speak Truth with grace and conviction, trust God with the results of obedience, and lift high the cross of Christ as His ambassador—no matter the cost. Scripture Focus: Daniel 1:1–16 Go deeper: Dr. Youssef's sermon series Unholy Alliance of the Antichrist (Watch Now | Listen Now) The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.
It's Tuesday, March 3, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson, Timothy Reed and Adam McManus Taliban back in control in Afghanistan After 20 years of U.S. conflict in Afghanistan, the Taliban is back in control. Here's the latest. The Associated Press reports that the new Afghan penal code allows husbands to beat their wives, criminalizes criticism of the nation's leadership, and bans education for women beyond primary school. And the Afghan-Pakistani War is heating up. According to recent numbers from Afghan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, 415 soldiers with the Taliban have died and 580 have been injured. Republicans support and Democrats oppose Iranian attack Here in the United States, there's a sharp partisan divide with Americans concerning the latest war with Iran. An Ipsos/Reuters survey finds that 55% of Republican voters are in favor of the U.S. attack on Iran. Only 13% opposed it. And 7% of Democrats support the attack while 74% oppose. Thus far, as of Monday — the casualties racking up in the war include 555 Iranian deaths, 31 Lebanese deaths, 10 Israeli deaths, and 4 American deaths. Time on Doomsday Clock Ever heard of The Doomsday Clock? Sponsored by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, it warns the public about how close we are to destroying our world with dangerous technologies of our own making. It is a metaphor, a reminder, of the perils we must address if we are to survive on the planet. As of January 2026, the Doomsday Clock was moved to T-minus 85 seconds. That's down from 17 minutes in 1992, and 5 minutes in 2012. China, Russia, and France's place in the nuclear arms race Recent estimates put China's spending on its nuclear arsenal at $12.5 to $14 billion for 2024 and 2025. The communist country is outspending every nation except the United States. News reports point to Russia's development of a nuclear weapon to be detonated in space. And, just yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to increase the size of the French nuclear arsenal, as the second nuclear arms race progresses. Psalm 46:8-9 instructs us to “Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the Earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the Earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.” Evidence a Mexican cartel bribe Mexican politicians Mexico's El Universal newspaper carried pictures of the ledgers found in the cabin of the late drug lord Nemesio Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” The ledgers included references to Mexico's Attorney General's Office as well as members of military and state agencies. Mexican journalists have explained that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel has bankrolled political campaigns of Mexico's ruling party members in the National Regeneration Movement in exchange for relative immunity, reports Breitbart. War Secretary Hegseth ends cooperation with woke Ivy League schools As The Worldview reported last month, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth cut ties between Harvard and the Pentagon, discontinuing military-sponsored and funding of graduate-level education programs. Now, the War Department has announced no more cooperation with the rest of Ivy League schools. Secretary Hegseth explained the reason for this. HEGSETH: “Our senior service colleges have always been expected to act in the interest of this principle, to transform our senior war fighters into strategic thinkers, capable of mastering the complexities of modern warfare, and leading our joint force to victory at every echelon. Unfortunately, this sacred trust has been broken in this military's professional military education system. “For decades, the Ivy League, and similar institutions, have gorged themselves on a trust fund of American taxpayer dollars, only to become factories of anti-American resentment and military disdain. They've taken our best and brightest, the men and women who pledged their lives to this nation, and subjected them to a curriculum of contempt. “They've replaced the study of victory and pragmatic realism with the promotion of ‘wokeness' and weakness, they've traded true intellectual rigor for radical dogma, sacrificing free expression for the suffocating confines of leftist ideology.” As of last week, the Pentagon has also reached an agreement with Scouting America (including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts), to move away from what they call “diversity initiatives” and woke policies. Trust in U.S. government at 17% Among Americans, trust in the federal government has hit its lowest levels in seven decades — now at 17%. That's down from 77% in 1964, according to Pew Research's latest numbers. Oregon Democrats block bill to protect babies who survive abortions Oregon Democrats blocked a bill that would have given babies a chance to survive after a failed abortion. House Bill 4087, or the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, mandated that infants who survived a botched abortion be afforded the “same degree of professional skill, care and diligence … that a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.” Oregon Right To Life Executive Director Lois Anderson laid out the inhumanity of the state's abortion law. ANDERSON: “Later abortions are currently legal in Oregon. There are no restrictions, no protections for unborn babies up until birth. And even if they survive an abortion procedure, they are not protected and required to be given medical treatment. “We know, from not only polling, but anecdotal information, and all of these candidates and discussing with Oregonians, that they would support this kind of legislation.” Micah 6:8 reminds us to “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” “I Can Only Imagine 2” movie lands #3 at the Box Office And finally, “I Can Only Imagine 2,” hit movie theaters this past weekend. The sequel focuses on the Christian band MercyMe and its famous “Even If” song, which lead singer Bart Millard said was written during a tough period in his life. “I know You're able and I know You can Save through the fire with Your mighty hand But even if You don't My hope is You alone I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt Would all go away if You'd just say the word But even if You don't My hope is You alone” In 2014, Bart Millard and his wife learned that their young son, Sam, had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a chronic and life-threatening autoimmune disease. Sam's blood sugar levels were dangerously high, and he was hospitalized. Doctors warned that managing the disease would be lifelong and complex. For Bart, who had spent years singing about faith and trust in God, the situation shook him deeply. He later admitted that he struggled emotionally and spiritually. The crisis forced him to confront hard questions about faith in the face of suffering — especially when prayers do not bring immediate healing. Listen to comments he made to CBN. MILLARD: “These two songs in particular, “Imagine” and “Even If,” were written out of some difficult seasons of my life. Not all songs are written that way, but my therapy is working issues out through my songs. The ones that mean the most to me have come out of some pretty painful places and been therapeutic for me.” The idea for the song “Even If” came from Daniel 3:16-18. It says, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar, ‘We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from your Majesty's hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'” “I Can Only Imagine 2” was #3 at the box office, grossing around $8 million. Watch the trailer and get your tickets at the website www.ICanOnlyImagine.com. Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, March 3rd, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ. Extra print story U.S. State Dept shedding the light of freedom for Europe The U.S. State Department is on the verge of launching an online portal to fight European censorship. The site, Freedom.gov, will allow Europeans to access content that has been banned by the European Union. The Times reported, “This includes criticism of the Online Safety Act in the UK and the European Union's Digital Services Act, which force platforms to remove illegal content and harmful speech or face steep fines.” One official at the State Department added, “Digital freedom is a priority for the State Department, and that includes the proliferation of privacy and censorship-circumvention technologies like Virtual Private Networks.”