Podcasts about mighty god

Have you ever felt God nudging you toward something—but fear, doubt, or insecurity kept you from taking the next step? Maybe it's having a difficult conversation, starting a Bible study, pursuing a dream, reaching out to a neighbor, or simply trusting God in an uncertain season. Whatever it is, you're not alone. This week on The Love Offering Podcast, I had the joy of talking with author Laura L. Smith about her new book, Brave Women, Mighty God. Together, we explored the stories of women in Scripture who faced fear, uncertainty, and impossible circumstances—yet found the courage to move forward because of the God who was with them. One of my favorite reminders from our conversation was this: bravery isn't about being fearless. It's about trusting God enough to take the next step, even when we're afraid. Laura shared how the same God who empowered women like Esther, Ruth, Hannah, and Abigail is still empowering His daughters today. We talked about overcoming fear, resisting comparison, embracing obedience, and remembering that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. If you've been feeling stuck, uncertain, or hesitant to move forward in something God is calling you to do, I believe this conversation will encourage your heart. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why bravery isn't about your strength—it's about God's power working through you• How fear often keeps us from stepping into God's best• The importance of taking one small step of obedience at a time• How prayer reminds us who God is and who we are in Him• Why comparison can rob us of the unique calling God has given us• How the mighty God of Scripture is still equipping and empowering women today Friend, you don't have to have the entire plan figured out. You only need the courage to take the next faithful step. Because the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. Be sure to share this episode with a friend who could use a little encouragement to be brave. With love, Rachael P.S. I'd love to hear: What's one brave step God may be asking you to take right now? Connect with Laura L. Smith Learn more about Laura and her ministry at:https://www.laurasmithauthor.com Follow Laura on Instagram:@laurasmithauthor Connect with Rachael Adams Website:https://rachaelkadams.com Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rachaeladamsauthor Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

[Isaiah 9:6-7] For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen! The Messiah would bring an era of peace that would ____________ ____________. [Luke 2:13-14] Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Peace (Shalom): completeness; tranquility; rest; peace with ____________. [Mark 4:38-40 ESV] But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” [39] And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Jesus gives peace ______________ the storm, not just peace ______________ the storm. True peace is only available through ______________. [Isaiah 53:5 GWT] He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds. [John 14:27 NIV] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid The opposite of peace is not _________, it's ____________. [Romans 5:1] Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Jesus brings peace ________ God and the peace _____ God. [Philippians 4:6-7] Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

In this episode, Laura L. Smith joins us to share how God transforms our "ordinary" lives into masterpieces of His grace. Through the stories of brave women in the Bible, we're reminded that God sees us, equips us, and invites us to be the unique "God colors" the world needs right now.Resource: Brave Woman, Mighty God: 30 Things You Can Do by Laura L. Smith

The mighty God of Isaiah 40-49 is the same as the suffering Servant of Isaiah 53.Reading Plan: Worship - Psalm 69:22-28Wisdom - Proverbs 15:8-9Witness - Isaiah 51-54Visit https://www.revivalfromthebible.com/ for more information.

Our Spiritual Growth (1) (audio) David Eells – 6/3/26 Glory of a Child Peter - 03/04/2008 (David's notes in red) In a dream, I found myself sitting at the side of a road, on the curb, and it was gloomy and dark. There were two gray wolves or beast-like creatures with massive fangs that subtly approached me from behind. (The beasts or wolves represent wicked men: (Luk.10:3)... I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves. (Ecc.3:18)... It is because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts.) They tried attacking me, but I don't remember if I tried to fight them off. What I do remember is that I ran into a dull red mini caravan, which so happened to be on the road, for protection and safety. (The van may represent a means of mobility having protection and safety. The dull red color represents the blood of Jesus.) As I was shutting the passenger door, one of the beasts lunged at me, but I managed to slam the door on it. (Enclosed in the blood) As a large portion of its body was caught in between the closed door, it suddenly morphed into a naked man inside the van (I could only see the upper body). This man had streams of blood running down from all over his body. (The persecutors wear as their works the blood of the saints. Eze.22:4 Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed, and art defiled in thine idols which thou hast made.) During the entire time, I was panicking and fearful for my life and trying to survive. (David: As I have meditated on this dream, I see that the first man above is the natural man who is in total fear of losing his old life at the hands of the wicked. His reactions are natural but not based on the Word. The man below is the spiritual man, who is 'Christ in you' and whose actions are based in the Spirit and faith in the blood of Jesus. Together these make up who we are. We can choose to be led by either man, but the latter preserves life and promotes the Kingdom of God in and around us, making us safe. A confirmation that these two men are Peter, is that they are both sitting upon the curb.) Then my attention was suddenly drawn outside the van to a child who was sitting on the curb. (Mar.10:15) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.) He had a large volume of golden curly hair. (Golden hair represents submission to the Lord [1Co.11:3-16] which strengthens us and sets a crown of glory upon us. (Jdg.16:17)... if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. The blessings of the Lord, riches, honor and life [Pro.22:4] are set upon His people as a crown of fine gold [Psa.21:3]. The child was sitting curled up in a ball (Representing humility and weakness; (2 Cor.12:9)...my power is made perfect in weakness.... (Jer.13:18)... Humble yourselves, sit down...), with his arms wrapped around his knees and with only his eyes to be seen. His eyes were emphasized, and I believe they were large and beautiful. (This represents spiritual eyes. (Son.4:1) Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thine eyes are [as] doves behind thy veil... Doves represent seeing as the Holy Spirit does. We must see that we have been saved and sanctified. (2Pe.1:3) seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue). The lower part of his face (chin, mouth, nose) was tucked in behind his knees. (When attacked, we are not to defend ourselves by speaking foolishly. (Ecc.5:2) Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. (Isa.7:4)...Take heed, and be quiet; fear not.) He was innocent and harmless. He was clean. (He represents Christ in you, the spiritual man.) After I had finished observing, I noticed the same two beasts sneaking up behind him. At this point, there was no awareness of the man being in the van. (The spiritual man is not in danger and gives us a good example that we should not be in fear.) As I was still locked in the van for my own protection, I was filled with fear, yelling and screaming from the top of my lungs, trying to warn the child that he may run into the van. (Fear and anxiety, both a reflection of unbelief, only locked or bound me in the van. I was without any peace; I only had uncontrollable fear and anxiety. We must give in to the spiritual man and hold fast to the Gospel). I was hitting the window of the van to get his attention. He acknowledged me but didn't make the slightest movement, just sitting very still. (Exo.14:13)... Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.) The beasts lunged at him, and there was still no movement on his part. The beasts were trying to bite him, but they couldn't get a grip. Their teeth were sliding off him. The beasts swung their claws at him, but there was no critical damage, only tiny scratches on the child, which were brought to my attention. (Innocence and submission to the Lord are his defense. (Pro.10:2)... righteousness delivereth from death.) Again, I was aware that I was still in the van, but I was also outside in the child's presence. The child still remained in the same sitting position as I had described and remained still for the entire time. He said nothing and didn't react in any way to defend himself. The beasts couldn't harm him. (Mat.5:39) ...resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.) Suddenly, I looked behind this scene, and I noticed in the distance a small white house on a green grassy mount. (The house the spiritual man lives in is Christ [Heb.3:6]. We are to abide in Him, the Word, the secret place of the Most High.) In front of this house, there was a woman in a white robe inviting me, or beckoning, to partake of something. (The Bride's invitation to partake of the protection of resting in the (Psa.91) Passover by abiding in Christ.) The dream ends. I had the impression, maybe during or after the dream, that this lady looked like my Godmother (I come from an Orthodox Christian religion). Peter's Interpretation The woman in the white garment/robe who resembled my Godmother may very well be reflected by: (Pro.6:20) My son, keep the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother. The commandments of the Father, based on the New Testament, are life eternal (Joh.12:50), to believe in the name (meaning in Greek: “nature, authority, and character”) of Jesus Christ and love one another (1Jn.3:23). (Of course, the Word defines the steps of love.) I find that these commandments are united to be the same with one another. The law of the mother, based on the New Testament, is the law of faith (Rom.3:27), law of the Spirit of life (Rom.8:2), and the law of Christ (Gal.6:2). Like the commandments, these laws are the same with one another and can be united. Based on the order of events of the dream, I believe the child represents a manifestation and the fruit of the law of faith, of the Spirit, and of the commandments of the Father. All of these are certainly Christ. The child's characteristics and nature reveal the principles of living by faith and the Spirit of life in Christ, which are one with the commandments of the Father. If we submit to the Lord, remain humble, restrain our tongue, and see through our spiritual eyes or senses, we will be walking in Christ, fulfilling the spiritual laws (of faith and of the Spirit of life) and the commandments of the Father. All these spiritual laws are represented by the woman in the white robe who appeared to be my Godmother. She is associated with the white house on the grassy hill or mount. It may have seemed she was inviting me to partake of what was in the house, which is Christ. Just as that little child is associated with the woman, he must have been partaking from that house as well. If the woman represents all the spiritual laws and the commandments of the Father, she must also represent the spotless, blemishless Bride who is in perfect obedience to the laws and commandments of the Father. The Bride is the Word of God, who has manifested Jesus Christ. Her white robe must represent the righteous acts of the saints (Rev.19:8). The righteous acts are works of faith -- walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. The child and the Bride are one nature because they manifest the wisdom of God, the Word of God; hence, Jesus Christ. Only as a 'child' can we enter the kingdom (Mar.10:15) and only those who walk in the Spirit. Those who are likened unto a child walk in the Spirit. One verse can describe this dream: (Exo.14:13) And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Whenever we are in tribulation or trial of any form, we should fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. Use our imagination, see it spiritually, believe what the Word says about you. Rest. He has already saved you. Humble yourself, and He shall never forsake you because He is your Father. A father never forsakes his child (Psa.18:2; 94:12-14). (Mat.7:11) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Thank you, Father, for Your grace and love! I pray that this dream has helped you renew your mind and imagination of who we truly are in Christ. May God bless you all.   Fighting the Old Man Eric - 10/11/2006 (David's notes in red) In a dream, I was in a classroom, and an old man was teaching the class. (We can't let the old man teach, which in Christianity is most often the case. The class includes ourselves and all who associate with us.) He said to the class, “I don't like that Eric guy. I'm going to challenge him to a wrestling match.” (If we let the old man speak through us, he will gain confidence and strength against us and he will bring us under the curse.) Then he got up and came over to my desk and, looking down on me, said a second time, “I challenge you to a wrestling match”. He was about 7 feet tall, so I followed him outside. (The giant of our old life will challenge us and lead us into battle.) I noticed that nobody in my class was interested in watching the fight. (Most onlookers don't even know the battle between the spirit and flesh is going on inside us.) When I got outside, everything seemed deserted like a ghost town so we walked over to a playground. (As far as man is concerned, we are all alone in this battle.) We began to fight, and he threw a wild right swing at me and missed. (The right side symbolizes spirit, and the arm symbolizes power. This is a fight of spiritual power; the evil spirits in our flesh against the power of the Holy Spirit within us, joining together with our spirit.) I swung back with an uppercut, but missed his jaw because of his height. Then he got me in a headlock but I broke free and grabbed him in a headlock, and he also broke free. (The flesh and spirit taking turns controlling the mind is a double-minded life.) Then we separated and began to circle each other like two wrestlers. We cried out as warriors would cry in a battle and smashed into each other as two sumo wrestlers, but being equally matched in strength, we were both unable to get an advantage. We wrestled like this for what seemed like an hour, and finally we disengaged from each other, very exhausted. (In order to win this battle we must repent of our sins and confess them, which conquers the old fleshly man. 1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Then we must believe the promises of our crucifixion and life in Christ, which strengthens the spiritual man. Without this, there will be no spiritual victory, only exhaustion. (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me...) Looking over, he said to me, “I think this is a draw”. Replying, I said, “I think you are right”, so we both proceeded back to the class, and he announced to them that the battle was a draw. (We can't afford to believe or speak that there is a draw for this leaves us unevenly yoked to the old man in a lukewarm life.) He then said arrogantly, “Eric stood up to me, but I have friends in high places, and I'm going to bring trouble for Eric; you wait and see!” (Gal.5:17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.) Suddenly, I found myself walking in a city I've never seen before. Somehow, I understood I was walking to my house. I remember the whole city was white, both buildings and cars, but the people walking around were dressed in black. (The unseen “kingdom of God has come nigh” but the people are walking in darkness.) When I arrived at my house, police lines were blocking my way. All manner of law enforcement officers were there. (If we don't beat the old man but leave him in control of the class, we break God's law and have to pay the penalty.) One who appeared to be in charge came up to me and asked, “Are you Eric?” I answered, “Yes, I am, but sometimes I'm not sure”. (We never really know who we are until the old man is dead.) He then said, “You are evicted, and you have to walk around in the street”. (The carnal man has taken over our house.) So then I looked toward heaven and cried out, “Lord, what am I to do without a house?” Then the dream ended. (This is a good teaching the Lord has given to us through Eric. We either put to death the old man, or we eventually lose controlling interest in this house we call a body, and maybe even the house we call a home. A more primitive lifestyle, enforced by the beast, is coming to the Church as a whole because of this lukewarm draw.)   In Weakness We Win M.W.- 10/14/2008 (David's notes in red) In a dream, I was at a football game. I was part of a team. We were wearing white jerseys, and my teammates were younger kids, for the most part. I remember thinking when I saw my younger teammates, We are going to get killed! The field was on a hill, and it seemed like we were at a higher elevation. As we approached the field, I saw a sign that had the opposing team's name on it. The sign read “ASU”, which is Arizona State University, but during the dream, I didn't think about that; I just noticed “ASU”. If you look up their mascot, you will find that it is the Sun Devils; it is a picture of a devil with a pitchfork. So it was us versus the ASU Sun Devils. Right before the kickoff, I remember being very anxious and again thinking that this might not go well. At first, the field was muddy because I remember our uniforms having some mud on them. We received the ball first and, on a series of plays, marched down to the end of the field of the Sun Devils. I remember that as we moved toward their goal line, it seemed like I was a lot bigger than the ASU players. On the last play that scored the touchdown, I remember thinking, 'Should I play quarterback and maybe throw the ball?' Instead, it was a running play, and I was running just ahead of the running back blocking. It was interesting because I was a grown man, and it was like I was blocking little kids. I blocked several opposing players during the last play, and we scored. It started raining about then, and the Sun Devils forfeited the game. The score was 7-0. After we scored, we were so excited, and it was disappointing to see them forfeit, but it was a relief in a way. I remember watching the last van loaded with gear pull away in the rain and head down the hill. Many are wondering just before the big tribulation game against Satan's fearsome team, how such a small, weak, and immature-looking bunch on God's side could possibly survive, much less win. God's “power is made perfect in weakness.” “Not by might and not by power but by my spirit, saith the Lord.” It is “by my Spirit,” or another way to say it, it is the rain, the Latter Rain, and our weakness that will cause the enemy to forfeit the game. Remember Gideon's army, which God whittled down to 300 men so that in their weakness they would take on an army that was said to be, “like locusts for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand which is upon the sea-shore for multitude.” And what was God's reasoning? (Jdg.7:2) And Jehovah said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. (3) Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart from mount Gilead. So, children are the best to go against the enemy like little David went before Goliath. (Mat.18:3) 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. We must be children in our own strength but wise beyond our years in God's strength. (1 Cor.14:20) Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men. (Eph.6:10) Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. (13) Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. The Battle begins... My daughter had a dream, too. She and her grandmother were on a big roller coaster ride, which, in the natural, is scary and goes up and down, which represents the conditions many are about to endure. In the dream, I went up into a tower that overlooked a city. (Zion is called “the tower of the flock” and represents the Bride who will be over the rest of the people of God, as in Esther.) She said that I had a very serious look on my face. I was watching over the city, which I was charged to do by the military. (God's Generals will set watchmen for the enemy.) She joined me in the tower, but later she did go back to the roller coaster. The people in her dream were barefoot. (The Church will return to her primitive roots by not departing from the original Word given. Like Moses, they will take off their shoes to not be separated from Holy Ground.)   The Lord Shows His New Models Amos Scaggs - 12/07/2008 (David's notes in red) In a dream, I was in a large showroom of a national car company. They were planning and redecorating for a promotion that would be so spectacular it would top any that had been done in the past, and it would keep escalating once it started. (The Lord is about to come out with His new models to show everyone what they, too, can drive. I believe the first-fruits Man-child ministry will be this demonstration. Jesus appeared to show what regeneration looked like.) I had my work done and books organized on my shelves, waiting to see what was going to transpire from this. (We've done the studying and put it in order. Now we are waiting to see what the Lord will show.) I knew it was going to be the biggest thing the world had ever seen, and it was only the first part of the year. I thought, since this is so early in the year, what will the end of the year look like? (The words, “What will the end of the year look like?” implies that something great will grow from this. The baby is born but matures quickly. Many models will be duplicates, symbolizing a revival. In Revelation chapters 12 & 14 the 144,000 man-child body will be duplicates of Jesus to do the greater works He spoke of.) As I was wondering what to do next, I met the Governor, whom I knew. (Jesus will govern from the throne in His earthly body of end-time Davids in a repetition of His-story. (Isa.9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even forever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.) As I was concerned about what to do next, the Governor said, “Don't worry about a thing. Watch me and you will be doing the same things as I do very soon.” (The Governor is a role model and is coming in His Man-child company to be a role model for others to follow in His same steps. (1Jn.2:5) but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: (6) he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. The Governor said, “This is what I have planned; this is the beginning”. (The words, “this is the beginning,” imply many vehicles will be produced like these models, meaning a revival will spread from here.) I also thought I had something to do with the Buick showroom. David Buick was an inventor and also formed the Buick Mfg. Co. He and William Durant formed the Buick Motor Co., which is now known as General Motors. Durant was a productionist, and Buick was a perfectionist. Buick left the company in 1906 (because it fell short of his expectations) and died broke in 1929. Had Buick been able to keep his shares in 1921, he would have been worth $10 million and today it would be incalculable. Kind of reminds me of Jesus. (He was also a perfectionist, desiring quality not just quantity in His models. He was disappointed in the direction the early Church took and lost His shares in it. He lost out to the productionist's assembly line Christianity mentality.) Buick was quite the ingenious type who had it all but died broke and still formed a new thing that no one had seen before (but we will see Jesus' new thing again very soon :0).   Invincibility in Jesus G. W. - 11/20/2010 (David's notes in red) I was in a dream where David Eells and I were in the same house. He was explaining to me that we can get into a car crash and nothing will hurt us. I understood him to be teaching about faith. He then said, “Let's go down this hill to try it out”. We both agreed that we would get into this white truck. It began rolling violently down from the top of the hill. We both were outside of the truck cab in the bed -- I was in the front, and David was toward the back. All of a sudden, we both flipped off. David went backward, and I went forward. As it approached me, the nose of it was facing the ground while the bed of the truck was in the air. I knew that the back section was coming right at me, but I had plenty of time to get out of the way. Instead, I just lay there and watched this disaster come toward me. The whole weight of the truck came crashing down on my midsection. As I looked down, I wondered if this truck had cut me in two, but I felt no pain. David came over and pulled me out from underneath. I stood upon my feet, completely whole. David said, “It can't hurt your rib cage”. Naturally speaking, this seemed impossible; however, I realized that I never felt fear as the disaster unraveled. I had been given a dream very similar to this about invincibility a couple of years ago. Jesus and the Two Witnesses had this gift until it was their time to go. Jesus said, “No man takes my life; I lay it down”. We truly have God's protection if we abide in Him, just as Psalm 91 says. So this is not just a gift to the Man-child but something the Davids, as Man-childs, will teach to the saints, as the dream above appears to say. Some will enjoy this until the Lord comes. This invincibility can take many forms. Around the time of this dream, I was driving home from a meeting at night. I wasn't particularly sleepy, just slightly. As I got close to my house, I suddenly found myself waking up out of a sound sleep, seeing headlights bright in my face. Without thinking, I jerked the wheel to the right and swerved quickly into my own lane, just in time to miss the oncoming car. I was amazed that I could have been asleep at the wheel because I didn't even remember feeling tired enough to have to fight it off. I realized that this was supernatural and that the Lord had shown me that He would protect me without my even knowing about it. It was seconds before it would have been too late to miss a head-on collision. I also noticed, as G.W. did, that I never felt fear. After receiving G. W.'s dream, my daughter, Deborah, and I were on the porch swing talking. It was a common bench-type steel swing. It had a chain coming down from a wooden frame on each end of the bench to an S-hook. From there, a chain went to the front bottom of the bench, and another went to the back top of the bench on each end. As we spoke, I was suddenly thrown backward on my back on the deck, but my head slammed into the metal top of the AC unit, which was off the deck, but the top stuck up about six inches higher than the deck. It was with such force and noise that one would have thought my neck would have broken or my head crushed. On my side of the bench, as one chain held the front bottom, the other that held the back came out of the S-hook. This caused my side of the bench to flip violently backward. My daughter was holding on to her side with her legs wrapped around the bench seat. When she heard the noise and saw me down there, she asked, with big eyes and loudly, “Are you all right?” As I reached up to brace her, I was surprised to be able to say, “I'm just fine”. I then laughingly said, “The Lord said He would give His angels charge over me, lest I dash my foot against a stone, but He didn't say anything about my head”. She asked again, “Are you sure you're alright?” I said, “I'm sure”, as I reached back to feel the back of my head and felt no pain nor even a bruise. As I stood up, I realized that indeed the angels had perfectly protected my head and neck, which easily could have been broken. I never felt any fear, just joy. My daughter said, “There is no blood on the back of your head”. I said, “There isn't even a bruise”. As I began to examine the bench and chain, I saw something even more supernatural. The chain that came loose was in perfect shape, like new, with no wear and no broken links. It was the kind of chain most often used on swings. Each link had a partner, and they were stitched in the middle so that if one link broke, it was still tied to one more link. I was amazed to see there was no broken link. Naturally speaking, this would mean the chain had to come out of the S-hook. However, I examined the S-hook, and it was still closed in the S where the chain was missing. “WOW”, I said, “this is supernatural”. The chain could not be put back in the S because it was still closed up, so I grabbed a screwdriver to spread it open so the chain could be reinserted, but I could not pry it open at all; it was too thick to bend. So I put the S next to the post that held the swing and hammered the screwdriver into the S to spread it so I could put the chain in it. I had to drive it in about 3/4” to get it open enough. How did the chain get out of the S-hook? Only supernaturally! I thought, either the devil just tried to kill me and failed due to Father's faithfulness, or the Lord was just showing me He was keeping me safe. I am sure both were true. I indeed had been in a crash, and the Father kept me perfectly. PTL! By the grace of my God, I have been shot at, at close range by a professional assassin, but my angel slapped the bullet down as he told me. The one who sent the assassin confirmed this. In a wreck, I was thrown from a car going 70 mph, slid about 70 feet on concrete without a scratch, with witnesses. My tractor flipped on the side of our mountain and was going to roll, but impossibly straightened back up with me still in the seat. I believe in Father's guardian angels! More recently, Michael and I were unhitching a back blade, a heavy piece of steel, from the tractor. I got off the tractor and was standing about 15 feet from the blade. Michael was on the other side releasing it, and supernaturally it came flying very fast straight at my head. It hit me right on my nose with force and knocked me back another 10 feet to the ground. Michael said he knew I was dead, but to his surprise, I jumped to my feet like nothing had happened. I told him that what I felt was a finger on my nose pushing me to the ground very fast. My angel, no doubt. In the natural, because of the speed at which it came at me, I would have been dead anyway, but I never felt any pain or incurred any damage. Some of this was because the faction had come together to throw witchcraft at me, but failed. Many of them are dead now. Do you find it hard to believe that spiritual powers, good or bad, can take authority over the natural laws, as seen with this S-hook, my head and neck? Many have been learning that they have authority over physical laws concerning the body and laws of nature, through faith and the spoken Word. In the testimony section of our site are multitudes of testimonies of the saints' healing machinery, bodies, cars, and other physical things, changing weather, changing minds, etc. Jesus taught His disciples to take authority over the laws of nature and to teach others to do so because they are not under the curse. (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Mar.11:23) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. (24) Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (And repent of any sin so you will have power.) (25) And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (26) [But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses.] Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples of all the nations and teach them to obey all things He taught them, even unto the end. (Mat.28:19) Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations ... (20) teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Now we, as His disciples, must teach disciples to obey all the teachings of Jesus and take authority over the physical laws of the curse to proclaim the Gospel. Amen.

Welcome to the Jesus Church in Watertown, South Dakota!Join us for service at: 500 14th Ave NW, Watertown, SD 57201 https://goo.gl/maps/WgUmDc1iH7jB8za98Our Service Times: Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 am CDT Sunday Main Service at 11:00 am CDT Wednesday Service at 7:00 pm CDTYou can find us online at: Website: https://jesuschurchsd.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JesusChurchSD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesuschurchsd/

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬Happy Children's Day, I pray for God's protection to and guide to our children ❤️

Send us Fan MailIn this 'EPISODE 466 WHERE ARE WE IN BIBLE PROPHECY? WHY ARE THE MINOR PROPHETS EVEN IN THE BIBLE? ARE THEY WRITTEN FOR US TODAY? CAN WE FIND COMFORT IN THEM FOR OUR FUTURE?' Author and host Elbert Hardy of itellwhy.com and Jesusiswhy.com shows from the Old and New Testaments, our only hope is in Jesus Christ, bringing Peace at last with his soon return!Support the showGo to itellwhy.com to read Elbert's books free of charge, no Ads and no requests for money or Email addresses. You can watch faith building YouTube Links to Videos and the listen to Elbert's Life of Christ Audio Book in 30 minute Episodes arranged and read by the author straight from the Bible, but rearranged in logical harmony of the Gospels, Revelation and other scriptures. All FREE of charge in the public interest.

Send us Fan MailMorning Prayer (Mighty God; Sacrifice; Hearing; Understanding; Addictions; Praise) #praise #pray #prayer #christianprayer #morningprayer #jesus #hearing #understanding Thank you for listening, our heart's prayer is for you and I to walk daily with Jesus, our joy and peaceaimingforjesus.comYouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@aimingforjesus5346Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aiming_for_jesus/Threads https://www.threads.com/@aiming_for_jesusX https://x.com/AimingForJesusTik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@aiming.for.jesus

Morning lessons: Psalms 50; Deuteronomy 22; Luke 11:29-54.  The Lord, even the most Mighty God, has spoken and called world, from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof.

We've heard the phrase many times: "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God." Pastor Greg Laurie says those brief words give us a snapshot of the Lord's mission on earth. Thursday on A NEW BEGINNING, we'll take a close look at Jesus' challenge, and our response. Support the show: https://harvest.org/resources/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A very interesting discussion of the Provision of God from a Hebrew perspective and the names of God - I Am that I Am, taught by my very good friend Nikki from Montana. Mighty God, Our Provider – My friend Nikki from Montana talks about The Provision of God from a Hebrew perspective.  A wonderful discussion of the attributes of God the Father and the Son, as well as His Names, such as I Am that I Am. My thanks to my very good friend Nikki from Montana for her very detailed look at this subject. You can contact Nikki at:  firstfruits77@montanasky.com   Photo from Pixabay. Used with permission.  

https://square.link/u/UHRU92rp - Donate HereToday's reading takes us into Isaiah 9, where deep darkness is interrupted by a glorious promise: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” In a time of national rebellion, corrupt kings, looming judgment, and Assyrian terror, God gives His people more than political hope—He gives them a prophecy of the coming King.This chapter reminds us that Jesus is not just a Christmas verse; He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He is the light that shines in Galilee, the ruler whose government has no end, and the Redeemer whose coming reaches all the way into the story of Ruth and Boaz. As we read Isaiah 9, we are invited to slow down, see the darkness honestly, and live like Jesus is everything the Word says He is.

“But his bow remained in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),” (Genesis‬ ‭49‬:‭24‬)

When trouble is on the horizon, it can be hard to trust in God's promises and to believe He has a plan for us.The book of Judges in the Old Testament gives us an awesome example of trusting God in the story of Gideon.God called Gideon to lead Israel into battle with the Midianites, who had a sizable army of 135,000 men. Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 men to battle with the Midianites, but despite odds in favor of the enemy, God told Gideon there were too many men in his army. Through a selection process, God whittled the Israelite army down to just 300 men.Though Gideon was afraid, he trusted God to fulfill His promise. And God told Gideon they needed a smaller army so people would know God won the battle, and not some large army.The night of the battle, Gideon and his servant snuck into the camp of the enemy and overheard the telling of a dream. The two Midianites interpreted the dream to mean that Gideon's small army would wipe out their larger army.Reassured, Gideon returned to camp to begin the battle. The Midianites were so frightened, many of them began fighting and killing one another, thinking that Gideon's army was all around them.Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”Gideon trusted God's plan, even when he didn't understand. Because of his faith, God helped Gideon and the Israelites to conquer the Midianites with an army a fraction of the size of the enemy's.Let's pray.Lord, you are mighty to save. Help us to trust you in every battle. We love you and believe you have a plan for us. Give us courage to face the challenges in our lives, knowing you are here with us, and you have a good plan. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

He Is Series Wonderful Counselor — When You Don't Know What to Do, God Will Guide You Isaiah 9:6 “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” I love today's name, Wonderful Counselor. I think this is an often-overlooked name of the Lord. Many of us would not hesitate to go to the Lord if we are sick or if we have a loved one who is sick. Especially if their prognosis doesn't look good. If we have nowhere else to turn, most of us, even some people who don't really believe in God, will turn to God when they feel they have nowhere else to turn. If they are desperate enough. What I didn't always know is that we can go to the Lord seeking advice or wisdom. I always knew I could pray to the Lord for the things I needed. My mom and dad had a lot of children, and they did not have a lot of money, so I got to see firsthand how God provides for us when we ask. I am glad we did not have a lot of money because if we had, I would have missed out on seeing all those miracles. However, I didn't know that I could sit and talk with God and He would talk back. I didn't know that you could have a two-way conversation with the Lord. This was life-changing for me. While I was in the Encounter School of Ministry program, I heard a testimony about a mom who went to the Lord seeking wisdom. You see, she had returned home from work one night to find her teenage son watching pornography. She was so angry and hurt and didn't really know what to say or do. She knew how she handled this was important, but she wasn't sure the best way to do it. She told him to go to bed for the night, and they would talk about it in the morning. Then she got on her knees and asked the Lord for Wisdom. She asked the Lord to guide her in how to handle the situation. While she was sitting there talking with the Lord and praying for wisdom, the Lord gave her an idea. When she talked with her son, she told him that he needed to create a back story of what he thinks that young woman's life must have been like growing up to make her go into that line of work. He had to sit down and write a paper for his mom explaining what he thinks that young woman's life was like. He wrote the paper, and they talked about it, and he said he never wanted to watch pornography again. He said he felt bad for the people who felt like they had to do that as a profession. If she had yelled at him and grounded him, do you think it would have had the same results? When I yell at and ground my kids, I find they don't sit in their rooms and think about what they have done. They usually sit in their rooms, think about how terrible a person I am for grounding them, get angry, and their behavior rarely changes. God knows our children, God knows us, God sees everything, even the stuff we can't see. God knew what would change her son's heart. And what will change her son's heart is not the same as what will change your child's heart. This is why it is important to go to the Lord rather than to all the other places we turn for answers. I had a lot of trouble raising my kids. They all had very different issues, and they seemed to be problems that no one else was facing. Although this is not true, this is what the enemy wants you to think. I read so many parenting books, took classes, and asked all the experts. I tried to do everything I could to be the best mom I could be to these three boys the Lord gave me to care for. Do you know what I didn't do? I didn't go to the Lord to ask for wisdom or advice. To be fair to myself, I did spend time praying to the Lord and journaling. I thought this was bringing it to the Lord. I thought I was seeking the Lord. I went to a MCCW retreat in 2017, and I was having quiet time with the Lord, and I heard him say to me, " You are not coming to me. I was confused because, as I said, I was coming to the Lord for prayer. He acknowledged, yes, you are coming to me to ask for things, you might even ask me what you should do, but you never wait long enough for me to answer before you move on to something else. You ask me what you should do, but instead of staying with me, keeping still and listening, you get up, and you read a book, you ask a friend, you take a class. You don't wait to see what I have to say. What just occurred to me, I am sure, is that the Holy Spirit brought it to my attention: God is the perfect one to give us advice on what would work for each of our kids, because He created them. He knit them together in my womb. I always used to say that I wish kids came with an instruction manual. Not a generic one, but a separate one for each child that explained what would and would not work for that child. That explained what they could and could not do. What they liked and didn't like. That is all the information we can get from the Lord. If we seek his counsel, He can help us know what will and won't work best for our sons and daughters. The same goes for our siblings, our spouse, our co-workers, and our boss. They were all created by the same creator. He knows what they need, what they want, and how they function best. I liked this name when I found it because it is so eye-opening. God is a wonderful Counselor. We can go to Him when we need advice. We can go to Him when we aren't sure what we should do. There are many ways He can communicate His answers to us. Some people ask God a question, and then they receive a thought from the Lord. Sometimes, they might just get a strong feeling of what they should do. Sometimes they might get a scripture verse, and when they read it, they know what they should do. Sometimes it might be something someone else says to them, and they might just know that God is speaking to them through that person. There are no limits to how God can talk to you and share with you the answer to your question or the wisdom that you seek. If you are struggling with something right now. If you have a problem you have been trying to solve on your own, I want to invite you to find some time to sit down with the Lord and ask Him what you should do. Then stay there with Him and just listen for his answer. Notice if you suddenly have an idea of how to solve it. Notice, if you feel a certain way, or you think of a scripture verse. Just notice your thoughts and feelings. Be on the lookout for the answer, as God has told us over and over again, when we ask, He answers, when we seek, we find. So, ask and listen for the answer. If you don't feel like you receive anything in that moment, that is ok, you didn't do it wrong, He just doesn't always answer right away. Just seek the answer out as you go through the day. Seek, and you will find! Trust that He will answer, and He will! I have seen it happen many times. Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, you are amazing, and we are so grateful for all you do for us. Thank you for being our wonderful counselor. Thank you for guiding us as we try to navigate this crazy place we call the world. Thank you for giving us wisdom when we need it. Thank you for helping us to parent our children. Thanks for guiding us on how to get along better with our siblings or our co-workers. Whatever it is, Lord, I know you are taking care of it, and we are so grateful! We love you tons!! We ask all this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I always say—Don't keep good things to yourself. If this blessed you, pass it along to someone else who might need it too. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day! Today's Word from the Lord was received in October 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Peace be with you, my children. Peace I give you. A peace that flows from my heart to yours. A peace that I knew when I spent time in prayer with my father. One that gave me the courage to go on when things seemed overwhelming. A peace that passes anything that man can understand or know. A peace that only I can give. Open your hearts to receive it. Open your minds to believe it. Open all you are to me. Receive the peace I give you.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Is Jesus God?In this powerful episode of Wired for Impact, host Peter King tackles one of the most important — and most debated — questions in human history. Growing up in a faith that viewed Jesus as a great teacher and example but not God, Peter shares how a supernatural encounter radically changed everything he believed.Using clear, straightforward evidence directly from Scripture, he walks through:• Old Testament prophecies that foretold the coming of the Messiah — including His virgin birth, His name “Mighty God,” walking on water, riding on a donkey, and being pierced — written hundreds of years before Jesus was born.• Jesus' own bold declarations: “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father,” “Before Abraham was, I AM,” “I and My Father are one.”• What the apostles openly declared about Him — and what His fiercest opponents said when they accused Him of blasphemy specifically for claiming to be God.Peter also addresses the most common objections (the “Son of God” language, Jesus praying to the Father, etc.) with a powerful dimensional metaphor that will stretch how you think about the divine intersecting with humanity.Whether you're a believer, skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode invites you to wrestle with the question: If Jesus really is God… would it matter to you?Peter's personal testimony of the exact moment the truth hit him like lightning — complete with his dog going crazy — is something you won't forget.If you've ever wondered who Jesus truly is, this may be the most important video you watch this year.

A sermon from Pastor Adam Fix in Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:6You won't get bad advice from God. When He reveals His plan, it will never backfire on you. Isaiah 9:6 says God is a Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

In this powerful Easter message, “I Call Him Jesus,” Pastor Greg shares the real pressure pastors feel on Easter Sunday—then pivots to the only thing that matters: Jesus. From the cross where Pilate wrote “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews” to the many names Scripture gives Him—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Healer, Deliverer, and King of Kings—Pastor Greg reminds us why we simply call Him Jesus.

What does God need from us? And what does He want from us? This week on The Bible Study Hour, we're reminded in Psalm 50 that our God is a God of justice. He sees our hearts, and He knows our intentions. How, then, should we approach Him in prayer and worship? Where should our thoughts and attitudes be focused? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

Happy Monday! This week, Pastor Jeff explores the question: What kind of Redeemer brings us back to God? The answer: Jesus—the only one who is fully God and fully human—restores our relationship with God and stands in our place. Isaiah 9:6  "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; And the government shall be upon his shoulder, And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, prince of Peace."

Prepared to Feed the Church (1) (audio) David Eells, 3/29/26   Meats or Empty Sweets? K.H. - March 2011 (David's notes in red) The dream began as I arrived at this large convention center. (This represents the corporate church.) I walked through the glass front doors and went over to where a group of people were standing. As soon as I walked over to the group, a young woman came and asked if I wanted to help serve food. I agreed, as I enjoy serving others, and followed her into the kitchen area. (This dream is feeding the Church.) When I entered the kitchen, I saw many other volunteers lined up to get trays of food to take to the two different rooms, so I got in line. I was first given a tray and was told to go into the first room out of the kitchen door. In the first room, there were rectangular tables of people along the walls and two rows of tables down the middle; the room was filled with very hungry people. I noticed that the men, women, and children in that room had very worn clothes and were gaunt-looking. (Most of the church is starving for heavenly food.) I went to the first table in the middle of the room and started putting down the plates of food on my tray. (If we are partaking of the body and blood of Christ, we will be dressed up with Him as our wedding garment, and we will spiritually be healthy and strong. Rom.13:12 The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof]. Notice that if we are putting on Jesus, we are putting on truth and not letting the flesh have its way.) After I finished passing out all the plates I had, I noticed that all of them had a slice of pie. (Pie is sweet and can fill you up if you eat enough of it, but you will have a sugar high and then a sugar low, and there is no substance to it.) As I watched the people begin to eat their pie, I realized that the pie slices were hollow -- there was no fruit in the pie. I was very disturbed by this and understood why they were so skinny, as they were not being fed properly. (Teaching what is sweet to the flesh is fruitless and will not make you strong in the Lord.) There were some people in the room who seemed to understand that there was no substance to their meal, but there were some who searched all over the plate and inside the crust to try to find the fruit that was supposed to be in the pie. (Some people in the apostate church are satisfied with the emptiness that they have grown accustomed to, but some are searching for the truth because they know there is more to Christianity than what they have been taught or fed.) (Man's opinions and traditions have no spiritual fruit or nourishment and do not clothe one's nakedness, so that spiritually their sin is revealed. Many don't know they are in this condition because those whom they consider spiritual seem the same way. Rev.3:16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see. Those who do hunger and thirst for righteousness shall be filled. Matthew 5:6) I didn't want to continue because I began to feel so sad for those people who were still starving and not receiving what they had come for, but I felt in my spirit that I needed to deliver food to the next room. So, I went back into the kitchen and got another tray of food, and walked to the second room. As I entered the room, the tables were all set up the same way, but the people in that room had less-worn clothes and looked much healthier than the people in the other room. When I passed the plates of food out to the people in the second room, I realized that there were slices of meat, like a meatloaf. (Unlike the pie, you can become full by eating the meat and you will stay full longer without having the sugar high/low effect.) This meal seemed to satisfy all of the people much more than in the other room. (This second room represents those Christians who eat the meat of the Word and are getting fed by the true Word, not the empty gospel.) (Also, they are not just hearers of the Word deluding themselves, but doers of the Word. Jesus said that His meat was to do the will of His Father. He said that only those who hear and do the Word would have a house that would survive the waves and winds of life. Mat.7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. 26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. It would be far better for some to stay home and read their Bible than to go to a spiritually poverty-stricken and starving church only to be fed leaven.) As soon as I woke up from this dream, the Lord reminded me of this passage in Joh.6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves. 54 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 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. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever. (Jesus is the Word made flesh, which we must eat. It is plain that a person cannot just blindly go to “church”, as the Jews did, and not partake of the Word for himself and expect to have life.) There are so many Christians who are spiritually starving under the apostate church, and I am thankful for the Lord giving me this reminder to pray for His children who are still searching for Him so that they find the truth sooner rather than later. Only when Christ is in us through eating the Word do we bear His fruit, 30-, 60- and 100-fold, and are strong to withstand the attacks of the enemies who come to plunder us of our heritage.   Transformed to Bear Fruit in Others Judy Fahrnow - 06/12/2016 Notes: [David | Debbie Horton ] In a dream, I was in the living room, feeding a small baby boy a bottle of milk. (This represents feeding her spiritual man of “Christ in you”. 1Pe.2:2 As newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation. Mat.12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother. We are the mother of Christ if we feed our spiritual man the Word of God. In the parable of the seed of the sower, the seed of God is His Word, and our heart is the womb to bring forth the fruit of Christ 30-, 60- and 100-fold. When the baby is born, this fruit of Christ is revealed to the world for we are to look like our Father. Luk.1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. 31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. And Elizabeth said unto Mary, who like us was to bear the fruit of Jesus, 45 And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord.) The neighborhood kids kept coming into the house and getting out all of the baby boys toys. (Other Christians try to distract our born-again man with the things of the world so we don't grow up in Him. Eph.5:15 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.) Col.3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. 3 For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. Manifested here is phaneroo, and it means “to make visible” [as in a birth]; “to cause to shine” [as the shining forth of the glory of Christ].) I didn't want all that chaos, clutter and noise as I was feeding the baby. (Because we must concentrate on the milk of the Word so our spiritual man will grow up into the meat and image of Christ. 2Co.3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.) Then I told all the other children to pick up the toys and put them away and that they had to leave. I ushered them out the door, closed it, and locked the door so they could not try to come back inside. Mat.6:33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Luk.10:41 But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things: 42 but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Jos.1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Gal.5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.) Then, as I was going back to where the baby was to feed him, I couldn't find him. Then I noticed he was bigger and walking around the room, and I thought, “Well, I can't feed him anymore from a bottle; he needs more grown-up food or a jar of baby food”. (Judy's fruit of Jesus grows quickly from the milk of the Word to the meat because she is concentrating on the spiritual and not the carnal; the Word and not the world. Heb.5:12 For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. 13 For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. Notice that experiencing the Word and not just knowing it is going from milk to meat: 14 But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. We must use the Word to experience it and grow to maturity. Jas.1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. 23 For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: 24 for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.) Then I was also wondering where I was going to find clothes to fit him because he was growing so fast, and he just kept growing and growing until he was very tall, maybe seven feet tall. (Our spiritual clothes are our works of righteousness and show our maturity, as in being a member of the Bride. Rev.19:8 And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright [Lampros, meaning “radiant”; i.e., glory] and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. He also had wide shoulders. Isa.9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Then I felt I needed to find my husband to tell him what had happened. (Our spiritual husband is Jesus, Who is the Word, which is the seed that brings forth His life in the womb of the natural man. Judy here represents the natural man who brings forth the spiritual man of “Christ in you”. All of God's people are called to bear the fruit of Jesus. The first-fruits of these sons of God is the Man-child who will lead God's people through the wilderness tribulation in the days to come. This Man-child will be caught up to the throne of God's authority to do this work.) He then said he needed to go to his father, and we got into the car, and he backed the car out of the driveway and drove to a big open field. Mat.13:38 The field is the world. He got out of the car and looked up, and I saw the heavens open up and he ascended into Heaven, just like Jesus did. (Our personal Man-child will live with our Father in heavenly places. Eph.1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: 2:6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.... The first fruits Man-child company will now be caught up to the throne to minister to the Woman Church in the wilderness. Rev.12:5 And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days.) The seed is in the fruit. Those who have the fruit now have the seed. The next thing I knew, I was back home in my living room. (Ready to go to work in the Kingdom.) I didn't drive back. I was just “there,” back in my home. I was feeding another baby, and he also started to grow really fast. (Once our spiritual man is grown, we are capable of feeding and raising other spiritual men so that they, too, can bear fruit quickly and live in heavenly places in Christ. Luk.6:42 Or how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me cast out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.) As I watched him grow, I had another baby in my arms, feeding him, and again he grew really fast, and another baby appeared in my arms, and I was feeding him. It was like the babies just kept coming and coming and growing up very fast. ... And then the alarm clock went off. (The time will come when the time is up to bear the FIRST-fruit in others but in the wilderness many will bear the fruit of Christ through them. Just as the disciples of Jesus, the first-fruit, grew up to bear His fruit so it will be with many others. This is what Jesus taught in Joh.12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit. We must die to our own will and the toys of this world and seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The catching to the throne of the FIRST-fruit is near.) I asked the Lord for a verse regarding this dream and opened the Bible and put my finger down on Eze.37:4 again he said unto me, prophesy over these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. (This is the way the revival will bring in the dead religious multitudes and give them life in Christ. Even as Satan's minions fight to stop us. Many have been diligent to get the Word out to others so they can grow up quickly.) (I also asked for a Word by random computer and received Pro.14:23 In all labor there is profit; But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.) (Meaning, let's talk about it less and feed the spiritual man more or we will end up spiritually poverty-stricken.)   Man-child / Bride Feed Apostate Baby Believers Missy Pollock - 04/24/2012 B. A. notes in green | David's notes in red In a dream, I was walking on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere (the wilderness tribulation), following a young man. I had a love for this young man whom I had never felt before. (In type, Missy is following Jesus in the Man-child who will lead the Bride and under her the Church through the wilderness tribulation.) This young man went into a field (the world) and when he came back out of the field, he had a baby in his arms. He was now dressed in shepherd-like clothing that was multicolored. (Having this multicolored clothing on when he came out of the field means he was anointed to be the Man-child.) (Joseph's coat of many colors represents the attributes of the light of Christ, the Man-child.) I asked him with great concern for the baby, “Where did you get that baby?” (Which represents believers in the worldly church who have not yet matured.) He didn't say anything. I kept following him with this baby. The next thing I knew, we were on the second floor of a house, walking into a room. (No longer walking on earth, walking in the first stage of the spiritual realm, walking in the light, walking in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.) In this room was a crib full of babies. I asked the young man again with great concern for these babies, “Where did you get all these babies?” He didn't answer, but I knew he had rescued these babies because he loved and cared for them. (The Man-child will rescue many baby Christians from the apostate leadership.) I was holding one of the babies, and it was cute with very dark skin. (They are very dark because they have been walking in the apostasy of the church.) I also noticed the baby had sharp claws on its hands and feet (meaning they have beastly works and walk). I asked the young man, “Are you sure this baby is human?” He said, “Yes, I'm sure”. I felt funny asking this. I said, “I hated asking that, but I wasn't sure”. (The beast nature in the spiritual land of their life keeps the believers from maturing. Exo.23:29 I will not drive them (meaning, the carnal man) out from before thee in one year, lest the land become desolate, and the beasts of the field multiply against thee. 30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee (meaning the spiritual man), until thou be increased, and inherit the land.) After that, I felt this dark presence of a man (representing the apostate leadership) come up from behind me, and he tried to seduce me (by speaking leavened words which are doctrines of demons). I said, “Leave me alone; get away from me”. Then, all of a sudden, I realized where the young man got the babies. I said to him, “I get it. I know where you got these babies”. He got these babies from carnal women who couldn't take care of them (because they don't have the unleavened Word of God to feed them). (Isa.4:1) And seven women (the seven churches, representing the sects of Christianity) shall take hold of one man (Jesus in the Man-child) in that day, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name; take thou away our reproach.) I said, “You bought them from him”, meaning the dark-presence man. (The Man-child paid the price to receive the Unleavened Bread and feed the babies who were under the false prophet, apostate leadership.) Then the dark presence of this man was gone. (When you expose the darkness by speaking the light of the truth, it must go.) (When you reject the seduction of leaven, he has no power.) I then went over to the crib full of babies. With each of the babies was a birth certificate-type document showing ownership (born of God, purchased by the blood of the Lamb). I noticed one of the babies was a little chubbier than the rest and it didn't have any hair (representing, overindulging in the world and no submission to God). I picked this baby up and started taking care of it. I immediately loved this baby. I took the baby with me out of the room, into another room where there was a set of stairs that went down to the first floor. A man was standing on the stairs, almost at the bottom, keeping guard. (Watching for thieves, like the Pharisees, stealing God's sheep.) Joh.10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.) I would tell the baby, “Mommy loves you,” and I would just kiss and kiss the baby and tell it that I loved it over and over again. (I was feeding the baby with kisses, which are the Word of God. Son.1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine.) (Love of the brethren is one of the most common themes in the Word, and “Love never faileth.” Love them into the kingdom.) This room looked like the reception area of a doctor's office. A woman was standing by a desk, looking at some files in her hands. She asked me, “Didn't you use to wear glasses?” (Seeing the world's way.) I said, “Yes, but not anymore because I can see now”. She then took a card out of one of the files and put it really close in front of my face, and it was all blurry. (She is not near-sighted but far-sighted, like those with faith who see things far off as already in their possession.) She then took it away quickly and said, “You can see”. (I used to wear glasses but stopped wearing them, believing that my eyes are healed in Jesus' name. The card, blurry when I looked at it, was showing that I had learned to walk by faith and not by sight. I represent the Bride, and the test was to see if I was qualified to be in the Bride and take care of the baby.) (Only those who walk and see by faith for the babies can teach faith to them.) These are the verses that the Lord gave me: 1Co.15:27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. (28) And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all. (“Things” in this verse is italicized in the Numerics because it is the chosen people who are being brought into submission and subjection to the Father, like the overindulgent and under-submissive baby Christians that the Man-child and Bride were caring for in the dream.) 2Ch.33:3 For he (Manasseh, the dark presence leadership) built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he reared up altars for the Baalim, and made Asheroth, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. 4 And he built altars in the house of Jehovah, whereof Jehovah said, In Jerusalem (the Bride) shall my name be for ever. 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven (He caused God's people to sacrifice their lives to demons) in the two courts of the house of Jehovah. 6 He also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom (his leadership sent his spiritual children to hell); and he practiced augury, and used enchantments, and practiced sorcery, and dealt with them that had familiar spirits (all forbidden knowledge and false prophecy demons), and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger. 7 And he set the graven image of the idol, which he had made, in the house of God (he raised up the golden calf in God's house), of which God said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name (Hebrew meaning: “nature, character and authority”) for ever: 8 neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from off the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them, even all the law and the statutes and the ordinances [given] by Moses. (Because of this dark leadership, the people were driven from the land of milk and honey into captivity to the beast.) 9 And Manasseh (meaning “causing to forget”) (This apostate leadership of God's people caused them to forget His Word and ways. He) seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (as the apostate leadership), so that they did evil more than did the nations whom Jehovah destroyed before the children of Israel. Dan.2:12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. (The beast will destroy the harlot as Revelation says. He will destroy all the apostate leadership [or dark presence man] by bringing them under submission to it. In Revelation 17, the beast is a corporate body of spirits from the abyss who enter perdition or destruction, as in the corporate body of the sons of perdition.) Psa.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. (Father will grant grace to many apostate babies to turn to Him because they are not as responsible as their leaders are for their sins.)   Bride to Feed the Tribulation Church Eve Brast - 01/12/2011 (RS and David's notes in red) I dreamed I was at my dad's parents' old house in Highland Park in Dallas, Texas. Their home had been built during the Great Depression in the 1930s (the world is coming to a great depression) and was surrounded by million-dollar mansions when I was young. (Eve here represents the Bride, for she was the bride of Adam, and Jesus was the last Adam. The house that Eve was raised in represents the Church, which is overshadowed by this world. The Church is returning to the depression era in the Tribulation, while being completely outclassed and encircled by the world beast.) They had refused to sell their lot. (Like Naboth, they will refuse to sell their inheritance land [their lives] to Ahab, representing the beast.) I was on what appeared to be a transparent racetrack in the air above their house. (We are running a spiritual race, which is unseen, in heavenly places, above the church which is earthly.) I was running around on this track, preparing all sorts of healthy fruits and salads for God's people. (The Bride is preparing the Word from heaven for the people.) The Holy Spirit spoke to me and told me to go downstairs and feed the people. (She was to feed them the true Gospel.) I went downstairs into the kitchen and dining area and set the food I had prepared near the double sink on the right side of the kitchen. I had a small plastic container of dried cranberries that I had prepared for myself that I set down with the other food. (Cranberries are a very healthy fall fruit, but when dried, they are preserved so they can be eaten any time of the year, like the Word that will go forth from the first-fruits Man-child ministry, preserved by many methods of recordings, so many can partake of them any time. The Bride will be first to partake of this ministry. Cranberries are the color of blood, representing those who are washed in it and have lived the crucified life.) I didn't charge anything for the food I had prepared. (The Bride gives the clean Word of God freely as Jesus comanded.) There was another fruit stand in the dining room with a sign on it that read $1.00 each. (The harlot church merchandises the Word.) Nobody was at the stand. It was deserted. Nobody was running it, and nobody was buying the fruit. (An abomination of desolation. The Holy Spirit and the righteous will be leaving the apostates who make merchandise of the Word. God's true people will not buy the harlot's food anymore.) There was a huge, polished, wooden statue of the Babylonian king standing in the center of the fruit stand. (The harlot church is united with the beast and worships its image.) It was as tall as a large tree, with a bald eagle in front of it with its wings spread back against its sides. It was all carved out of the same piece of wood. (The one world order is being carved out. The large tree was the Babylonish head of gold in the image of the beast in Daniel 2 and 3 that was hewn down and conquered.) As I was looking up at the head of the statue, I heard a faint rumbling. I became disoriented, or it seemed as if the statue was about to fall over on me. I quickly looked away from it and the fear left me. (Babylonish U.S. is about to incur devastating earthquakes; the rumblings are already being heard in fault zones. As long as we look at the physical when things begin to fall apart, we will be fearful, but if we turn to the Word, the fear will leave and we will not fall in these judgments. Isa.26:3 Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]; because he trusteth in thee.) I remembered my cranberries and went back to the sink area to get them. (The Bride will remember the Man-child teachings and will be able to feed many.) Three women who looked like my mom came and received my food joyfully and thankfully. (When the shakings above begin, many from the church who have scoffed at the Man-child teachings will receive them with joy from the Bride because they are answers and deliverance in tribulation.) I was glad they appreciated it, but I noticed my cranberries were gone! I was disappointed because I cherished eating them because they were sweet and sour at the same time. (In reality, I don't care for cranberries that much.) (The cranberries represent the Word through the Man-child: sweet in your mouth but bitter to your belly, representing death to the flesh.) I then went back over to the fruit stand, and a woman appeared in a white and black maid outfit. She was violently stirring a bowl of ingredients and resentfully preparing the “king's dainties” for him and his household, she said. I then looked over to the left of the fruit stand and saw two kings sitting and dining together. They were dressed in royal robes with their crowns on their heads. The Babylonian king was on the left, and the Persian king was to his right. Servants waited on them as they dined. As I looked at the Babylonian king, his image alternated with that of Obama's. He was pretending to be the Persian king's friend (Cyrus Trump) but secretly was intending to destroy him and the Persian kingdom (The new Republic. Alexander the Greats Grecian Kingdom conquered this. History must repeat.). (My notes here are not prophecy but an attempt to put a puzzle together.) (Obama and the D.S. who are covertly “violently stirring” the Middle East nations of factionalized Islam and, in effect, delivering them over to unceasing war, which is how they make money. The powers that be who own the capped wells in the U.S. will soon open them because of the high price of oil elsewhere. The destruction of these nations was predicted in Jeremiah 25:20-26, where at the end of this list of nations Babylon (U.S.) overthrows Iran. Along this list we can see the Philistines and Gaza (the Palestinians), Elam (Persians - Iran), Medes, and Sheshach (Babylon) falls last. History must repeat according to Ecc.1:9.) As I came up behind them, I saw my cranberries in a decorative clear glass candle holder sitting in front of the Persian king (Trump). I reached in between them and quickly took the candle holder and emptied the cranberries into my right hand and placed the candle holder back in front of the Persian king. Suddenly, a hand appeared out of nowhere and replaced my cranberries with a crimson (Blood) candle in the candle holder, escaping the notice of the kings. (The Man-child ministry served under both of these kings in Daniel, as they will today. The Bride, Eve, will partake of the fruit, but they will partake of the light, as they did in Daniel's revelation. He, as the Man-child ministry of his day, gave much light from God to the rulers.) (This reminds me of the handwriting on the wall in the book of Daniel to the Babylonian king (Obama and his puppet) that his kingdom would be given to the Medes and the Persians (Trump).) (Trump is conquering Babylon D.S. America. The Man-child, Daniel, pronounced the judgment that the Persian king, Cyrus Trump, would conquer the Babylonish eagle, but history shows he would later be conquered by Alexander the Greats Grecian kingdom. Obama is attempting his second run now. The U.S. is at the very bottom of the list in Jeremiah 25 to fall as Sheshach (Babylon) .) The candle's wick had been lit in the past and was burnt, but was not currently lit, but was soon to be lit again. (Obama's two separated terms. Jesus will soon return in the body of the Man-child to bring the light to the Church and the rulers, once again, as persecution also returns.) I then turned and walked away, eating the cranberries out of my right hand. Then I woke up. (Those who increasingly come into the Bride will feed on God's Word through the Man-child and Bride.)   Bride Not to be Captive Shelly Lynch - 01/22/2013 - 5:55 AM (Grace Multiplied) (David's notes in red) I had a brief dream this morning, the day following my trial in which I fell into sin and repented and received the Lord's forgiveness! I believe He gave me this dream to encourage me that I would be restored and content to be a doorkeeper in the Kingdom! Hallelujah! I saw the Marriage Feast banquet hall. (The Marriage Feast represents tribulation, for it is the last seven days before the Bride is taken to the Groom's home while escorted by the virgins.) I saw food served and cake for dessert, too. I saw busloads of people getting off the buses (Revival!) coming into the banquet hall, and I was helping hang up their coats and looking for more hangers, as there were so many coming in the door. (Hanging their coats is resting from their old works) I was running from the kitchen to the dessert table, taking out more cake (God's Word is sweeter than honey), as the food (truth) was disappearing rapidly. The people were very hungry (having come from a famine of hearing the Word)! (Shelly is a type of the Bride here who feeds the immature saints during the marriage feast, just as in Song of Solomon.) Then I saw a black man stand up at the podium and begin to speak to the crowd in the banquet hall. Then I woke up. (Not sure why he was a black man.) (To those unfamiliar with the sovereignty of God to teach His people with vessels of dishonor, it would come as a shock that the beast is one of the primary teachers to create sons of God. He will bring tribulation in the form of fiery trial on the apostate church to turn them to God.) Scripture given after prayer by random: Jer.52:13 and he burned the house of Jehovah, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, even every great house, burned he with fire. (Father will use the beast to purge out unregenerate Jerusalem leadership from among regenerate, heavenly Jerusalem leadership.) I was also given: Jer.52:16 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen. (The Lord always chooses the poor in spirit to keep and raise His vineyard.) 17 And the pillars of brass that were in the house of Jehovah, and the bases and the brazen sea that were in the house of Jehovah, did the Chaldeans break in pieces, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon. (The brass is the least mature, 30-fold, of the three metals representing the people of God: gold, silver and brass. The brass will go to Babylonish captivity.) The new leadership is the Bride. She is also black, but for a different reason: persecution from the false brethren. Son.1:5 I am black, but comely, Oh ye daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, As the curtains of Solomon. 6 Look not upon me, because I am swarthy, Because the sun hath scorched me. My mother's sons were incensed against me .... (I also got Lamentations 4:22 by random, I believe this is a promise to me personally and for the Bride. Lam.4:22 The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; He will no more carry thee away into captivity : (The bride will be purified in spirit before tribulation and will escape Babylonish captivity, but the Edomite Christians will go under the beast for crucifixion and to reap what they have sown against their brethren.) He will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; He will uncover thy sins. Another I got by random after prayer: Lam.4:12 The kings of the earth believed not, neither all the inhabitants of the world, That the adversary and the enemy would enter into the gates of Jerusalem. 13 [It is] because of the sins of her prophets, [and] the iniquities of her priests, That have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her. (The world and the apostate leadership do not believe that they and their followers will be taken into bondage by the beast for their sins.) Still another I got by random after prayer: Jer.52:31 And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the [first] year of his reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison; 32 and he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon, 33 and changed his prison garments. And [Jehoiachin] did eat bread before him continually all the days of his life: 34 and for his allowance, there was a continual allowance given him by the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life. (This is showing that some of the apostate leadership that is not spiritually killed will repent and be given favor by the beast, for God is able to make our enemies to be at peace with us, if we please Him, as he says.)   Original Word Restores Original Church Eve Brast - 12/13/2015 (David's notes in red) When I woke up this morning, I had been dreaming of a harvest of restoration and when I looked over at the clock, it was 5:55 AM. (5 is the number of grace, which is the only way the Church will receive the restoration it does not deserve. Remember when Jesus, as a type of the Man-child ministry of our day, came and started the restoration at a time when the people were blind, sinful, sick spiritually and physically, following evil apostate leaders. They deserved nothing, but He gave everything to them; He met all their needs by grace as He is about to do in our day. “The things that have been are the things that shall be”. Hallelujah!) I dreamed that my husband and I and our boys went back to Texas (meaning: “friends”) to reclaim my Father's land that he had willed to me and that my mother had signed over to me the deed of ownership. (We are a gathering of friends whose ambition is to reclaim our Father's land willed to us through the New Testament or will. It was deeded to us by the early mother Church. The Promised Land is everything He gave us in His will, the New Testament. Joshua was told that every place in this land that we put the soles of our feet, He will give to us. Every place in the New Testament where we stand on His Word will be given to us.) This has all been stolen by a great army of plunderers, but restoration is coming by grace. Joe.2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of Jehovah your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame. 27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God, and there is none else; and my people shall never be put to shame. 28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit. We had come to reclaim it from a cruel landlord who had swindled it away from me through deception and trickery. He was well known for his reputation for dishonest practices in stealing properties away from people. (Satan and his ministers have come to steal what was willed to us through the New Testament from our Father. These thieves have been talking many out of the promises because they have no faith, rather than teaching us how to live on them. 2Co.11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. 15 It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. Joh.10:8 All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.) What shall we do about this theft of our land for the last 2000 years? Let's go back to our text in Joel: Joe.2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Jehovah, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their God? 18 Then was Jehovah jealous for his land, and had pity on his people. 19 And Jehovah answered and said unto his people, Behold, I will send you grain, and new wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith (Our land shall once again bear fruit unto us by promise.); and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations; 20 but I will remove far off from you the northern army (He will get rid of the army of thieves.), and will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea, and its hinder part into the western sea (They will be driven totally out of our land, meaning reprobation); and its stench shall come up, and its ill savor shall come up, because it hath done great things. 21 Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for Jehovah hath done great things. 22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth its fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength. Our land shall once again bear fruit unto us by believing the promises. 23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month. 24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. (This thief of a landlord looked just like our current landlord, whose name is Doug. The name Douglas is an Anglicized form of the Scottish surname Dubhghlas, meaning “dark river” from Gaelic dubh “dark” and glais “water, river”. Douglas was originally a river name, which then became a Scottish clan name (belonging to a powerful line of Scottish earls). It has been used as a given name since the 16th century.) (This dark water river represents the deceptions that stole the promises from God's people. Jesus spoke to us a river of living water, which we also must speak. Joh.7:37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water. 39 But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified. 40 Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet. But the apostate leaders speak a river of the waters of darkness and death. 2Pe.2:17 These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved. The worldly will receive their river of lies, but the true Church will not. Rev.12:16 And the earth(ly) helped the woman (Church), and the earth(ly) opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. If the worldly swallow it, the righteous know it is no good. The Harlot church is a member of the body of the Beast and rides on his back. 17:3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness: and I saw a woman (Harlot) sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication, 5 and upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. As members of the Beast body, they and their leadership, the False Prophet body, speak the deceptive doctrines that rob God's people of their promises, their land. Rev.16:13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs: Let us agree with and speak the Word to live on our Promised Land. 1Pe.4:11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God (i.e., say what God says); if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever, Amen. Isa.8:20 To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them (meaning only darkness with no new day and no light of the sun/Son). Gal.1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema (Meaning: “devoted to destruction” or “cursed”). 9 As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema. Those who preach the dark river of lies, rather than the truth of the Word, are cursed and to be destroyed by the coming destroyer if there is no repentance. 1Jo.2:18 Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. It was their last hour, for the Beast came and destroyed their nation, and now it is our last hour and, once again, the antichrist leaders are multiplied and separated from us by the Word. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. When the Word is preached to the wicked, they can no longer hide in the Church but depart, for they do not love the Lord and keep His commandments. In this way, the Church is sanctified. God's solution is to believe only the Word to abide in the temple of God, Jesus Christ. 24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. The original Word is the only model to create the true Church, meaning “called-out ones”. Back to Eve's dream: My husband (representing our Bridegroom, Jesus), was an excellent negotiator and He walked the entire property with me. (Jesus will lead us on the walk of truth.) There were corn stalks on the entire property from border to border, as tall as we were, surrounding the two mobile homes in the center of the property. (Mobile homes represent tabernacles in the wilderness. Corn stalks represent the people of God, in which individual kernels must fall to the ground to bear much fruit, as Jesus said.) These corn stalks were covered with ripe honeydew melons growing in clusters of five on each stalk, like giant grapes, instead of corn. (These corn stalks have a very sweet and large fruit on them.) My husband was very pleased with the crop. It was morning, and the sky was so blue, and the sun/Son shone on the crop like bright white light. It wasn't yellow like the usual morning sunlight. (Without the pure sunlight of God's Word, Jesus Christ, there will be no fruit. All disciples who love the Lord will devour His Word.) When my husband and I came to the back of the property, we saw a large pile of rusted-out car bodies lying next to the back fence line. (Vessels representing the way and works of God's people having come under the curse of death and being rejected.) He became angry at the cruel landlord, Doug, and went over to where he was standing next to the left mobile home. My husband then began to argue my case for me (Jesus is a paracletos, meaning a lawyer) to the landlord and told him that because of the rusted pile of cars that he had piled up at the back of the property, he had no legal right to it. (According to our law, because the apostate leaders have not brought forth fruit in the people, God would give the vineyard to those who would bring forth the fruit.) He then ordered him to return the property to me and to remove all the rusted cars from the property. (Remove their fruitless people from the Promised Land.) The landlord knew that what my husband had said was right. (Because it's in the Word.) He acted ashamed and fearful and agreed to give my father's land back to me and hurriedly left. Mat.21:33 Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country. 34 And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive his fruits. 35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them in like manner. 37 But afterward he sent unto them his Son, saying, They will reverence my Son. 38 But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance. 39 And they took him, and cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. Just as the wicked leaders do today. 40 When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone (Jesus, the WORD) which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes? The hated and persecuted ones will be the head, just like Joseph, David, Jesus, and the Man-child. 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And he that falleth on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust. 45 And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. And so it speaks of the apostate leaders today. 46 And when they sought to lay hold on him, they feared the multitudes, because they took him for a prophet. After this, David showed up. (Representing the David Man-child company, who are the coming reformers to bring forth the Lord's fruit.) He had with him his personal assistant, Allison. (Who is a recovery room nurse that I currently work with at the hospital. Allison's name used to be masculine and means “son of the noble one”. Recovery room nurses help the surgery patients to recover from their surgeries until they are stable enough to return to the nursing units on the hospital floors.) (The Lord is raising up many who are gifted to help the sick Church in the restoration process.) Allison had been David's personal assistant for many years, in this dream. She knew everything about David and his family. (This is a good description of many who are doing this work now, but after the coming anointing, they will be very much more successful.) She was telling me all the details about his wife and children and everything they had been through together over the years. (The Church in the past has fallen away and persecuted the Davids, as it was with Joseph and his brethren before their restoration.) (UBM has helped many people over the years recover what the enemy has stolen from them [and the greatest days are just ahead].) I walked with David and Allison into the kitchen of the left mobile home, and I saw David's wife standing near the kitchen sink. The mobile home had been extremely run-down, but now the kitchen had been completely restored. (This is a picture of the restoration of the spiritual family of the Davids. His wife here represents the restoration of the Church that once brought forth the fruit of Jesus.) She was young and beautiful, and she was wearing a white knit top with sleeves that went down to her forearms, a long skirt, and a white head covering. (Representing restoration of the Church from the curse, in righteousness, purity, and submission to her head.) She was standing with her hands clasped together and had a peaceful smile on her face. She watched with pleasure as her and David's children ran in and out of the kitchen, playing and running among the ripe crops of honeydew melons. (The individual children of the Church will come forth from the kitchen, representing them having partaken of the good spiritual food prepared by the reformers and Allison, and bear the sweet fruit.) Their laughter filled the air, along with the smell of the ripe fruit. (There is great joy in bearing the fruit of the Word.) I looked up at David, who was standing to my left in the kitchen, and I smiled at him. I felt so much joy in my heart at this restoration that was taking place. He was very tall and had a serious look of wisdom and radiance about him, but there was a sparkle in his eyes. He said, “It's time for the harvest.” (In the harvest will be the Great Reformation, even in the midst of a religious world falling apart. This is so people will have examples by which to make their decisions about who they will follow and who is the Lord. When they see the fruit, they will know who is of the Lord.) As we walked out of the mobile home, there was an old forest green farm truck with wooden slats on the sides. A carpenter was driving it. There were a bunch of other carpenters in the truck bed who jumped out with tools to restore the rest of the left mobile home, and also to help with the harvesting. (Restoring the Church to its former glory.) Some of them started to work on the mobile home, while others helped David and me and the recovery room nurse, Allison, pick the honeydew melons. We took them to an outdoor processing area behind the mobile homes. Then I heard the voice of the Father say, “You must cut off the rinds”. (The rinds are the external body or flesh that carries the fruit. This vessel is just for keeping the fruit and seeds to feed the saints. Those who bear fruit will be able to richly feed others. Whereas the apostate church only sees that their bad education and titles are the qualification.) So I went back into the kitchen, got a paring knife out of the drawer, and came back out to help cut off the rinds from the melons. David had his own special pocketknife that he used for this purpose. As we were all working together to harvest the fruit and cut off the rinds, Allison was explaining to me that David had recently gotten his car restored, and she pointed over to where it was parked behind the right mobile home. It was a silver Mitsubishi Eclipse. I was amazed and said, “That looks exactly like the very first new car I ever owned! It too was a silver Mitsubishi Eclipse!” (The car or way of progress and rest must look just like the  original way 2000 years ago.) (The meaning of the name Mitsubishi is “programmable logic controllers”.) (And this will “Eclipse” the old worldly religious programming and logic that brought forth no fruit. Rom.12:2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.) This is when I woke up. I asked Father for a verse or text for this dream and when I flipped open my Bible and was going to put my finger down, I heard the Spirit say to turn back a page, so I fumbled to flip back exactly one page and I put my finger down on Isa.60:16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the nations, and shalt suck the breast of kings; and thou shalt know that I, Jehovah, am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. The whole chapter is a wonderful promise to God's elect. (Isaiah 60 is all about the restoration of the original, glorious Church. This text shows that Beast kingdoms will ultimately serve God's true Man-child and Bride. As Beast kings of the past kingdoms saw the glorious God of the true disciples of God, they feared and bowed to Him and served His Kingdom representatives like Pharaoh of Joseph, Ahasuerus of Mordecai and Esther, Nebuchadnezzar of the three Hebrews and Daniel, Darius of Daniel, Darius of Zerubbabel, Cyrus of Sheshbazzar, etc.

Daily Dose of Hope March 25, 2026   Scripture: Romans 15   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Mighty God, Holy One...We come to you this morning with humility and gratefulness.  Thank you that your mercies are new every morning.  Thank you that you continue to love and guide us, even though we mess up again and again.  Thank you for your patience and your never-ending care.  Lord, we are so very grateful.  Help us, on this Wednesday, to right our attitude.  We belong to you and we are under your authority.  Help us see others the way you see them.  Help us produce fruit in our lives.  Oh, Lord, how we need your help.  Please, Jesus, may we hear your voice today.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We have been walking through Paul's letters, chronologically, and we are currently towards the end of Romans.    Today's reading is Romans 15.   We can tell that Paul is beginning to close his letter in this chapter.  He shares his plans to head to Jerusalem and then to Rome on his way to Spain (we don't think Paul actually made it there) and he implores the Christ-followers in Rome to pray for him.    But before we get to Paul's planned journey, let's talk about some of the main themes in the chapter.  This idea of God's faithfulness runs through the chapter and even the whole letter.  Paul talks about God's steadfastness and truth, and then he does a great job linking Old Testament Scriptures with God's acceptance of the Gentiles.  Paul pulls from Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and the Psalms.  Basically, he is saying that God's faithfulness and his promises extend from the Jews to the Gentiles.    Now let's talk about the trip that Paul is referring to.  Now, Paul knew a trip to Jerusalem would be dangerous.  There were plenty of people there who wanted to see him executed for his work as a Christian missionary.  Paul asks his Roman brothers and sisters to join him in the struggle by praying to God on his behalf.  The ESV uses the phrase "strive together" with him in prayer, and the term comes from the Greek word for agonize.    I think this is one of the gifts of the Christian walk, when the body of Christ gathers and agonizes together, to pray for a specific person or situation.  While our solitary prayers are important, there is something that happens when we raise up our voices together.  We know that we know that we know that we aren't alone.  We are lifted up, encouraged, and empowered to keep going.  Who is it who needs to know you are praying for them today?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

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Isaiah 9:6–7 describes a child born to us with four remarkable names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. Mitch Glaser and Robert Walter unpack how this prophecy reveals the divine identity of the Messiah and His eternal reign on David's throne. Then, Mitch sits down with researchers Motti Inbari and Kirill Bumin to explore the data behind evangelical support for Israel. Has October 7 changed how Christians view the Jewish state? Are younger evangelicals turning away?Learn more and request your free booklet, "The Gospel in the Passover," at

A Reason For Hope with Pastor Scott Richards! Sharing the Word one question of the heart at a time. Tags: Islamic Antichrist, Mighty God, and The Synagogue of Satan

Group Guide Use this guide to help your group discussion as you meet this week. TranscriptGood morning. My name is Spencer. I'm one of the pastors here. So last week I got to serve in Kid City. Yes. First time in eight years. Which should tell you how desperate they were that I was called in to serve. They were really scraping the bottom of the barrel. But I got to serve and it was neat because I usually get the 10,000 foot view. So I got, as an elder, I help oversee the church and every now and then checking in with Isaac, who's checking with Katie. So I get this bigger picture of you. But it's been eight years since I've actually been in the classroom. So I got to basically just walk up there and I was so blessed to just walk in. And there was a lesson in the book of Job that was dealing with big theological, weighty ideas of suffering that was written so well. It was at a game that was really helpful, which some of you may not know this. We actually, we've written our own curriculum. When we started as a church plant, we could not afford to buy curriculum from Lifeway or anywhere else. It's pretty expensive to buy. So we wrote it over the years and it's been edited and re edited and revisited and it's just really strong stuff. And the whole setup was just cool. To see all the work that goes in to teach our children the gospel. And it just, in a brief period of time, just sit with the kids and help them see who Jesus is in new and better ways is just awesome. So this is my plug this morning. If you're not serving anywhere, we'd love for you to serve in Kid City. We got a need for volunteers. It's a wonderful opportunity to teach children the gospel. We're going to. Just being frank, we're going to have a bigger need for volunteers because it is very possible when we send out this church plant next year that we're going to lose volunteers. Maybe more volunteers than children, I don't know. So we actually need. If you're not serving anywhere, we'd love for you to actually connect with Katie Mertz and get involved in Kid City. If you're like, I just. But I hate children. First off, maybe we should talk because Jesus loves children and maybe you shouldn't have that attitude. But maybe Kid City is not the first step for you. There are other places to serve and I can connect you and. Or any of our elders can connect you to service opportunities. But we're going to have a need to fill more gaps in the coming months and over the next year. So if you've been around for a bit, man, we could use you. So come talk to us. Let me pray for us. And then we're going to jump into Second Samuel, chapter seven.God, I'm thankful for the opportunity to walk through your word, to continue to see the message of the gospel and the hope that comes out of the Old Testament. God, I pray that you might help us see that so clearly this morning in a way that would make you more wonderful in our minds, that would lead us to faith, that would lead us to repentance, that would lead us to ultimately delighting in you over all things. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.All right, so in Second Samuel seven, here's what we're going to see today. God delivers this blessing, this promise to David. That is wonderful. And we're going to get to see how it's good news for David, but how it's even better news for us. And there's a little bit of layers of whoa. My wife and I were watching the show and in the first episode it's like, oh, this is good. And by the end of the first episode, it's like, oh, man. They've totally changed this. Whoa. And the whole first season was just more plot lines and threads being tied together. I was like, whoa, whoa. By the end of, it's like, well done. This is great. Today we're going to see a glimpse of that right there as we get to see how this story is tied into the greater story.So jump into verse one.> Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,>> the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.">> And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.">> But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle.>> Wherever I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'>> Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.>> And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.>> And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more, and shall badgered no more; and violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly,>> from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.>> When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.>> He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.>> I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,>> but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.>> And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.'"So Nathan has this message that the Lord is giving him, that he's got to deliver to David. That is, listen, in all the years that I've dwelt in this tabernacle, his unique presence, ruling and residing amongst his people has dwelt. He's like, have I ever asked the Judges and the hundreds of years, did I ask the last king? Did I ask anyone to build me a cedar house? So he presses this upon David.And then it shifts a bit. Now therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. So it shifts and he's like, remember when you were a mere shepherd boy? Remember how I chose you and I took you and I made you prince of Israel, your king. Remember all of this, how I cut off your enemies, how I established your role in your reign. Guess what? I'm going to make your name great. Greater than almost all the names that have come before or will come after. And this is where kind of the layers of whoa begin. It's like, wait a second. What's happening here? That he's giving to David what we're about to see is one of the most important promises in the Scriptures, but I would also argue is one of the most important promises in all of human history. And that's what God is about to deliver to David.> And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more, and violent men shall afflict them no more,>> and from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.>> Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.>> He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.So what the Lord just promised David is that he'd give him three things. A house, a kingdom, and an eternal throne. As we're going to see this, this is an eternal house, an eternal kingdom, and an eternal throne. So David comes and he says, I want to build you a house, Lord. And God takes the words and flips them and says, no, no, no, I'm going to build you a house. And what he's getting at is that I'm going to build you a dynasty. David, your house is going to continue to rule and reign. Your kingdom is going to continue to rule and reign. Your throne will be eternal. This is a massive promise that David is receiving, that his children and his children's children and his children's children's children are going to continue to reign. David gets this wonderful promise.And then he continues this promise. And speaking of his descendants, he says,> I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men.>> But my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.>> And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.In accordance with all these words and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David. So David gets, or Nathan gets this vision from the Lord at night, and he takes it to David. And at the last part of this he says, you, son David will be on the throne, and he will be like a son to me. I'm going to have a unique relationship with your line. However, built into this promise is some warning that if he strays, that if he commits iniquity, which is sin, that God will bring discipline. But even as the Lord disciplines him with the rod of men, even as he disciplines him, his love will not fade. It will remain with him because it will remain with David. So David will have an eternal house, an eternal kingdom, and an eternal throne.Nathan takes that message and delivers it to David, which had to be overwhelming. Have you ever been in a situation where someone did something so wonderful for you, so kind to you, so amazing, you just didn't have the words to even convey thanks? My wife and I were watching the show, and this Secret Service agent, he takes a bullet for the President. And the President comes and visits him in the hospital, and they have this exchange where the President looks at him and says, saying thank you kind of feels insufficient. And the agent kind of quips back and says, well, I mean, saying, I'm just doing my job feels kind of lame. And I appreciate that exchange for the writing, but also the reality that it's like, yeah, if someone takes a bullet for you, how do you begin to convey thanks? David has received something so overwhelming, so wonderful, this promise that his sons and his grandsons and his great grandsons are going to sit on the throne and rule and reign unendingly. It's like, how do you begin to even respond to that? Thank you kind of feels insufficient. David's going to do his best. And this best prayer, a prayer of thanksgiving, and that's the rest of this chapter is this prayer of thanksgiving that David gives in response to this promise.> Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?>> And this was yet a small thing in your eyes, O LORD God. You have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come, and you have regarded me as though I were a man of the highest rank, O LORD God.>> What more can David say to you for you know your servant, O LORD God. For your promise's sake, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make known all that is in your heart.>> Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.>> And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt a nation and its gods?>> And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O LORD, became their God.>> Now, O LORD, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken.>> And your name will be magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David will be established before you.'>> For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.'>> Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. And now, O LORD God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.>> Now therefore, may it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue before you forever. For you, O LORD God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever."That's the end of his prayer. That's the end of this chapter. David has promised an eternal house, an eternal kingdom and an eternal throne. And as I said earlier, this is one of the most significant promises in all of history. And we're going to see why as we walk through this. Though the word doesn't literally show up in this chapter, all the ingredients that are necessary for this are here. This is a covenant. This is a covenant that God makes with David. That's why the Psalmist in Psalm 89, Psalm 89 is all about recounting this covenant.> You have said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant,>> 'I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.'"This is often called the Davidic covenant. The Davidic covenant, that's David, the covenant God makes with David. And if you want to understand the Old Testament, the way to really understand how it all ties together is the history of the Old Testament is told through covenants. There are significant covenants that God makes that help define what the rest of the scriptures. So you can go to Genesis chapter nine and you can see the covenant that God makes with Noah and creation. And that is God's one way promise that he will not destroy the earth with water again. And that is the Noachic covenant, the covenant with Noah. Then you get to Genesis chapter 15 and then we get to see the Abrahamic covenant. This is the covenant, the promise. That's what a covenant is, a promise that God makes with Abraham. And when you look at those two covenants, what you see is that those are what are called unconditional covenants, meaning they are one way promises from God to the party he's agreeing with. So they're unconditional. So for Abraham, God makes this unconditional promise to Abraham that he is going to make a great nation out of Abraham, that he is going to bless Abraham with this big group of descendants. And that becomes the special people of God, the people of Israel. And that's an unconditional promise, meaning that Abraham does nothing, God does everything. Then you continue to read the Old Testament. And that covenant remains. God is blessing and forming a great nation through the descendants of Abraham. Then you get to the book of Exodus, and this is what we saw a few years ago when we walked through Exodus. You get to Exodus 19 through 24 and then the rest of the Old Testament law. And then comes a new covenant. And this is the Mosaic covenant, the covenant with Moses. But this covenant is different. It's not like the Abrahamic covenant, because this was what's called a conditional covenant. So we'll say a bilateral agreement. And what happens at the formation of the people of Israel with the Mosaic covenant is that when God gives the Ten Commandments and the whole Old Testament law that flows out of the Ten Commandments, this is what the Lord says. If you do these Ten Commandments and you abide by the law, it will go well for you in the promised land. But if you disobey the Ten Commandments and you don't follow the rest of the Old Testament law, it will not go well for you in the promised land. In fact, you will get curses and that's the agreement. God will bless them if they follow the law. But if they do not follow the law, they will receive curses and people will come in. As you read the Book of Judges, people are not following the Lord and enemies come in and they bring judgment. And that's the Mosaic covenant.Now, these major covenants are still in play. They're like threads being pulled together through the Old Testament. And that gets pulled into this chapter right here. Because this is the last really major covenant of the Old Testament. And this is the Davidic covenant. Now, I'll be honest, this covenant is the source of a lot of debate over how to think about it. Because there is something extremely unconditional one way promise from God in all caps. And that is you're going to receive David, an eternal house with an eternal kingdom and an eternal throne, your descendants, one after the other, unconditional. This is going to happen. All caps, okay? And then in somewhat fine print right next to that, it says, however. And then we get some seemingly conditional language, because when you read it, it says, when he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men. But my steadfast love will not depart from him as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. And really, that even goes back to what was said before about the people being in the promised land and the surrounding nations having peace from them. All that's tied together. So he's got this unconditional promise of an eternal house, an eternal kingdom, an eternal throne. But also, if your sons and their sons who sit on the throne act wickedly, they will be disciplined with the rods of men. There will be discipline. So when you read that, it's like, oh, that seems a little bit like the Mosaic covenant. Very similar language to what was said with Moses. So it's debated. Is this unconditional? Is it conditional? And that tension right there is felt through the whole rest of the Old Testament that if you read the whole rest of the Old Testament, you feel it. Because when you follow the story, David's son Solomon takes the throne. And Solomon was. What's built in this promise is a couple of things. First, he is the one that's actually going to build the literal house for the Lord, which is the temple. And what you see from 1 Chronicles, chapter 22, verse 8 is that God didn't want David to build the house because he was a man of war. It says, but the word of the LORD came to me saying, you have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name because you have shed so much blood before me I on the earth. So because David was a man of war, he says, you, it's not for you to build a temple, it'll be for your son. So part of this promise is coming to pass because Solomon is going to build the temple. But remember, it's not just literal, it's not just about the house, it's about his dynasty. So lots of blessing is coming to Solomon. And really, when you look at the full reign between David to Solomon, it's kind of the golden era of the people of God. This is when things go the most right and things go very well throughout Solomon's reign until you get to the end of his reign. And when you get to the end of Solomon's reign, he begins to accumulate lots of wives. And as we said, we said it in our overtime episode a few weeks ago, it's not how God wants us to be. And even worse, he starts accumulating foreign wives. And those foreign wives start driving his heart away from the Lord holy towards foreign gods. And at the end of Solomon's reign, because he does not abide by the law, he receives judgment that his son, the kingdom, is going to be torn from him. So Solomon to Rehoboam, which would be David's grandson, Rehoboam, does some foolish things, and then all of a sudden, the kingdom is torn in two. And now there's a northern kingdom, the kingdom of Israel, which is most of the tribes that were fallen. Saul and then Judah in the south. And there's tension. These two kingdoms don't ever really come together again. But when you follow the kings of Judah, because they're the ones that received the promise, they're the ones in the line of David, there are moments where things are going well and the kings are acting rightly and they're leading the people in worship. But then you get kings that are so pagan and wicked and horrible. You get Manasseh. Read the story of Manasseh. It's wretched, it's awful. Manasseh sacrifices his own son, burns him alive on an altar to a foreign God, and then just all types of abominable practices along with that. He's as pagan, even worse than the pagan kings of the surrounding nations. In the line of David. And judgment is coming. And then there's moments of hope where you get Manasseh's grandson, which is Josiah. And Josiah rallies the people and kicks out the idols and the high places and does all the things and leading the people back to following the law. And it seems good. And then his son strays away. And there's just this tension that's felt throughout the whole rest of the Old Testament of, what's happening here with this promise to David, because things are starting to fall apart until finally God just brings ultimate judgment on Judah. The Babylonian empire comes in, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, and they completely and utterly just decimate and destroy Jerusalem. They destroy the temple, they take the people, they bring them into captivity for 70 years. And there's. In all of this, there's just this longing for this promise of David to see its fruition. That's why it's helpful to look at Psalm 89, which is just this retelling of this moment in 2nd Samuel 7 that helps us feel that tension.> I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens.>> If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments,>> then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes.>> But my steadfast love will not depart from him, nor will I be false to my faithfulness.>> I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David.>> His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me.If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, which is again that Mosaic-type language. But I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips once for all. I have sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to David. His offspring shall endure forever his throne as long as the sun before me. And there's still that longing hope. But it is going to happen. And that tension is felt as the people are literally in exile. And it's 586 onward. It's just this. What is happening here? How is this possibly going to come to pass? It just feels like there's no kings right now. There's no, how can this possibly happen? I coached my son's baseball team. We started the season two and oh, and we played our third game Thursday. And I just knew that Thursday's game, I tried to prepare our parents for it. I'm like, y'all, this team is good. I knew before the season, this team was stacked to the ceiling. Their infield is efficient. It's a bunch of 8 year olds who just, they played for years and boy, oh boy, we just, it was very apparent the first couple of innings. We're just taking it. It's almost, you know, it's 13 to 5, it's 14 to 5. And it's just like, how in the world can this team rally? We just can't. Like we're just, how are we gonna get back in this? We're just. Doesn't seem like it's possible. There's this hopelessness that's amongst the people of God. Just how in the world can this Davidic promise come to pass while yet still clinging to the promise? Because God makes good on his promises and that's the guiding hope for the rest of the Old Testament, as one commentator puts it. He talks about that this Davidic promise becomes the nucleus around which all the Old Testament prophets are built. So when you read the whole rest of the Bible, just literally go through the Old Testament and you read the rest of the prophets from Isaiah onward, you just see this callback to the Davidic covenant over and over again.I mean, Isaiah 9, Isaiah 11, Isaiah 16, Isaiah 55, Jeremiah 23, 30, 33, Ezekiel 34, Ezekiel 37, Hosea 3 and Amos 9, Zechariah 12. Like there's all these prophecies of hope that are anchored in this promise to David. And I just, I'm not going to read all of them, but I want you to hear a few of them to see this longing for this to come to pass.> For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,>> and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.>> Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.That sounds familiar. It's because we read that every December.> "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.>> In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'"It's this longing for this promise to David to come to fruition, to come to pass when things will be well again.> "I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.>> And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken."You just follow the prophets and you just see that there's this longing for the promise that was made to David to be fulfilled, that somehow his eternal house, eternal kingdom, eternal throne will be established century after century after century. It's not happening. It's not happening. It's looking more bleak. But in the bleakness, hope remains, because over time, the people of God start to call what this figure is going to be in the line of David. They start to call him the Messiah, the Savior, King. And if those Old Testament passages didn't give it away, if the Messiah language doesn't give it away, if the general trajectory of all of our sermons don't give it away, it's Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. And that's what makes the Davidic covenant so special that throughout the whole rest of the Old Testament, there's this tension that's felt that God's going to make his promise come to pass, right? God said he would. He said he would. He said he would. And then God comes and he takes on flesh and he dwells amongst us and he fulfills it on the God side of it. But also, Jesus Christ is man, meaning the conditional elements that seem that are in it. Jesus Christ also fulfills. He fulfills all of it. That's why the New Testament begins with the genealogy. Some of you people think, man, what a boring way to start a story to name off a bunch of people. Why? It's because all this covenant promise is coming together with both Abraham and David. It shows he's in the line of David because he's the one, the Messiah who is to come. All the threads come together in a way that's so powerful, so beautiful.When I was in college, I had to go to these things called cultural enrichment programs, which were boring. Most of them. They just, you go, you had to get a bunch of them, and then you just sat there and like, oh, please make it stop. And then you'd leave. But there were a few of them that were good. And one of them, there's this guy, it's the first time I ever saw this. He grabbed a guitar and he started playing a song and he started playing a rhythm and then he hits the pedal, then he moves on to another instrument, starts playing that, hits the pedal, comes back to the guitar, plays the lead line, hits it, and then he like hits another pedal and then boom, they all come together. And all of a sudden you're listening to all the parts of House of the Rising Sun. And now all of us who are conditioned for boredom in these things, are getting into it. And then he puts more instruments on top and layers and layers and layers. And this one man band, the first time I've ever seen this, puts together this wonderful sound. And that is what the Old Testament is doing. It's putting all these parts together. And then in Jesus Christ it all comes together in this wonderful song. That's what Paul's getting at in Acts 13 when he's making those connections from first and second Samuel into the New Testament.> Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'>> Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.And that thread gets pulled all the way to the end and the final chapter of the Bible and the final words that God gives in his word to his people.> I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.It all comes together and this beautiful promise and the question that you leave coming from that is, okay, well then why is that so significant? Why is that the most important promise in all of human history? It is because the whole story of redemption leads to Jesus establishing an eternal house. That's the family of God. That's the church we just sang. The church of Christ was born and the Spirit lit a flame. That's it. That's the fulfillment that as the eternal family of God, we get to be invited into a fellowship that never ends. That goes back to the promise to David. It's an eternal kingdom which is the rule and the reign of Jesus Christ, which we get to participate in as it expands and it moves. The reason that Jeff is in the water this morning declaring what happened years ago, because someone in the kingdom of God declared the good news of Jesus Christ and his ears were opened that he placed his faith in Jesus Christ. It all goes back to the promise of David. It's this eternal throne that when Jesus went to the cross and died for our sins, when he rose from the grave and conquering death, that Jesus Christ ascended to the right hand of God the Father, and that's the establishment, that the work is finished and his eternal reign will reign forever and ever and ever. Amen. And that's what we're invited into through simply believing.But here's the deal. This is why this is really important. In the south, those of us that are in and around the church, we can deceive ourselves into believing that faith in this is the mere mental agreement to these truths. To cite Jesus died for my sins. To say Jesus rose in the grave. That's why we celebrate Easter, to say he ascended to the right hand of God the Father. You can recite the Nicene Creed a thousand times. Growing up, you could do all types of things to mentally agree with this message. But the heart of this message is not mentally agreeing. What it boils down to is, do you see that Jesus is the king in the line of David? Do you see him as your king? That's what this boils down to. Is he your king? Meaning, does Jesus Christ have supreme rule and reign over every aspect of our lives? That's the question that should be lingering as we look at the celebration of Jesus Christ the King on the line of David.Because here's what happens in the south is that we have all the words that we can say. We know all the phrases. And the moment that Jesus starts to try to make a claim on parts of our lives that we don't want to yield to him, we say, mm, no. I want to dictate in my kingdom who I can have sex with. I want to dictate in my kingdom how I spend my money. I want to dictate in my kingdom how I use my time. I want to dictate in my kingdom the way I speak in the workplace. I want to dictate in my kingdom how I strategize and move, whether it's through slander or gossip. And then Jesus Christ stands at the right hand of God the Father and declares, I am king. And we say, yes, but not of this. And I want to tell you something. If that is the seated heart position of your life, he isn't king for you and that should terrify you.But the good news of the gospel is that a you're here to hear the message of a God who loves you so much that he gave up his life for you so that he might become your king and invite you into an everlasting kingdom and a rule and a reign and a throne and a family that is far superior to anything this world has to offer. That as we regularly rehearse that Jesus is better than everything else, it is the rehearsing that we believe that his kingdom is better than everything else. We believe that his kingship is better than everything else. It is the invitation to see him as supreme master of every aspect of our lives.And as we get ready to close out this morning, that is the question that your soul should reckon with. The band's going to come up and we're going to get to sing. But some of you, you might need to sit and you might need to consider if he's actually king of your life. And you might need to surrender to the King this morning and lay down your life, whatever it is that you're holding your tight fisted your hand onto that you don't want to give up, now's the time to open it up and say, take it, King, it's yours. Some of you have truly trusted in the finished work of Jesus Christ. But there are parts of your life right now that are so hidden that you've tried to make a claim on and I want you to see so clearly. The kingship of Jesus Christ is wonderful. The promises that go back to David are wonderful. And they're offered to you. That you don't have to run back to former ways. You don't have to go back to worse kingdoms and worse rules and worse reigns. That you have a savior that says, do you understand that I'm a good king? I'm a good and wonderful and gracious king. And that when I tell you that that part of your life is worth yielding to me, that I'm actually for your good, I'm not against you. I'm for you. And your faith needs to inform the actions that leave this place today. And you'll have some opportunity this week in community group to do just that. And my hope is that you would let me pray.Heavenly Father, I thank you for this wonderful message that comes from 2nd Samuel 7 that helps us see that you are the king. You are the promised Messiah. You're the ruler of all things. May we in faith submit to you as our king to see how good and wonderful your kingdom is. May we yield to you in powerful ways. God, we have some repentance that we do in our hearts. We've got some areas of our lives that we've carved out for ourselves that belong to you. And I just pray that you do the work in our hearts to soften, to see it and to yield it. And as we worship and close out today, may the gospel of your kingdom coming to bear in our lives be felt and lived out in a way that makes you look good. In Jesus name, amen.

This sermon continues a series on “Searching for a Savior” by looking at Isaiah's prophecies regarding Jesus, especially the virgin birth and the name “Immanuel—God with us.” It emphasizes that God is a God of details: Jesus had to be born of a virgin to be truly sinless, avoiding Adam's inherited sin and qualifying as the perfect sacrifice. Isaiah 9's titles for Christ—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace—are unpacked to show Jesus as the all-wise, all-powerful, eternal, and peace-giving King. The message contrasts our default “government” of sin and death with the new kingdom we can enter by seeking asylum under Christ's rule. It closes with an invitation to respond to the gospel, leave the old “default,” and experience peace with God and inner peace through Jesus.

ISAIAH'S PROPHECY of a coming Messiah included foreseeing where Jesus would declare war on the fallen realm.  Chapter 9 of the book of Isaiah picks up where the prophet left off, condemning the people of Israel, for consulting the dead on behalf of the living. His prophecy that a light would shine on those dwelling in a land of deep darkness was cited by Matthew as fulfilled when Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum. We connect this to Psalm 23 in the valley of the shadow of death, which in our view is the Jordan River Valley between Mount Hermon and the Sea of Galilee. Isaiah 9 also includes the prophecy of a coming Savior who is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). We discussed the interesting rendering of this verse in the Lexham English Septuagint, in which “Wonderful Counselor” is translated “Messenger of the Great Council.” The second half of this chapter is devoted to God's judgment on the northern Kingdom of Israel, which was fulfilled when the Assyrians overran and conquered Samaria in 722 BC. Here is a link to a PDF copy of the R. H. Charles translation of The Ascension of Isaiah (link opens PDF document). Sharon's niece, Sarah Sachleben, has been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and the medical bills are piling up. If you are led to help, please go to GilbertHouse.org/hopeforsarah. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek's new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! If you are looking for a text of the Book of 1 Enoch to follow our monthly study, you can try these sources: Parallel translations by R. H. Charles (1917) and Richard Laurence (1821)Modern English translation by George W. E. Nickelsburg and James VanderKam (link to book at Amazon)Book of 1 Enoch - Standard English Version by Dr. Jay Winter (link opens free PDF)Book of 1 Enoch - R. H. Charles translation (link opens free PDF) The SkyWatchTV store has a special offer on Dr. Michael Heiser's two-volume set A Companion to the Book of Enoch. Get both books, the R. H. Charles translation of 1 Enoch, and a DVD interview with Mike and Steven Bancarz for a donation of $35 plus shipping and handling. Link: https://bit.ly/heiser-enoch Follow us!• X: @gilberthouse_tv | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunker• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation | @thebiblesgreatestmysteries• Facebook.com/GilbertHouseFellowship Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! We truly appreciate your support. If you are so led, you can help out at GilbertHouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to these studies plus our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker, and the podcast that started this journey in 2005, P.I.D. Radio. Best of all, it bypasses the gatekeepers of Big Tech! The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.gilberthouse.org/app/. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site! Gilbert House T-shirts and mugs! New to our store is a line of GHTV and Redwing Saga merch! Check it out at GilbertHouse.org/store! Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store. Our favorite Bible study tools! Check the links in the left-hand column at www.GilbertHouse.org.

ISAIAH'S PROPHECY of a coming, Messiah included for seeing where Jesus would declare war on the fallen realm. Chapter 9 of the book of Isaiah picks up where the prophet left off, condemning the people of Israel, for consulting the dead on behalf of the living. His prophecy that a light would shine on those dwelling in a land of deep darkness was cited by Matthew as fulfilled when Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum. We connect this to Psalm 23 in the valley of the shadow of death, which in our view is the Jordan River Valley between Mount Hermon and the Sea of Galilee. Isaiah 9 also includes the prophecy of a coming Savior who is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). We discussed the interesting rendering of this verse in the Lexham English Septuagint, in which “Wonderful Counselor” is translated “Messenger of the Great Council.” The second half of this chapter is devoted to God's judgment on the northern Kingdom of Israel, which was fulfilled when the Assyrians overran and conquered Samaria in 722 BC.Here is a link to a PDF copy of the R. H. Charles translation of The Ascension of Isaiah (link opens PDF document).

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Some days feel like you're barely holding the house, the calendar, and your own heart together, and you wonder if you're failing at life. Today's conversation will meet you right there. Nikki sits down with Deon Holman, wife, mom of three, and writer of an upcoming 30-day devotional project Messy Days, Mighty God, to talk about finding Jesus in the middle of full schedules, ordinary motherhood, and real-life discouragement.Deon shares the “building project” framework behind her devotional, including three daily pillars that helped her clear the fog during a hard season: time with Jesus, training your body, and intentional nutrition, with Jesus as the true foundation. They also talk about “demo day” (what to tear down, surrender, and release), how to build rhythms that support genuine faith without legalism, and why secondhand inspiration can never replace meeting with God personally. If you've been craving joy, spiritual steadiness, and a faith that fits into messy life instead of waiting for the perfect quiet moment… this episode is for you.Connect with Devan:Newsletter:https://devanholman.myflodesk.com/newsletterFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/share/18BKGXEuJ6/?mibextid=wwXIfrInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/devanholman?igsh=M2ZpZjV1dmo5b3Fj&utm_source=qrWebsite:www.devanholman.com Faith, Wellness, & a Whole Lot of Real LifeA mix of devotionals, honest reflections, Arbonne favorites, and a little encouragement for Seeds Family Worship Music:https://seedskidsworship.com/product-category/music/On Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/5kV2pC0biCYFh3y9HxgNkSOn Apple:  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/seeds-family-worship/251295888Scripture Lullabies:On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3egDut5sE3JIphJpVLO0z4On Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/scripture-lullabies/464465134Praise Baby:On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0uIyzjmP48YI0dpgdAjdeIOn Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/sleepytime-lullabies/372543219Abby Houston - Melodically Memorizing:On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1CcoMJoJtlZrt2w6XSbj6c?si=9kKzk_T-Tc2JWQq2CQFVogOn Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/abby-houston/1173348681JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 9:1-7 Isaiah ministered during a time of great gloom and fear, a real social darkness. But a new kind of King is coming! Christ is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—the King who doesn't use power to take, but to save. Sermon Points: The Historical Setting The Good News of the Child The Messiah’s Kingdom

Our Election in Christ (6)  (audio) David Eells – 2/11/26 I'm going to continue where we left off last time about election and the manifestation of those He foreknew. There are some objections to election and predestination. The one I hear the most from people is that God loves the world. (Joh.3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. Of course, when people read this verse, they think it means that God loves the whole world. Well, as we've seen from the Scriptures, the Bible doesn't teach that God loves the whole world, and even in this verse, it doesn't say that because there is a condition given for God's love here. The condition is “whosoever believeth on him,” and that limits God's love to a very few. The majority are not going to believe on the Son, since the only way to have any hope of believing on the Son is to receive the gift of faith from God. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory. You see, faith is a gift from God; believing on the Son is a gift from God. The people in the world who do believe on the Son are the ones to whom God has given the gift to come to the Son and have eternal life. If God did love the whole world, then He could have used a much better method for revealing His Son to the world; instead, God didn't make it easy for the world to receive that revelation. First of all, 99.9999% or more of the world has never seen His Son or the miracles that He has done. And the world is so contrary to the Son that it seems that if the Father really loved the whole world, He would make it easier for the world to receive this revelation and understanding. Jesus' teachings and principles are so contrary to the world that you have to go against everything that you are in order to follow Him. That's not natural, but then God's salvation isn't natural; it's supernatural. It says all through the Word that God limits His love to those who are His own. For instance, (Joh.13:1) Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end. A good reason for God to love the world is that His own are in the world, but notice in the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43), Jesus Himself said that not everybody in the world is His own. Jesus was the sower, and He told us that the devil was the one who sowed the tares. (Mat.13:36) Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field. (37) And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; (38) and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil [one]; (39) and the enemy that sowed them is the devil. Jesus didn't claim the tares as His own, and, I might add, that a tare can never become wheat, nor can wheat ever become a tare because a wheat is a wheat and a tare is a tare. They are two different seeds, and that's true of everyone in the world; they are one seed or the other. They are either a child of God or a son of the devil. Jesus didn't claim everybody in the world and here's another good example of that: (Joh.10:16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring (So they haven't come to Him yet.), and they shall hear (So they haven't even heard of Him yet.) my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. He's talking about a multitude of people who include us. We are included in this group. So at the time Jesus made this statement, there were people who didn't know Him, they hadn't heard of Him, and they hadn't even been born yet, but they have been His. God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world; therefore, our election has nothing to do with time. (Eph.1:3) Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ: (4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (5) having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. We have belonged to Christ since the time God set His plan into action at the beginning. We were chosen in Him as our Savior at the very beginning. “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold” and they are going to become one flock with one Shepherd. So when He says, “having loved his own,” He's only talking about those who come from God, those who belong to God. He's only talking about the wheat. (Rom.9:10) And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac-- (11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. Before they had done anything, Jacob belonged to God; Jacob was God's before he was born. That makes it obvious that “God so loved the world” means He's only loving Jacob, or Israel, because these are the people who have been given the gift of faith to come to Him and believe on Him. (Joh.15:19) If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. God did not choose the world; He chose us “out of the world.” In effect, that means God chose not to choose the rest of the world. The Bible says God hates all workers of iniquity: (Psa.5:5) The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Jesus told us (Joh.14:21) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him. So, again, we see the love of the Father is shown only to those who love Jesus. Another verse, where the wisdom of God is speaking, says the same thing: (Pro.8:17) I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me. The Bible says three times in the New Testament that Jesus is the wisdom of God (Luke 11:49; 1 Corinthians 1:24,30). There is a condition to the manifestation of God's love. I say “manifestation” because God loved us before we were. God loved Jacob before he was born. God loved him even before he had done anything because it's not by works, it's by election. God put His love upon those whom He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world. They are the elect among the called, and they will love God. You see, when Wisdom says, “I love them that love me,” that is conditional love. (Rom.5:8) But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God wanted to show us His love in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God, Who sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 41:4), loved us for what He knew He was going to create from before the foundation of the world (Romans 8:28-30). God loved the end creation that He saw by faith. His love is manifested for those who walk according to His commandments because they love Christ. “God commended His own love toward us....” Who is He talking to here? (Rom.1:7) To all that are in Rome (You might think that he's addressing everybody in Rome, but he goes on to qualify this.), beloved of God, called [to be] saints.... That's very, very conditional. He's talking to those who are beloved of God and called “saints.” (Rom.1:7) To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you (The only people who receive grace are the people who are beloved of God, called “saints.”) and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God didn't give grace to anyone else. The Lord promised salvation to those who were in Christ from the foundation of the world because Christ died for us. People always say, “Well, Christ died for the world.” No, the Bible says that Christ died “for whosoever will” (Mark 8:34; Revelation 22:17). God is the one Who works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure (Ephesians 1:5,11; Philippians 2:13), and “whosoever will” is only those who have the gift from God of being drawn to Christ. (Joh.6:44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. They're the ones who have the will. So, it is to “whosoever will” but, specifically, Christ died for us and for everyone in the world who is the called of God. They're the ones who are invited to partake of Christ. (Joh.14:22) Judas (not Iscariot) saith unto him, Lord, what is come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Why would He want to manifest Himself to these and not to the world? It's because He's very particular; He's revealing Himself only to God's chosen. (23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. And in the next chapter it says, (15:10) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. So the manifestation of God's love is for those who are obedient and who walk in Christ. And the manifestation of God's love by faith is for those who have not yet come to Christ, but will come to Him because Jesus said, (Joh.6:37) All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. God loves them, not for what they are now, but for what they will be when they do come to Christ and walk in obedience to Him. Let me show you more proof that Christ died to redeem us and not the world. (Mat.20:28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Notice that it doesn't say “all,” it says “many.” Who are the “many” this is talking about? (1Co.15:22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. We know that all of us have been in Adam. Everyone born naturally is in Adam, but all of us who have been born spiritually are in Christ and if a person abides in Christ, Scripture says, (1Jn.3:9) Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God. And that's where eternal life is; it's in the Son. (5:12) He that hath the Son hath the life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life. A person who abides in Christ is that seed who was chosen from before the foundation of the world. A person who abides in Christ is the one whom God loves, the one whom God sent Jesus to ransom. A “ransom” is “the payment demanded for the release of someone from captivity” or, in other words, it's the price paid to deliver a prisoner from bondage. (Isa.53:1) Who hath believed our message? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? (4) Surely he hath borne our griefs (The Hebrew there is “our sicknesses.”), and carried our sorrows (The Hebrew there is “our pain.”); yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Notice, Isaiah says “our.” This is not for the world. This is for us; this is for those who are in Covenant with God. (Isa.53:8) By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who [among them] Considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people (It doesn't say that He was cut off for the transgression of the whole world or, let me say, all the people in the world. It says, “for the transgression of my people.”) to whom the stroke [was due]? (11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many (Again, it's not “all”; it's “many.”); and he shall bear their iniquities. So He only bore the iniquities of those whom He justified. (12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Now I want you to look at this next verse one more time because people like to claim it for just anybody who says they're a Christian. (Rom.8:28) And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, [even] to them that are called according to [his] purpose. But people don't go on to consider the next verse. (29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. The promise here, to work “all things together for good,” is made to those who love God, and we know who loves God because Jesus told us those who keep His commandments are those who love Him. Those who walk by faith are able to obey. I'm not saying that they don't ever fail; I'm saying they are able to walk into obedience, getting closer and closer to God, because they walk by faith. We know that power comes from God because of faith (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 1 Peter 1:5). So Romans 8:28 is talking about those “whom he foreknew.” They are the ones He predestined to come into the image of His Son, 30-, 60-and 100-fold. Everything is going to work together for their good; even chastening and the curse work together for the good of those who are called of God to come into the image of His Son. In the prophecy given to Joseph, the husband of Mary, it said, (Mat.1:21) And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. The only ones who are saved from their sins are the ones who are already His people. They are His people by election, not by manifestation. (Eph.1:1) And you [did he make alive,] when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, (2) wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; (3) among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. That means when we were in the world, by our nature we looked just like the next sinner. Remember, the only difference between Jacob and Esau was election. (Rom.9:10) And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac-- (11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. It has to do with God choosing the elect to be in Christ before the foundation of the world. The only people Jesus is coming to save are His people, as the Bible says, over and over and over. (Mat.1:23) Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. One time, when I read that, I felt the Holy Spirit remind me about what the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary: (Luk.1:28) And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored (This is the Greek word charitoo, and it means “endued with grace.”), the Lord [is] with thee. Folks, this means, “God is with us.” The Lord is with those who have God's grace. You see, “Immanuel,” or “God with us,” is not talking about God physically walking among the worldly people; it's talking about God being with us. He was with Mary because she was given grace, and God is with us because we were given grace, which is the “unmerited favor of God.” (Luk.1:68) Blessed [be] the Lord, the God of Israel; For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people. People tell me, “That was just for the Jews, David.” Well, how many of the Jews received Him? How many of the Jews received redemption? It was only a very few. No, God's people are scattered throughout the world, and they are His people according to election because even before they were born, He chose them. Jesus brought redemption for His people. And He not only brought redemption, but He brought (Luk.1:71) Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. If salvation is for everybody, who would have an enemy? Salvation can't be for everybody if it is to deliver us from our enemies. (74) To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Should serve him without fear. (77) To give knowledge of salvation unto his people In the remission of their sins. Jesus said, (Mat.5:44) But I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you. Jesus was talking about people being our enemies, and Paul said this, too: (Rom.12:14) Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. I want to show you a prophecy that many people discount because it was given by the High Priest Caiaphas, but they moved in prophecy in the Old Testament, just like God's New Testament people move in prophecy. (Joh.11:49) But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, (50) nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. (51) Now this he said not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation (That was obviously a true prophecy; where he went wrong was that he thought he was the one who was supposed to carry it out because of his jealousy.); (52) and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad. Who were these children of God who were scattered abroad? Was it Israel? Maybe a very small portion of them were Jews, if you consider the day of Pentecost was when Jews from all nations were gathered together (Acts 2:1-14). However, the prophecy I'm thinking about is where Jesus said, (Joh.10:16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. So Jesus is speaking of the Gentiles in this verse. Jesus died in order to gather together the Gentile children of God into one flock with the believing Jewish children of God. They were always children of God because, according to election, if you are a child of God, you are always a child of God. You were never a son of the devil. Never. The Bible never says that you were a son of the devil and converted to be a child of God. The Bible teaches there are two seeds: one is a wheat and the other is a tare. God sowed His Word in this carnal vessel, and that's the one whom He loves. (Joh.3:13) And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, [even] the Son of man, [who is in heaven.] Some versions add “who is in heaven,” but it doesn't belong there, according to the numeric pattern, and it's not in any of the ancient manuscripts. That's because Jesus was standing right there in front of them, so “who is in heaven” doesn't make sense. The only one who ascended into Heaven is the Son of God who descended out of Heaven and those in whom the Son of God lives will go to heaven. He's both the sower who sows the seed, which is the Word, and He is also the seed of God. What the Word is creating in us is what God loves. God doesn't love the flesh; the flesh is the enemy of God. (Rom.8:7) Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. God doesn't love the carnal man. He loves what's been born from above, born from Heaven and will go to Heaven. Another verse that helps us to understand this is (Joh.17:18) As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. What does that mean? Isaiah says the same thing: (Isa.9:1) But there shall be no gloom to her that was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations (or gentiles). (2) The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (3) Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. (4) For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian. (5) For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be for burning, for fuel of fire. (6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father (The Hebrew says literally, “The Father of Eternity.”), Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. He says that the Father sent the Son into the world. You see, God foreknew us, and what we are becoming is the Word of God that came down out of Heaven. One reason God foreknew us is because the Word came out of God Himself. We are born of God, as the Bible says (John 1:13; 3:5; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:4; 1 Peter 1:23, etc.), because your new man came out of God Himself, and that's who God loves. Your new man is the Word, which is the nature of Christ, and your new man has been born of God Himself. So, in that way, we've been sent. Jesus was sent from the Father and we've been sent, too. No, not the carnal man, but we, the spiritual man, have been sent of God into this world. The more of the Word we get into us, the more we come to know the Father. (Rom.11:25) For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; (26) and so all Israel shall be saved.... The completeness of God's people includes “the fulness of the Gentiles.” Jesus said, (Joh.6:37) All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me.... I'm not saying “once saved, always saved” because there are many who will fall away. (Mat.22:14) For many are called, but few chosen. You see, we have to prove who we are by walking in obedience to Christ. We have to prove that we are part of those who are called “all Israel.” We have to prove that we are of the promised seed (Galatians 3:16) who is beloved of God. It may not seem reasonable, but there are many Scriptures in the Bible to back this up, such as, (1Jn.2:4) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; (5) but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: (6) he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. And so when we read verses like John 3:16, we have the level of revelation that God permits because of our lack of understanding. (Isa.28:9) Whom will he teach knowledge? and whom will he make to understand the message? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts? (10) For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little. I feel as if the Lord showed me that when we are carnal, it's easier for us to understand this as if God does love the whole world and therefore not attribute foolishness to God. But as we grow in knowledge, the more we see the plan and wisdom of God, and the more we fear God. (Rom.9:14) What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. Without enough understanding, we are liable to say what they said to Paul: (19) … Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will? And Paul would give us the same reply he gave back then: (20) Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? (21) Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? God permits people to believe that He sent His Son to the whole world until they can gain the understanding that God sent His Son only for all New Testament spiritual Israel, just as in the Old Testament God revealed Himself only to natural Israel (Psalm 127:20). (Pro.25:2) It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. God has hidden many revelations in His Word, but those who are honest and obedient to the Word will find those revelations. God has hidden His revelations on purpose so that He can reveal them to whom He wants to reveal them. God promised (Rev.2:17) To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna.... The people who will ultimately get the revelation of the hidden manna will be those who overcome. I've been asked, “David, can't you just give the revelation to someone?” Sure, you can give it to someone, but they'll lose it. I've shared the hidden manna with people who, because of sin, couldn't hang on to it. You see, God permits childish revelation. It's like what Paul said: (1Co.13:11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. (12) For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. He's talking about maturity. (9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; (10) but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. He's talking about growing up and changing your thinking. When your children were young, you didn't go into deep detail. You taught them very simply because that's all they could receive at the time. God is that way with us. When we first enter into the Kingdom, God allows us to believe some things that are not fully true, but they may be a foundation for deeper understanding later on. The scripture, John 3:16, is correct and very perfect, but what you think about it might not be perfect. Yes, “God so loved the world,” but if “God so loved” everybody in “the world,” that would mean He loves the tares that the devil sows in the world. What we've seen instead is that God only loves those who love Him. And those who love Him are those whom He foreknew from before the foundation of the world.

It's Friday, January 2nd, 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 Adam McManus Nigerian Muslims killed 14 in Adamawa State Fourteen Nigerians are dead, and four are missing after Boko Haram, a Muslim terrorist group, attacked three villages on the evening of December 29th in Adamawa State, reports International Christian Concern. In addition, numerous homes and businesses were vandalized or burned in the attacks, which struck the villages of Zah, Mubang Yadul, and Kijing. Many villagers fled for their safety. The attackers reportedly fled into the bush before security personnel arrived. The attacks, which occurred days after the U.S. struck ISIS-affiliated Muslim militants in northwest Nigeria, were the latest in a string of assaults on villages in the area to occur around Christmas. MN employees: "Gov. Tim Walz is 100% responsible for massive fraud." Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana took to the Senate floor to address how it's possible that Somalis in Minnesota were able to defraud taxpayers to the tune of $1 billion, possibly $9 billion, through fake non-profits. KENNEDY: “Here's what the Legislative Auditor in Minnesota said: ‘The threat of litigation and the negative press affected how the state politicians use their regulatory power.' “And here's what a fraud investigator in the Attorney General's office said: ‘There is a perception that forcefully tackling this issue would cause political backlash from the Somali community, which is a core voting block for Democrats.' “One of the other witnesses in the fraud investigation said, ‘Look, the 80,000-voting block folks with Somali ancestry, you got to have their votes to win in Minneapolis. And if you're a Democrat, if you can't win Minneapolis, you can't win in the state.' So, the politicians did nothing.” Senator Kennedy quoted from a social media post in which hundreds of employees of the Minnesota Department of Human Service weighed in. KENNEDY: “Don't just take my word for it, and don't blame the state employees. They tried. In fact, recently the state employees, they just said, ‘Look, we've had enough.' Several hundred employees from the Minnesota Department of Human Service, who administered this program, they posted this. I'm quoting now. '[Democratic] Governor Tim Walz is 100% responsible for massive fraud in Minnesota. We let Tim Walz know of fraud early on.' That's employees talking, hoping for a partnership and stopping fraud. ‘But no, we got the opposite response. Tim Walz systematically retaliated against whistleblowers.'” Jeremiah 9:6 says, “'You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge Me,'” declares the LORD.” Additional massive fraud at Somali-run day care centers in Minnesota In a related story, YouTuber Nick Shirley, age 23, has exposed what appears to be massive additional fraud in taxpayer-subsidized, Somali-run day care centers. This has prompted the Department of Health and Human Services to announce that it is derailing the $185-million gravy train.  HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neil said on X, “We have frozen all child care payments to the state of Minnesota,” reports The Blaze. O'NEIL:” “Intrepid journalists have made shocking and credible allegations of extensive fraud in Minnesota's child care programs. We believe the state of Minnesota has allowed scammers and fake day cares to siphon millions of taxpayer dollars over the past decade.” Muslim NYC Mayor sworn in with Quran Incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani took his New Year's Eve oath of office on his grandfather's Quran and a 200-year-old Quaran from the New York Public Library. It marked the first time a New York City mayor used Islam's misguided text to be sworn in, reports the Associated Press. The 34-year-old Democrat became mayor in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, the first Muslim, the first South Asian and the first African-born person to hold that position. Most of Mamdani's predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state, and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text. In addition, Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has directly labeled Mayor Mamdami a Communist.  Posting on X, Cruz wrote, “When communists rule, individual rights—invariably—are taken away.” Listen to the Big Apple Mayor's own words. MAMDAMI: “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” CT Governor to give $10 million to abortion giant Planned Parenthood Connecticut Democrat Governor Ned Lamont has announced he intends to give $10.4 million of taxpayers' money to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, in order to compensate for Trump's decision to defund the abortion giant, reports LifeSiteNews.com. The Connecticut Mirror reported the governor's latest spending proposal, part of $41 million to make up for lost federal funds for a variety of so-called “services,” bringing the total committed for that purpose up to almost $168 million. Parents: School cancels Christmas concert over “Jesus” lyrics And finally, parents in Fonda, New York are furious after the annual elementary school Christmas concert was canceled. Many suspect it's because a teacher was offended by the name of Jesus, reports Christian talk show host Todd Starnes. Children at Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School had worked very hard to learn songs for the concert.  But there was one particular song that caused a bit of controversy. The song is called, “Oh, What a Special Night” and it tells the birth of Christ from the perspective of the animals around the manger scene. At the end of each verse, the children sang, “Thank you God for Baby Jesus.” The school district confirmed that the song was removed from the concert under guidance from their legal department.  Shortly after that, the concert was canceled. On Facebook, one parent wrote, “So tired of this woke culture, where one parent can call in and complain, and ruin it for the entire district.” Another said, “It is CHRISTmas. If someone doesn't agree with that, then they don't need to participate, and their parents don't need to attend. … The school has ruined the countless hours of practice the other kids have put in, as well as the joy and excitement they feel when they see their families in the audience. All of that happiness has been taken away.” Isaiah 9:6 declares, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, January 2, 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.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (ESV) THE EVENING MINDSET IS COMING! Beginning January 1 - 2026 - A new DAILY podcast will be available to help you wind down, reset your mind on God’s truth, and prepare for a night of rest and rejuvenation. “The Daily Mindset” will launch on the podcast player of your choice on January 1, 2026. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode: https://EveningMindset.com

Share a commentWhat if the most breathtaking gift can't be weighed, priced, or fully described? We open Isaiah 9 and follow the thread from a simple manger to a sweeping claim: the child given to us is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This isn't seasonal poetry; it's a portrait of a Person whose nature makes sense of our longings, our questions, and our hope.We start with the tension everyone feels around Christmas: some gifts sparkle, but they don't satisfy. Isaiah's titles give language for why Jesus does. As Wonderful, His character doesn't fade when the lights come down. As Counselor, He knows the heart before we speak and offers wisdom that never needs revision. As Mighty God—the mighty El—He holds the paradox of power wrapped in humility, strong enough to carry a cross and still stronger to rise. As Everlasting Father, He stands as ruler and originator of the ages, reminding us that time is in His hands and our seasons aren't wasted. And as Prince of Peace, He brings peace with God now and promises a future where justice and joy dwell openly under His reign.We also unpack a striking image: “the government shall be upon His shoulder.” Drawing from Jewish wedding customs, picture a bride placing her veil over the groom's shoulder as a sign of trust and care. That's the invitation of Advent—placing the government of our lives on Christ's shoulders. Dreams, griefs, plans, and fears find their weight carried by Someone able and willing. If your holidays feel divided or your hope feels thin, this conversation will steady your faith and warm your imagination for the King who counsels, carries, and comes.Want to go deeper? Grab our free digital booklet, An Indescribable Gift, and share it with someone who needs encouragement today. And if this episode helps you see Jesus more clearly, follow, rate, and share the show so others can find it too.Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

 “The first Christmas came with gifts meant for broken hearts.” Christmas is often one of the hardest seasons for parents grieving the loss of a child. Today, I reprise a solo episode originally recorded in 2020 during the height of the COVID pandemic which speaks into a time marked by isolation, uncertainty, and compounded grief. Separated from loved ones, surrounded by illness and fear, many bereaved parents were carrying more than ever before. In this episode, I reflect on the Christmas story through the lens of Isaiah 9:6, focusing not on the gifts we exchange, but on the gifts given at the very moment Jesus was born. In this episode, I discuss:The gift of our Wonderful Counselor, when no human words are enoughThe gift of our Mighty God, whose strength carries us in our weaknessThe gift of our Everlasting Father, steady and committed now and foreverThe gift of our Prince of Peace, offering peace with God amid chaos and sorrowThe gift of Immanuel—God with us, near to the brokenhearted and crushed in spiritThrough Scripture, personal reflection, and gentle encouragement, this episode reminds grieving parents that they are not alone—especially when traditions feel altered, expectations feel heavy, and the future feels uncertain.A reminder for this seasonWhen Christmas feels overwhelming… When your heart aches for what used to be… When your child's name goes unspoken… When a new year feels impossible to imagine…God is with us. That is the gift of Immanuel.I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

Let's face it — the chaos of travel, family gatherings, and exchanging presents can cause us to forget the miracle of Christmas. It's easy to become numb or distracted from the treasure of Jesus. Meditating on Scripture helps us reorient ourselves to the surprising arrival of Immanuel and the stunning reality of his everlasting kingdom.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi unpackages the real gift of Christmas using the beautiful words of the prophet Isaiah. This reflection and prayer will stir your longing for more of Jesus and lead you into deeper worship of the One we call Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.Resources for this Episode:Surprising Joy: A Journey with Jesus for AdventDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!Revelation 13 A beast emerges from the sea with ten horns and seven heads, receiving authority from the dragon. It speaks proud and blasphemous words and wages war against the saints for forty-two months. The world is amazed and follows the beast, worshiping both it and the dragon. Another beast comes from the earth, with two horns like a lamb but speaking like a dragon. It performs signs, deceives people, and tells them to make an image of the first beast. Those who refuse to worship the image are threatened with death. It causes all people to receive a mark on their hand or forehead, without which no one can buy or sell. The number of the beast is revealed as six hundred sixty-six, a number God gives the wisdom to understand.  Evil often appears powerful and convincing, but its strength is ultimately limited and short-lived. The beasts symbolize forces opposing God and deceiving many with false authority and signs. We must be careful not to follow what is sinful, even if it looks powerful or seems to have an unstoppable influence. The mark of the beast represents loyalty, but we are called to stay loyal to God, even when it is hard. Our worship belongs to Him alone. Although the enemy might appear to be winning temporarily, God remains in complete control. We should not fear those who can harm our bodies, but instead remain faithful to the One who holds our souls. Our perseverance and trust in Christ are our victory. Mighty God, we praise You as the one true Ruler who reigned even when the beasts rose in power. Though they once deceived the nations and fought against the faithful, their time was brief, and their authority was limited. You allowed their rise for a purpose, but You also brought about their fall. Strengthen us through this reminder of Your past sovereignty and unshakable rule. Help us stay faithful as others did when pressured to compromise. Let us worship You alone and cling to truth. Your victory lasts forever. Keep us loyal to Christ through every trial we face. Thought Questions: Evil powers attacked God's people. How did the faithful endure, and how are you preparing to stand firm under governmental pressure? “Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.” What kind of faith can accept captivity or death in the name of Jesus Christ? Why would Christians give up worldly comfort and financial stability to follow Jesus, and what are you willing to surrender now?

In What Child Is This?, we explore the powerful prophecy of Isaiah 9:1–7, a Christmas passage that reaches far beyond the manger and into the heart of God's redemptive plan for the world. Isaiah reveals that the first rays of Messiah's light did not shine in Jerusalem's temple but in despised Galilee, a region crushed by Assyria and mocked by the world. God intentionally chose the darkest and most overlooked place to announce the coming of His Son, proving that divine hope shines brightest where human hope has failed. Galilee would later become the launch point of Jesus' earthly ministry, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy and revealing God's grace to the humble, the broken, and the forgotten. Isaiah also unveils the identity of the Child: Wonderful Counselor, divine wisdom beyond human understanding. Mighty God, fully God in human flesh. Everlasting Father, the source and sustainer of eternal life. Prince of Peace, the One who will ultimately end all war and rebellion. This Child is not merely a baby in a manger. He is the rightful King who will sit on David's throne, rule the nations, and establish a kingdom of justice, righteousness, and everlasting peace. Scripture declares that the zeal of the Lord will accomplish this without fail. Christmas is the down payment of the Kingdom. The cradle guarantees the crown. The First Advent assures the Second. This message calls us to see Christmas not only as a moment in history, but as a promise of what is still to come.

In this message from Isaiah 9:6, David Platt urges us to fix our hope on Jesus, the Mighty God, who has been given to us. Over 3 billion people have never heard the gospel.At Radical, we're fueling 140 gospel projects in 42 countries to change that—equipping local leaders and mobilizing believers where Jesus is least known.Through December 31, every gift is doubled up to $750,000.Would you pray about being part of this?Learn more at Radical.net/everywhereExplore more content from Radical.

Brody explores Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1 and connects it with Isaiah 9, seeing how God keeps His promises through broken and unexpected people. From Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth to Mary, We see how Jesus' family line tells a story of grace, mercy, and faithfulness in the middle of human failure. Brody also looks at the titles given to Jesus in Isaiah, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and what they reveal about the kind of King He is. This Advent series from Red Oak offers hope for anyone who wonders if their past disqualifies them and points us toward the coming kingdom marked by peace, justice, and righteousness.Red Oak ChurchJesus and His Crazy Grandmas | RahabJesus and His Crazy Grandmas | TamarJesus and His Crazy Grandmas | RuthSend us a textPlease 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.

Your Chriamas service might mention Isaiah 9, calling Jesus the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. That's great, but I have never heard the REST of Isaiah 9 quoted.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Chriamas service might mention Isaiah 9, calling Jesus the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. That's great, but I have never heard the REST of Isaiah 9 quoted.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s Bible Verse: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding itwith justice and righteousness from that time on and forever" - Isaiah 9:6–7 (NIV) Hope feels different when you remember who Jesus actually is. Isaiah’s prophecy names Him in ways our weary hearts often forget: the Wonderful Counselor who brings wisdom when life feels tangled, the Mighty God who carries what we can’t, the Everlasting Father who never abandons, and the Prince of Peace who calms the chaos within and around us. Meet Today’s Host: Reverend Jessica Van Roekel

What if the mighty God who rules the universe is also the One running toward our cries for help? Continuing our series, “His Name Shall Be Called,” Pastor Daniel invites us to meet Jesus as both the promised Messiah and the humble Servant who moves toward us in our times of need. No matter what we're facing, He hears us and is ready to respond with compassion and power.

Angel Studios https://Angel.com/HermanJoin the Angel Guild today where you can stream Thank You, Dr. Fauci and be part of the conversation demanding truth and accountability.  Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/ToddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeOne Question for Mark Kelly and His Supporters // The Tim Walz Matrix // The OTHER Christmas MiracleEpisode Links:Kelly: “People should be able to tell the difference between something that is unlawful and something that is lawful." Welker: "That puts a lot of burden on the troops to make a decision in real time." Kelly: "A reasonable person can tell something that is legal and something that is illegal." Kelly is openly encouraging dissent and threatening prosecutions for actions that Democrats will deem illegal should they reclaim power.The "Double Tap" War Crimes Hoax is a complete joke. Democrat Senator Mark Kelly accidentally admits on air to Rachel Maddow that there were no specific illegal orders from President Trump behind the viral video stunt warning the military to defy the White House.Tim Walz says he takes no responsibility for the Somalis who've been robbing Americans of billions in Minnesota and funneling those dollars back to terr*rists in Somalia. You'll notice he doesn't deny it's happening, of course. Walz is complicit.Tim Walz's new flagWhat Does God's Word Say?Isaiah 9:1-79 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—2 The people walking in darkness    have seen a great light;on those living in the land of deep darkness    a light has dawned.3 You have enlarged the nation    and increased their joy;they rejoice before you    as people rejoice at the harvest,as warriors rejoice    when dividing the plunder.4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat,    you have shatteredthe yoke that burdens them,    the bar across their shoulders,    the rod of their oppressor.5 Every warrior's boot used in battle    and every garment rolled in bloodwill be destined for burning,    will be fuel for the fire.6 For to us a child is born,    to us a son is given,    and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the greatness of his government and peace    there will be no end.He will reign on David's throne    and over his kingdom,establishing and upholding it    with justice and righteousness    from that time on and forever.The zeal of the Lord Almighty    will accomplish this.

On today's special edition of Family Talk, Roger Marsh welcomes best-selling author Lee Strobel to discuss his new and updated book, The Case for Christmas. Strobel shares his research on the plausible cause for the virgin birth, and how a study of one Greek word in the Bible sheds light on the traditional Christmas story. Isaiah 9:6 declares, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/707/29?v=20251111

Isaiah 9:6 tells us what Jesus, the name above all names, means to us. Pastor Greg Laurie brings us insight in this message. Notes: Focus verse - Isaiah 9:6 Jesus Christ.That is the name above all names. Isaiah 9:6For unto us a Child is born,Unto us a Son is given;And the government will be upon His shoulder.And His name will be calledWonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. From Heaven’s perspective, Jesus was given.From earth’s perspective, Jesus was born. Jesus lived our life and then He died our death. The first Christmas gift was not a gift to a child but the gift of a child. Each of these descriptions of Jesus’ name deals with an important part of our life. Jesus said, “Lo, I come, in the volume of the book it is written of Me.(Hebrews 10:7 KJV) Jesus is in the Old Testament concealed and in the New Testament revealed. Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad.”(John 8:56 KJV) Jacob wrestled with Jesus.Before conquering Jericho, Joshua met Jesus and bowed before Him. Let’s look at these descriptions Isaiah gives us of Christ. #1 His name is Wonderful: this takes care of the dullness of life. Wonderful comes from the word wonder. There is nothing this world has to offer that will fill the void in your life.That’s where Jesus comes in. The word, wonder, means:amazement, surprise, astonishment, admiration, bewilderment, worship, and awe. The best way to sum it up is, “God is awesome!” Knowing this wonderful God personally takes care of the dullness of life. When the shepherds shared what happened,“All that heard it wondered at these things told to them by the shepherds.”(Luke 2:18) Everything about Jesus was wonderful:His birth, His life, His words, His death, and His resurrection. Wonder will lead to worship and a desire to know Jesus better. #2 His name is Counselor: this takes care of the decisions of life. Do you know that God wants to give personal counsel and direction to you? Psalm 73:24 (NKJV)You will guide me with Your counsel,And afterward receive me to glory. Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, Jesus Christ, is offering you His counsel. Jesus, our Counselor, has a plan for our lives. Jesus has given us His word so we might learn to think and act biblically.Everything you need to know about God and life is found in Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16–17All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is trueand to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.It is God's way of preparing us in every way,fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. But your Counselor, Jesus, is very involved and wants the best for you. Jesus, our Counselor, prays for us too. #3 His name is Mighty God: this takes care of the demands of life. Jesus Christ was not just a “good man,” but the “God-Man.” The Creator became a creation.He did not lose His deity, but He added humanity. Eternal, yet an infant, the Infinite became touchable. Jesus was fully God and became fully man. Jesus did not become identical to us, but He did become identified with us. Jesus could not have identified with us more closely than He did.It was total identification without any loss of identity. Jesus claimed to be God many times. On one occasion, Jesus was crossing the Sea of Galilee and He fell asleep.What could be more human than that? Jesus rebuked the storm and it stopped instantly.What could be more divine than that?He was fully God. Being fully human reminds you that He understands what you are facing. Some say, “It’s very hard to be a Christian.” It’s impossible to be a Christian without the power of Jesus Christ. That’s like trying to run your electric car with no charge. We work out what God has already worked in. We don’t manufacture the power, we access it. You say, “I can’t break free from drugs or drinking or immorality.”The bible says, “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” #4 His name is Everlasting Father: this takes care of the future of life. We know life is not merely what we experience here and now on earth.As Christians, we will live forever. God is the Everlasting Father. He will always be there for you. With so many broken homes today and absentee fathers, this is a great comfort. You have an Everlasting Father who chose you. After His resurrection, Jesus said to Mary, “I go to my Father and your Father.” #5 His name is Prince of Peace: this takes care of the disturbances of life. In the storms of life, we all long for peace within. Isaiah 9:6And the government shall be upon His shoulder. For over 2000 years we are awaiting the fulfillment of this verse when Jesus returnsand establishes His kingdom (at the end of the 7-year Tribulation). When Christ returns there will be no more corruption, war, or terrorism. He will reign righteously as King of kings and Lord of lords. The five names represent five dimensions of what every believer needs:“Wonderful” answers our disillusionment.“Counselor” answers our confusion.“Mighty God” answers our weakness.“Everlasting Father” answers our loneliness.“Prince of Peace” answers our turmoil. Every knee will bow. Will you bow before Him today? — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.