Podcasts about our lord jesus

Kings 17 tells of the dissolution on the northern kingdom under Hoshea, who became the vassal of Assyria. The Assyrian policy of transmigration meant that no subject kingdom would be able to unite and successfully rebel. It involved the relocation of many from Samaria and their place being taken, or occupied, by other peoples brought in from other countries (thus they became the Samaritans). This made Samaria a veritable conglomerate of peoples and their religion was a perverted amalgam of many religions. Worship was hybridised and the Almighty sent lions upon the occupying peoples in judgment. This is why, in John 4, our Lord Jesus Christ said to the Samaritan woman, "You don't know what you worship". The appointment of priests, who were required to learn something of Yahweh was introduced in order to seemingly placate the LORD. But such a diverse religion rooted in great superstition to start with could only deteriorate to the state it became some seven and a half centuries later when our Lord Jesus Christ came to Samaria. Ezekiel 7 verses 1-13 describe the limit of the Almighty's patience being reached. The nation of Judah had failed to repent despite God's constant entreaties. Notice the repetition, and hence emphasis, in these verses - quoting from the ESV verse 3 "the end is upon you"; verse 5 "disaster after disaster ... an end has come; the end has come"; verse 7 "the day is near, a day of tumult"; verse 10 "Behold it comes! Behold the day has come! Behold your doom has come ..."; verse 12 "The time has come; the day has arrived". There was to be for the unrepentant nation - TIME NO LONGER (Revelation 10). Similarly, for us the day of judgment will come and begin with the house of God verses  1 Peter 4 verses 17-19. Read those last 3 verses aloud and ponder what it means for you. Ask yourself does this sobering thought affect the way that you will live in the face of imminent judgment. Verses 14-22 speak of the extremities experienced by Judah at the time of the final Chaldean attack. The word pictures reveal the pitiful state of Judah. Verses 23-27 says that the nation remained stubbornly unrepentant, but once the wrath of the LORD was poured upon His people that they would know that "I am Yahweh" - verse 27. Luke 3 begins with all the supposed somebodies of the age. To none of them does Yahweh reveal Himself but to a nobody in the wilderness. Yet what a message was the LORD's word. It declares the insignificance of human flesh. By contrast it announces that the transforming power inherent in God's Word to cause weak, frail and dependent humans to acknowledgment their sinfulness by repenting and aligning themselves in baptism with the forgiveness offered to them on that condition. John's message came from Isaiah 40 verses 1-8; see Peter's comments in 1 Peter 1 verses 17-25. All those who were considered as the baser classes of society responded to the message of John the Baptist. The self-important stood self-condemned by their rejection of God's offer. Jesus, likewise, acknowledges that there is nothing in human nature worthy of perpetuating. Our Lord, would through his perfect life, submit in obedience to death; and being raised to immortality and by this he would declare God's righteousness. So, Jesus submits to baptism and asks the same of all disciples. Our Lord Jesus' genealogy is provided back to Adam, and hence to God also. He is not only Son of Man through his mother whose genealogy is here given through Nathan, David's son - but just as vital Jesus is the Son of God. And it is for this reason our Lord was enabled to overcome sin verses  see Hebrews 1.

Today's witnesses are from an email my friend in the Prayer Group received. She gets a daily email from www.dailyrosarymeditations.com Every day, it gives five snippets, each to encourage reflection on praying one mystery of the rosary. She found this day's snippets particularly powerful and wanted to share it. They are all about how Mary will conquer, and they are written by Mike Scherschligt.One - The Bishop I have become friends with Bishop Oliver Doeme Dashe, the Bishop of Maiduguri in North East Nigeria. In 2009 the Muslim terrorist group Boko Haram, which means “Western Education is Evil” began to attack Christians in his diocese.  In 2014 Boko Haram completely overran his diocese. The Nigerian military dropped their weapons and fled like children. Thousands of Catholics were killed, two hundred Church structures were burned, and one hundred thousand Catholics fled for their lives to neighboring countries. Fr. William, a priest from the diocese, told me as he drove from parish to parish to celebrate Mass, that the roads were littered with dead bodies. At any moment, he could be surrounded by Boko Haram, dragged from his car, and shot. In October of 2014 Bishop Oliver went before Our Lord Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration, traumatized and trembling, and began to pray the Rosary. Suddenly, Jesus appeared to the Bishop in a vision, holding a very long sword in his hands. When he saw Jesus, the Bishop said, “Lord, what is this?” He didn't answer, but he stretched out his arms and put the sword into the hands of Bishop Oliver. When he received the sword, it turned into a Rosary. Then Jesus spoke these words three times: “Boko Haram is gone! Boko Haram is gone! Boko Haram is gone!” And the vision ended. The message was clear, with the Rosary we shall conquer!At that time Boko Haram had complete control of the diocese. If anyone was seen or caught in public as a Catholic, Boko Haram would instantly kill them. Yet, despite the danger, Bishop Oliver began to go village to village and organize public Rosary processions. From the moment the people began public Rosary processions, Boko Haram has been driven out of his diocese. The Churches are being rebuilt, all of his parishioners have come back, and 97% of his diocese go to Mass every Sunday. Most importantly, the Church in his diocese is growing from strength to strength. At one parish alone, Bishop Oliver brought five hundred new adults into the Church. Mary came down through the Rosary and sent Boko Haram packing!Two - Austria  As we sat together and Bishop Oliver told me of these miraculous events, he said to me, “Michael, this is not the first time Our Mother has sent evil forces packing by the power of Rosary processions. Do you remember what took place in Austria after World War Two? Did you know that much of Austria was under the Iron Curtain after World War Two?” I did know, but I loved hearing it again from Bishop Oliver, so I didn't let on. After World War Two, Austria was divided up by the Allies. The Eastern half of the country and Vienna came under the control of the Soviets. Until 1991, the Soviets never lost a nation, but something different happened here. Fr. Petrus Pavlicek was inspired by the words of Our Lady at Fatima. She asked us to pray the Rosary every day because only she could help us.From 1947 to 1955, Fr. Pavlicek began gathering people in villages, towns, and cities across Soviet controlled Austria on the 13th of each month to pray the Rosary together in public. He called it the Rosary Crusade. Many people gathered at first, but they could not sustain their spiritual practices, so the Rosary Crusade ebbed and flowed. But Fr. Petrus persevered in his confidence in Our Lady. By 1955, eight years later, half a million Austrians had pledged to pray the Rosary, begging for the conversion of sinners, peace in the world and freedom in Austria. The Cold War intensified as the Soviets crushed the Hungarians. However, on March 24th, 1955, Eve of the Annunciation, to the world's surprise, the Soviets announced they would withdraw their troops from Austria in just three months. On May 15th, 1955, the Soviets signed a treaty guaranteeing the independence of Austria. In October of 1955, the month of the Rosary, the last Russian soldier left Austrian soil.Mary came down through the Rosary and sent the enemy packing!Three - BrazilIn 1964, the president of Brazil, João Goulart, wanted to make Brazil a Communist country. The archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Cardinal de Barros Camara, in an address on national radio, called the people to resist publicly by praying the Rosary. President Goulart was so enraged that he insulted the people of Brazil in a public speech. He ridiculed the rosary, saying that it was his Marxist ideas that would reform and save Brazil, not the rosaries of simple women. That was a big mistake!Twenty thousand women hit the streets with their rosaries. They marched right into the midst of the Communist rally and prayed the rosary so loudly that it shut the rally down. On March 19th, more than 600,000 people marched through the streets of São Paolo praying the rosary in the famous “March of the Family with God toward Freedom.” President Goulart was so intimidated by the Rosary that he fled the country! Once again, Our Mother came down through Rosary and sent the enemy packing!Four - Philippines Ferdinand Marcos was an evil dictator who oppressed the Filipino people for twenty years. In 1986, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos rose up in a non-violent protest against the dictatorship. They filled the main highway and knelt before tanks and soldiers to pray the Rosary. President Marcos commanded the soldiers to run over the people with their tanks. Then Our Lady appeared to soldiers and to the entire crowd. She commanded the soldiers to stop their tanks and to do no harm to the people because she was the Queen of Heaven. That night, President Marcos fled the country.Once again, Mary came down through the Rosary and sent the enemy packing.  Five - The Danger of Comfort and ComplacencyBishop Oliver said, “Michael, you must come to Nigeria!” But I said, “No way! It's too dangerous, you might be dead before I get there.” Then I said, “Bishop Oliver – we are facing a more dangerous enemy in the West. We are not facing an enemy that can kill the body, but an enemy that is killing the souls of our loved ones with Materialism, comfort, isolation, and loneliness. We have everything we need, so we think we don't need God or each other.”Then Bishop Oliver said to me, “Let your people know that being close to Mary is the solution to all their challenges in this world. They should consecrate and reconsecrate themselves and their families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Did not Mary say at Fatima, “God wants to establish in the world devotion to My Immaculate Heart – wanting to save it by this means.” Pray the Rosary every day and invite someone to pray with you, even if it means you have to change your routine. Finally, live the First Saturdays of Reparation as Mary requested, that on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, go to Mass, pray the Rosary, and go to Confession.” Bishop Oliver ended by saying very passionately, “Mary will conquer! But she needs your cooperation.” If you would like to receive these daily emails, you can go to www.dailyrosarymeditations.com. I will place a link for this specific day in the show notes in case you want to go back and read it again. https://www.dailyrosarymeditations.com/p/mary-will-conquer-september-1-2025  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

Jesus Delivers Us (13) (audio) David Eells – 8/31/25 Saints, I'm going to continue with our teaching on how Jesus delivers us and our authority over the demons. I'm going to pick up where we left off last time about the true and false manifestations of the Spirit and begin by sharing the following testimony called:   More Than We Can Imagine or Think by P.O. I was one of thousands of people who wanted to experience "revival" in Brownsville and Toronto. As a fairly new Christian, I wanted the excitement that I thought should come from living a life for God. My prayer during that time was: "Father, do whatever You need to do so that no man or no devil can ever quench my desire for You." The first few visits there, I came away somewhat frustrated. Every time a minister approached me, he would veer away and start the laying on of hands in another direction. I recognize now that this was the grace of God, keeping me from receiving wrong impartations. But one time when we were leaving, I forgot my cape. I returned for it and tried to walk through a large lobby full of people writhing on the floor. Something invisible hit me. I fell to the floor and felt heat, like electricity, start at my feet and work all the way up to my head. I became temporarily but totally paralyzed. A friend who had followed me reported afterward that he saw my eyes roll. This man, a medic in the army, picked me up in his arms to remove me. But the strapping, six-footer made it only to the outside steps. There he, too, was taken down to the ground by this spirit. When he dropped me, I rolled under a small tree. Looking up, I saw the stars like diamonds and trees in 3-D as if "the trees were indeed clapping their hands" as the Word describes. I wanted to praise God, but I was rendered incapable of doing anything but baying like one of my uncle's hound dogs. My heart goes out to my friends who visited the "revival." Three of them died prematurely. Another four of them divorced within a year. Several of them now have serious health concerns. In short, these people are anything BUT revived. With some of these friends, I tried gently to get them to look at the falsehoods. But no. It was like the old saying, "You can lead a horse to the water, but you can't make him drink." The times I tried, I encountered upturned noses, so to speak. My dearest friend, whom I met thirty-eight years ago, lived at one of the revival venues for months. She no longer returns my calls. I don't know why this is the case, since we aren't talking. But I suspect that she just couldn't handle the upturns that my life, and my children's lives, kept taking as opposed to her own. I'll always love her. She prayed for me when I wasn't even a believer. God will save her from this deception. At first I thought the experience had been the Holy Spirit. But, sparing the details, my life began to fall apart. I kept crying out for truth, the truth, nothing but the truth. Somehow, I was led via an internet science site to the e-book called "Sovereign God." I "inhaled" it. God's truth revealed in that book healed me of lifelong bouts of severe depression. Then, via the internet, I saw that people around the world were getting their vision healed. I thought, "God is no respecter of persons. Father, would you heal my vision?" It was a progressive miracle, full of dialogue with Him. After a trial of several months, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles pronounced me as having near-perfect vision. Father God also engineered that my unbelieving daughter would be present to hear the verdict. All my life, I'd had progressively poorer vision, ending with 20-200, which the state of Indiana considered as legally blind. God is able to do abundantly over and beyond what we can imagine or think. In His sovereignty, Father brought me through into the truth. He has orchestrated major periods of repenting and casting out of spirits revealed to me. By the grace of God, my marriage is thriving like never before. My blind eyes are healed. My depression is gone. I have hair now. I actually feel beautiful, but it's not of myself. It's Jesus, coming from the inside out. My children are fighting and winning for their marriages. I'm no longer fat. I have a room with a view. In this room, I help build God's Kingdom with the gifts He's given me. I'm welcomed at foreign airports with bouquets of flowers, like I'm some royal person. I'm surrounded by a vibrant company of other believers who cherish one another every day of the week. None of these blessings came as a result of the revival movement that so many people, including myself, touted for a while. All of these blessings are just "by-products" of a graceful God who loves me. He gave me the hunger and the unction to seek and find Him. Reading that blessing list, an unknowing person might say that I've won life's lottery. But it is all nothing compared to the fact that ... I have Jesus. I hope and pray you do, too. And here is another awesome testimony of God's amazing grace, called:   Delivered & Made Whole by C.M. As a young adult I was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr, chronic fatigue syndrome. For almost two years I would have to sleep at least twelve hours per day to barely function. Having visited every specialist, I was given no hope, other than just to deal with it and get rest. As a child I was taught about the Lord, even experiencing a vision of heaven at the age of seven years. I had been healed of a toothache during that vision. But when my dad left, our family fell apart, and our faith slowly faded away. By the time I was twenty-one years old, the Bible was in my closet, unread in years. One night I cried out to the Lord while remembering a story told to me when I was a child. A woman in the Bible was healed of her blood flow of twelve years. As I was begging the Lord to let me touch His garment just like that woman, I felt such a hot flow of heat through my body! I knew I was healed. The Lord let me feel that heat to help my faith. Within twenty-four hours, I felt completely better! I told everyone. People said it was just psychological—I had healed myself. But I knew better. I started reading my Bible as a babe in Christ. Almost two years later, I did join a church. I was reading the Bible regularly, but I started practicing yoga. I even became a yoga instructor, certified in sport yoga. I knew yoga had Eastern philosophies, but I thought if I just did the exercise part, I would be okay. I even asked my pastor. To my surprise, I had his support as long as it was just for exercise. Another elder even encouraged Tai Chi, another Eastern philosophy of exercise. Yoga was the pathway to all of the other Eastern philosophies: Tai Chi, hypnotherapy, and Reiki, the bringing of "energy" from the universe into your body. After two years of practicing yoga and getting involved with Reiki, I met a bold woman of Christ named Jane. She informed me of my backsliding. Jane insisted that I pray and get right with God and speak to her husband. He had knowledge of the occult. The word "backsliding" kept ringing in my ears from this woman. I had thought exercising was okay. After looking up the word "backsliding" in the concordance, I was directed to Jeremiah Chapters 3-6. The Lord showed me that night that I had left the Lord for the harlot. I felt the Lord's anger with me for what I was doing. After the Lord opened my eyes that night, I discarded everything that had to do with yoga: the music, clothes, DVDs, my teaching certification, books, equipment, mat, candles, etc. I quit teaching the next day. I visited Jane and her husband, who further explained how yoga is an occult practice. They prayed over me and anointed me with oil. We claimed that I was forgiven and that all the effects of this practice had left me. Praise God for His forgiveness, mercy and love. Now I have given my life to the Lord and have been walking with Him ever since! An undeserved blessing He gave me was a daughter, as I had not been able to have a child. According to the specialists, for fourteen months, I was not ovulating. Within two weeks of giving up yoga, I was pregnant. I am so grateful for God's love and forgiveness. David: Amen! Praise God for all His goodness towards us. It's important to remember that we must continue walking in Christ to obtain the fullness of His salvation. (Mat.24:13) But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. We have to continue in Him to receive what He's laid hold on us for. (Php.3:12) Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. He laid hold on us to manifest the fullness of Christ, and if we believe the Word, and we keep holding fast to the Word, we're going to enter into more and more of Christ. He is the Word. When we walk in Christ, we have faith to exercise the authority that He's passed on to us, but notice that although Jesus totally conquered the devil (Ephesians 1:20-22), we still see him. Why? It's because the devil still exercises authority. You may ask, "David, how is that possible?" Well, let's look at how that authority has been passed around. God never took back the authority over all creation that He gave to Adam in Gen.1:28 And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. But God didn't have to take it back; Adam gave it away to the devil! He gave it to the devil by virtue of the fact that he obeyed the devil. (Rom.6:16) Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves [as] servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? He made the devil his lord and gave him that authority. We know that the Bible says, "What we bind on earth is bound in heaven," so if the devil can talk us into believing he has authority, then he has it because we gave it to him. We loosed him by believing him, and we bound God by not believing Him, because God made the condition for receiving His benefits, which is our faith. Today, Adam's children have lost their authority because he gave it to satan. However, Jesus is called the "last Adam" because He is the father of the born again creation. Because He refused satan's authority He gained authority back and passed it on to His spiritual children. (1Co 15:22)  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.  But Christians need faith to exercise this authority. What does the Bible say? (1Jn.3:21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; (22) and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. When we walk in Christ, we have faith to exercise our authority, faith to believe what the Bible says about the authority given to us. Adam was a natural man who was given authority over this natural creation. Jesus Christ was called a spiritual man, and He was given authority over this spiritual and natural creation. We just read about the authority God gave to Adam over this natural creation. Most Christians haven't entered into the authority that Adam had as a natural man, much less the authority that Jesus had as a spiritual man. We are supposed to have authority in both places, the natural and the spiritual. (1Co.15:45) So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam [became] a life-giving spirit. (46) Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual. (47) The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven. (48) As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. (49) And as we have borne the image of the earthy, let us also bear the image of the heavenly. If your Bible has "we shall," it's wrong. There's probably a footnote that tells you the Greek says, "let us also bear the image of the heavenly." We have been given a command to bear "the image of the heavenly." God is not saying that "we shall" because that's not true. A lot of people are not going to bear the "image of the heavenly" because they're going to refuse to do that. We've borne "the image of the earthy" because we've been a natural man, like the first Adam, but to bear "the image of the heavenly" is to bear the Image of the spiritual Adam, Who is Jesus Christ. (Heb.2:5) For not unto angels did he subject the inhabited earth to come... If your Bible says, "the world to come," you probably have a footnote that says "the inhabited earth." This is the correct translation from the Greek according to the numeric pattern. Notice its "the inhabited earth to come" meaning the earth under and following Adam's authority.  (Heb.2:5) For not unto angels did he subject the inhabited earth to come, whereof we speak. (6) But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? What was "man"? That was Adam. And who was the "son of man"? That was Adam's children. Jesus was the Son of man and the Son of God. This is talking about both the natural Adam and the spiritual Adam. The spiritual "Adam" is Christ, and so then, who is the "son of man"? That is Christ's children. Adam and his children had authority, and if they hadn't fallen because of sin, they would still have that authority. Jesus has authority and all of His children have the same authority because He is an Adam. He's the Procreator of the whole race of the spiritual man. He's the (Rom.8:29) ... firstborn among many brethren. The Greek word there is adelphos, and it means "brothers." (Gal.3:26) For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. Through faith, we should be living up to our sonship; we should be exercising the authority of the first Son, Jesus Christ, our spiritual Father. (Heb.2:7) Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands. We found that was true of Adam, and it's still true. Jesus exercised authority over the works of God's hands. Just as Adam did in the natural before he fell; Jesus did in the spiritual and natural. There's a natural creation, and there's a spiritual creation beyond the natural creation. Adam had dominion over the works of God's hands; he exercised authority over all the earth, the beasts, the fish, the birds, and so on. However, there are other works of God's hands that Adam didn't know much about: the principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness, the spiritual creation of God (Ephesians 6:12). Because of what Jesus accomplished at the Cross, we've been given authority over not just the natural creation, but the spiritual creation. (Eph.1:19) And what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might (20) which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly [places], (21) far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (22) and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Notice that Jesus was the head of His body the Church but He put all things in subjection under the feet of His body. We have this authority as we follow the Head. Our authority over the natural creation and the spiritual creation is given by right of two facts. We have come from the first Adam, and we have come from the second Adam. Both of those have been given authority, and that authority has been passed on to us, but the only way you can exercise that authority is to believe what the Word of God says. All of this has been put under your feet; you have complete sovereignty over it as you follow the Head. (Luk.10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. Notice: "Behold, I have given you authority ... over all the power of the enemy." Here's another witness that God has put all things in subjection under His feet: (Heb.2:8) Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he subjected all things unto him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. (Primarily, He was talking about Adam and his children. Secondarily, He's talking about Christ and His children.) But now we see not yet all things subjected to him. In other words, it's a fact that Jesus conquered the devil and gave us authority over him, but it's also a fact that we haven't exercised that authority. (Heb.2:9) But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, [even] Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every [man]. (10) For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory (These are His sons.), to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (11) For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one (We have one Father.): for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. So you see, we are sons of God first by faith and then by manifestation. Jesus, as the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:47), received this authority from God over all of creation, and we are in Him. As end-time saints, we are in Him as His body and even the lowest member, the "feet," have been given authority to "stomp" on the devil's kingdom. (Rom.16:20) And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. We've been given this authority, so what's the holdup here? The holdup is for us to be convinced about what the Bible says in black and white. It isn't a deep revelation; it's in the letter of the Word, and we need to step out and start exercising our authority according to His Word by faith. We have dominion over all the works of God's hand! It makes no sense to think God would have given this dominion to Adam, a physical, natural creation, but would not have given it to His spiritual creation, sons born after the Image of Jesus Christ. Start imagining yourself as a son of God with authority. See yourself that way. (Psa.8:4) What is man, that thou art mindful of him? (In other words, why would you pay any attention to man?) And the son of man (That's not only Adam, but his children. That's not only Christ, but His children.), that thou visitest him? (Psa.8:5) For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor. (6) Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: (7) All sheep and oxen, Yea, and the beasts of the field, (8) The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. Do you remember when the disciples had been fishing all night without catching anything until the Lord commanded the fish into their net? (Joh.21:6) And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. And (Psa.8:9) O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth! Our words and actions must agree with God's Word. Psalm 8 and Hebrews 2 are parallel in speaking about Adam and his children, and Christ and His children, both having dominion over the work of God's hands. Everything Jesus said agrees with this. (Mat.18:18) Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Because we don't understand this principle, we are continually loosing the devil to terrorize us. We are continually loosing the curse to take dominion over us. We are continually doing this because we are disagreeing with the Word of God. This is what happens when we speak contrary to the Word of God, and we act contrary to the Word of God. Many of God's people don't yet understand that they have this authority to loose the devil. They loose him when they disagree with God's Word. They loose him when they agree with these spirits that rule over the lusts of the flesh. If you agree with them, they are going to rule over you, as with Adam and Eve. We have authority over the work of God's hands. We have authority over the things that God has given us. We have authority over our automobiles and our washing machines; literally anything we have stewardship of. It doesn't make any difference what it is; we have authority. Some of you have exercised your authority and commanded healing for people, and God healed them, or you've commanded healing over broken appliances or cars, and God healed them, too. What we have to do is be convinced that we have the authority of creative power in us. (Joh.20:21) Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. This means that the Father sent Jesus with authority over the works of His hands, and everywhere He went, He exercised authority. And He said, "Even so send I you." He sent us with that same authority. (Mat.28:18) And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go ye therefore... Why did He say that? He said it because He was passing that authority on to His disciples. (Mat 28:19)  Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: (Just in case you believe this was only for the Apostles, He addresses all nations of disciples saying this.) 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you (so we all have the authority they had.): and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  And in another Gospel He said in (Mar.16:17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe... "Them that believe" includes every believer. Every believer has authority in the second heaven, too. That's where Satan rules, and he reaches from the second heaven into the first heaven to rule as prince of the powers of the air in this world (Ephesians 2:2). We can read that here, where Jesus talks to Peter and the disciples. (Mat.16:18) And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (19) I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven... What Matthew 16:19 actually says in the original is "the kingdom of the heavens." Over in Matthew 18:18, which we've looked at, the word used is "heaven," singular, because it's only talking about the third heaven, but Matthew 16 is talking about all the "heavens," plural. It says in the Nestle's Text, the three most ancient manuscripts, "the kingdom of the heavens." It says in the Numeric English New Testament, "the kingdom of the heavens." Other translations just haven't copied it correctly. This verse correctly reads, (Mat.16:19) I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of the heavens: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in the heavens... That means you are binding in the second heaven too. But even in the third heaven we bind or loose by unbelief or faith. The devil is hidden from us in the second heaven, another realm, and he rules from there as prince of the power of the air in the first heaven, but we have authority in the realm of the second heaven when we obey the principles of God's Word. (Mat.16:19) I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of the heavens: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in the heavens; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in the heavens. That doesn't say that we are going to destroy everything the devil does because God doesn't want to do that. God sent the devil here to administer the curse, such as when apostle Paul turned a man over to Satan (1Co.5:5) ... for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. God still does this today, so He doesn't want to destroy the power of the devil. God wants to destroy the power of the devil in the life of the believer. Jesus didn't give the keys to just Peter, as some people mistakenly read this verse. Jesus was talking to all of His disciples. (Mat.16:20) Then charged he the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ. What made Jesus speak of Peter in the first place? It was because of what Peter had spoken. (Mat.16:13) Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is? (14) And they said, Some [say] John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. (15) He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am? (16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. (18) And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. He wasn't talking about Peter alone. What was shown to Peter was the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God. This was the rock. Everybody who is saved has gotten that revelation. It is a foundational revelation. Everybody with that revelation has authority if they believe. This is the "key of David." (Isa.22:22) And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. Everybody who is saved has the key of the Kingdom of Heaven but only a few will manifest it. (Rev.3:7) And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth. Jesus in the believer has the authority of the key of David. "And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." The name "Peter" is the Greek word petros, which means "a small rock or stone such as a man may throw." We are all one of these. But the Greek word for "rock" in this verse is petra, and it means "a huge mass of rock (a boulder), such as a projecting cliff." All of us small rocks who make up the body of Christ could also corporately be this huge Rock. Peter himself said that Jesus was the Rock. (1Pe.2:3) If ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious: (4) unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious, (5) ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (6) Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. (7) For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; (8) and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. Peter said that we are "living stones" and all of the disciples are "living stones." Peter didn't believe that he was the huge Rock. We are living stones in God's building, and that whole building is petra, a mass of rock. Jesus is the foundation of the building of the Body of Christ. He is the Chief Corner Stone, which is missing from the Great Pyramid because He is in heaven, but that Chief Corner Stone also looks like the rest of the building, which is the body of Christ. He is the Foundation and the Head, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13), and the many stones are His body, just like the Great Pyramid represents. [Note: According to Josephus, the Great Pyramid is a prophecy built by Enoch and his sons.] Peter didn't exercise any more authority than the rest of the apostles. God gave all of His disciples the authority to bind things in the second heaven (Ephesians 2:2), things in the third heaven (Matthew 24:31; 2 Corinthians 12:2), and things in the first heaven (Mark 13:27). God's peopare not doing the works of Jesus Christ because they don't realize this authority is also theirs. We need to get this understanding down in our hearts because the devil's been given authority from God to make war on the saints. God sent an adversary so that not only would we learn to fight, but we would learn to fight and win! Did you know that if you fight the devil, you are going to be warring with your flesh? When you fight the spirit of fear, you are going to conquer fear in yourself. If you fight the spirit of lust, you are going to conquer lust in yourself. God has to send the devil because he reveals to you what is inside you. When you come against him by faith, you are not only consuming the lusts, you are not only plundering the devil's kingdom as far as the ground that he has taken in your life, but you are plundering him (Matthew 12:25-30; Mark 3:20-27; Luke 11:14-23). You are overcoming his spirits. Take your Promised Land. Conquer the carnal man that lives in it. Use the authority God gave you! This is your God-given right! Praise the Lord! Now, let me share another wonderful testimony with you called:   Faith in God's Word Plundered the Devil by sister L.W. About a year ago, the Lord showed me that I had a spirit of rejection. I received it through the bloodline of my dad. My grandparents tried to abort him. His siblings constantly reminded him that he was not wanted. The spirit of rejection took all my life experiences and twisted them in my head. It made me take everything personally and made me perceive its version of the truth instead of reality. Kids are cruel in school, and everybody is picked on in some way. They picked on me because I'm a redhead. So I saw my hair as a physical disfigurement. I thought if I were pretty, people would like me despite the color of my hair. When I would get beaten up by the boys after school, I thought I was the only one getting picked on. I didn't have any black eyes but there was a lot of hair-pulling, kicking, biting, scratching, and punching. I thought it was all because of the color of my hair. And I thought because I was different, I would never be accepted; and I hated myself and my hair. During this time, I developed nervous facial tics. My mom told me to stop, but I told her that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't. I told her my face would feel extremely funny and the only relief was to allow the tic. She told me to rub my face every time I felt that and I did. The Most High God had mercy on me and broke the nervous tics that very instant, and I was immediately delivered.  A couple of years later in the summer, I woke up and the left side of my face was paralyzed and felt heavy. When I would blink, my left eye wouldn't close. When I smiled, only half my face would smile. My dad thought I was just making funny faces and told me if I didn't stop my face would stick. But very quickly, he realized this was a serious medical condition. The doctors discovered I had Bell's Palsy and informed us there was no cure and that I would have to live with this the rest of my life. Later, I asked my parents if that was really true. Would I have to live with this the rest of my life? I felt ugly enough having red hair, without adding a paralyzed face to the equation. And they said, "We serve a God who heals. He is a healing God." Being a child, I thought my parents were smarter than the doctors. So I put my faith in what they told me and ignored what the doctors said. The Lord completely healed my face within seven days. The doctors were stunned. The healing was so complete, there is not even the slightest trace even to this very day, despite the doctors' report. When my parents became missionaries to Swaziland, I was so ecstatic, looking forward to a fresh start. Maybe there they would accept my red hair. Little did I know that the country we were going to believed people with red hair were witch doctors. Now, not only did the color of my hair stand out, but the color of my skin, too. I was really different. I felt I would never fit in. I didn't know the language and couldn't understand their accent—even when they spoke in English. The Swazi kids were actually loving and gentle, unlike the American kids, and they were intrigued by me. They wanted to touch my hair and skin and smell me, but I felt intimidated. (After my sister read this testimony, she told me those Swazi kids loved me and loved playing marbles with me during recess.) The love they gave me, the spirit of rejection stole from me. I thought I was the dumbest one in my class. The standard of schooling was much higher than in the States, and the kids laughed at me because I didn't know the answers when the teacher called on me. Inevitably, there was always somebody who had pity on me and whispered the answer to me. The spirit of rejection twisted my thoughts. Once again I felt rejected. I was a loner. I thought there was something wrong with me because I was dumb. I wanted to be anybody else but me. Because there was no high school in the country we lived in, I was forced to go to boarding school. I went to an all-white, all-girls high school in South Africa. Suddenly, my hair became my greatest asset. I became interested in fashion and beauty and surrounded myself with prim and proper British tea-drinking girls who were gossips and snobs. I was the queen of beauty secrets, sharing them with everybody. Even during my short-lived popularity, inside I still felt dumb and ugly. I felt I was the object of gossip and that the girls were looking down their noses at me. After three years of boarding school, my family moved to Johannesburg, South Africa. I was finally able to live at home with my parents and go to a public school. No longer was I surrounded by prim and proper British girls, but fighting Jezebels. My sister and I rode the school bus. The Jezebels would not allow us to sit, even though there was a vacant seat. They said the seats were reserved. I was determined to sit because I didn't want to have to stand through high school. The girls converged on my sister and me. They pulled our hair, tore our dresses, kicked, scratched, bit, punched and burned us with their cigarettes. I stood up for myself and protected my sister. At that point in my life, I didn't know to turn the other cheek. I prayed and asked God to give me strength. After a while, they gave up. After I graduated from high school, I returned to the States to go to college. Before school started, I lived a few months with relatives. During those months, the spirit of rejection made me feel more alone than ever. Even though I had returned to the land of my birth, I realized I had become a foreigner. I was stranger than ever. My clothes were the latest in fashion in Europe, but they just didn't go in Wyoming. There was nothing indecent about them, but a pastor's wife wrote a letter to my parents stating I looked like a streetwalker and carbon copied it to the church headquarters. Apparently, nothing but jeans, cowboy boots, or tennis shoes was accepted. My clothes were too colorful and different. The day finally came when I was able to go to college and move into the dorm. God blessed me with a fabulous roommate and we became immediate friends. She helped me adjust to the American way of life. I became more confident. I finally started having fun, but didn't study enough; I got kicked out of two church colleges with which my parents were affiliated. I was labeled a rogue missionary kid who dressed like a streetwalker. In my shame, I went back home to South Africa. All my life I was judged by my hair and now I have begun to judge other people by their hair. One night I dreamed I was walking on a busy sidewalk in a big city. The sidewalk was crowded with people walking to and fro. There was a long, green snake gliding at shoulder level. When our eyes met, he immediately came at me and coiled himself tightly around my ponytail. I grabbed him with my right hand and tried to pull him out of my hair, but he was coiled so tightly, he wouldn't budge. I woke up. At this time, I didn't know anything about the importance of dreams. But it was so vivid that I never forgot it. Eventually, my head started to itch and burn. I thought to myself, "Whatever you do, never itch in public." I didn't want to act like the baboons in Africa, always scratching. A couple of years went by and ridges started to form on my scalp, but I ignored it. Later, I got married and moved into my husband's house. Within a week, I realized I had made a huge mistake. He became physically abusive and would often kick me out. In an effort not to worry my parents and hide my shame, I spent the nights at a hotel and kept going back. The abuse became more frequent. I felt like I was having a nightmare and couldn't wake up. It became increasingly difficult to hide the abuse from my family and from work. I found out he was addicted to pornography (that's why he would kick me out). I thought I had married a Christian. One morning, he came at me with full force. I couldn't get away because he was so much bigger and stronger. I grabbed the phone and dialed 9-1-1, but he slammed the receiver down. "God, get me out of here. Help me!" I cried. A few minutes later, a police car pulled up. Shocked, I didn't recognize myself when I looked in the mirror that day. Somebody else was staring at me! We had only been married four months, four days. This was the ultimate rejection and betrayal. For the next two and a half years, we were separated, but trying to work things out. Even during that time, he was physically abusive. My family was afraid he was going to kill me. When I was with him, they would often call. If I did not answer, they would call the police. It ended in divorce. I went to my mom's beauty shop for a haircut. She told me I needed to see the dermatologist because the ridges at the crown of my head had turned a reddish purple. The dermatologist did a biopsy and discovered I had a rare condition called Pseudopelade of Brocq. She gave me little green pills to take. The first morning I took one, I was doubled over in pain within 20 minutes. No matter how hard I tried to take those pills, I was never able to keep them down. I called the dermatologist to ask her what the pills were supposed to do. She said they wouldn't cure my scalp condition—they would only stop the burning and itching. I threw those useless pills out. They were not going to free me from the green snake coiled up in my hair. The name of that snake is Jealousy. When the LORD showed me the root cause of the problem, I repented from my sins of pride and vanity. (Isa.3:16) Moreover, the Lord said, Because the daughters of Zion are proud And walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, And go along with mincing steps And tinkle the bangles on their feet, (17) Therefore the Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs, And the Lord will make their foreheads bare. (24) ... Instead of wellset hair, a plucked-out scalp. I lived under a mountain of condemnation. No matter how much I forgave and repented of my sins, I always felt like God was mad at me. I am the elder of two girls and I felt like I was Esau and my sister was Jacob. (Heb.12:17) For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears. (Rom.9:13) Just as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. I was jealous of my sister. I felt like I was Leah and my sister was Rachel. I was unloved and my sister was loved. I was the one who had weak eyes and couldn't please my Heavenly Father, while my sister was given wisdom and favor with God and man. The LORD gave me: (Gal.3:27) For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. This verse changed my life. A year before this, my dad baptized me into Jesus Christ, which meant I fulfilled the beginning of the verse. If I was baptized into Jesus Christ, then I was clothed with Christ! I was bouncing off the walls! I was firmly convinced I was clothed with Christ. I told my family about that verse, confessing I was clothed in Christ. My dad and sister said I still had to manifestly be clothed in Christ. I told them that's not what the verse said. It was a very plain and simple verse. I understood it perfectly and I wasn't budging from my stance. I was so ecstatic over that verse and I told them with a huge smile on my face, "Nobody can talk me out of that promise." My mom turned to me and said, "Grab onto that promise with your stubborn mentality and don't let go." The next morning, something flew out of my left nostril with extreme force, waking me up. I heard the sound of a loud rushing wind and physically felt the force. Whatever it was hit my window and caused it to rattle. I jumped out of bed, expecting to see a broken window, but it was completely intact. That had never happened to me before, but I knew I didn't imagine or dream it. I told my family what happened. My dad said a demon was evicted because of my believing that verse. I was so happy! I became obsessed with cleansing myself from all defilement of flesh and spirit. By this time, my dad and sister were listening to me. A few mornings later while sleeping, my whole body cramped up painfully and then relaxed, causing me to wake up. I called my dad, crying on the phone, because I was afraid the demon had come back. He said the demon hadn't come back, but another demon had left and wracked my body on his departure. He said demons typically do that when they leave. I was so happy, jumping up and down, praising Jesus. A few days later, my chest still hurt. I had a big bruise on it to remind me of my deliverance. It was simply a gift Father gave me to believe His Word. His Word is true. When you submit yourself to God, the devil will flee from you. (Jas.4:7) Be subject therefore unto God: but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. I learned the importance of meditating on the word. Each night I would pick a verse. I came across (Sol.4:1) ...Your hair is like a flock of goats that have descended from Mount Gilead. Because of my hair and scalp condition, I was always attracted to any scripture that dealt with hair. I knew there was a spiritual meaning, but I didn't know what it was. Despite not understanding this verse, I was going to meditate on it anyway. I imagined my hair being like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead. As I meditated, I heard a voice that sounded like my own say, "Don't do that!" I flew out of bed and turned on the light. I looked under my pillows and tore my whole bed apart looking for something, but I knew not what. I realized it was a demon using my voice. He didn't like me meditating on that verse. I thought, "Stupid demon. If that verse is causing such an uproar with a demon, I'll meditate on it every waking moment!" The next day as I was meditating on the verse, I heard another voice squeal my name. The Word of God is alive! A few weeks later, my mom commented that there was a huge improvement while cutting my hair at the beauty shop. She said an amazing thing was happening—my hair was growing in thick and long. (Sol.7:5) Your head crowns you like Carmel, And the flowing locks of your head are like purple threads; The king is captivated by your tresses. It's easy to see the faults in other people, but it's difficult to see the faults in yourself. I decided to ask my sister what my problem was because I knew she would be brutally honest. She told me I had a spirit of rejection. She said that a demon was the cause of my scalp condition, and that I was easily offended and it manifested in my scalp being irritated and tender. I decided to take her at her word and fight the spirit of rejection. My sister showed me this scripture: (Luk.21:12) But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake. (13) It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. (14) So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; (15) for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. (16) But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, (17) and you will be hated by all because of My name. (18) Yet not a hair of your head will perish. Suffering rejection is a part of taking up your cross and following Jesus. It's forgiving those who do you wrong and turning the other cheek. A few weeks later I was at the mall with my family. I saw a really neat soap dispenser that I thought my mom should buy, but she said she didn't like it. Then I saw a perfect soap dispenser for my sister's bathroom, but she didn't like it either. The words, "So what's wrong with MY soap dispenser," flew out of my mouth! I was hearing them for the first time myself. I realized what I said was so outrageous and so unreasonable. For the first time, I saw how easily I was offended. I finally saw for myself the spirit of rejection in me. One night, I asked Father for a scripture by lot: (Luk.9:42) While he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father. I thought Jesus did it for the boy only and I wanted Him to do it for me. But then my sister showed me Jesus' words: (Mar.13:37) What I say to you I say to all. I was ecstatic! Jesus rebuked the spirit of rejection in me and healed me and gave me back to my Heavenly Father. The spirit of condemnation would overwhelm me. One night while meditating on (Rom.6:11) Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, another demon flew out from behind my right ear with force. I felt and heard a major vibration. I couldn't wait to tell my family. And I said to my sister, "You wouldn't believe what happened to me last night!" She asked, "Now what flew out of you?" (Luk.11:20) But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. I devoured the audio series, "The Curse of Unforgiveness" and I followed along in my Bible, highlighted scriptures, wrote notes and searched my heart for any unforgiveness that may have been lurking. I also devoured the audio series, "Overcoming Sin." I was on a mission to completely rid myself of the spirits of rejection, judgment and condemnation. I became obsessed with (2Co.7:1) Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Early one morning I dreamed I had bloodstains all over me. A little boy with blonde hair said to me, "Let me help you." I woke up, desperately wanting help! Immediately, when David Eells started the Bible study, "Deliverance from Rejection and Its Fear," I knew he was talking to me! The Man-child was helping me. My deliverance was already accomplished! I was set free from the spirit of rejection and condemnation! The mental torment has been removed from my mind. My family will no longer have to tread lightly. My Heavenly Father poured His love into me. I finally felt His acceptance. I was no longer rejected, but accepted. (Isa.43:3) For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place. (4) Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life. How can I possibly feel rejected? (Rom.8:31) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? I had been burnt to a crisp. But I learned the ashes of burning the wood, hay and stubble mixed with the water of the Word was a potent purifying cleanser, which is exactly what I needed. (Num.19:9) Now a man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and deposit them outside the camp in a clean place, and the congregation of the sons of Israel shall keep it as water to remove impurity; it is purification from sin. (Act.11:9) But a voice from heaven answered a second time, What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy. L.W.'s Prayer: Father, Have Mercy ... Father, I ask You, for anyone out there who is in bondage to sin, needing a healing, needing a restoration in their family, needing a restoration of fellowship, that You will convict them of their sins. Convict them to go and make things right with their brethren. If they've done sin, if they're unforgiving, whatever, convict them to go and make things right with their brethren and then come to You for their benefits: healing, deliverance, blessing, whatever, Lord. We thank you, Lord, for putting Your faith and conviction in hearts. Some are very hardened in their heart, Lord. We ask you to have mercy. Restore their consciences. Grant them this gift to be bold to confess their sins so that You may bless and preserve them and heal and deliver them. Father, we ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen. David: Yes, Amen! Our Lord Jesus has said in (Mat.6:15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Without the Father's forgiveness, we are living under the curse. (Mat.18:32) Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me: (33) shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee? (34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. (35) So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. The tormentors are the demons who administer the curse, which is partially described in Deuteronomy 28. Many are living under this and think it normal, but Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us... (Gal.3:13). Therefore, it would be of great benefit to you, saints, to also read or listen to these teachings. Deliverance From Rejection and its Fear https://ubm1.org/?page=deliverance   The Curse of Unforgiveness http://www.ubm1.org/books/pdf/TCOU.pdf https://www.ubm1.org/?page=sabs-onehour

Our Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace, wants us to experience peace with God. He also wants to give us inner, personal peace. But He also wants us to be at peace with others.These are incredible blessings -- peace with God, with ourselves, and with others. I've found they tend to work together. When we first have peace with God, we can then have peace within ourselves, which makes it much easier to have peace with others. Isn't it wonderful to lie your head on your pillow at night knowing you have all three of these "peace blessings"?Join me for Today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn moreScripture Used in Today's MessageRomans 12:18If you've not read my book, Takin' it to Their Turf. request a copy on my website, www.CampusAmerica.com.You'll be inspired, encouraged, and learn plenty about evangelism and spiritual warfare through the 70+ stories I share of my campus evangelism experiences.We send a copy to anyone who donates to our ministry, but if you can't do so, simply request a copy by sending us an email. Who do you know that needs to hear today's message? Go ahead and forward this to them, along with a prayer that God will use it in their life.To find Tom on Instagram, Facebook, TiKTok, and elsewhere, go to linktr.ee/tomthepreacher To support Tom Short Campus Ministries, click herehttps://www.tomthepreacher.com/support************ Do you want to have all your sins forgiven and know God personally? *********Check out my video "The Bridge Diagram" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Kjwrlind8&t=1sCheck out my website, www.CampusAmerica.com, to learn more about my ministry and sign up for my daily email. And make sure to request a copy of my book, Takin' it to Their Turf, when you visit my website.Check out my videos on this channel to learn how to answer tough questions challenging our faith.

Our Lord Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. He knelt to wash His disciples' feet, showing the depth of His humility and love, reminding them that they were already completely clean. He calls His followers to do the same—serving others with that same spirit of humble obedience. Scriptures: John 13: 1-15

Consider the greatest tragedy of all – the murder of the Lord Jesus. In John 12, just before Christ went to the cross, He declared the distress of His soul at the prospect. Should He pray His Father to save Him from this hour? But for the cause of making a sacrifice He came to this hour! Jesus described why He must die: like a kernel of wheat, unless it falls to the ground and dies, it brings forth no fruit. Christ must die, so that life could multiply unto all His loved ones! Christ here expresses His personal anguish at the prospect of the coming dreadful hour, when He will be punished for our sins laid upon Him. Yet, He knows that it must be done, and that His whole life was an intentional pursuit of this very dark hour. Finally, the Lord Jesus intimates that His death will be by crucifixion, so that all sorts of the world's people might learn the Gospel and be saved. And so, the greatest tragedy is this: that the only perfect man ever, must be murdered by the state, by the will of God, and by Christ's Own will, so that He might be sacrificed as God's pure Lamb, to cleanse and perfect His people from every stain of their sin. Our Lord Jesus suffered both physically and spiritually, with the thorns, the vicious floggings, the humiliation, the mocking, the shame. But the wrath for our sins was also laid upon Him on the cross by God, and He was punished in our place and treated as guilty for us. Christ is the only unguilty, innocent man ever seen in this world! That glorious outcome of the tragedy for us was also foretold by Christ on that horrible night: You now have sorrow, but I will see you again, & your heart shall rejoice, & your joy no man taketh from you!

David's final instructions for Solomon are found in 1 Kings 2. Note his emphasis was on sustaining Israel's currently high spiritual state and on Solomon's responsibility to ensure God's people walk before Him in faithfulness with all their heart, and soul. After that Solomon, as a wise ruler, needs watch the known troublemakers of his realm. So David died, at 70 years old, having guided the nation for 40 years. Adonijah, David's son, had an obvious agenda that was easily recognised by Solomon. Adonijah must be carefully watched. Adonijah tried, unsuccessfully, to use Bathsheba's influence over her son; so Solomon sent Benaiah to kill Adonijah. Solomon next put restrictions on Abiathar and Shimei, requiring them to remain within the gates of their virtual city of refuge. Both failed to comply and so were slain. Abiathar's death fulfilled the judgment of Eli's house spoken of in 1 Samuel 3 verses 12-14.In Jeremiah 29 we have Jeremiah's words to the exiles in Babylon and for those rebels remaining in Jerusalem to settle in Babylon , where they are to be taken, for the 70 years of their captivity. Judah should have listened to and obeyed the Word of Yahweh who had proven the prophetic authority given to Jeremiah. The actions of the vile figs of Judah were to yet again resist the Word of the Almighty. The false prophets of verse 21 would meet a fate similar to the two roasted in the fire by Nebuchadnezzar. Another false prophet, Shemaiah, is denounced in verses 24-32 for his rebellion against his Sovereign and was guaranteed an obscure death, not seeing the favour to be shown to the return of the exiles after the seventy years captivity. Mark 3 describes the Sabbath healing of a man's withered hand. This was most likely a ploy to trap and discredit Jesus. But it failed miserably. Jesus is followed by crowds who were affected by the miracles. Our Lord Jesus, after a night of prayer with his Father, selects 12 special disciples, who were called Apostles because of the commission given them. Note in verse 14 that part of their calling was for Jesus' need for companionship. We all need friends - companionship. Verses 20-21 tell us that when our Lord comes back to Capernaum his family sought to curtail his behaviour which was upsetting the Jewish leaders. Did his family believe him to be unbalanced? A debate over the authenticity of Jesus' miracles ensues as his enemies attribute the miracles to Beelzebul (the lord of the dung heap). The Master shows how illogical this was and indicated that these rulers were speaking blasphemy against God's Holy Spirit power. The chapter concludes with a further attempt by his own family to get him to desist from upsetting the religious authorities. Jesus educates his natural family by stating that his true family were to be found among those who understood and supported Jesus in his Father's work.

David's final instructions for Solomon are found in 1 Kings 2.  Note his emphasis was on sustaining Israel's currently high spiritual state and on Solomon's responsibility to ensure God's people walk before Him in faithfulness with all their heart, and soul. After that Solomon, as a wise ruler, needs watch the known troublemakers of his realm. So David died, at 70 years old, having guided the nation for 40 years. Adonijah, David's son, had an obvious agenda that was easily recognised by Solomon. Adonijah must be carefully watched. Adonijah tried, unsuccessfully, to use Bathsheba's influence over her son; so Solomon sent Benaiah to kill Adonijah. Solomon next put restrictions on Abiathar and Shimei, requiring them to remain within the gates of their virtual city of refuge.  Both failed to comply and so were slain. Abiathar's death fulfilled the judgment of Eli's house spoken of in 1 Samuel 3 verses 12-14. In Jeremiah 29 we have Jeremiah's words to the exiles in Babylon and for those rebels remaining in Jerusalem to settle in Babylon , where they are to be taken, for the 70 years of their captivity. Judah should have listened to and obeyed the Word of Yahweh who had proven the prophetic authority given to Jeremiah. The actions of the vile figs of Judah were to yet again resist the Word of the Almighty. The false prophets of verse 21 would meet a fate similar to the two roasted in the fire by Nebuchadnezzar. Another false prophet, Shemaiah, is denounced in verses 24-32 for his rebellion against his Sovereign and was guaranteed an obscure death, not seeing the favour to be shown to the return of the exiles after the seventy years captivity.  Mark 3 describes the Sabbath healing of a man's withered hand. This was most likely a ploy to trap and discredit Jesus. But it failed miserably. Jesus is followed by crowds who were affected by the miracles. Our Lord Jesus, after a night of prayer with his Father, selects 12 special disciples, who were called Apostles because of the commission given them. Note in verse 14 that part of their calling was for Jesus' need for companionship. We all need friends - companionship. Verses 20-21 tell us that when our Lord comes back to Capernaum his family sought to curtail his behaviour which was upsetting the Jewish leaders. Did his family believe him to be unbalanced? A debate over the authenticity of Jesus' miracles ensues as his enemies attribute the miracles to Beelzebul (the lord of the dung heap). The Master shows how illogical this was and indicated that these rulers were speaking blasphemy against God's Holy Spirit power. The chapter concludes with a further attempt by his own family to get him to desist from upsetting the religious authorities. Jesus educates his natural family by stating that his true family were to be found among those who understood and supported Jesus in his Father's work. More here  https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

Matthew 27 starts with Judas hanging himself when he saw that Jesus would not take his kingdom then, but would wrongfully suffer and submit to death. Then follow six sham trials - three before Jewish authorities and three before Roman officials. The marvel of our Lord's submission, his care and compassion for others is evident in the brief record of his crucifixion. Our Lord Jesus was totally in control of his mind despite being brutally scourged by the Romans - scourging was called the intermediate death for many a man died under the flaying of his flesh. Pilate may have hoped that the Jews would have pity on Jesus when he said: "Behold the man". But sadly they did not. Then our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. On the stake he spoke seven wonderful sayings - each of these from the holy Scriptures. Note our Lord Jesus' incredible submission to his wrongful treatment and contemplate the lessons that Peter draws for us in 1 Peter 2 verses18-25. That Jesus had mastery over himself as well as triumphing over his foes the Apostle Paul tells us: Colossians 2 verses 11-15. Jesus was buried in the unused tomb of Joseph of Aramithea, in fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah 53 verse 9. A guard of four temple soldiers was placed at the mouth of his tomb. This would contribute to the incontrovertible evidence that would accompany our Lord Jesus' resurrection.

2 Samuel 12 is about the LORD's restoration of David from his low ebb of wilful sin against his Heavenly Father to the time of David's resuming full and free fellowship with God. The prophet Nathan is sent to king David with a parable that was designed to wake the king from his state of selfishness and stir him into a recognition of what he had done. Only true repentance could restore him and the lesson learnt becomes an impetus for each of us to turn to the LORD to find healing. Nathan tells a parable about a wealthy arrogant and self centred man who takes from the poor man a precious ewe lamb, that was like a daughter to that man. How typical it is for some wealthy individuals to believe that the destitute exist for them to be exploited. This, however, was not characteristic of David. And so David was enraged at the lack of pity which the rich man had shown. Sin was the traveller who came to David and who caused David to behave uncharacteristically. The king commanded the death of the rich man and compensation of four times the loss be paid to the poor man. This was of course what the Law had demanded for a trespass offering. This offering spoke of restitution for deceit in relation to the holy things. Nathan dramatically says to David: You are the man. David fully understands his guilt, deception and lack of pity. David is condemned by his own mouth and is worthy to die. No offering could cover his sin. All he could do was to throw himself upon the mercy of the Almighty. The prophet says that the sword would not depart from David's house. David was to pay with the loss of four sons - the child that was born of his adultery with Bathsheba, Absalom, Amnon and Adonijah. As king David had done with Uriah's wife Bathsheba, so would David's son  - Absalom - do with the wives of his father David - but openly before all Israel. Nathan tells the king that Yahweh has put away David's transgression. Our sins will be forgiven if we repent and turn our hearts to our Sovereign. That doesn't mean that there will not be consequences flowing from our wrongs. Verses 16-23 tells us that the child born to Bathsheba became sick and died. David entreated his Maker to allow the child to live. The king was full of contrition and afflicted himself with fasting and not allowing music in his presence. When his son died David's servants were frightened to tell him lest he do something regrettable. But David rose up and washed putting on fresh clothes. They asked him why? He said he had hoped that God would show mercy to the child, but now the child had died entreating was pointless. David would, when he died, join his son in the unconscious sleep of death. Consolation was given to David and Bathsheba in the birth of another son who was born in a manner that pleased their Heavenly Father. Verse 26 records that Yahweh loved this child who was given the epithet - Jedidiah meaning "loved of Yah" and that child was later named Solomon meaning "peaceful". After being forgiven David wrote Psalms 32 and 51 to celebrate the mercy and loving kindness of the LORD God Almighty and to teach others about turning to their loving Father in the time of their need - see also Paul's comments in Romans 4 verses 5-8. 2 Samuel 12 finishes by describing the fall of Rabbah to Joab and the army and Joab's summoning David to be there as the city fell. It also describes David being crowned with the crown of the king of Rabbah and the great treasure taken. The Ammonites were then put to rigorous work by David.  Jeremiah 16 verses 1-4 tell of the LORD commanding Jeremiah not to marry because of the nearing judgments of God on Judah. The nation would be destroyed through famine, warfare and diseases leaving their carcasses as unburied dung on the ground. Verses 5-9 speak of the vast extent of the destruction. There would be no time to mourn the dead because of the uproar and chaos that rapidly spread over Judah. Normal life would be suspended as the exiles were dragged away with hooks through their bodies. In verses 10-13 the nation would bemoan their condition and protest that they did not deserve such treatment. Verses 14-21 foretell their restoration by their Almighty Sovereign. At that time Yahweh would be known for His deliverance of His people from the northern captivity rather than when He had earlier gained a Name for delivering His nation from Egypt. Verses 16-18 reveal that prior to this time of restoring GOD would save them from life threatening destruction. Modern Israel came through great pogroms and near extinction during the Nazi holocaust. The Nazis were the "hunters" whereas the Zionists - such as Theodore Hertzl - were the "fishers" who sought to entice Jewish people to return to their ancestral homeland - Israel: see Ezekiel 37-38, Deuteronomy 28 verses 64-68. Verses 19-21 say that eventually Israel would acknowledge their sins and idolatry and finally return to the true and living God. In that day Israel will know their God by experience and not just theoretically: Ezekiel 37:28; 38 verse 23, Joel 3 verses 14-21; Romans 11 verses 13-24. Matthew 27 starts with Judas hanging himself when he saw that Jesus would not take his kingdom then, but would wrongfully suffer and submit to death. Then follow six sham trials - three before Jewish authorities and three before Roman officials. The marvel of our Lord's submission, his care and compassion for others is evident in the brief record of his crucifixion. Our Lord Jesus was totally in control of his mind despite being brutally scourged by the Romans - scourging was called the intermediate death for many a man died under the flaying of his flesh. Pilate may have hoped that the Jews would have pity on Jesus when he said: "Behold the man". But sadly  they did not. Then our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. On the stake he spoke seven wonderful sayings - each of these from the holy Scriptures. Note our Lord Jesus' incredible submission to his wrongful treatment and contemplate the lessons that Peter draws for us in 1 Peter 2 verses18-25. That Jesus had mastery over himself as well as triumphing over his foes the Apostle Paul tells us: Colossians 2 verses 11-15. Jesus was buried in the unused tomb of Joseph of Aramithea, in fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah 53 verse 9. A guard  of four temple soldiers was placed at the mouth of his tomb. This would contribute to the incontrovertible evidence that would accompany our Lord Jesus' resurrection.

Jesus Delivered Us (6) (audio) David Eells – 7/20/25 We don't want to look too far down the road or worry about the “giants” that are in our Promised Land, because the Bible says, (Mat.6:34) Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Just take the steps that are in front of you to come against the flesh and come against the spirits. Do the spiritual warfare that you can. He says, “Oh that my people would hearken unto me … I would soon subdue their enemies.” If you just walk in the right direction and swing your Sword, you are going to win the battle. (Jos.10:8) And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thy hands; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. If you repent of what you know is wrong and hold fast to faith, you cannot help but win the battle. (Psa.81:14) I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their adversaries. (15) The haters of the Lord should submit themselves unto him: But their time should endure for ever. (16) He would feed them also with the finest of the wheat; And with honey out of the rock would I satisfy thee. These are God's promises to us, but in your Promised Land, it is up to you, not the Lord, to give no place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). Nowhere in Scripture are we to pray for the Lord to conquer our Promised Land. He gave us that authority, and He told us to take up our Sword and put the original inhabitants of the land to death. (Exo.23:32) Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. These are the lusts of the flesh and demon spirits. Make no covenant, no treaty, with them, although it's very easy to do because your flesh is always trying to bribe you or buy you out. Your flesh is always trying to get you to justify your position so that you can feel good while you live in the lusts of the flesh, but God says, “Make no covenant with them.” Have no affinity, no accord, with them. Do not humble yourself to them; instead, be merciless. God told them when they went into the Promised Land to have no mercy. (Deu.7:2) And when the Lord thy God shall deliver them up before thee, and thou shalt smite them; then thou shalt utterly destroy them: thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them. He wanted them to kill their enemies who controlled their land. There was one tribe, the Gibeonites, who deceived the Israelites into making a covenant with them (Joshua 9), and God was angry about that. Those Gibeonites ended up being a real thorn in their side (Joshua 10:1-28; 2 Samuel 21:1-14). (Num.33:55) But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then shall those that ye let remain of them be as pricks in your eyes, and as thorns in your sides, and they shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. God said, “Have no mercy; slaughter them.” This is a type of us coming against our old lusts. He warned, (Exo.23:33) They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me; for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee. This is the truth, and so He said, “They shall not dwell in your land.” Remember that God does not order us to do anything that we cannot do through His power. (Php.4:13) I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. People love to use this verse for material things but think about the spiritual things for which you can use this verse. You can overcome any lust of the flesh. Pray and examine your life and see what lust it is that has been taking advantage of you. Write it down and give some thought to it. Exercise faith against it because you have authority over that lust, and you will win when you swing your sword. That is God's promise. The best defense is a good offense, and when you go against the devil, being on the offense is the thing that brings him confusion. If you do not act to swing your sword, he is going to conquer you. That means we don't have any other choice but to take up our Sword and go into our Promised Land and win this battle. I know there are a lot of groups out there promoting instant sanctification through deliverance. People say, “Make it easy on me! Just cast all the demons out of me!” Well, we're wrestling with principalities, powers and rulers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12) and there are no shortcuts; there are some things we have to do. You have to obey the Word of God, understand your authority, and exercise your authority over these demons. If you do that, the results can be dramatic; however, there is no way to get around repentance. You cannot cast demons out of people who will not repent; you will just waste your time and the demons will run you in circles. The Bible says, (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. Unrighteousness not only includes the demons, but also the lusts of the flesh. Demons come and prey upon the lusts of the flesh. The Lord Jesus said, (Joh.14:30) … for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me. There was no “place,” no foothold, no ground in Him. (Eph.4:27) Neither give place (That's the Greek word topon meaning “place” or “region.”) to the devil. If you are “giving ground” to the devil, he will be there, and if you try to cast him out, he is still going to be there. If you are giving ground to him, he has a legal right to be there and he knows it. The devil knows his rights. The devil is a really good lawyer and he knows this Word better than you. There are no shortcuts, Saints. If you want deliverance from a demon that has been giving you trouble, maybe all of your life, you first have to confess your sins. The demon may have been passed on to you through your parents or come through your giving in to sin; if there is no confession, you will not prosper against that demon. (Pro.28:13) He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper (He is not going to conquer his Promised Land, but it goes on to say,): Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. There's the condition, and here it is again. (Pro.28:18) Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once There is no shortcut in deliverance. If you don't confess but still somehow manage to get the demon out, he will come right back. He will just laugh at you or feign obedience and hide himself. You will not have accomplished a thing. You'll soon find out that you have the same problem and you'll wonder why it did not work. The reason it didn't work is because you did not obey. Do you want deliverance that gives you power and authority over the devil? Repentance with confession is the only way. It is the Blood that causes the death angel to pass over, and how is the Blood “applied”? (1Jn.1:7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. It takes repentance to walk in the light, but a lot of people don't want to hear about the repentance part. They say, “Just come and cast these demons out of me.” This is why I say to examine yourself and find out if there is something you need to confess, and not just confess it to the Lord. The Bible says, (Jas.5:16) Confess therefore your sins one to another… Find somebody who is trustworthy and confess your sin to them; you don't need to confess your sin in front of everybody unless you have offended everybody. You see, God wants to humble you; that's why He says to confess your sins one to another. God does not want us to cover up our sin. It's easy to confess your sin to God and then just go on covering it up. There's a great motivation to turn from sin when you know that God expects you to confess your sin to someone. It has to be true repentance when confession is made. Don't be fooled by self-pity, because that can look a lot like repentance, but it might just be self-pity, which is what Esau had, and he lost his inheritance. (Heb.12:17) For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind (That's what “repentance” is, it's a “change of mind.”) [in his father, (Not in the Greek)] though he sought it diligently with tears. He could not change HIS mind. You may have seen people cry, with tears running freely, yet they never change their ways. “Repentance” is not crying; “repentance” is “changing your mind.” There are many people full of self-pity because of the curse upon them. They want the curse off of them, but they're not willing to pay the price to get it. (Heb.12:14) Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord (This doesn't sound as if sanctification is an instantaneous process here, if He said to “follow after” it.): looking carefully lest there be any man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled (Yes, bitterness can defile a lot of people, and this is why it needs to be dealt with immediately.); (16) lest there be any fornication, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat (He was following after the flesh.) sold his own birthright. (17) For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected (He was “reprobated.”); for he found no place for a change of mind though he sought it diligently with tears. You may wonder, “Well, what was wrong with his repentance?” It looks as if it was just self-pity. Godly sorrow brings repentance that does not let you turn and go back. (2Co.7:9) I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance (The Greek word there is metanoia and it means “a change of mind, change in the inner man.”); for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing. (10) For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret (You will not fall back into the sin.): but the sorrow of the world worketh death. Do you know why “the sorrow of the world worketh death”? It's because when people are “sorry” in the way that the world understands “sorry,” they think that's all they need for God to forgive them, but then they fall right back into the sin. Seeing no power of God, they become discouraged and just go back into the world. We are responsible to repent, not just to be sorry. We must have sorrow unto repentance. The Bible says you have to change your mind and changing your mind may not even involve tears. I've seen people who blame all their problems on demons. These people run around looking for somebody to get the demons out of them, and if you try to help such people but fail, they'll blame you. In their eyes, it's your fault. It's always everybody's fault, except theirs. Getting demons out of people who sincerely repent and believe is not a problem, but the shallower a person's depth of commitment and repentance, the harder it is to get the demons out. If commitment to discipleship and repentance is deep, it's very easy to get demons out because God is always on your side. He is always there with discernment and direction. He is always there to force the demons to the surface. It's easy to get demons out of a repentant person. It's very hard to get them out of a person whose “repentance” is very shallow. Now, when we talk about the warfare of our mind, the Bible says we are to be (2Co.10:5) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. This is our spiritual warfare, because the primary way that the devil gets a foothold is when you don't cast down thinking that is not of God. Most demons come because you have given in to sin, and demon spirits are also passed on to us genetically through the blood. You can do something about that, too, but before or even after you came to the Lord, in some way, you gave in to sin. If you ask, “David, do you mean that before I came to the Lord, I had demons, and I still have them now that I've come to the Lord?” Yes, you need to remember that the Lord said He would not drive them all out at one time, and He meant that. Now it's possible that when people come to the Lord, some may receive total deliverance over areas of their lives that you're still wrestling with. You are wrestling with something; they are wrestling with something else. Some parts of their lives have been cleansed, and some parts of your life have been cleansed. God has left you some enemies to fight, and He has left them some enemies to fight. There are things in your former life that were dealt with by the Blood of Jesus, and now they are gone, and their gods are gone, too. They have been conquered. I am not talking about going back and dealing with sins that are covered by and washed in the Blood or things from which you are already delivered, but there are some things that we had in our former life that we carried over into this life. The temptation, the struggle, and the demon are still there. Those things that may still be troubling you were there in your former life. Before you were born again, that demon entered in and that's why you're having to deal with those temptations right now. Maybe it's a temptation that you've had all of your life, and demons are still taking advantage of you because that sin has not been washed in the Blood. Otherwise, you would have been cleansed of all unrighteousness. (1Jn.1:7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. This is the cleansing, washing away, of the nature of sin. Of course, our whole life is under the Blood by faith, but when God pulls back that Covering, letting you see a particular sin, then it's time for you to take the Sword and come against it. But when you're in a trial of your faith, don't go back and dredge up those things that are gone, because that's just the devil trying to condemn you for things done in your past. The apostle Paul tells us how to deal with that problem. (Php.3:12) Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I could not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing [I do], forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, (14) I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. God led His people through the Promised Land to be faced with enemies one at a time, and that's the way for us every day. Little by little, we are faced with our enemies, our temptations, and that's when the old flesh rises up and gives you the chance to swing your Sword. You might never have seen that particular enemy without a trial that caused the temptation to come to the surface. People like to pray away trials, but you see, God brings us through trials to show us the enemy. You cannot pray away trials because (Act.14:22) … through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. It is tribulation itself that causes you to enter into the Kingdom. You are faced with something that causes the lusts of the flesh to surface, so that you get to see them and fight them and get free of them. This reminds me of Peter speaking to Ananias. (Act.5:3) Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit …? Ananias was responsible for that sin. Peter was not blaming the sin on the demon; he was blaming the sin on the person. (1Co.5:7) Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump… In this chapter, Paul speaks of fornicators, liars, drunkards, and so forth, telling them to (1Co.5:13) … Put away the wicked man from among yourselves. You may protest, “Wait a minute, David! They just have demons! They need deliverance!” No, the Bible says those people are responsible for giving in to that demon, so that means the demon is not responsible. If people are believers, then they have the power to repent and conquer that demon. When we understand that we are responsible for sin, then we understand that we have to repent. There is only one instance in the Scriptures where it teaches that the person to be delivered does not have to repent. (Mar.5:1) And they (the apostles) came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. (2) And when he (Jesus) was come out of the boat, straightway there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. You find in Scripture that these spirits are called “unclean spirits.” “Spirits of infirmity” are also called “unclean spirits.” (Mark 1:23,9:25; Luke 9:42; etc.) Well, an “unclean spirit” is just a demon, and all demons are unclean. (2) …, straightway there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, (3) who had his dwelling in the tombs: and no man could any more bind him, no, not with a chain; (4) because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: and no man had strength to tame him. Christians have physically wrestled and fought with those who have demons, but you should never do that. Your authority only stands as Jesus' authority. He gave you the authority to cast out demons. If you get out from under your God-given authority and into the flesh, the demons can hurt you. Just exercise your authority and command them to “Sit down and be quiet in the Name of Jesus.” Believe and they will obey you. (Mar.5:5) And always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones. (Every last one of these demons causes one to be self-destructive, and they are out to destroy you, too.) (6) And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped him; (7) and crying out with a loud voice, he saith, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? (When they become excited or are faced with authority, many times, they cry out with a loud voice.) I adjure thee by God, torment me not. (8) For he said unto him, Come forth, thou unclean spirit, out of the man. The Bible says, (Mat.8:16) … and he cast out the spirits with a word. With the man in the tombs, He commanded it, upsetting the demon, and the demon began speaking. Sometimes when you command them to come out, they will start speaking. They will sit and talk with you all day long if you encourage dialogue, because they would like to deceive you with all kinds of information. This is not what you want. Our example is (Luk.4:35) And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no hurt. Just tell them, “Shut up and come out.” Do not seek knowledge from a demon by speaking with them. This is an abomination in the sight of the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:10; Exodus 22:18; 1 Chronicles 10:13; etc.) People like to use this next verse to say that we should ask demons questions, but as we can see, this is not the norm. (Mar.5:9) And he asked him, What is thy name? (This is the only example in Scripture where Jesus asked a demon, “What is your name?”) And he saith unto him, My name is Legion; for we are many. There is generally a “captain,” a lead spirit in the bunch, who speaks for all, and many people in deliverance ministry have gotten this revelation by talking with demons. Here, it is very clear. (Mar.5:9) … My name is Legion; for we are many. (10) And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. In another account, the demons asked not to be sent to the pit. (Luk.8:31) And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss. Commanding demons to go to the pit seems to be common among deliverance ministries. Well, we do not have that example, not one, in Scripture. Jesus did not command that here, and if there had been a reason to put those demons out of commission, don't you think that Jesus would have sent them to the pit? Demons have a good purpose on this earth, and that is to torment those who love sin, as we learned earlier. Remember the example of Paul turning Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan (1Ti.1:20) … that they might be taught not to blaspheme. It was to teach them a lesson. Another example from Paul was the man in fornication with his father's wife in (1Co.5:5) to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. When a person has repented, Jesus wants them to be delivered, but the job of demons is to make life miserable until you decide to repent. Even if all the demons you ever cast out were sent to the pit, there still would be more than enough left to handle the job. Let me share a testimony with you:   Sins of Flesh Fell Off Me by M. G. I was living and working in Japan when I first heard David speaking the real gospel of Jesus. I was always looking into eschatology and prophecy because I reckon the Lord was softening me up to hear the truth. I was a bit afraid of the end, as I was not a very godly person…. I'm not really sure how I found the teachings. I was at “The Edge Radio Show” on the internet and decided to listen to David in the archives. I had never heard of him. To my knowledge, I wasn't looking for anything he had to say, but the Lord led me to listen. I was raised Baptist and heard all that “fire and brimstone” from shouting, gasping old-time Baptist preachers. It never did that much for me. I've heard what the Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Lutherans, and even some Pentecostals had to say. But I never heard anyone speak with true power, authority and anointing, till I heard him speak that day on the computer. It knocked my socks off! I had never heard anything like it! And it was shot through completely with the glow of TRUTH. It spoke to my heart. I listened to all that he had to say and put it in my heart. It didn't lead me down the road right away to the crucified life and/or even a much closer walk with the Lord, but the seed had been planted. I was covered up with the cares of this wretched world. It probably took me another year before I started going to the UBM website, listening to the audios and coming to the Paltalk meetings. [Paltalk was an interactive chat we had during the live broadcast; we now have online teachings and the Outreach conferences twice weekly.] I started praying and seeking the Lord. I was devouring the teachings online with every free moment, learning a great deal. I received the baptism of water and the Holy Spirit. A lot, but not all, of the sin of my past life just fell away. I sought prayer in faith and agreement from UBM to quit smoking and drinking to excess, and it happened. My deliverance was not overnight, but all that stuff just withered on the vine over a period of weeks. I never even had any withdrawal symptoms. I just never smoked, or wanted to smoke, another cigarette ever again. All these things happened by the power of the risen Christ. I would never have been able to do it on my own. I had been a big smoker and drinker for almost thirty years. Try as I might, I had never been able to give up those bad habits.  I praise God for His love and mercy on me. I've never been tempted to smoke another cigarette, ever. I never get the feeling, “Oh, boy, do I need a drink!” It just doesn't happen. Praise His Name! Whenever I feel weak in my faith, I always hang on to the knowledge of the deliverance given to me by my loving Father through His Son, Our Lord Jesus. Now, demons are going to seek a body to live in because that is where they have what they call “rest.” The demon addressing Jesus said in (Mar.5:7) … What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, torment me not. They know that they are supposed to have rest until the “time” (Matthew 8:29). Jesus said (Mat.12:43) But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not. He returns to the house out of which he came. They do not find rest in “waterless places.” It would be like you having to go through a desert; it's not where you want to go, is it? You would like to go where things are comfortable and cool, where there is plenty of water. It is torment to a demon to be outside of a body because in the pit, the abyss, there is no flesh for them through which they can fulfill their lusts. That's the problem for them, so on earth, they always want a body to inhabit, even if that body is an animal. (Mar.5:11) Now there was there on the mountain side a great herd of swine feeding. (12) And they besought him (Jesus), saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. (13) And he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the sea, [in number] about two thousand; and they were drowned in the sea. They really want to fulfill their lusts through people, but if they cannot have people, they will use pigs, etc.. I have talked to demons and there is a chain of command with them, a hierarchy. A lot of lower demons are extremely stupid; the lusts consuming them trip them up. For instance, they may be so prideful and so arrogant, wanting to show themselves, that they'll tip their hand. You will know what they are doing. And you'll find that the further down the line you go, the more stupid they are. Didn't the demons know that pigs cannot swim? How long are demons going to last in a herd of pigs that have been run off into a lake? The Bible tells us that Satan's wisdom was corrupted because of his beauty. (Eze.28:17) Thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I have cast thee to the ground; I have laid thee before kings, that they may behold thee. If he had wisdom, he would have stayed where he was in heaven, but instead, his wisdom became corrupted. Demons cause destruction, as with the demoniac and the pigs. They cause whatever flesh they are in to be self-destructive. (I'm going to share some testimonies showing demons' destructive tendencies.) Notice that at the beginning of the story of the demoniac, it's just the leader, Legion, who is speaking (Luke 8:26), but as soon as Jesus commands them to come out, all of them start speaking (Luke 8:31-32). Many times when you are dealing with demons, more of them will manifest, and after you cast one out, sometimes another one will manifest. The Holy Spirit is causing them to manifest themselves as the Lord is driving them out before you. If you suspect something else is there, you have the authority to command a demon to manifest. You should be aware, also, that demons love to distract people and they'll put on a show for you, but don't get caught up in their theatrics. (Mar.9:25) And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together (He did not want a spectacle.), he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. Some people will help the demons put on a show, but we should avoid that at all costs. Our example is Jesus, and nowhere did Jesus let them put on a show. Actually, it's best to avoid having conversations with them. I have read quite a few books by deliverance ministers who got into trouble because they talked to demons that lied to them. There was one man who had a good understanding of deliverance, but this man was casting “tongue demons” out of everybody. He didn't know that all demons can talk in tongues. The Bible says, (1Co.13:1) If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels… There is no “tongues” demon since all demons talk in tongues because they are fallen angels. These demons were obliging to this man's false doctrine by playing along with it to keep him in bondage. They will deceive you any way they can! This deliverance minister needed tongues, more than anything else, in order to cast out demons. Demons hate tongues. People report that demons actually spoke to them, saying, “Don't speak in tongues! That is a perfect prayer! Don't do that! We hate that!” I have had them scream out because they hated the Gospel being preached, and they do not like the Blood of Jesus. If you cannot do anything else, pray in tongues. Well, because this man had let the demons talk, they had deceived him into thinking that tongues were no good. Because he had let the demons talk, they had deceived him into believing that this was a “tongues” demon, a deceiving spirit. Now, remember that speaking in tongues doesn't make you holy. Many people who speak in tongues are in sin. Do you recall the people about whom the apostle Paul was writing that they should be thrown out of the church? (1Co.5:11) But as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. These people spoke in tongues, but that does not mean you are holy; following and obeying the Holy Spirit makes you holy. The Bible says in (Rom.11:29) For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of. God will give you a gift that will stay with you to the grave, even if you are going to hell. Paul said, (1Co.9:27) but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. And this man said in 1Co 14:18  I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all:  A lot of deliverance ministries believe in casting demons into the pit, but that's not what Jesus did. Jesus never sent them to the pit. Let's read the rest of this story. (Mar.5:12) And they besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. (13) And he gave them leave. Why did Jesus permit the demons their request? Most people, according to reasoning, would have said, “Send them out of the country. That way, they won't be able to bother anybody else.” I personally have had demons ask me whether they could enter into a dog, and I told them, “No, but you can find the nearest cockroach and enter into it!” Usually, I say, “No, you just come out!” You do not have to permit them to enter into anything. Demons are going to search until they find a vessel that they can enter because that's how they fulfill their lusts, and there's a demon for anybody who wants to sin. It makes no difference where you send them. You are not going to get rid of them. (Rev.9:2) And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke (smoke represents demons.) out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. There are millions of them, enough to darken the sun, so sending them to the pit does not make sense. If God wanted them out of the country or in the pit, that is where they would be, but He does not want that. They are here to torment mankind until men and women repent and come under the Blood of Jesus. Jesus did not send them out of the country because He understood the sovereignty of God. (Mar.5:13) And he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the sea, [in number] about two thousand; and they were drowned in the sea. Obviously, Jesus thought that this one man was worth more than two thousand pigs, which Jews were not supposed to have anyway. (Mar.5:14) And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they came to see what it was that had come to pass. (15) And they come to Jesus, and behold him that was possessed with demons sitting, clothed and in his right mind, even him that had the legion: and they were afraid. Unclean spirits like people to take off their clothes. And you know, there's certainly a lot of half-naked people walking around these days, and they all probably have unclean spirits. I want to emphasize one particular point about “the man with the unclean spirits.” Think about what that last verse says, “clothed and in his right mind.” When this man first saw Jesus, he was not in his right mind and so there was no way he could have repented. You cannot demand repentance from a person who is this demon-possessed. Some people say, “Well, a Christian cannot be demon-possessed because they are possessed by the Lord,” but Scriptures use the term “possessed” (Matthew 8:16,9:32,12:22; Mark 1:32,9:17; Luke 8:27; etc.) To be considered “demon-possessed,” a person could have a demon in possession of only one particular part of their Promised Land. It might possess them as an infirmity or in an area of their lusts. A possession of part of your nature has nothing to do with possessing your whole character, and very seldom does it go that far, however, “Legion” was possessing this man's whole mind. This man could not use his mind rationally at all, and since Jesus said, (Mat.15:24) … I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel, I suggest to you that this man was a Jew, and as a “child of God,” he had a Covenant right to deliverance. Otherwise, Jesus would not have done it. There are certain conditions under which we can cast demons out of a person without the person's permission. Jesus did not get permission from this man, but Jesus knew that He had a legal right to deliver this person. Just keep in mind that repentance is demanded in almost every place where a person has the mental capacity to repent. We do not generally have a right to go to demon-possessed people who are in the world. An exception would be where we consider that the faith of their family is involved; they are exercising faith for this person. Another exception would be that they are Christian, overcome by lusts of the flesh, and by the devil. Another would be by God's direction. Here's another testimony:   Healed of Epilepsy by the Lounsbury Brothers Email #1 (From Guatemalan missionary Wes to his brother Walt): The Lord has put someone in our path that needs HIS healing. She's around seventeen years old with epilepsy. Six years ago she had a seizure and fell into a fire. She must have been there for quite some time because her feet almost got cooked off. She went to a clinic. They carved out some of the burned flesh, leaving her feet resembling stubs. Besides the massive amounts of scar tissue, she has an external ulcer that has not healed from the accident. Yesterday she came to the orphanage with her mother and sister. We prayed over some hot water and had her soak her foot with the ulcer in it. The raw flesh on the ulcer was yellow, like dried pus. After about forty-five minutes of soaking, we took out the foot, cleaned it and wrapped it with a gauze bandage. They came back today for us to change the bandage again. We soaked the foot again to loosen the gauze, which was saturated with some type of dried, oozing substance. Getting that last part off, which was directly in contact with the ulcer was difficult because it had adhered quite strongly. As we pulled it off, we noticed that the once yellow tissue had turned a very healthy pink! The capillaries were so close to the surface that there was a small amount of bleeding. Trevor and I BELIEVE that God is healing this girl. Think of Joshua circling Jericho for seven days before it fell. He would have felt pretty stupid walking around with a trumpet if the Lord hadn't PROMISED him beforehand. The same thing applies here. Please spend time in prayer for her and give David a call, asking him to pray, also. When Trevor blessed her today, he asked the Lord to make her healing a witness for all those who know of her. Truly, this is our hope. I've been wondering if she wasn't demonically possessed with epilepsy—she was thrown into the fire, much like the mad man cutting himself with rocks and the epileptic that Jesus healed by casting out the demon. I never like thinking someone has an evil spirit inside of them. Could you ask David if he knows how to determine such a thing? He said in “Sovereign God” that he has the gift of discernment of spirits. As much as you can help would be greatly appreciated. Email #2 (From Walt to David Eells): Please pray with me and ask the Lord for a miracle to heal this young girl down in Guatemala. Emails #3 & 4 (From David Eells to Walt): We will pray and agree with you. Epilepsy is a demon spirit. (Mat.17:15) Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously; for oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft-times into the water. (16) And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. (17) And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him hither to me. (18) And Jesus rebuked him; and the demon went out of him: and the boy was cured from that hour. (19) Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out? (20) And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Is the girl a Christian? If so, she has a Covenant right to deliverance because it is the children's bread. If not, only God can give permission to cast out. Otherwise, the demons will just come back worse. Ask her to confess her sins. My suggestion is to ask those involved to pray for discernment of spirits. Demons rarely act alone. Gather several people with faith, preferably filled with the Holy Spirit, and command the demons to come out in Jesus' Name. Then believe that they have to obey because Jesus gave us total authority over the demons. (Mar.16:17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons… Don't believe whatever they say because they often lie. Ask them to believe to heal and restore her body. Jesus paid for that too: (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. (1Pe.2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. (Psa.103:1) Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, [bless] his holy name. (2) Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits: (3) Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; (4) Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies. (Mat.8:16) And when even was come, they brought unto him many possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were sick: (17) that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases. (Act.3:12) And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? (13) The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. (14) But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, (15) and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. (16) And by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Act.5:16) And there also came together the multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Emails #5 & 6 (Between Wes and David in a Q & A format) Wes: Hi! Walt forwarded your email about the girl with epilepsy to me. She, her mother and sister are staying with us now. The open ulcer on her foot is getting better every day. David: Praise God! Let's continue to believe for a total restoration of the foot! God is big. We shouldn't underestimate Him. Wes: Two nights ago I couldn't go to sleep, although it was 1:00 a.m. and I was exhausted. I decided to go downstairs and work on a paper I was writing. I was using a computer program to search for texts. I can't remember which words I was searching, but I came upon the story in Matthew about the epileptic. Now this might sound very strange to you, but I'm almost certain that I read the word “epileptic” from the “King James Version.” It wasn't until the next day, when I read it again, I realized they had actually translated the word as “lunatic” in the KJV. Could it be that the Lord actually had me read “epileptic” instead, because of this girl? David: Absolutely, Wes. God has done such things as that to me, also. I have heard people tell me things that I needed to hear. Later, I questioned them as to why they said it. I would then be told by the person and everyone around them that they had actually said something totally unrelated. Wes: What struck me most about the story was when the father said to Jesus, “Have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously; for oft-times he falleth into the fire.” That's EXACTLY what happened to this girl! Six years ago her mother left the house and went to town to get something from the store. (They live in complete poverty in a village a few miles from here.) The girl usually woke up later in the morning, so her mother felt it was safe to leave early. When she came back, she found her daughter lying in the fire, the flesh completely cooked on one foot and third-degree burns on the other. After I read those verses, I wondered if this girl had an evil spirit. Their stories are so similar. David: She has an epileptic spirit and possibly more. Wes: I don't know exactly what I should be looking for. I feel uneasy about making a judgment as to whether someone DOES have a demon. Anyway, the next morning, my wife went to use the internet. She printed out your email that Walt forwarded to me. She didn't mention it; she just left it folded on the desk. I opened it up and read it. I knew immediately that God had given me a second witness, so that I could be SURE. I still have a lot of questions about what to do. I've never been in a position like this. I prayed last night that God would give me the discernment of spirits, but I don't really know what it means. I know that God has brought this girl to us, not only because of her foot, but because of this spirit afflicting her. I have a good friend down here with me who is strong in the faith; he could stand with me. This is strange territory for me. Is all I need to do is command the spirit of epilepsy to leave in the Name of Jesus? David: You need to know that you have authority to do this. Demons know when you have faith. That is the only condition on your part. (Mar.16:15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. (17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons… (Luk.10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. (20) Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. It would be good to make sure she is a Christian and get her to confess her sins. (Jas.5:16) Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working. Wes: Should I expect the demon to say something before it leaves? David: Not necessarily. But if the Holy Spirit moves you to command them to give their name, do it. Wes: What if she just sits there silently? Does it mean my faith isn't great enough? David: They don't always come out immediately. But you don't have to hang around till you see something. Walk by faith. Just know that they have to obey you. Wes: Should I ask how many spirits are in her? David: If you feel so to ask, yes. Wes: How can I believe them if they did tell me? I wouldn't want to leave one in there. David: They will obey you if you command them to tell their name, unless this is a mute spirit. Email #7 (From Wes to David): The spirit of epilepsy has left the girl! A pastor, his church, and I prayed over her. The spirit never responded. But the girl began to thank the Lord and cry. She finally fell down after about five minutes. She was “as dead” like the scripture speaks about the epileptic boy. In the midst of this “sleep,” she started to praise God very loudly and then went back under. It was very strange to me, nothing like I expected. She went to bed shortly after she woke. The next morning she and her mother were talking about the medicine she takes to fight off the epilepsy. Her mother told her, “The devil is tempting us not to believe!” Then they threw the medicine away. She is perfectly fine now. Her face looks different. Her eyes are more alert. These people are such awesome witnesses of faith to me. They cannot even read the Bible. But they understand the Gospel more than educated Christian Americans. Thank you very much for replying to my other email. All the information was very useful. Email #8 (From David to Wes): Praise the Lord! See how simple it is. That poor girl would have suffered the rest of her life if she had not run into someone like you who was willing to stand in faith. Sometimes the demon will try to come back by temporarily putting a symptom on you. When you accept it, he has permission to re-invade. Tell the girl and her mom to never accept it back. They have authority over the demons. Now, just pray and believe for the restoration of her foot. Jesus paid for a complete healing. Awesome! Praise God!! Christians who know their authority can, and should, cast out demons. I was doing it as a baby Christian, and although I didn't know a lot about it, I got some people delivered. (Mar.16:17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons… The only condition was to believe. Let me give you an example. Jesus was casting out an unclean spirit from a deaf and dumb man. (Mar.9:17) And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit; (18) and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away (This sounds like an epileptic dumb spirit.): and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able. Why were they “not able”? (Mar.9:19) And he answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me. His rebuke was for their lack of faith. The only condition in the scriptures for casting out demons is faith on the part of the person who is doing the casting out. (Mar.9:20) And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him grievously; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. (21) And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child. (22) And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him (There is that destruction again.): but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. (23) And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth. (Again, the condition is belief.) (24) Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mar.9:25) And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. In the case of a child, Jesus said basically, “Come out of him, and do not go back!” You don't see Him doing this with adults. This is because they have their own choices to make, and if they choose to go back into the world, then the demons are going to return. If they fall back into temptation, the demon will come back, but children are not as responsible. The child's father said that the demon entered “from a child,” and so we see that Jesus gave us an example here, saying, “Enter no more into him.” You do not do that with adults. Also, the father wanted help from his unbelief: I.e. “I believe with the faith I have. Deliver me from my unbelief.” (Mar.9:26) And having cried out, and torn him much, he came out: and [the boy] became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead. (27) But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose. Here's another testimony from C.C.   Jesus Delivered Me from Familiar Spirits by C. C. In 2003, I was not a Christian. I was just a man living for himself. I had been a banker in Seattle when I began to hear faint voices in my head as I went to sleep. The voices grew stronger as time went by. There were many of them, different each night. I thought they were the voices of the dead speaking from beyond the grave. After several months, one of these “dead spirits” became more vocal with me. He called himself “David,” saying he was the soul of the brother of one of my best friends, who had died in a car wreck three years previous. This spirit's voice became so clear as to seem present in the room with me. [Note: C.C. had unknowingly become a “medium,” which is someone who is possessed with a spirit guide, a familiar spirit who mimics the dead.] He began telling astral and worldly “secrets” that I found fantastical at the time. He explained many things about the “after-life,” including how I had lived many lives myself and had been reincarnated several times. This spirit explained that he was my “guide,” sent by the “White Lodge” to help me achieve my “final potential.” He explained that he had to help guide my “last life” so I could go to heaven through gates guarded by a group of angels called the “Brethren.” He showed me many images and pictures of these gates. Souls would be permitted to pass through them when they had learned enough compassion through their many lives. He also turned me on to many New Age beliefs. In addition to him, I would speak to other spirits at night while in my bed. They would ask me to do things for them. One such example came from a spirit called “Misty” who wanted me to deliver some flowers to her dying grandmother. The spirit gave me the name and address of the hospital where this elderly lady was located. I went and delivered the roses anonymously to her. I thought I had some special gift to talk with the dead, as I experienced incidents of communication, and received “confirmation” and “insight” from the things these spirits revealed. The voice of the “spirit guide” began to become stronger as time went on. It got to where it was all I could hear. He always seemed to be as close as my throat, speaking from behind my head. It was a very unsettling feeling at the time. This went on for some time, with me learning and trusting all that this spirit “David” revealed to me. There came a night when I awoke in my bed to see a specter cloaked in darkness, black as pitch. He even seemed to suck the darkness into himself. I was terrified! Frozen in my bed as I stared at it, I noticed that my breath was visible in front of me, as if it were a winter night. The specter seemed to want to kill me. When I thought it would move to harm me, the presence of my “spirit guide” entered the room and scared it away. I could sense that it was afraid of him. He explained to me that it was a lost soul who sought me because of my gifts. He said that I was like a “light in the darkness” that all such spirits could see and would gravitate towards. The same thing happened the following night and onward for six nights. Each night, one more spirit came until, by the sixth evening, there were six of them at the foot of my bed. I could not have been more terrified, as they would all point at me with horrible, black, lifeless faces, seeming to want my death. By morning I was exhausted from the fear, hyper-vigilance, and lack of sleep for six full days. Upon waking, I heard the spirit “David's” voice, rushed and louder than ever. He said, “Hurry up and get dressed. You have to get downtown toward your work now, as fast as possible. Hurry up! Do it now!” I asked, “Is someone in danger?” He replied, “Yes. Hurry now!” Startled, I got dressed and drove downtown to see what was happening. While I was driving he kept saying, “Hurry, hurry!” When I got there, nothing was happening; it was just a normal day. Surprised to see nothing wrong, I asked him why he told me to rush. He replied, “I just wanted to see if you would obey me. I was testing you.” All day, I ignored him while I worked, as I was very angry. I was continually disturbed by his words, “obey me.” When the day was done, I went home, ignoring “David” the whole way, and wanting very much to understand. A friend once had told me the Bible discussed spirits and the dead; I decided to look it up on my computer. As I sat down to search the internet, I looked out over Puget Sound from my windows and could see nothing but blackness. The clouds had covered everything in such a dark, ominous way. It was unlike anything I had ever seen, especially so early in the evening. As I started to find Bible passages, the spirit's voice said accusingly, “What are you doing?” Agitated, I replied, “Nothing. Don't worry about it.” I came upon (Deu.18:10-13) There shall not be found in you one who passes his son or his daughter through the fire, one that uses divination, an observer of clouds, or one divining, or a whisperer of spells, or a magic charmer, or one consulting mediums [Hebrew for “consulter with a familiar spirit.”], or a spirit-knower, or one inquiring of the dead. For all doing these things are an abomination to the Lord. And because of these filthy acts the Lord your God is dispossessing these nations before you. You shall be perfect with the Lord your God. As I finished reading the words, I heard “David,” with a tone of deep aggression, say, “Don't read that!” Startled, I turned to see that he was now visible on my right. He looked just like one of the dark specters that had previously gathered around my bed. The room instantly grew cold. I was terrified, but replied, “I can read it if I want to!” He lunged for my throat with his dark, outstretched hand, taking a swipe at me. I fell sideways out of my chair and thought I was going to die, right there, in that dark room as he came upon me! I was on my knees. I called, “Lord, please save me!” A hole to the heavens opened up through my roof. I saw a flaming Sword coming down from heaven at me like lightning. It flew straight down and entered through the top of my head and traveled through my body, and pierced into the ground through me. A blast wave that was like a spiritual nuclear bomb went off from the fiery Sword within me, traveling like light through my entire place, destroying the spirit “David” as it flashed out from me. I sat there on my knees as the light went out from within me and the Sword left me. I then immediately saw a large bright light outside on my patio. As I squinted at it, I realized what I was seeing. In my mind, I heard the name “Michael.” He was holding the sword that had just been in my body. I was amazed and afraid! He was huge, bearing armor as bright as the sun, with many colors coming through it, shining brightly. He was looking at me through the large windows. I jumped up to my feet to run outside and see him. But as I opened the door, the light was gone. No one was there. I went to the spot where I had seen him standing, half expecting to see the ground melted away. I dropped to my knees to feel the ground as I thought it would be hot for some reason. When I looked up, the blackness of the clouds had given way to the setting sun. It seemed to not only pierce through the clouds, but to push them out of the way, making what seemed night turn into day! I stood there, utterly emotionally exhausted and physically tired from not sleeping for a week. I awoke the next morning on the seventh day of the ordeal. I had slept as soundly as a baby, without a single interruption or dark visit. I felt so good that morning. I can still remember how good it was—I felt like a million bucks! I got dressed and was thinking about everything that had happened to me and what it all meant. I no longer heard any voices. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was in my “right” mind. I got into my truck and headed to work, feeling wonderful. As I came to the apex of a large bridge, I closed my eyes for a second. When I opened them, I was no longer in my truck! [Note: There was something spiritually that kept his truck humming along during this experience.] To my utter confusion, I was standing on a dirt road. My first reaction was to put my hands on myself to see if I was okay. As I looked down, I had all of my clothes on and was still wearing my boots. Bewildered, I saw a dirt road stretched out for as far as the eye could see. To the right and left, fields of golden wheat, ready for harvest, were moving back and forth as a warm wind blew over them. The sun was setting. It was casting the most beautiful rays of light through the waving grains of wheat. The soft color was unlike anything I had ever seen on earth. It was beautiful. My thoughts went back to myself. Where in the heck was I? I turned around to look behind me. I saw darkness. As I was trying to look into where the road behind me went, I felt a presence… I cannot even begin to explain in words … I turned around to see a man standing in the road before me. He was dressed in white. His clothes were of olden times and spotless. He had long, golden brown hair and a beard. As I looked at him, I realized Who He was. I could tell that He could see all of the things I had ever done wrong in my life—everything… As He looked at me, He put before me images of all of the wrongs I had done. Seeing them, I felt so heavy that I fell to the ground, my face falling into the dirt. I began to beg aloud, “Lord, please do not let me be before you. Please let me go. I am not worthy. Please let me go from before you, Lord.” It was so painful that He could see all of my sins. Feeling crushed onto the ground, my breath and tears mixed with the dirt of the road. As I tried to push away from Him, I looked up through my tears to see His perfect sandal in front of my face. I reached out and placed my hand upon His foot and said, “Lord, please forgive me. I am so sorry for what I have done against you…” Then I felt His hand on my shoulder, lifting me up off the ground and setting me onto my feet. He took His hand and reached before me, touching my chest, seeming to reach inside of me! He pulled out a black shining orb, which was spinning within His hand. I looked up from the orb into His face. He smiled at me and looked back down at the thing spinning in His hand. He then closed his hand around it and crushed it. When He opened His hand again, the orb had become like dirt that was on the road. He turned His hand, and the dirt fell back onto the road. At that moment, I felt SO FREE! All that had crushed me and held me down in life had been taken away forever! I looked into His eyes and saw them clearly for the first time. Amazingly beautiful, they were the same color as the light that I had seen shining through the shafts of wheat. As I looked, I felt (words could never portray): the love of my friends, the love of my brothers, the love of my mother, the love of God! I was so overcome with thanksgiving, I threw my arms around Him. His frame was as powerful as a rock, but gentle as a lamb. Then I held myself apart from Him. Looking into His smiling face, I said the most embarrassing thing that I have ever said in all my life! Looking at the long road, I said, “Lord, do you think we could stay here and play soccer together?” He laughed and, as I looked up from the road, turned and walked a few paces from me; I could see His perfect footprints in the dirt. I felt frozen, not knowing what to do. As if sensing that I felt paralyzed, He looked back, smiled and extended His hand, and motioned for me to follow Him. Even though He did not say the words, I could clearly hear the words “Follow me” in my mind. Looking down, I took my first foot and put it perfectly into His footprint. As I was about to take the next step, I closed my eyes for a second before trying to look back up at Him. And poof! Just like that—I was back in my truck, driving on my way to work. As I sat there, I cried, heaving deeply for the gift that He had just given me. I was so entirely undone. There was no greater happiness that I had ever known in my entire life. Then, the radio played a song called “Dead Man's Rope,” sung by Sting, recorded on the album called “Sacred Love.” I shall never forget listening to this song through my tears, barely being able to drive. The song speaks of how we try to walk away from our trials, not understanding that our trials will lead us to walk toward Jesus and His forgiveness. After this song ended, it began to rain heavily upon my truck just as the song describes… My life has never been the same since. Wow! Praise the Lord!

Our Lord Jesus having humbled Himself was exalted: resurrected, ascended, seated at the right hand of God, and will come again and judge all mankind.

In Matthew chapter 17 we focus on an event known as the Transfiguration. It occurs in each of the synoptic gospels - Matthew 17; Mark 9 verses 2-8, Luke 9 verses 8-36. It was a revelation of Jesus in transcendent glory. Its significance belongs to the Kingdom age. Our Lord Jesus Christ is resplendent in glorious white glistening robes. Mark tells us that this glory and righteousness surpassed that attainable by any person - this is telling us that the glorious and righteous character of our Lord was unique and sustained by God's workings. Our Lord Jesus was seen together with Moses (representative of the Law) and Elijah (for the prophets). But their glory was inconsequential when compared to that of our Lord Jesus Christ's. In addition to all of this was the commanding and imperious voice of Jesus' Almighty Father announcing to those Apostles, and to all, including us: "This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear him". After coming down from the Mount Jesus told his disciples that their failure to cure the epileptic boy was because their faith needed to grow and develop like a grain of mustard seed. After this Christ again told his Apostles of the great trials which lay ahead of Jesus. These sufferings would culminate in his offering on the tree and that on the third day he would be raised from the dead. Let us consider let us look at Peter's timeless commentary on the Transfiguration in 2 Peter 1 verses 13-20. Pause, and ponder and reflect.

1 Samuel 31 records the sad end to Saul's life as he and his sons were all slain on Mount Gilboa. Saul died as he had lived - a great warrior for his people, Israel. The result had been told by the medium at Endor during the previous night. He was mortally wounded by the Philistine archers. Saul, knowing that he couldn't survive, asked his armour bearer to take his life. But that man could not lift his weapon against Yahweh's anointed. So Saul perished by thrusting his own sword through his heart lest the Philistines abuse him while he was still alive. Saul's armour bearer died in like manner. The Israelites in the nearby towns fled and left their villages to be spoiled by the victorious Philistines. Verses 8-10 says that the day after the battle the spoilers took the spoil from the battlefield. They beheaded Saul and sent his armour to their towns before that armour was placed in the house of Ashtaroth and Saul's body and those of his three sons and fastened them to the wall at Bethshan. When the warriors from Jabesh-Gilead heard of this they valiantly came and took Saul's body and those of his sons from the Philistine garrison and carried them to Jabesh-Gilead where their burned before burying those warriors under a Tamarisk tree at Jabesh-Gilead. The bravery shown by the mighty men of Jabesh-Gilead was by way of recompense for Saul's saving that city at the start of his reign. There is also a two in three probability that Saul's ancestors may have been from Jabesh-Gilead: see Judges 21:7-24. After burying those heroes beneath a tamarisk tree those brave warriors from Jabesh-Gilead mourned for seven days.  In Jeremiah 6 verse 1-5 God speaks of the impending doom that would come on Judah from out of the north from the Babylonian shepherd kingdom. The LORD's people are told to flee or be prepared to fight. Verses 6-8 describe the siege mounds that would be brought against the guilty people who had treasured up destruction by their actions: see Romans 2:1-11. In word pictures their wickedness is spoken of: a well holding bitter water; and as a sick and deteriorating body. For these reasons the Almighty will bring desolation to the Land. Verses 9-10 speak of the punishment as leaving but a few grapes after the gathering and then the gleanings. Verses 10-13 speaks of their Sovereign pouring judgment upon His people out of the cup of His anger: Jeremiah 1:9-10. The civil and the religious leaders are seen as trying to heal the nation's incurable disease. In verses 14-15 these leaders prophesy of a time of "peace" when the wicked ways can bring only war: Isaiah 57 verse 21. Verses 16-21 tell of the LORD appealing to His children to find His ways through His prophets' counsel, but they stubbornly refused. So the Almighty must bring discipline to His family. These people do not want to change. Instead they think that as long as they offer their God incense and offerings He will accept them. But, no external worship is a substitute for true worship from their heart. In verses 22-26 the cruel and relentless Babylonian army is presented to Judah. Judah will be reduced to sackcloth in the day of the LORD's anger. In verses 27-30 God speaks of Himself as a refiner of precious silver. When their Sovereign has refined His people in the crucible of affliction they will be seen to be worthless dross. We too are tried by affliction and what will the Almighty reveal to us about our character when we are tried. Pause and ponder. In Matthew chapter 17 we focus on an event known as the Transfiguration. It occurs in each of the synoptic gospels - Matthew 17; Mark 9 verses 2-8, Luke 9 verses 8-36. It was a revelation of Jesus in transcendent glory. Its significance belongs to the Kingdom age. Our Lord Jesus Christ is resplendent in glorious white glistening robes. Mark tells us that this glory and righteousness surpassed that attainable by any person - this is telling us that the glorious and righteous character of our Lord was unique and sustained by God's workings. Our Lord Jesus was seen together with Moses (representative of the Law) and Elijah (for the prophets). But their glory was inconsequential when compared to that of our Lord Jesus Christ's. In addition to all of this was the commanding and imperious voice of Jesus' Almighty Father announcing to those Apostles, and to all, including us: "This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear him". After coming down from the Mount Jesus told his disciples that their failure to cure the epileptic boy was because their faith needed to grow and develop like a grain of mustard seed. After this Christ again told his Apostles of the great trials which lay ahead of Jesus. These sufferings would culminate in his offering on the tree and that on the third day he would be raised from the dead. Let us consider let us look at Peter's timeless commentary on the Transfiguration in 2 Peter 1 verses 13-20. Pause, and ponder and reflect.

The 16th chapter of Matthew shows the incapacity of the nation's rulers to see what was happening in their midst. This is followed by a treatise on the deception contained in corrupt teachings; whose pervasive influence rapidly permeates like leaven. Next comes the greatest confession by Peter, upon which rock-like foundation the entire ecclesia is built - namely, that "Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God" (see John 6verses 68-69; Ephesians 2 verses 20-21). Our Lord Jesus next explicitly explains to his Apostles his coming sufferings, death and resurrection on the third day. Our Lord Jesus Christ's resurrection was the sign of the prophet Jonah. That prophet spent 3 days in the belly of the whale which in Jonah's prayer is called the belly of hell: Jonah 2 verses 1-2. The Apostle Paul says that this proved the Lord Jesus Christ's divine Sonship: Romans 1 verses 4; Ephesians 1 verses 15-22. The Apostle Peter reminds us of the same matter: Acts 2 verses 22-36. The chapter concludes with a final appeal to each believer to take up our stake - Greek "staurus" - and follow our Lord through suffering even unto death should that be our lot.

In 1 Samuel 29 David will find that his lies and deception have brought him to a dilemma from which there would appear to be no opportunity to escape. The lords of the Philistines had mustered their forces at Aphek in order for a full scale war with Israel. Achish has summoned David and his men to go with them to fight against their enemies. The other 4 lords express their objections believing that should the battle not go in favour of Philistia David could change sides and fight for Israel to reconcile himself to Saul. These lords recount what a thorn in their sides David had been in the past. Achish defends David's loyalty before the lords. However they still insist that David and his men leave the Philistine camp before sunrise - before the battle. David agrees to do this. Once again David's Almighty God has saved him out of an exceptionally dangerous predicament. Chapter 30 sees David and his troop reach a very low point where David despairs of life. As David's troop come to Ziklag they find their town destroyed and burning and strewn with corpses. David's followers are so distraught that they want to blame him for what has happened and to stone him to death. David prays as verse 6 tells us. Never let us forget that no matter how bad things seem to be we can always count on our LORD for support. David then asks counsel from his God by asking Abiathar the priest to find out what the Almighty would have him do. Their Sovereign instructs them to pursue the enemy and that they will recover their families and their wealth. David's company found a sick and starving Egyptian who had been left behind by the Amalekite raiding party. Just think that had Saul destroyed the Amalekites as God had commanded him this catastrophe could not have happened. The Egyptian promised help as long as he was not sold to those Amalekites. Verses 16-20 tell us that just as the Almighty had promised so it came to pass. Two hundred of David's men had minded the luggage whilst the other four hundred had risked their life in battle. The 400 did not wish to share the spoil. David made a rule from that point and beyond the spoil was to be divided evenly whatever part his followers had played in the warfare. David always tried to act with justice and equality for all. David then distributed much of the wealth to the nearby regions with an explanation that it had come from the enemies of Yahweh. In Jeremiah 5 the prophet is told to run through Jerusalem to see if he could find anyone who would walk in the ways of the LORD. If the prophet could find such a person God promised to pardon Judah. However, says Almighty God, He saw only hypocritical lip service - outward worship without any truth. All this despite their Sovereign's discipline. Ezekiel was given a similar task in chapter 9 of that prophecy. The nation had set her face against her Maker. Jeremiah acknowledges that this is true, but claims that the LORD's people are ignorant of His ways. In verse 6 their Omnipotent Judge declares that they would be savaged by the Babylonian lion and that God would observe the nation's actions as closely as a leopard does his prey. In verses 7-9 her Sovereign describes her lascivious behaviour and that Judah's appetite for immorality is unquenchable. Graphic word pictures are used by her God. Verses 10-13 outline the vast extent of the coming judgments - even the prophets would be destroyed (excepting Jeremiah as we shall find out later). In verses 14-17 the LORD describes the arrogance and ruthlessness of the Babylonians. He also speaks of the destruction that would be brought upon Judah. The Babylonians would show no mercy. Verses 18-25 reveal that Yahweh, in contrast to Babylon, would show mercy in sparing Judah and saving a remnant. Verses 26-29 speak of the treacherous behaviours of the Judeans among themselves. God says that such actions cannot go unpunished. In verses 30-31 God describes the perverse practices of the priests and ruler. Sadly, says the prophet, the people not only tolerate it, but want it to be that way.  The 16th chapter of Matthew shows the incapacity of the nation's rulers to see what was happening in their midst. This is followed by a treatise on the deception contained in corrupt teachings; whose pervasive influence rapidly permeates like leaven. Next comes the greatest confession by Peter, upon which rock-like foundation the entire ecclesia is built - namely, that "Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God" (see John 6verses 68-69; Ephesians 2 verses 20-21). Our Lord Jesus next explicitly explains to his Apostles his coming sufferings, death and resurrection on the third day. Our Lord Jesus Christ's resurrection was the sign of the prophet Jonah. That prophet spent 3 days in the belly of the whale which in Jonah's prayer is called the belly of hell: Jonah 2 verses 1-2. The Apostle Paul says that this proved the Lord Jesus Christ's divine Sonship: Romans 1 verses 4; Ephesians 1 verses 15-22. The Apostle Peter reminds us of the same matter: Acts 2 verses 22-36. The chapter concludes with a final appeal to each believer to take up our stake - Greek "staurus" - and follow our Lord through suffering even unto death should that be our lot.

Jesus Delivered Us (4) (audio) David Eells – 7/13/25 Saints, I'm going to continue speaking about how Jesus has delivered us and begin by talking about the spirit of fear. The great shakings coming across the world in these days, including America, are being used by the devil to try to bring fear upon God's people. He likes to use things that we see and hear to bring fear upon us. It's as if the devil or demons of fear stand right there until something happens, then immediately pounce on us. Have you ever felt the spirit of fear come over you just like a blanket? Don't pacify it. You are meant to make war against that. Fear is another one of the devil's big guns. We previously studied skorpizo spirits, the “scorpion” spirits whose job it is to penetrate and to put to flight. Scorpion spirits cause a person to be fearful or anxious and to flee from the devil. And we know that when this happens, that person is no threat against his kingdom, but the Bible says, (2Ti.1:7) For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. (The Greek word there is sophron, meaning “sober-minded, self-controlled.”) God did not give us a spirit of fearfulness, however, if a person is walking in willful disobedience, it is hard to fight off fear because (1Jn.3:21) … if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God. The only righteous fear is the fear of the Lord. But, if a spirit of fear comes upon you, you know that you are not to accept it. You should not give in to it, or pacify it, or even think about it. If you do, it's going to conquer you by penetrating your “armor” and putting you to flight. (Eph.6:16) Withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. God describes it in so many different ways. Let me share now a portion of “The Testimony of John G. Lake During the Bubonic Plague.” Now watch the action of the law of life. Faith belongs to the law of life. Faith is the very opposite of fear. Faith has the opposite effect in spirit, and soul, and body. Faith causes the spirit of man to become confident. It causes the mind of man to become restful, and positive. A positive mind repels disease. Consequently, the emanation of the Spirit destroys disease germs. And because we were in contact with the Spirit of life, I and a little Dutch fellow with me went out and buried many of the people who had died from the bubonic plague. We went into the homes and carried them out, dug the graves and put them in. Sometimes we would put three or four in one grave. We never took the disease. Why? Because of the knowledge that the law of life in Christ Jesus protects us. That law was working. Because of the fact that a man by that action of his will, puts himself purposely in contact with God, faith takes possession of his heart, and the condition of his nature is changed. Instead of being fearful, he is full of faith. Instead of being absorbent and drawing everything to himself, his spirit repels sickness and disease. The Spirit of Christ Jesus flows through the whole being, and emanates through the hands, the heart, and from every pore of the body.  During that great plague that I mentioned, they sent a government ship with supplies and corps of doctors. One of the doctors sent for me, and said, “What have you been using to protect yourself? Our corps has this preventative and that, which we use as protection, but we concluded that if a man could stay on the ground, as you have, and keep ministering to the sick and burying the dead, you must have a secret. What is it?” I answered, “Brother, that is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. I believe that just as long as I keep my soul in contact with the living God so that His Spirit is flowing into my soul and body, that no germ will ever attach itself to me, for the Spirit of God will kill it.” He asked, “Don't you think that you had better use our preventatives?” I replied, “No, but doctor, I think that you would like to experiment with me. If you will go over to one of these dead people and take the foam that comes out of their lungs after death, then put it under the microscope, you will see masses of living germs. You will find they are alive until a reasonable time after a man is dead. You can fill my hand with them and I will keep it under the microscope, and instead of these germs remaining alive, they will die instantly.” They tried it and found it was true. They questioned, “What is that?” I replied, “That is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. When a man's spirit and a man's body are filled with the blessed presence of God, it oozes out of the pores of your flesh and kills the germs.” Suppose, on the other hand, my soul had been under the law of death, and I were in fear and darkness? The very opposite would have been the result. The result would have been that my body would have absorbed the germs, these would have generated disease and I would have died. You who are sick, put yourself in contact with God's law of life. Read His Word with the view of enlightening your heart so that you will be able to look up with more confidence and believe Him. Pray that the Spirit of God will come into your soul, take possession of your body, and its power will make you well. That is the exercise of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Amen! Saints, the only fear we should have is the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), and if we fear the Lord, we will depart from unrighteousness. (2Ti.2:19) Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. Any other fear, including the fear of man, brings a snare. Our Lord Jesus said in (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. Fear is negative faith. Fear is faith in the curse, faith in the devil, faith in failure. Look what Job said in (Job 3:25) For the thing which I fear cometh upon me, And that which I am afraid of cometh unto me. Our fears come to pass just like our faiths come to pass, but the Bible tells us in (Rev.21:7) He that overcometh shall inherit these things… The Lord is speaking of the new heaven and the new earth and all the great blessings that He has provided for His people, and He's implying here that if you don't overcome, you are not going to inherit these things. Some people don't think we have anything to overcome. They say, “Jesus overcame it all,” which is true, but Jesus overcame so that we could overcome as we learn to abide in Him by faith. And as we abide in Him, we'll see our works of faith manifested because, according to the Bible (Jas.2:26) … faith apart from works is dead. Overcomers are sons of God; they will inherit the Kingdom. (Rev.21:7) He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (8) But for the fearful, and unbelieving (The words “fearful” and “unbelieving” are related to each other, because if you are fearful, you are unbelieving. Notice also that you are not an overcomer unless you have overcome these very opposite things.) and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [shall be] in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. Fearfulness and unbelief are grouped right in there with really abhorrent sins. Many people consider fear to be just a weakness and so they pacify it, but as we've seen, (2Ti.1:7) … God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness… Fear is more than a weakness; it's a sin. It's called (Heb.3:12) … an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God. Fear is something all of God's people need to learn to make war against whenever we feel its presence or have those thoughts. Fear will cause us to give up the fight of faith and run from the devil. It causes us to lose ground. We just read that the fearful and the unbelieving are listed among the wicked. There's a part in every one of us that's wicked; it's that “old man” that we want to overcome (Romans 6:6; Colossians 3:9; Ephesians 4:22-24). The Bible says in (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. The flesh and spirit war against one another. This is a war that's going on in every one of us, and we can win the war through faith in the overcoming victory that Jesus had at the Cross. (1Co.15:22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. When Christ was resurrected, we received His resurrection life. And when He overcame, we also overcame. We were crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), and even the old man was put to death with Christ (Romans 6:6), but we have to hold on to our faith to see it manifested in the physical realm. It has been given unto us and we can overcome to receive. In Job 15 we see this awesome revelation again; he says the man who is fearful is being wicked. We should know that we need to fight against this spirit. (Job 15:20) The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, Even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor. (21) A sound of terrors is in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him. What are the words we hear the most nowadays? They are “terror” and “terrorist.” It's interesting that in these last days, these are very common words. Terror is coming upon the prosperous. (Job 15:22) He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, And he is waited for of the sword. The wicked are in terror, not believing that they will return out of darkness. The Gospel, the Good News, is that we are delivered out of the power of darkness and into the Kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13). That's the Good News that we're supposed to believe, but the wicked don't believe this. They live in terror. (Job 15:23) He wandereth abroad for bread, [saying,] Where is it? He knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. (24) Distress and anguish make him afraid; They prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle. The wicked are conquered by fear. The devil conquers and rules them. If you are ruled by fear, if you act according to your fear, then you're submitting to the devil's kingdom. You are not submitting to God because He has not given us a spirit of fearfulness (2 Timothy 1:7). If you are ruled by fear, you are not ruled by God and you are in idolatry because you are having faith in the devil. Why does fear come upon the wicked? (Job 15:25) Because he hath stretched out his hand against God, And behaveth himself proudly against the Almighty. Fear comes because they are acting against God, and so He has delivered them over to this fear. It's part of the judgment that comes upon them. God turns over to the devil those who walk in sin, even Kingdom people. We discovered earlier that Jesus said (Mat.18:35) … if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts, … His Father would deliver you over to the tormentors (Matthew 18:34). The wicked world is already delivered over to the devil and they live in fear and anxiety under the tormentors, but the righteous are supposed to be coming out of darkness. They are believing God to come out of the kingdom of darkness. The wicked do not believe this, so they live under the tormentors. We are told in (1Jn.3:21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; (22) and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. If we have a clear conscience with God, we are bold; we don't have fear. God is not going to permit fear to come upon a person who has a clear conscience. If it does come, it comes to be a trial unto you, and your boldness is the very thing that will vanquish it. (Pro.28:1) The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. Fear is natural and normal to the wicked. Who are the wicked? They are those people, Christians or not, who sin. If a person is walking in sin, they are wicked, and they will not have any boldness toward God and His benefits because their conscience condemns them. If you want a defense against fear in the days to come, you must have a clear conscience. When you see or hear things that are fearful, that's usually when the devil pounces. He wants to overcome you so that all you can do is keep running from him. Jesus told us that if we are not plundering the devil's kingdom, we are going to be running from him. Guilt is also a demon, and guilt can deliver you over to fear. That's what happened to Adam. (Gen.2:16) And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Adam had only one commandment to keep but he broke it, and then what happened? (Gen.3:7) And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. “Naked” here represents the guilt of sin. They did not know they were naked until they partook of the knowledge of good and evil, but now they were made sinners because they knew they had broken God's law, so guilt was the first thing they received here. (Gen.3:7) And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons. They were attempting to cover their guilt with self-works, yet, as we know, without the shedding of blood, there is no covering for our sins (Hebrews 9:22). (Gen.3:21) And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins, and clothed them. So God slew animals for their covering. He didn't accept their works to alleviate their guilt. (Gen.3:8) And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. Many people are hiding because of their guilt. They don't want to face God. They don't like to read the Word because it condemns them. They don't know the great sacrifice the Lord has made for them in order for them to be given grace to overcome. Without this knowledge, they feel bad when they face themselves. They feel bad when they face the Word. They're hiding from God because of their guilt, and even many Christians are doing the same thing. (Gen.3:9) And the Lord God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. Guilt brings fear. If you don't want to be overcome by fear, you need to confess your sins. (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. We need to repent and confess our sins. We need to have faith that Jesus has given us authority over this old flesh. I'd like to point out here that if you don't know what the Gospel says, you can have what I call “false” guilt. For instance, if you don't know that your sins are covered, you may feel guilty about something from your past, from before you were saved. Of course, the devil will try to use that false guilt against you, but he will fail if you get in the Word and stand in faith on the promises. This is another one of his tactics to keep you from God and finding out the truth about your salvation and the authority you've been given over the devil. The real Good News is that the Lord wants to live the Christian life in us. Many people are living under the bondage of guilt, although there's no reason to do so because the real Good News is that He has already set us free. But if you have guilt, the devil can use that. He can bring fear upon you to conquer you because you don't have that boldness toward God. Sometimes the Lord just lets the devil take advantage of us until we're so far down that we're finally willing to look up, until we're finally willing to get our eyes on Him and to have faith in what He has accomplished at the Cross. Faith that brings obedience gives us victory over fear. Here's a good example: (Lev.26:13) I am the Lord your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt (Spiritually speaking, “Egypt” represents the world. As Christians, we've been delivered from bondage to the world and from bondage to the “old man,” who is the Egyptian.) that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bars of your yoke, and made you go upright. This is basically the Gospel, isn't it? We have been delivered from bondage; we have been made free from sin (Romans 8:2-3). We are no longer in bondage to the old man, but so many people are constantly plundered by the devil because they are rebellious against God's Word. (Lev.26:14) But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments (Now notice how many times He repeats the same thing.); (15) and if ye shall reject my statutes, and if your soul abhor mine ordinances, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant; (16) I also will do this unto you: I will appoint terror over you (God delivers people who are rebellious against His Word over to fear.), even consumption and fever, that shall consume the eyes, and make the soul to pine away; and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. (When people are delivered over to fear, they have no boldness to come against the devil. They don't understand why they are devoured by the devourer, as Malachi 3 talks about.) (17) And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be smitten before your enemies: they that hate you shall rule over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. Also, (Pro.28:1) The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. God appoints terror over the rebellious, both His rebellious people and those of the world. They are ripe for it. Terror happening in these days is something that God has loosed through the devil to motivate people to run to Him. He wants us to run to repentance and faith in boldness, so that we may be delivered of these things. Fear brings us back into bondage. Fear is bondage to the devil. Fear will bring us right back to bondage in Egypt. The Bible speaks of this. (Deu.28:64) And the Lord will scatter thee among all peoples, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth… Many people don't realize that everything that happened to Israel in the natural happens to the Church in a spiritual way. The Church was called to be one holy nation. (1Pe.2:9) But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God's] own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (10) who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. We were grafted into the olive tree called “all Israel” (Romans 11:17-26). We are one people, but we have been divided and scattered. The Lord speaks against the shepherds who scatter the flock (Jeremiah 23:1-4; Ezekiel 34:1-10). We've been brought into bondage to the nations of the world and now God is calling us out of those nations to our one holy nation of spiritual Israel. We have been called out from among them (Isaiah 52:11; Jeremiah 51:45; John 10:3; etc.), but when we rebel against God, He brings us under the spirit of fear and we go back into bondage. (Deu.28:64) And the Lord will scatter thee among all peoples, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou nor thy fathers, even wood and stone. The root word there for “gods” means “mighty” or “mighty ones.” Who are the Church's “mighty” ones? If you want to know what “gods” a church is serving, stop and think about it. Much of the Church, by their own actions, prove that they trust in their government, they trust in their military, in their doctors, and in their bank accounts. The churches trust in these “mighty ones” because they are in bondage to the nations of the world, instead of being the nation of spiritual Israel. God has called us out of that bondage. He delivered us out of Egypt that we might be His holy nation. (Deu.28:65) And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, and there shall be no rest for the sole of thy foot: but the Lord will give thee there a trembling heart (When you're living in the world, He's going to give you fear. God says this over and over. We need to fear “living in the world” and “living like the world” because there is no eternal life there. We are not of this world and we've been chosen out of the world (John 15:19). Nothing but the curse is there.), and failing of eyes, and pining of soul; (66) and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear night and day (It's obvious this is coming to pass in these days.), and shalt have no assurance of thy life. (There is nothing but fear, just fear.) (67) In the morning thou shalt say, Would it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would it were morning! for the fear of thy heart which thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. (Deu.28:68) And the Lord will bring thee into Egypt again… Do you know what brought God's people into Egypt the first time? It was because most of Jacob's sons were not obedient to their father. They didn't like that Joseph was sent to watch over them (Gen.37:2) … and Joseph brought the evil report of them unto their father. They also persecuted the righteous Joseph (Genesis 37:4,14). So God sent them into Egypt where they spent four hundred years in bondage. (Deu.28:68) And the Lord will bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I said unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again (God's command is that we never go back to Egypt, never go back into bondage to the old man {Deuteronomy 17:16}.): and there ye shall sell yourselves unto your enemies for bondmen and for bondwomen, and no man shall buy you. He sends fear when men go back into bondage to the old man and then instead of trusting in God, they take control themselves. Who is “self”? It's the old man. When “self” is ruling, the old man is ruling and you are back into bondage once again. The Egyptian who once ruled over the Israelite is now ruling over him again. Fear is one of the devil's big guns in order to bring you into bondage. People will do many things when they fear. Even Christians can be brought to killing their fellow man because they have a fear of death, so they do what is totally contrary to the Word of God. We are to rest, to trust, in God. We are to believe that He has healed and delivered us. Fear causes people to go back into bondage where they have no strength to stand and so they run from their enemies, but God delivered us from this. We are not in bondage anymore. We believe the Gospel and we need to believe it in order to come out of darkness, as we just read here. Somebody who has fear doesn't believe that they can come out of darkness because they don't believe the Gospel. Somebody who has fear believes the devil's lies; they believe the curse. We believe that God has separated us unto Himself to protect, heal, deliver, and provide for us, contrary to the rest of the world. The devil is making war on the people of God by using the things that they see and hear in order to bring them into bondage, but the devil cannot get a foothold if we walk by faith in obedience. That's our greatest strength. The Lord asks, (Pro.1:22) How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? (He's talking negatively here about being simple in the knowledge of God, simple in the knowledge of the Word.) And scoffers delight them in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge? (This is the simplicity part; they hate knowledge.) (23) Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you; I will make known my words unto you. The two things we desperately need are the Word of God sown in our heart, which brings forth the fruit of Christ, and the Power of God's Spirit. He's offering us tremendous gifts here, yet sometimes we're not interested and sometimes we wait too long. (Pro.1:24) Because I have called, and ye have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded; (25) But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof: (26) I also will laugh in [the day of] your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh (He didn't say “if your fear cometh,”; He said, “when your fear cometh.” If you continue to reject His Word and Spirit beyond the time of God's patience, this fear will come upon you.); (Pro.1:27) When your fear cometh as a storm (We are going to see this in days to come. Multitudes of people of the earth are going to be swayed this way and that way because of fear, and they will be moved to do terrible things because of fear.), And your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you. (28) Then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me: (29) For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the Lord. The Bible teaches us in (Pro.16:6) … And by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. You cannot have fear of the Lord and fear of the devil at the same time. If you fear the Lord, that's a good fear because if we fear the Lord, we will serve Him. If we fear the devil, we cannot serve God because we're too busy serving the devil and that's why fear is part of the devil's plan. God says, (Pro.1:30) They would none of my counsel; They despised all my reproof. (31) Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own devices. (32) For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them (Notice that no man slays him. His own backsliding slays him.), And the careless ease of fools shall destroy them. (Pro.1:33) But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely (If we are seeking to be obedient to the Lord with our faith in Him, trusting in His grace, He empowers us to obey. That's a place of security.), And shall be quiet without fear of evil. The Lord promises this to those who are obedient because of their faith, and obedience is the fruit of faith. (Jas.2:17) Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. These are not our works; these are God's works in us and they are the fruit of faith. He says, (Pro.1:33) But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely, And shall be quiet without fear of evil. Those who are obedient because of their faith will be without fear. This is because they have received grace through their faith to be so, but the rest will go under a spirit of bondage. Fear is a spirit of bondage. Let's look now at (Rom.8:12) So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: (13) for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (15) For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Jews railed at Jesus for calling God His Father. Jewish scholars say that no servant would dare call the head of a household “Abba,” or “Father.” This is the cry of somebody who has a father-child relationship, and so He says, (Rom.8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (15) For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption. The word “adoption” here is huiothesias, and it means “son-placing.” When we are adopted, we are “placed” as sons. God adopts children who are servants. Apostle Paul told us in (Gal.4:7) … thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. A child is a servant, but God adopts them as sons. We are growing into sonship. We are bearing the fruit of the Son, Jesus Christ, and as the Son, Jesus Christ, comes to live in us, we progressively manifest our sonship. You are either submitted to the Spirit of God as a son, or you are under the spirit of bondage unto fear. Fear is bondage. Fear rules and reigns in people who have it. They cannot get control of themselves; terror causes them to run mindlessly before the devil, who is ruling over them. We are going to see very crazy things happen in this world because of fear, and that includes seeing Christians not behaving as Christians because of fear, yet all that God asks us to do is a minor thing. He wants us to walk by faith. It is something that has already been paid for by the Lord; in (Col.1:13) who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love. And if we walk by faith in Him, we will be able to cast down fear. Faith gives us the power to walk the walk. The Lord came to deliver us from the power of death. (Heb.2:14) Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil (There it is; we've been delivered.); (15) and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Worldly people do the things they do because of bondage to the fear of death, but Christians are not supposed to be in that bondage. Read that verse again. (Heb.2:14) Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (15) and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Jesus came to deliver us from the fear of death, so that we wouldn't be subject to bondage all of our life. He came to deliver us from the fear of death and He accomplished that deliverance when He bore our sins upon Himself. Years ago I was on my roof, working on the second story of my house when it started to rain and I started to get down and stepped on the ladder, which was now resting on the wet deck. I fell sideways so fast and hit the deck. I immediately reached for my right shoulder, which felt like a limp bag of broken bones. I had a terrible pain in my side. An angel told me later that I had injured three internal organs. Michael heard me and came out and prayed for me. I was due to preach a broadcast. I believe it was adrenalin that caused me to get up and go do it. I didn't know at that time how bad I was hurt. I had broken three ribs, which caused great pain when I moved my rib cage and muscles. The saints came and prayed for me. My heart began to do strange things and skipping beats. When I realized I was dying, the thought of meeting the Lord gave me great joy and expectation. By the grace of God I never had fear. I joked with the saints who were looking at me wide-eyed.  I cried, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” 2Ki. 2:12, as though I could see them coming to get me and take me to heaven. When I saw they were taking me seriously, I laughed.  Long story short, they prayed me through and I had to stay. I raised my arms in praise when I knew my crushed shoulder would not permit this and it began to come together with everything else. God's grace is wonderful. We've seen from Revelation 21 that fear is sin. He bore the sin of fear and now you don't have to put up with fear anymore because He delivered you from that darkness. He bore upon Himself that curse. We have authority over fear because of what Jesus did at the Cross. We can say, “No!” to fear. Many of you have experienced this. You have rebuked fear. You have denied, and have refused to listen to fear. We have total authority over fear. When fear comes upon us, it is to bring us into bondage and cause us to serve it. Many times the fear of death causes us to do things we would not normally do. When my oldest son was being born at home, and it came time for birth, we discovered that he was breech, one foot was coming out first. When I saw that little toe come out first, it was like the devil was just waiting for me to see it and to jump on me with the spirit of fear. You know, the devil tells you everything bad that's going to happen unless you go back to trusting in man or doing it the way of the world, but the Lord wanted me to have a lesson of trusting in Him. So when I saw that little toe and felt the spirit of fear come in that room, I said, “No! We are going to stop right here and we are going to pray. We bind you spirit of fear and cast you out.” We commanded that demon to “Go, in the Name of Jesus Christ!” and it did. Then we were no longer in bondage because of this fear of death. And so our son was born. The fear of death can be more than just the fear of physical death. Many people fear death to self. They fear giving up their old life, so the devil is able to keep them in bondage. Through the fear of death, he keeps us running to the world and its ways and methods. Jesus came to set us free from fear of death, and since we know that He did set us free from fear of death, now we have authority over fear. That's not the case if you're walking in sin, because then you have no boldness. You won't be able to deny fear; it will overcome you. If you're walking by faith in God, you have authority over fear and you can cast it down. It will have to submit to you because of what Jesus did. He gave you authority over all the power of the enemy. (Luk.10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. One thing we do to conquer fear is refuse to listen to it. Returning to when our first son was born, he was born a footling breech, the doctors do not believe God can deliver a baby that has one foot up and one down and wrong side up. Some people don't even know it's possible because they always do a Caesarean section in these cases. After we ran off the spirit of fear, I commanded that baby to “Come out in the Name of Jesus!” and that baby was born a footling breech. God can do anything! Glory be to God! His Power is awesome, but if you have fear, you don't have faith in God. Instead, your faith is in the devil. You have faith in the curse and God's power is not going to be manifested for you. We have to learn not to listen to the voice of the devil. (Psa.55:3) Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they cast iniquity upon me, And in anger they persecute me. (4) My heart is sore pained within me: And the terrors of death are fallen upon me. (All these things are true.) (5) Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me. These awful things had happened because he listened to the voice of the enemy. Just don't listen! We should pray that God will always bring to our remembrance the things that He has said unto us (John 14:26). (Isa.26:3) Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee;] because he trusteth in thee. We hold fast to the Word so that when fear comes, we recognize that it's a spirit because it says in (2Ti.1:7) for God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness… We can say, “God has not given me a spirit of fear; this is the devil. I can stop this. I can take authority. I can have victory over this. I do not need to listen to this, as though it were me, because it is not me.” We cast down these thoughts. The Bible tells us that we can fill ourselves with thoughts that give us peace. (Php.4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true (When the spirit of fear comes, we know it's the devil's telling us a lie, something contrary to Scriptures. We're not supposed to listen to it.), whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Remember what happened when 10 of the 12 men who were sent to spy out the Promised Land brought back a bad report (Numbers 13:1-24). Their report caused the people to fear the giants and made the people's hearts to melt (Numbers 13:25-33; 14:1-4). Well-meaning people can bring us a bad report, but if something is contrary to God's Word, we need to cast it out and cast it down. Be wary if you've made somebody your god. Be wary if you've made medicine or doctors your god. Be wary when they bring you the bad report. Remember, (1Pe.2:24) … by whose stripes ye were healed. How can you be sick? You can't be sick because you were healed, so cast that thought down. Cast that bad report down, because if fear causes you to accept that, then that's what you'll have. Jesus said, (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. When they bring that bad report, what happens is that fear comes into your being. The devil is sitting there, just waiting for you to hear what this guy has to say, and when you accept it, fear jumps on you. The devil knows that you're going to have a testimony if you stand fast in your faith. He's attacking you to keep you from being delivered from this curse, from being delivered out of this darkness. He's attacking you to keep you from walking by faith in the Lord. What does the Word tell us to do instead? (Php.4:8) … If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (In other words, take account of these things.) (9) The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you. He's the God of peace. Scripture talks about our warfare. It tells us to cast down (2Co.10:5) … imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Bring every thought into captivity to Christ, because if we will learn to do this and be consistent, fear will never have a foothold. We will conquer it. God is omnipotent. (Php.2:13) For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. We do not have to give in to the thoughts of the devil. We can cast them down. Remember what God said about the voice of the enemy. (Psa.55:3) Because of the voice of the enemy … (4) … the terrors of death are fallen upon me. That is the devil when he comes to you. We do not have to put up with this. Some of you have listened to things and read things that are bringing fear into your life. They're not building faith in you for the days to come. You should not read or listen to the voice of the devil. He'll use people to give you things that put fear into your heart, but don't listen to or look at the devil's lies. (Isa.8:9) Make an uproar, O ye peoples, and be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces. A great tumult is coming over the world in these days, saints. (10) Take counsel together, and it shall be brought to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. Immanuel is with us. It's not our power; it's His Power in us! (Col.1:27) which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Let's go now to (Isa.8:11) For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, (12) Say ye not, A conspiracy, concerning all whereof this people shall say, A conspiracy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be in dread [thereof]. I know Christians who study conspiracies all the time and it's filling their hearts with fear. They don't have any faith or boldness toward God. Why? They are afraid of the things that are coming upon the world because they are being disobedient. It doesn't matter who's behind the things that are coming upon the world. Ultimately, the Lord is behind it all. The Bible says God is the One (Eph.1:11) … who worketh all things after the counsel of his will. God was behind what came to Job. Looking at Job's situation, we see that we should not fear because God Almighty is in control. If you study these conspiracies and conclude that men or the devil are out to do you in, you're wasting your time. It's God Almighty Who is behind everything, and His purpose for you is good. His purpose is to bring you to repentance and to faith in Him. So if you're studying men, worried about what they might be doing, and thinking that you have to do something, you can get into works of the flesh. And it's all because you studied the conspiracies. Well, here's God's Word on conspiracies: (Isa.8:12) Say ye not, A conspiracy, concerning all whereof this people shall say, A conspiracy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be in dread [thereof]. (13) The Lord of hosts, him shall ye sanctify; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. We should fear the Lord because, as we read, He is the One, ultimately, Who is in control and not the world, not the wicked, not the Illuminati, or anybody else. Don't study the conspiracies. God is in control and remember that (Pro.16:7) When a man's ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. The Lord has absolute control over our enemies. He has absolute control over our lives and He said we would be in safety and He said we would not fear. We need to put our trust in God. We need to cast down these things when our sight is on men. The Bible says, (Pro.29:25) The fear of man bringeth a snare, But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. (26) Many seek the ruler's favor; But a man's judgment [cometh] from the Lord. If you are afraid of man, you are going to be back in bondage again and be trapped again. “The fear of man bringeth a snare, but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Study what God has to say. Study what He will do to provide for you in the days to come, and don't fear the things that are coming upon the world. Fear is for the devil's children, but it's also for the wayward people of God to bring them to repentance and trust in God. Now let me share this testimony:   Cast Out Fear by J.R.T. Our son, Caleb, has always been a fearful child. He was scared of loud noises, deep water, the drive-through car wash, thunderstorms, etc. He would cry uncontrollably whenever we went through the car wash or when thunder would strike during a storm. Recently, when storms popped up and he would become afraid, my wife would sing this song with him: “I am your God. I am your God, who holds your right hand, who holds your right hand. And I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid, for I will help you.'” One day I came home from work and my wife told me there had been a thunderstorm earlier and that she and Caleb had sung this song. I started to sing the song, thinking he would like it. But just the association of the song with the storms caused Caleb to cry and appear upset. Without even thinking, I picked him up and prayed, “Spirit of fear, I rebuke you in Jesus' Name and command you to leave Caleb. The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear. We do not want you here.” There was no immediate change. But the Lord impressed me not to dwell on the fact that I saw no change; rather, just believe His Word. The next weekend we were in Pensacola for Mother's Day. Once we got back to Georgia, we realized several things had changed. The whole family rode through the car wash over the holiday weekend. Caleb hadn't fussed a bit. He even later commented that the “wind” (noisiest part) was his favorite part of the car wash. Normally, as soon as he sees that we are at the car wash, he starts talking about wanting to get out of the vehicle. When lightning and thunder started during a storm over the weekend, Caleb didn't cry or run to mommy or daddy; rather, he walked right to the front glass door to look outside. We spent part of the weekend with my wife's family on the beach. Caleb went out farther than normal. He even fell in the water a few times, and breathed in a little water. But he did not get upset – he kept playing. I praise the Lord for putting in me what was needed to deliver Caleb from fear…Thank you, Lord. Amen! Awesome testimony. We have this authority, too, saints. Now, are there times when God's people cannot be released from demons? Paul, by the Spirit, turned a man over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, and he did that for a good reason. (1Cor.5:3) For I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing, (4) in the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, (5) to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Our carnal minds think it's always good for people to get delivered of demons, but no, it's not always good. You see, God has a purpose for demons. If not, He would have wiped them out a long time ago, but He has a good purpose for them. The Bible says that God has vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor. (Rom.9:21) 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? The demons are His chief vessels of dishonor and He uses them to chasten and teach. Paul turned a man over for a chastening “that his spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus”, but there's another example where Paul delivered Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan that “they might be taught not to blaspheme” (1 Timothy 1:18-20). The devil is God's messenger to chasten and teach people. When you get out from under the Blood, the devil jumps on you like a mad dog. It doesn't matter whether or not you are a Christian. The people who are not Christian are already under bondage to the devil, and so sometimes, the devil does not want to “rock the boat” for them. There is no advantage for him in revealing himself to them because they're already caught, but for you, it's a different story. When you step out from under the Blood, he is waiting for you. He is waiting to “chew” on you a little bit until you'll say, “Hey, it's a lot safer back there under the Blood! I repent, Lord! I obey!” But until you get back under the Blood, the devil is there to motivate you to live in obedience as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We have examples all through the Bible where God turned over His people to the devil and there was no one who could cast the demons out of them. If you won't repent, don't ask for deliverance. If you are not willing to confess your sins and repent of them, do not ask for deliverance from the demon who preys upon the sin. He is there for a purpose; he is there to make your life miserable until you repent. I am speaking from experience. I've tried casting demons out of people, yet the demons would come back. Finally, I figured out what the problem was. I was out there doing my own thing and so I was getting out of God's Will. A good example of that from the Old Testament is where God ordained Saul (1 Samuel 10:1). He filled him with the Spirit and even had him prophesy (1 Samuel 10:6), but when Saul rebelled against God and did his own thing, then (1Sa.16:14) … the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. (15) And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. A lot of people think this is false doctrine, but it's truth. As the Lord pointed out to me one time, (Php.2:13) … it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Salvation is so great! The way God saves you is that He puts in you a desire to do what is right. It's so simple and it's so easy. Through repentance and through faith, you receive the desire to do what is right. This is what salvation is all about. Did you know that God uses vessels of dishonor to work in you, just as He uses vessels of honor? God did this with the devil, who didn't have any interest in Job until God brought him to the devil's attention. (Job 2:3) And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and turneth away from evil… That was like dangling a carrot before a donkey. The devil was ready to jump on Job, but God put strict conditions on what he could do in (Job 1:12, 2:6). (Job 2:4) And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. (5) But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face. (6) And The Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life. Many times the devil is being used as the “left hand” of God when he brings a curse or a chastening. (Job 2:9) Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? renounce God, and die. (10) But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. Job did speak the truth there because God cannot be Sovereign if He controls only good and doesn't control evil. The devil is here to be one of God's “hands” or else he would have been wiped out back there at the Garden of Eden. Since Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), why did we need a Savior before Adam ever fell? God is not making any mistakes here; what we are going through is creation and the devil is a part of this. It was God Who turned Abimelech and the men of Shechem over to devils in (Judges 9:23). They got in there and divided the men because they killed the sons of Gideon in (Judges 9:5). God sent those evil spirits between the Israelites to divide them, just as God turned Saul over to a demon spirit because he was in rebellion. God did this quite often in the Old Testament, and another example is when Samuel was rebuking Saul for not obeying God. (1Sa.15:23) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft… The Hebrew word translated as “witchcraft” there is qesem, and it means “divination.” A spirit of divination is a spirit of false prophecy. It prophesies for the devil, and so Saul had a demon spirit because he had a spirit of divination. (1Sa.18:10) And it came to pass on the morrow, that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as he did day by day. And Saul had his spear in his hand; (11) and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And David avoided out of his presence twice. (12) And Saul was afraid of David, because The Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul. I don't know what spirit, divination or otherwise, God was talking about when He said (1Sa.16:14) … an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him, but I do know that Saul had a spirit of divination because he became a false prophet. Whether this “evil spirit from the Lord” was the spirit of divination, I don't know and Scripture does not say, but it was tormenting him. Here was a man who at one time had the Holy Spirit in (1 Samuel 10:6) and yet still became tormented by a demon spirit, and as we see here, possibly two demon spirits. The apostle Paul also had a demon tormentor. He said in (2Co.12:7) And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. I am not stating that there was a demon inside of Paul, but an angel of Satan was tormenting him. The word “messenger” in the Scriptures, 181 of 183 times, is translated as “angel,” so an angel of Satan was sent to buffet him, and the word “buffet” means “to beat or strike repeatedly.” Paul was not talking here about an infirmity or sickness; only the KJV says that Paul's “thorn in the flesh” was an “infirmity.” No Bible derived from the ancient manuscripts has this translation because that's not the word “infirmity”; it is the word “weakness.” Scripture says that Christ was crucified through weakness. (2Co.13:3) Seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to youward is not weak, but is powerful in you: (4) for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. This same Greek word asthenes translated as “weakness” in 2 Corinthians 13:3 by the King James, is what the King James in 2 Corinthians 12:9 claims is “infirmity.” Paul did not have an infirmity; this is a lie because the Bible says, (Psa.103:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits: (3) Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases. God does not change His Word and say, “No, Paul, you keep this disease. It's good for you.” This is not our God. What you have there is a schizophrenic “god.” A messenger of Satan is the one who was bringing all of these troubles against Paul, and he made a list of all the places where he said he was “weak.” The word is the same word, asthenes, as used in Chapter 12. (2Co.11:23) Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft. (24) Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one. (25) Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep; (26) [in] journeyings often, [in] perils of rivers, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils from [my] countrymen, [in] perils from the Gentiles, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; (27) [in] labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (29) Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not? Who was “buffeting” Paul in all of these ways? A messenger of Satan was bringing Paul through all these tribulations. When Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness in (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:2), it was the devil who tempted Him, so don't think that you are not going to be faced with demons. If you are in the wilderness, you are going to be faced with demons, but you have every right and every power from God to overcome them. When Paul was faced with demons, God did not say that He was going to take away that angel from Satan. It says (2Co.12:9) And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for [my] power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. God said, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” He did not say, “My grace is this infirmity that I am putting on you, and you're going to have to keep it.” That's crazy; it's not what the Bible says. It says, (1Pe.2:24) … by whose stripes ye were healed. You were healed. There is no condition put on this except you repent and believe. As we just read, Paul professed that those things listed in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 were his “weaknesses.” A demon was bringing Paul into positions of weakness. And when he got into these positions of weakness, Paul put his trust in the Lord, and in every instance, the Lord saved him. (Psa.34:19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous (In most cases, these afflictions come from the devil.); But the Lord delivereth him out of them all. This is what you have to believe. This is the Gospel, and if you do not believe it, you do not get it. The devil has a purpose in all of this. He is used by God to chasten and to bring under curses those who are in rebellion against God. He is used by God to give you teaching and understanding (1Ti.1:20) … that they might be taught not to blaspheme God. The devil is used by God to humble you, and he is used to help you see the power of God. When the devil puts you into a situation where you are weak, this is where you get to see the miracle. You do not get to see the miracle when you have all you need, or when all your problems are solved, and you are walking in the anointing and power. The power of God comes when you are in a position where you cannot do anything. The power of God comes sometimes when you refuse to do anything about a weakness, and you just put your trust in God and His Word. The power of God comes when you believe what the Bible says. When the children of Israel rebelled, God sent demons to them. (Psa.78:49) He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, Wrath, and indignation, and trouble, A band of angels of evil. Wrath, indignation, and trouble are demon spirits. It was God's purpose to deliver the Israelites over to these demons for torment because they were in rebellion. God is the One Who delivers a person over to demons, and God is the One Who turns people over to a “reprobate mind,” too (Romans 1:28; 2 Timothy 3:8). The Bible talks about “doctrines of demons.” (1Ti.4:1) But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, (2) through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron. I was once delivered from a doctrine of demons and I was shocked, not knowing it was a demon at all. At the time, I had a real gift to speak the Oneness doctrine, but it was not the truth. It was a demon spirit and when it left, it went straight out of the top of my head. I'd had to humble myself to what the Lord said. What delivered me was when I decided, “I am going to put my doctrine down for just a minute, and humble myself to this Word, and see what It says.” When I did that, “Poof!” The demon went out from the top of my head and was gone because Oneness is a doctrine of demons. There are demons whose job it is to bring people into bondage to false doctrines, and they actually do enter your body. I am living proof of this, delivered from that doctrine quite some years ago. Sometimes you can't recognize when people are demon-possessed because they're being ruled by that spirit. You understand that something is wrong with them, but you may not recognize it in their flesh. Most often though, people are oppressed, rather than possessed. If a demon is in your flesh, just abiding in the flesh and not reaching into the soul, he can oppress you from the flesh, but when he reaches into your soul, which is your mind, will, and emotions, then this is what the Bible calls being “possessed.” We've been taught wrongly that when demons are on the outside, it is oppression, but when they are on the inside, that is possession. No, the demons can be in your flesh and never leave your flesh, so then they can oppress you from the flesh. Or they can reach into the soul and possess you, while at other times, they will back off into the flesh and be dormant. When they do that, you will not even know they're in there until they're faced with some stimulus from the outside that causes them to come up and manifest themselves. And when that stimulus or that temptation is gone, the demons draw back into the flesh, becoming dormant once again. For instance, people with a spirit of anger (a demon) are not angry all the time. They are only angry when they're tempted, but if you try to deal with it as though it were only a lust of the flesh, you're going to fail because it's more than that. Many people, possibly all people, have demons when they come to Christ, but God doesn't drive them all out all at once according to (Exodus 23:29-30; Judges 2:22-23). I've heard people say that it's okay to be angry as long as you don't sin, but this is a false doctrine, and they get it from a false interpretation of Scripture. The Bible says, (Ecc.7:9) Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. If you have anger in your heart, it is going to make you a fool. If you say, “Wait a minute...I thought I could be angry, but just not sin?” Anger is wrong because anger is unforgiveness and anger is bitterness. I admit the Holy Spirit can be angry; the Holy Spirit can even manifest anger through you. I have felt the anger of the Lord move through me, but He can do this legally. The Holy Spirit can speak through you and judge, but you cannot judge. If you judge, you are going to be judged, as it says in (Mat.7:1) Judge not, that ye be not judged. (2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. You must know the difference between the Holy Spirit moving through you for the sake of God and when you are being tempted by the lusts of your flesh. (Eph.4:25) Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. (26) Be ye angry, and sin not… Originally, there was no punctuation in this verse, because in the ancient Greek they did not have punctuation or capital letters. The punctuation was added in later by theologians, but the Lord told me there is supposed to be a question mark after the word “not.” Can you be angry and not sin? No, and I can prove this to you, because the rest of the verse says, (Eph.4:26) Let not the sun go down upon your wrath (In other words, “Do not let that stuff stick around.”): (27) neither give place to the devil. If you are angry, you are “giving place to the devil.” When you are angry, it's because you're in unforgiveness, but we have to forgive everybody, all the time, forever. The very foundation of salvation is forgiveness, and so if you don't forgive, then God doesn't forgive you. Truly “anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” (Eph. 4:31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice (He's not saying, “It's okay to be angry, just do not sin.” He's saying, “Get rid of it!” And if you're having trouble doing this, sometimes it is a demon.): (32) and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. Let's go now to (Pro.4:7) Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding. The more understanding you get, the less anger you are going to have. (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. If you believe that all things work together for good to those who love God, then you're not going to be angry at situations, you're not going to be angry at your circumstances. If my dog came into this room right now and did something that dogs do, it would be foolish for me to become angry at that dog, because he's a dog and he's not going to do anything different. He is a dog; he can't be anything different. When your children are toddlers and they stumble and fall, you don't become angry with them, because that's what children do. Children stumble and fall. Life is this way, so would it make sense for you to get angry at the devil for doing what he normally does? That would be a waste of time. He is the devil; he does what he was created to do, and his demons do what they were created to do. Everything that happens around us has a purpose because God is Sovereign. Do not become angry about anything that happens around you, because if you're angry at the circumstances around you, you are angry at God. He is the One who ordained the circumstances around you. He is the Sovereign God (Eph.1:11) … who worketh all things after the counsel of His will. And we read that (Joh.3:27) … A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven. Do you believe this? If it comes from heaven and you become angry, then you are being angry at God. Don't claim that anger from your lusts of the flesh is righteous indignation; that's just bologna! Be at peace! God doesn't want you to have anger; He wants you to be at peace. So, what about the anger of the Lord? If the Lord moves through you in anger, it is not a personal thing because it is not your anger. The Bible says in (Mar. 3:5) And when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of t

In Matthew 12 we have two incidents, both deliberately performed on the Sabbath day, illustrating that Jesus was indeed the Lord of the Sabbath, in contrast to the Sabbath having authority over our Lord Jesus. The first of these confrontations between the Pharisees and Jesus' disciples was whether the disciples had the right to pluck and eat the ears of grain ( Jesus cites the precedent in David's eating of the shewbread, which our readings from two days ago highlighted). The second incident was the healing of the man with the withered hand. In all likelihood the Pharisees had planted this man at the front of the synagogue in Capernaum as a challenge to our Lord. Would he heal on the Sabbath day, or not? This healing proved that our Lord Jesus Christ was Yahweh's chosen Servant of Isaiah 42. These incidents are followed by grievous charges being leveled against Jesus of doing miracles by the power of Beelzebul - the lord of the dung heap - the prince of the demons. Jesus claims that this charge amounted to blasphemy against God's power which was being flagrantly denied despite incontestable evidence that Jesus was from God. Then follows the lesson of the fruits. Our Lord Jesus declares that the type of tree we are is shown by the fruits - ie actions of our lives - Jesus kindly words, actions and healings proved that he was the Son of God. And their hatred, words and enmity towards our Lord illustrates that they were acting from minds that were carnal in every respect. Our Lord would advance further incontestable proof of his Sonship with a prophecy of his resurrection from the dead as the sign of Jonah - the prophet from Galilee (see John 7:50-52). The chapter concludes with the parable of the unclean spirit seeking a lodging place. It leaves its abode and starts to look for another house. But finding no place it returned to its original home and found it to be swept clean. The spirit then found another 7 vile creatures to return and take possession of the original house. This spoke of John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus Christ purging the house of Israel. Only for the foul priests and Pharisees uniting to kill our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 23 verses :19-39. Lastly the chapter records that Jesus' own family sought to 'rescue' him from the trouble he had seemingly caused. His family were not impressed with his head on confrontations with the nation's religious leaders. Perhaps they believed he needed rest and time to reflect on a better course of action and not antagonise Israel's leaders. Jesus tells his family that he is doing the work of his God and that those who choose to listen to his Father's Word are his true family.

1Samuel 24 verse 7 tells of David and his men hiding in the wilderness of En Gedi - which means "the eye of the fountain",, or "the eye of the wild goat" - where Saul was pursuing him. Saul went into a cave to release himself. David's men urge him to slay Saul as it seemed to them that God had delivered David's enemy into his hand. David tells his men that he cannot innocently lift his hand against the LORD's anointed. David stealthily enters the cave and cuts off the corner of Saul's robe. After this he was ashamed that he had done this. Verses 8-15 speak of David calling after the king from a safe distance and relating to Saul what has happened. David says that there is no way that he would have killed Saul and the proof was in David's hand. He claims that Saul was pursuing an insignificant flea. David claims that Yahweh will vindicate his righteous behaviour. Verses 16-22 reveals Saul's pathetic response to David's plea and an acknowledgment of David's faithfulness and a declaration that God will continue to bless David for this reason. Saul says that he is sure that the Almighty will bring David to the throne. King Saul asks David not to retaliate against his family when David reigns. David swears an oath to Saul to that effect. We are in the first chapter of Jeremiah introduced to one of Yahweh's long suffering prophets. Jeremiah commenced his prophecy in the year BC 628 as a young man related to king Josiah who was nearing the end of his short reign. Jeremiah continued his ministry beyond BC 588 when Jerusalem fell to Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah was the son of Hilkiah the priest (in all likelihood the High Priest) and therefore cousin to king Josiah. His ministry within Judah lasted from the end of Josiah's reign (occasioned by his untimely death in battle with Pharaoh Necho) until the dissolution of the kingdom under the faithless and  vacillating Zedekiah. Jeremiah played a central role in the unparalleled reforms of Josiah and was himself devastated by the premature removal of the king he loved. He was foreknown of God and chosen before his birth to be a prophet to plead with God's people to reform and also to the surrounding nations - a task which, as youth, he found daunting. Nevertheless he was strengthened to perform this in the face of persistent and hostile opposition. In Matthew 12 we have two incidents, both deliberately performed on the Sabbath day,  illustrating that Jesus was indeed the Lord of the Sabbath, in contrast to the Sabbath having authority over our Lord Jesus. The first of these confrontations between the Pharisees and Jesus' disciples was whether the disciples had the right to pluck and eat the ears of grain ( Jesus cites the precedent in David's eating of the shewbread, which our readings from two days ago highlighted). The second incident was the healing of the man with the withered hand. In all likelihood the Pharisees had planted this man at the front of the synagogue in Capernaum as a challenge to our Lord. Would he heal on the Sabbath day, or not? This healing proved that our Lord Jesus Christ was Yahweh's chosen Servant of Isaiah 42. These incidents are followed by grievous charges being leveled against Jesus of doing miracles by the power of Beelzebul - the lord of the dung heap - the prince of the demons. Jesus claims that this charge amounted to blasphemy against God's power which was being flagrantly denied despite incontestable evidence that Jesus was from God. Then follows the lesson of the fruits. Our Lord Jesus declares that the type of tree we are is shown by the fruits - ie actions of our lives - Jesus kindly words, actions and healings proved that he was the Son of God. And their hatred, words and enmity towards our Lord illustrates that they were acting from minds that were carnal in every respect. Our Lord would advance further incontestable proof of his Sonship with a prophecy of his resurrection from the dead as the sign of Jonah - the prophet from Galilee (see John 7:50-52). The chapter concludes with the parable of the unclean spirit seeking a lodging place. It leaves its abode and starts to look for another house. But finding no place it returned to its original home and found it to be swept clean. The spirit then found another 7 vile creatures to return and take possession of the original house. This spoke of John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus Christ purging the house of Israel. Only for the foul priests and Pharisees uniting to kill our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 23 verses :19-39. Lastly the chapter records that Jesus' own family sought to 'rescue' him from the trouble he had seemingly caused. His family were not impressed with his head on confrontations with the nation's religious leaders. Perhaps they believed he needed rest and time to reflect on a better course of action and not antagonise Israel's leaders. Jesus tells his family that he is doing the work of his God and that those who choose to listen to his Father's Word are his true family.

In Matthew 8 verses 1-4 Jesus cures a leper. This chapter shows Jesus' authority in both word and deed. The leper knew Jesus had the power to heal. The only question was: "Would Jesus heal him?" Our Lord cured the leper and sent him to the priests to testify that Jesus could do what the Law couldn't do: Romans 8 verses1-6. Verses 5-13 speak of the faith of a Roman centurion. He asked the Lord Jesus Christ to heal his servant. The Roman asked Jesus to simply speak the word and the servant was to be healed. Verse 5 says that the centurion, being a man commanded by Rome, saw Jesus as the empowered servant of God - Jesus' Father through whom salvation comes - and with divine power and authority to heal. Our Lord Jesus said that this type of faith exceeds that of the nation who claimed to be God's children. Jesus declares in verses 10-13 that such faith showed that man to be a true son of Abraham. The Lord's words are reminiscent of the promise that God made to Abraham in Genesis 13 verses 14-16. By contrast the lack of faith of the chosen people would see them excluded from gaining the benefits of the Abrahamic promise. Verses 14-17 describe many miracles fulfilling the words of Isaiah 53 verses 3-4. Verses 18-22 tell disciples that the cost of following the Lord Jesus Christ is to forsake all other pursuits now and start that following of Jesus immediately. Verses 23-27 tell of Jesus' authority over the elements of nature in calming a storm. The cures he performs show him to be the Son of God who can save life. Verses 28-34 describe the curing of two demented men. We need to have our minds healed from the madness that is endemic in human nature and only our Lord and his Father can do that. We will be partially cured now as we heed the words of life and completely cured when by God's grace we are given an immortal body incapable of sinning.

1Samuel 19 speaks of king Saul's plotting to kill David. When Jonathan hears of this he refuses to believe that his father, Saul, would do this to faithful David. Jonathan is able to temporarily dissuade his father from carrying through Saul's intent to destroy David. Jonathan brings about a period of respite between Saul and his son-in-law. Verses 8-10 speak of another battle between Israel and the Philistines. Saul again moved with envy cast his javelin to slay David. David escapes and flees from Saul's presence. Verses 11-17 describe David as a fugitive in his own house, where Saul believes David has been trapped. David and Michal plan David's escaping from the city and her placing pillows of goats' hair in David's bed and covering them to pretend that David is sick in his bed. Saul commands his soldiers to bring David to him in his bed that Saul might slay David. Michal lies to her father saying that David threatened to kill her. David flees to Samuel in Ramah. Both Samuel and David anticipate Saul's wrath and take refuge in Naioth. Saul hears of this and comes with his army to destroy David. Saul had sent two armed contingents before coming himself. But each of these groups including the king himself were prevented from apprehending David by God's spirit coming on them and causing them to prophesy. It became a perplexing proverb: "Is Saul also among the prophets?"  Isaiah 63 is about the day of Yahweh's vengeance and the remembrance of His mercy. Verses 1-6 speak of a period of time after the Lord Jesus Christ's return to earth. This period is described in Revelation 10 as the March of the rainbowed angel. The time is after the invasion of Israel by the northern confederacy. Jesus and his saints will go into the ancient region of Edom to subdue and convert the Arab peoples into accepting Israeli Jews fleeing from the foe that has conquered their land and is systematically imprisoning Jews. Our Lord Jesus has his clothing of a red colour being stained with the blood of his enemies. He makes war in righteousness with his foes. The figure of warfare here and in Joel 3:13 is likened to the crushing of grapes in a winepress. Verse 4 tells us that the vengeance of our God is for a day, but His mercy and redemption is for a year. His wrath is limited but His grace and mercy is abundant: Exodus 34 verses :5-7; Psalm 103 verses 1-19; James 3 verses 12-13. Verse 5 tells us that our Lord Jesus only the Saviour empowered by His Father. And so our Lord is righteous in the exercise of his judgment. Verses 7-14 tell of Yahweh's remembrance of His mercy to His people Israel. Verses 7-9 recount the evidence of the Almighty's exercising His redeeming mercy when He delivered His people from Egypt. Verses 10-14 say that despite His love they constantly rebelled throughout their wilderness wanderings. Despite the grief that this caused their Father. Yet despite this He brought them through the Red Sea and into the Land promised to their faithful patriarchal fathers and through this gained renown and a famous Name: Yahweh. Verses 15-19 is a prayer of the prophet for Israel's Sovereign to again show mercy to His people. His stedfast love and compassion will compel the LORD to deliver His children. Israel had been disciplined for their waywardness but will be won over by the love of their Father and will be brought home from exile to be Yahweh's people.   In Matthew 8 verses 1-4 Jesus cures a leper. This chapter shows Jesus' authority in both word and deed. The leper knew Jesus had the power to heal. The only question was: "Would Jesus heal him?" Our Lord cured the leper and sent him to the priests to testify that Jesus could do what the Law couldn't do: Romans 8 verses1-6. Verses 5-13 speak of the faith of a Roman centurion. He asked the Lord Jesus Christ to heal his servant. The Roman asked  Jesus to simply speak the word and the servant was to be healed. Verse 5 says that the centurion, being a man commanded by Rome, saw Jesus as the empowered servant of God - Jesus' Father through whom salvation comes - and with divine power and authority to heal. Our Lord Jesus said that this type of faith exceeds that of the nation who claimed to be God's children. Jesus declares in verses 10-13 that such faith showed that man to be a true son of Abraham. The Lord's words are reminiscent of the promise that God made to Abraham in Genesis 13 verses 14-16. By contrast the lack of faith of the chosen people would see them excluded from gaining the benefits of the Abrahamic promise. Verses 14-17 describe many miracles fulfilling the words of Isaiah 53 verses 3-4. Verses 18-22 tell disciples that the cost of following the Lord Jesus Christ is to forsake all other pursuits now and start that following of Jesus immediately. Verses 23-27 tell of Jesus' authority over the elements of nature in calming a storm. The cures he performs show him to be the Son of God who can save life. Verses 28-34 describe the curing of two demented men. We need to have our minds healed from the madness that is endemic in human nature and only our Lord and his Father can do that. We will be partially cured now as we heed the words of life and completely cured when by God's grace we are given an immortal body incapable of sinning. Thoughts on the Bible Readings

The judgment mentioned in Matthew 7 verses 1-5 refers to critical fault finding in others as opposed to the need to show discernment . We must judge righteous judgment: we are commanded to do so. Verse 6 tells disciples to not share the precious knowledge of God with mockers who will never change. Verses 7-11 tells us that the askers will receive; the seekers will find; and to the knockers doors will be opened. This is because our Heavenly Father is faithful to His promises and will only give good gifts to His children. In verse 12 our Lord highlights the golden rule - do to others what you would wish them to do for you. Verses 13-14 tell us to strive to please God. Diligence must characterise the disciple's life. Without diligence we will easily lose our way. Verses 15-20 teach us what type of tree we are; for the fruits of our lives will be seen in the fruits of our behaviour. Verses 21-23 are sobering thoughts which teach us that is not what we say that will save us - but rather how we live. Our Lord only knows those who understand him and love and live as he lived: There was a popular song many years ago called: "To know him (Jesus) is to love him". Our Lord Jesus knows those who love him and he reciprocates that love to them. Matthew 25 verses 34-36. Read aloud and pause and ponder. Verses 24-27 tell of two builders - one wise, the other foolish - each one chose a different foundation on which to build. The wise man undertook the long and laborious task of digging deep and founding his house on the rock: Matthew 16 verses 13-20; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17. The foolish builder lazily chose the quick and easy way of building on sand. When the waters and tempests and afflictions of trials tested the stability of the structures, the houses, house on the rock stood firm, but the house on the sand was swept away. The Lord Jesus Christ says that wisdom lies in listening to his words and acting on them. Only doers of the Word and not simply forgetful hearers are founded upon the rock: James 1:19-27. Verses 28-29 speak of Jesus' authority in his speech in contrast to the scribes who quoted each other rather than speak with a "Thus says the Word of God".

1 Samuel 18 speaks of David's deep friendship with Jonathan - Saul's son - his appointment to high office in Saul's army; and of David's marriage to Michal - Saul's younger daughter. Verses 1-5 tell of the strong bond that was forged between Jonathan and David following the victory of faith which had allowed David to slay Goliath the giant of Gath. The two friends - David and Jonathan - were one in their attitude towards their God.  Let's highly prize and value true friendships as these can assist us in walking faithfully towards the kingdom of God. Jonathan made a covenant with David and gave to David his bow - which was Jonathan's prized weapon of choice - and the royal robe which he wore. Saul retained David as one of his army captains. Verses 6-9 describe Saul's envy of David who was praised by the Israeli women above Saul their king. David was under Saul's watchful and critical eye. Saul believed that David was seeking to usurp him. Verses 10-16 describe a foul mood overtaking Saul and his unsuccessful attempt to kill David with the king's javelin. The LORD's protection surrounded David. David's behaviour caused Saul to be in awe of David. In verses 17-31 Saul, knowing of the love of David for Saul's younger daughter Michal, seeks to have David slain in battle by the Philistines by asking a dowry from David of two hundred foreskins of the  Philistines. What treachery to use a ruse of vengeance against God's enemies as an excuse to eliminate the king's rival. Likewise how wonderful it is when our lives bare testimony to our being the children of our Heavenly Father.    Isaiah 62 describes Zion's coming salvation. Verses 1-5 speak of the prophet's prayer for his beloved Jerusalem. It is a prayer for her destiny to be delivered by her faithful and Almighty Sovereign. Jerusalem will be a city of truth and righteousness as Zechariah 8 verses14-23 speaks. The terms used in verses 4-5 describing the fruitfulness of the land are used of Hezekiah and his wife Hephzibah. In verses 6-7 the prophet asks all the faithful to copy their faithful king who despite settling watchmen on Jerusalem's walls he continues to pray and trust in the Almighty and counsels his people to do likewise. Verses 8-9 tell of his confidence in the LORD to deliver and exalt His people during the glorious reign of His Son in the near future. Verses 10-12 describe the time when Yahweh elevates Zion to the capital of the world: Isaiah 2:1-5; Jeremiah 3 verses 16-17. The people of the LORD will be blessed and all nations will come to Jerusalem to worship in sincerity and truth.   The judgment mentioned in Matthew 7 verses 1-5 refers to critical fault finding in others as opposed to the need to show discernment . We must judge righteous judgment: we are commanded to do so. Verse 6 tells disciples to not share the precious knowledge of God with mockers who will never change. Verses 7-11 tells us that the askers will receive; the seekers will find; and to the knockers doors will be opened. This is because our Heavenly Father is faithful to His promises and will only give good gifts to His children. In verse 12 our Lord highlights the golden rule - do to others what you would wish them to do for you. Verses 13-14 tell us to strive to please God. Diligence must characterise the disciple's life. Without diligence we will easily lose our way. Verses 15-20 teach us what type of tree we are; for the fruits of our lives will be seen in the fruits of our behaviour. Verses 21-23 are sobering thoughts which teach us that is not what we say that will save us - but rather how we live. Our Lord only knows those who understand him and love and live as he lived: There was a popular song many years ago called: "To know him (Jesus) is to love him". Our Lord Jesus knows those who love him and he reciprocates that love to them. Matthew 25 verses 34-36. Read aloud and pause and ponder. Verses 24-27 tell of two builders - one wise, the other foolish - each one chose a different foundation on which to build. The wise man undertook the long and laborious task of digging deep and founding his house on the rock: Matthew 16 verses 13-20; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17. The foolish builder lazily chose the quick and easy way of building on sand. When the waters and tempests and afflictions of trials tested the stability of the structures, the houses, house on the rock stood firm, but the house on the sand was swept away. The Lord Jesus Christ says that wisdom lies in listening to his words and acting on them. Only doers of the Word and not simply forgetful hearers are founded upon the rock: James 1:19-27. Verses 28-29 speak of Jesus' authority in his speech in contrast to the scribes who quoted each other rather than speak with a "Thus says the Word of God".

Jesus Delivered Us (3) (audio) David Eells – 6/29/25 Saints, I'm going to continue speaking about how Jesus has delivered us. I'm going to start with how we need to be careful about those who would deceive us and try to lead us astray with “another Jesus”. The job of spirits of religion is to keep people in bondage to religion. (2Co.11:3) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. Christians are being addressed; the word “your” is referring to Christians. (4) For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept (So you can be perverted and corrupted in your mind by listening to a false gospel and thereby receiving a false spirit.), ye do well to bear with him. If the devil cannot keep you from Jesus entirely, he will seek to keep you in bondage to religion, because when you get in bondage to religion, you're not going to accept all of the Word. Religion only accepts bits and pieces of the Word; all “Christian” religions do this. If you're not in bondage to what they say and you get into the Scriptures yourself to (Php.2:12) … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, then you can believe all the Word. God does not want us separated from the truth by religion. Religion is a trial to see if you are going to overcome. It is of the Spirit that we be tested to see if we will hold to the Word. (Mat.4:1) Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. The Holy Spirit's purpose for us to be tempted of the devil to see who the overcomers are, the elect, the true believers. When the Lord led the Israelites into the wilderness, He found out quickly who the true believers were because they were the ones who confessed the Word of God. We are in our wilderness experience to find and prove the true believers. The Bible says, (2Pe.1:10) Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure (In other words, “prove your calling and prove your election.”): for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: (11) for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We are entering into God's Kingdom progressively as we overcome. Your spirit entered into the Kingdom when you were saved through the grace of Jesus Christ. Now your soul, meaning your mind, will, and emotions, is entering through your obedience to the truth. I'd like to share this testimony:   Following “Another” Jesus by G.C. In a dream I was in a deserted area, with no one in sight. I looked around and saw, standing afar off, a man with the likeness of Jesus Christ. He had on a long flowing robe, sandals, and brown hair and beard. I ran up to him, in awe that I was standing in the presence of Christ himself. As I started to talk to him and ask questions, he walked away. I thought this was strange! But I overlooked it, and followed after him for many miles. All the while I was asking him questions and trying to get a response. But it was to no avail. He continued to ignore me and proceeded to walk to his destination. We came to a blue two-story house with a porch. This house was very pretty, yet simple in appearance. I stopped in the yard and watched him walk up on the porch. He was getting ready to walk in the door. As this was occurring I heard a convicting inner voice say, This is not his house. He's not allowed in there. I was shocked to say the least! “Not his house?!” I said to myself. “This is Jesus. The Father has given Him all things! How much more does this little house belong to Him?” I did not understand why this voice would say such a thing! While I was pondering these things, the man began to peep in the windows. Then he tried to open the door, but it was locked. I was watching this happen, all the while confused about why Jesus was locked out of this house. I was really shocked when he began to jimmy the door open to break into the house. When he walked in, I just stood there in a sad state of amazement, pondering whether or not I should follow him. I ran after him and followed him into the upstairs bedroom. I saw him going through all the desk drawers, like a common thief. I was thinking about leaving when I saw these things, but at this point, he finally began to speak to me. So I overlooked his un-Christlike actions and began conversing with him because I had been waiting a long time. We kept talking as he walked downstairs. The whole time I was listening, I got the impression he was nonchalant, careless, about everything. This troubled me. But I kept telling myself that I just didn't understand – this was Jesus. Next, he lit up a cigarette and puffed on it, like it was no big deal. I was totally saddened and confused. While taking drags off the cigarette, he asked me, “What do you want to do with your life?” I began to cry. I said, “Whatever you tell me to do, Jesus.” I was in denial. Although this man looked like Jesus, he could not have been. His works and speech were in sharp contrast to the Word. I was being willfully deceived by the image of this man. I was going against my better judgment simply because he looked like Jesus.  After having had this dream, I was confused. I really had no idea about what it meant. I thought of myself as a good and faithful Christian. I was attending a full-gospel church, paying tithes every week, writing and recording Christian music. I did not do the things I saw “sinners” doing. I was where I needed to be. I laughed the dream off, even making a joke about it to some friends. A few months later, though, I found myself dissatisfied with my spiritual life. I began to question my local assembly and its doctrines. But I was never able to put my finger on the problem.  Around this time, a spiritual brother told me that I was believing things that were not Scriptural. He also told me to watch David Eells' “Hidden Manna for the End Times” videos. I was not into what this brother was telling me. This David Eells guy was just another internet cult leader with strange doctrines. But the Lord impressed me to give it a look. After I watched the first video entitled “The Church and Tribulation,” I knew that I had found wisdom. I literally tore through all the teachings on the site.  I began to hear David speak about “another Jesus,” who many in Christianity, even some full-Gospel folk, were following. This was like the “other” Jesus for whom Paul rebuked the church. (2Co.11:4) For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit which ye did not receive, or a different gospel which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.  (Gal.1:6) I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; (7) which is not another gospel only there are some who trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any other gospel than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema (“accursed”). (9) As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preaches unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema (“accursed”). I had never really heard that before! I was amazed. The Lord impressed upon me that I had been following “another” Jesus and “another” gospel – I was self-righteous. Later, I had other dreams confirming that I was being taught false doctrines in my local assembly, and that I should leave. That I did, and I have not looked back. Praise God for His faithfulness in steering His sheep onto the straight path. AMEN. Now, I'd like to encourage you to stay rooted and grounded in the Word and faith because, saints, some mighty “shakings” of God are just around the corner. (Heb.12:25) See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned [them] on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape] who turn away from him that [warneth] from heaven: (26) whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but also the heaven. (27) And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. (28) Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe: (29) for our God is a consuming fire. Soon you will have seen some things you never thought to see in this world, but the Lord doesn't want us to be troubled. It's all part of His plan and He is a sovereign God (Eph.1:11) …Who worketh all things after the counsel of his will. The Bible also tells us, (Joh.3:27) … A man can receive nothing, except it have been give him from heaven. And (Dan.4:35) … he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? He reigns in the heavens and on the earth. We can trust in Him. These shakings are coming in order to bring many people into the Kingdom, yet we don't want to be anxious or fearful concerning these things. We want to be at peace, and we want to be used of God when these things happen, but we're totally useless to God if we have any anxiety and fear. We just can't be used of the Holy Spirit when we're in such a state, and the devil knows that. But those who walk by faith, who draw close to the Lord, and those who depend upon Him for their faith and grace, have nothing to worry about. God is going to use these shakings to weed out the Church, and He's going to bring out many people from the apostate church who have a gift from God to walk with Him. Jesus sent the disciples and the seventy out on a kind of on-the-job training (Luke 10:1). This is a foreshadowing of what's going to happen in our day in the beginning of the tribulation period, for (Ecc.1:9) That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. We are coming into a great time of grace when the Lord is going to show up. He is going to be manifested in His people. He is going to be (Col.1:27) … Christ in you, the hope of glory. His First-fruits are going to be able to do the same things that Jesus did in raising up disciples and even sending forth two-by-two; all this will be repeated. Great and wondrous things are going to happen. (Luk.10:17) And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name. Christianity, even the majority of God's elect, do not yet know that demons are subject to us, but the elect will soon know. They will come out (John 10:3-4; Revelation 18:4) and be led as disciples, and then they will shake the world. (Mar.16:17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons… So we have been given authority over demonic powers and it's a joyous thing to see people set free, but can we defend ourselves against these demons? Greater attacks and warfare are about to go forth against the saints, yet God's people, those who walk by faith in His Word, will have nothing to worry about. It's very hard for fear and anxiety to come in once you are experienced in walking in His Word. You see, He wants to prepare us for things to come. People who aren't prepared will be shocked and fearful; however, when they run to the Lord for refuge, God will teach them how to walk in peace and rest. Jesus explained to His disciples about the spirits being subject to them in (Luk.10:18) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. (20) Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. His disciples rejoiced that demons were subject to them. Let me share this testimony with you:     Delivered from Panic Attacks by S.G. (David's notes in red) Recently, I started to seek the Lord in prayer. I asked Him to do anything He wanted with me to bear fruit. I didn't know what I was getting into, although, looking back, I wouldn't change a thing because the benefits have been so great. Around that time, I started to feel some funny flips in my heart once in a while. I also had a dream where I was lying on the floor with a baby boy. A very ferocious wolf was trying to bite off the baby's head. (Satan would attempt to take away the thinking of the spiritual man, which is Christ in you (Colossians 1:27).) My heart started to act up more and more. One day I felt a sharp pain in my chest that was very painful. I started to feel like I was going to pass out. We were at a meeting and just started to pray (1Pe.2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. and to recite (Isa.53:4) Surely he hath borne our griefs (Hebrew: “sicknesses”), and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. After about five minutes I was okay. For the rest of the day I had a dull pain in my chest. Over the next weeks, it started to get worse. Panic attacks came along with it. A sister in the Lord told me that the panic attacks are a symptom of heart problems. In this time of weakness my family in Christ was being strong for me and prayed very much. I thank God for the body of Christ. This was a major spiritual attack. Many nights I couldn't sleep. Sometimes I would call them in the middle of the night to pray with me.  Slowly, I learned to take authority over fear. Things got better. Then we had a trip to Mexico. The devil told me that I wouldn't make it – I would die on the plane. I told him that he was a liar and God wasn't, and I would be fine. I will admit it was a trial, especially on the way back. On the second-to-last plane, I felt that I couldn't breathe. My chest was so tight and painful. I experienced a headache and nausea and loose bowels.  After we got back, the symptoms became worse. But every day the Lord helped me to grow stronger and stronger in faith. God was teaching me endurance and patience. I had to continually cast down thoughts that were contrary to the Word. I am not strong in my flesh, but God has been my strength through it all. Many nights I got through by entering the Sabbath Rest – it was all taken care of – and speaking the promises and listening to the Bible to get my thoughts under control.  We've studied that (2Co.10:3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (4) (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), (5) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  A great lesson I learned was walking by faith, and not by sight. Every day, I've had to ignore how bad I felt and get up and do my duties. When parts of my body were going numb, the Lord gave me the boldness to shout the promises. Then, the symptoms would leave. Another thing I learned was not to be double-minded. I had been telling everyone that the Lord healed me, but I admitted the symptoms. Somehow I was giving place to my sight. The good confession has to be complete. I have watched the symptoms go away. It's so wonderful to see how God is bringing so much fruit out of this. Even my friend and sister who didn't understand that we aren't under the curse, are getting faith of their own. The inner man has to be transformed by the word of God. I asked God to bring my thoughts, words, and actions in agreement with His Word. He is faithful. It is a daily walk with Jesus, having my eyes on Him, casting down imaginations and everything that exalts itself against His Word. Satan would tell me that my lack of exercise and diet caused this, that I needed to change my diet. I cast that down and ate as always. The battle is the Lord's. He has taken all worry away, which is the Sabbath Rest. I thank the Lord for all the UBM Bible studies that taught me the truth that sets us free. Thank you, Father of Our Dear Lord Jesus, for such a great salvation and for the trials that bring us into His image so that we encourage others in their faith. Praise and glory to Christ Jesus for a wonderful work in our lives. We are able to take the ground of our thoughts (by agreeing with the Word) and casting the enemy's thoughts down. 2Co.10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh 4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), (The principalities and powers hold the strongholds in the thoughts of the mind.) 5 casting down imaginations (thoughts and images), and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. We win the battle by rejecting the enemy's thoughts and replacing them with God's thoughts. We are at peace with God when we are full of His thoughts and our minds are guarded from the demonic attacks that cause outward actions of sin. Php.4:6-7 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Jesus said in (Luk.10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.  “Tread” here means “to trample on” and “treat with insult and contempt.” In other words, it means “to exercise dominion over them,” to put them under your authority. Jesus made war against the demon powers, and He taught His disciples how to make war against them. (Luk.11:20) But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. Kingdom here means dominion. Satan is under our feet.  Satan does not cast out Satan (Matthew 12:26); it's only the Kingdom of God that gives deliverance from Satan and his demons (Matthew 15:24) because Jesus is stronger than the “strong man.” (Luk.11:21) When the strong [man] (This word “man” is not in the original. Jesus was calling the devil “the strong” when He was spoiling the devil's kingdom.) So its, When the strong fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are at peace: (22) but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. Jesus already conquered the devil, giving us authority over him, and then He passed on this authority over all the power of the enemy to all His disciples. Just as He plundered the devil's kingdom and divided the spoils, we are plundering the devil's kingdom when we preach the Gospel to someone. If they believe it, then they're plundered out of the devil's kingdom and brought into the Kingdom of God with all its rights. The same thing happens when we heal the sick, and remove curses of all kinds. That's the job we all have to do in plundering the devil's kingdom. (Luk.11:23) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. He ordained and raised us up because He wants us to have a part in this. No matter where we are or what we are doing, we work for the Kingdom of God and represent the King. We are ambassadors of Christ. We speak for Him in this world, and we go forth to do His works in this world. Jesus said, (Mar.16:17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe (If you are a believer, you have a right to do these things.): in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) … they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. You have a right to be filled with the Spirit and the gifts, and you have a right to be doing the work of God. Saints, we need to take the shield of faith whenever we come under attack by demon spirits. (Eph.6:16) … up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. Their demons job in Satan's kingdom is to cause God's people to give up the battle and run from the face of the enemy. Our knowledge of the Word of God gives us power over these spirits. Understanding who we are in Christ and knowing that He has delivered us gives us power over them (Colossians 1:13). But spirits of anxiety, fear, guilt, rejection, shame, and unbelief all cause God's people to run from the real battle. All these “feelings” make them to be unable to take up their sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and fight (Ephesians 6:10-17), so they can conquer the enemy. If we are not with Jesus, we are against Him. If we are not gathering with Him, then we are scattered. If you are not plundering Satan's kingdom, he is plundering you. You can't have it both ways. It is one way or the other. The Lord has given us the victory in Jesus Christ. Because of His sacrifice, we have been given victory. He said, (Joh.16:33) These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. He conquered the devil, the evil one. He conquered sin, the curse, sickness; He conquered it all at the Cross and gave us authority and power over the devil. It is normal and natural for the wicked to run. They become anxious and fearful, moved by what they see and hear. (Pro.28:1) The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. We need to hold fast to that bold faith that the Lord has given to us so that we're not giving in to these feelings of anxiety and fear. Now, remember there are things, such as unforgiveness, that will totally take away your defense against these spirits. Unforgiveness delivers many of God's people over to the power of demons. Jesus said, (Mat.18:34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. (35) So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. If we don't forgive our brother from the heart, the Father will turn us over to the tormentors until we pay our own debt. So many of God's people don't realize they're laboring under these demons. They can't get any victory or overcome. They have no confidence, no gift of faith, and they don't understand that it's because they have unforgiveness, bitterness, and judgment against their brothers. Jesus is not a liar; He said the Father will turn you over to the tormentors when you don't forgive. If we want to have boldness before God, we need a clean conscience. (1Jn.3:21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; (22) and whatsoever we ask we receive of him (Now that's real safety, isn't it? We don't have to worry about a thing. We just ask, and God answers.), because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. In other words, we have a clean conscience. This should put the fear of the Lord in us, not the fear of man or demon, for the Lord Himself, is the only One we have to please. (1Jn.3:21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God. If we want to be ready for the things that are coming in the time of tribulation, we need to be full of the boldness of the Lord. We need to realize we're dealing with the enemy, the devil, who is likely to send his big guns of fear and anxiety against us. They're going to lead the pack. What happens is that people see or hear something, and all of a sudden, the devil is there to penetrate and put to flight. He attacks your mind through fear and anxiety, but those thoughts are not your thoughts and they are coming from Satan's forces. It's the devil trying to bring you down so that you'll be totally useless in this battle. We have to realize that giving in to fear or anxiety is actually sin. Many times people think fear or anxiety is normal and just a weakness in them, but the Bible says, (Heb.3:12) Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God. We are also told, (Rev.21:8) But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars (So thrown in with all the other sins and demons are “fearful, and unbelieving” and He goes on to say,), their part [shall be] in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. Fear is sin, but most people don't treat it as sin. Instead, they pacify it. They give in to it. We know the Lord “hasn't given us a spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7) because the Bible says that fear is of the devil. It comes in order to manipulate us. Instead of acting in accord with what the Word of God says, fear comes in order to move us to react. The devil wants to put us to flight before him so that he can continue to plunder us. We need to be bold in our faith. Remember that we've been given authority over the devil in everything and (Luk.10:19) … nothing shall in any wise hurt you. Does that word “nothing” actually mean what it says? Of course it does, but “nothing shall in any wise hurt” us is only effectual when we mix it with faith. (Heb.4:2) … but the word of hearing did not profit them (This is speaking of God's people.), because it was not united by faith with them that heard. The Word was of no use because it wasn't mixed with faith in them that heard. So, here is another one. (Isa 54:17)  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. We have been given dominion over weapons of anxiety and fear, and we know from God's Word that we will face these. (Heb.12:25) See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned [them] on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape] who turn away from him that [warneth] from heaven: (26) whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but also the heaven. (27) And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. God is in our midst and gives us peace while the world is in turmoil. God is going to bring down this world through these great shakings. Events will occur that we have never seen on this earth. For the wicked in this world will be in fear of the devil, fear of the curse, and fear of the things coming upon the world. Even though the hearts of men are going to literally fail them for fear (Isaiah 13:7,19:1; Nahum 2:10; etc.), these events are going to put the fear of God in His elect. I'm not saying they're going to have it all of a sudden at the beginning, but they're all going to be highly motivated to please Him. They're all going to understand what it is to serve the Lord. God's elect are going to have His patience and His peace in the midst of these shakings, and to have that, we need to be honest and call “fear” and “anxiety” what God and the Bible call them, which is “sin.” God has given us deliverance from them; we can count on it because God has delivered us from all sin. (Heb.10:14) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Joh.1:29) … Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world! Jesus took away our sin, and because of what He did, we don't have to put up with fear or anxiety. We need to be prepared for the things that are coming in order for us to partake of the peace of God in the midst of the great destruction that is coming fast upon this world. It's a trick of the devil to immediately show up with fear and anxiety whenever something happens, but we need to cast it down. We are children of the King, here for our purpose in Him, not for the purpose of the world. Unlike the world, we don't have to take the penalty. Our Lord Jesus became cursed for us; He already bore the penalty. What is there for us to fear? Nothing. It says in (Php.4:6) In nothing be anxious (Some versions say “careful,” but the Greek word there is merimnao, and it means “anxious.”); but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Since we have such authority and promises, what is “anxiety”? It is unbelief. When we give in to the temptation of anxiety, it means we do not believe that the Word is true. Unbelief is sin; we need to see it as sin, and we need to treat it as sin. (Rev.21:8) But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. You wouldn't think of doing those other things, but do you consider fear and anxiety to be unbelief, and therefore sin, before the King? Someone with fear and anxiety is not justified because they are not letting (Rom.3:4) … God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment. Here it is again, very plainly stated, (Php.4:6) In nothing be anxious… God says this because He is absolutely sovereign. We have nothing to worry about; He has everything under control. Now we can take a closer look at this Philippians text. (Php.4:1) Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved. (2) I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, the Lord wants us to stand steadfast in Him, unmoved by what we see or hear. We know we're about to see and hear horrendous things in this world, and some are already happening, but keep in mind that we're the ones He wants to teach. He wants us to learn that all these promises are true for us. He has good plans; He doesn't want to destroy us. (Php.4:2) I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind. There's a neat revelation here that the Lord hid in the Word just for us. Once, when I read this verse, He spoke to me to look up these names. “Euodia” means “to be successful in reaching a goal” or “to succeed in reaching,” and “Syntyche” means “to meet with an accident.” They're opposite names with opposite meanings. Sometimes you just walk in the success of the Lord, but sometimes you meet with what seems to be an accident, and He is telling us to be of the same mind, no matter which one you are going through. He says, (Php.4:11) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. We should be content because everything, saints, comes from the Hand of God (John 3:27). He wants you to trust in Him. (Php.4:2) I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. (3) Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Both success and what we call “accidents” do labor with us in the Gospel. Paul was shipwrecked on an island and bitten by a viper but it all worked for the gospel. They labor with us in our own lives helping us to bear fruit. We learn that God wants us to be stable and not moved by our emotions, by every wind of doctrine, or by everything that happens in the world (Ephesians 4:13-14). He wants us to be stable, not blown around. God wants us to be steadfast in standing on His Word, like standing on a rock, unmoved by success or failure. In one of the first visions we received, I was shown wearing leg braces and standing on a rock in the middle of the ocean. This represented God's grace and power helping me to stand upon the Rock; it wasn't my own power that caused me to stand. And the sea represented the curse. (Php.4:3) … Help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also… “Clement” means “merciful.” With those who will have mercy towards others, and be forgiving, God will show Himself the same way (Psalm 18:25; Matthew 5:7). We can do much harm to ourselves in the way that we relate to others. (Mat.18:34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. (35) So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. We need to be merciful; otherwise, He will turn us over to the tormentors. (Php.4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. (5) Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Even now, He is so much more “at hand” today. (Php.4:6) In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Don't worry about a thing; just lay your request before God. Remember He said, (Mar.11:24) … All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them. Are we going to be anxious, or are we going to believe? Anxiety is sin against God because it wants to steal your faith, and we should make war against this demon immediately. (Rev.21:8) But for the fearful, and unbelieving, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone… We must learn to put up our shield of faith and quench that fiery dart. You don't have to let the skorpizo, the scattering demons, penetrate and put you to flight in your heart and life. Many people are not acting on the Word. Instead, they are reacting to what the devil is doing. If we are not ruled by faith, we are going to be ruled by fear. (Luk.11:23) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. You want to be moved and ruled by the Lord and not by these scorpion demons. After disaster strikes, anxiety and fear come immediately into people's hearts. This is the devil seeking to bring them into bondage. Fear and anxiety must be cast down immediately. (Php.4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. What we need is the peace of God in the midst of the turmoil. When the world looks at you, they will wonder why you are at peace. (Isa.26:3) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Glory to God! Keep your mind on what God has taught you. Cast down everything else the devil fires your way. God will keep you in perfect peace while other people are falling apart. The people who are falling apart will be going one way, but you'll be going another way. If you react to the devil by allowing him to move you in the direction he wants you to go, it proves that you are one of his. (Rom.6:16) Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves [as] servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? If you follow him, you are one of his. Nothing can come into your life by accident (John 3:27). These wilderness tribulations and trials through which we are going are from the Lord and He has absolute control over them, otherwise, how could He say, (Php.4:6) In nothing be anxious… and (Rom.8:28) … all things work together for good? He can say these things because He is in absolute control. You can trust Him. You can rest in His promises. Therefore, don't let anxiety or fear affect you. Cast them down and remember that God said in (Isa.26:3) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee. Christ Jesus is the Truth, the Word of God. We want to believe and remember the “good report.” (Php.4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. It doesn't make any difference what happens in the world around us. We have to hold fast to the good report. When the Israelites were moved by fear and anxiety, they cried to God; they said in (Exo.16:3) … ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly… This was so foolish. You only think that way when you are under the dominion of fear and anxiety. The Lord has not brought us anywhere to fail. He has brought us here to teach us to be sons of God, and we will be sons of God if we will keep our minds only upon Him, the Word of God, and the good report. God's first people listened to the bad report from the spies who did not have any faith in God (Numbers 13:32). They believed that they could not conquer that land or those giants, all of which actually represented their old flesh. Back to (Php.4:8) … If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Refuse to think on things that are going to destroy you or cause you to be manipulated. Refuse reports that would cause you to be driven by the devil and his demons and partake of their curse. (9) The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do… Paul also said, “Follow me as I follow the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:1). When you see people who are following the Lord and setting a good example, pay attention to their witness and testimony. If others don't have that fruit, then don't pay attention to them. Many people are just speaking from their theology, and they have no experience whatsoever because they haven't walked with God by faith. They're leading God's people into captivity to Babylon. (Php.4:9) The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you. This is what we desire: to walk in the steps of Jesus and the apostles and have the peace of God. Joh.14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. If we permit the devil to penetrate our defense, our shield of faith in the Word of God, if we allow the fiery dart, the stinger to come through our defenses, then we will be overcome by our emotions. We will be doing what the world does and, thereby, we will fall under the judgment of the world. This is exactly what the Israelites did in the wilderness when they fell under the judgment of the world and under the curse of Deuteronomy 28. Instead of overcoming and entering into the Promised Land, as did Joshua and Caleb, they died in the wilderness (Numbers 14:28-30). “But I am persuaded of better things of you,” said Paul in (Hebrews 6:9). (2Ti.1:12) … For I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day. In other words, “I am persuaded that the Lord is able to keep us and to bring us through these troubling times in boldness and in courage.” (1Jn.3:21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God. Let there be nothing in your heart that will hinder you or that can separate you from that boldness that God gives to those who are obedient. (Php.4:9) The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you. We are heading toward a wilderness trial, and one thing you see in a wilderness trial is that the Lord allows His people to experience lack in order to see what they would do. He suffered the Israelites to be tried so that He would see how they would react (Exodus 15:24-25, 20:20; Deuteronomy 8:2,16; Psalm 78; etc.) In all these places that the Lord led His people in the wilderness, it was from one trial to the next in order to see lack ahead of them. (Num.14:1) And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. (2) And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would that we had died in this wilderness! (3) And wherefore doth the Lord bring us unto this land, to fall by the sword? They had many opportunities to be penetrated by fear and anxiety and to run in the opposite direction of God. This wilderness trial gave them the chance to cry out in unbelief and to accuse God of things that He had no mind to do, even accusing God of wanting to kill them, and finally, they did convince God. They convinced Him because that was exactly what they needed. It was their fault. (Num.14:28) Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord, surely as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: (29) your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness... They had faith for death, and so He gave it to them because in (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. Anxiety and fear are faith, too, but they are negative faith. They're faith in the curse and the devil, and if that's where your faith is, that's what God will let you have, but if you believe what He says, you'll get the gifts of faith and boldness that He provides. Some of you may not believe there is anything but peace and prosperity to come to God's people. If so, you're missing history and you need to read the Bible again, because God's people went through fiery trials. (Mat.24:9) Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name's sake. Most of you have probably never gone through being hated, but none of us have gone through what we are about to see; the hatred of the whole world is about to come against Christianity. Just as it was with Israel, the Lord is raising up a very big enemy against His small group of Elect. Why? The Lord is doing all this to show Himself strong on behalf of them that have put their faith and trust in Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). Jesus told us about the provision that He is going to make available. You see, even though the Lord is going to take a lot of worldly provision away from His people in the days to come, He's still going to provide for His people, but their provision will be coming from heaven. Let's look at a passage of Scripture where Jesus mentions six times the Greek word for “anxiety,” the same word that's used in the text we just read. (Php.4:6) In nothing be anxious; ... His people worried a lot about how to provide the things they needed to be able to live in the wilderness. (Mat.6:19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Why do God's people feel like they need to stock-up things for the future? It's because their confidence is not in what God promised He would do. Their confidence is in what they store up.): (Mat.6:21) for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. (This means that your heart will be where your treasure of future provision is stored.) (Mat.6:22) The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. (An eye that is “single” is not an eye that is set upon its own provisions. It is not set upon things stored up for the purpose of saving self in the days to come.) (23) But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness! (An eye that is “dark” has its confidence in the things of this world. I am going to prove that to you as we read.) (24) No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. (What is Jesus Christ talking about when He says “two masters”?) Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Mammonas is the common Aramaic word for “riches,” “confidence,” or “that which is trusted in.” It comes from an Aramaic word, matmon, meaning “hidden treasures.” The word “mammon” here in Matthew 6 represents trusting in worldly treasures that are stored up or hidden. In other words, “Mammon” means trusting in the things of the world to provide salvation. When the Israelites came out of Egypt, God permitted them to have something they trusted: gold and silver (Exodus 12:35-36). It was given into their hands by the Egyptians who, in type, represented the world. God wanted them to be tried in this way. He was the One Who permitted them to go out of Egypt with gold and silver; however, His plan was to try them to see if they would be faithful. But they were not; they made an idol out of that gold they stored up to preserve them through their wilderness trials. But God's plan from the beginning was that He would meet their needs out of heaven like the manna and quails. He just had to get the gold out of the way first, and He did. (Exo.32:20) And he (This is speaking of Moses.) took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. People today are doing the same thing and storing up for times to come because they, too, do not believe the Word of God. They do not believe (Php.4:19) And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. They're anxious, troubled, and fearful because they trust in mammon. This is the eye that is evil, not single. Let's see if Jesus confirms this. (Mat.6:25) Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious… This is the first of the six “anxious” mentions. Again, it's the same word, merimnao, found here. (Php.4:6) In nothing be anxious; … We don't have to worry about these things. We don't have to rely on our own strength and our own preparations to preserve ourselves through the days to come. I know many people claim they've received words from the “Lord” about storing up, but I also know we are coming to a time when God wants to prove His power to save you by signs and wonders and miracles, not by the worldly methods of man. God's provision came out of heaven to God's people when they were in the wilderness. He did not want them to be anxious; He did not want them to be fearful. He wanted them to trust in His provision, so He ran them out of food and water and everything that they had provided for themselves when they came out of Egypt. Then He provided for them by giving them water out of the rock (Exodus 17:6), manna out of heaven (Deuteronomy 8:16), and quail out of the sky (Numbers 11:31). We are coming to this same time in history again, except this time it will be for the Church. Once again, God is going to provide for those who believe. (Mat.6:25) Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? (26) Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. If you could not provide for yourself when the economy goes down and paid work stops, would not God provide for you? He will if you walk by faith. When we read “that they sow not,” is God teaching that you don't need to work for a living? No, God's Word says, (2Th.3:10) … If any will not work, neither let him eat. But what would you do when there is no work for man as mentioned in scripture. Wont God feed you like the sparrow and clothe you like the flowers?  There is going to be a “great exchange” (Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24) in these days because God's people are going to finally wake up and take the Great Commission seriously (Matthew 28:19-20). What did Jesus say? (Luk.11:23) … He that gathereth not with me, scattereth. He wants us “gathering” along with Him. He raises up disciples to do His work of the Great Commission. If you are not working for the world, you can work for Him. Even the birds and the flowers “work” for Him, but they don't toil in the world, and God still feeds the birds and clothes the flowers. (Mat.6:26) Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns (They're not storing up their treasures, but their food comes.); and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they?  (27) And which of you by being anxious (Again, this is merimnao, “anxious,” mentioned the second time.) can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? Anxiety does nothing but destroy you physically, mentally, and emotionally. It tears down your immunity and brings sickness. Anxiety does nothing positive. Faith can overcome anything, but anxiety can do nothing except bring you harm. (Mat.6:28) And why are ye anxious (There's the third mention.) concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: (29) yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith?  The Lord is going to take care of His own during this coming time of tribulation and lack. Some of you are going to lose your jobs, which you so highly prize, and maybe your high standard of living. However, you'll be changing your attitude towards the world and the things of the world. You'll have the same attitude as those disciples had in Jesus' day, when Christians were plundered and they couldn't do business with the world. They were in a wilderness, yet the Lord provided for them because they put their trust in Him. (Mat.6:31) Be not therefore anxious, (There's the fourth mention.) saying, what shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? Why does Jesus keep mentioning “anxious?” It's because He understood the carnal nature and the trials that were coming for the Jewish Christians in those days. They were going into their tribulation. Jesus spoke this at the beginning of the first 3 1/2 years of their tribulation. He knew what they were going to go through, and what we are going to go through in our day is the same thing. There is a great collapse coming, yet God has made this promise that He is going to provide for His people. Don't give in to anxiety and fear because God is your provider, your Jehovah Jireh (Genesis 22:14) and He is going to provide for you in everything. He wants to show you His Glory. He wants to show you His Power. Be not fearful. (Mat.6:31) Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) For after all these things do the Gentiles seek (Gentiles were heathen in that time.); for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. He already knows what you need. You don't have to worry or beg. You don't have to spend hours on your knees. (33) But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (34) Be not therefore anxious (There's the fifth mention.) for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious (And there's the sixth mention.) for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. All you have to do is (Php.4:6) In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. You are not going to be heard for your “much speaking” (Matthew 6:7). Don't be fearful or anxious because of what you see or hear, even when it may appear that you're coming to the end of your own provision. You need to be at the end of your provision so that you can receive God's provision. He wants to show you many miracles. (Mat.6:33) But seek ye first His kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. God is seeking to build His Kingdom both in your life and in those around you. When you seek first His Kingdom, He is going to make sure you have everything you need. You are not going to have a love of the world because the love of the world is sin (1 John 2:15), but an overwhelming number of Christians do have a problem with love of the world. They are even taught to love the material prosperity of the world in their prosperity-minded churches, instead of seeking for the prosperity of the body of Christ. (3Jn.1:2) Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper (The Greek word euodoo there means “a happy {or successful} journey; to be on the right path.”) and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. The prosperity-minded have to have the things of the world. (Mat.6:34) Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. (We are not to be anxious about our provisions and needs being met by God, Who said He would take care of them.) Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Remember that command by Jesus. You don't have to be fearful. The Lord is going to take care of you. (Luk.12:32) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Oh, glory to God! It is His pleasure to care for us. There's no need to be worried and anxious about how to serve God or what to do in this world. Let's go now to (Luk.10:38) Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. (39) And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard His word. (40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to Him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. (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. The one important thing we need to do is just sit at the Lord's feet and listen to Him. Now let me share another testimony:     Set Free From Anxiety by C.S. The Lord has been convicting me to share some things He has done. What a blessing your testimonies have been to us! God's miraculous provision in the lives of His people have been such an encouragement to us!  The Lord is teaching me to trust in Him for my children. I recently became a stay-at-home-mom since my baby R.S. was born. I was a full-time registered nurse working in a hospital for the past five years. Learning the Word of God has really renewed my mind. I have had to retrain myself on everything I learned in school, especially when it comes to medical knowledge! This has involved casting down imaginations and bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ! The Bible says, (2Co.10:4) for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds, (5) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Recently, I went to visit my sister who lives in South Texas, right across the border from Mexico. The first trial I went through was with R.S. He did not have a bowel movement for fifteen days. His normal pattern was every four days. When he began to show signs of discomfort, I would just thank God for making everything work normally, and I would rebuke any pain or discomfort. The few times he threw up, I just prayed again. Every day was a trial. Every day I was hoping that he would move his bowels and that the trial would be over. On the fifteenth day I was prayerfully reading God's word. The Scripture I opened was: (Php.4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. (5) Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. I felt instant peace! I could rest in the Lord. The good report was what Jesus has already done!  This was so encouraging! Until this point I was still anxious at times. I was constantly having to rebuke and cast down thoughts of fear, medical knowledge, signs or symptoms of this or that. I had to ask myself, “What do I believe? I believe your Word, Lord!” It was a spiritual battle in my mind! Then, right after breakfast, he went “potty”! I never thought I would rejoice so much for my baby moving his bowels. Praise God!  The next trial happened the following day after I got home. My older son D.S. was complaining all day that his stomach hurt. I was not really too concerned until he stopped playing and lay down on the couch, doubled over in pain. This was during an Unleavened Bread Bible Study on Sunday night. He was moaning, so I asked him if he had eaten anything funny. He said no. Then he had to go to the bathroom. After he came out he told me that he had passed a lot of blood. I checked, seeing a large amount of bright-red blood. This was very bad. I have observed a lot of GI [gastrointestinal] bleeds in patients that required blood transfusions and surgical correction etc. The first thing I said was, That is not good, but it does not matter. God is able to fix it.  We did pray as D.S. asked. We also put in a prayer request: that whatever the problem, God had already fixed it! By the end of the study, the stomach pain was completely gone! There was no more bleeding! Praise God! The Lord is teaching me to trust Him for all things!  A few weeks ago we had some visitors. Nine people came and stayed for several days. All of them got a very bad cold, cough, and fever! They were very apologetic, asking me if I wanted them to keep their children separated from mine. I said, No, that I was not worried about it! The Lord kept us all healthy! I thank the Lord for these trials that are preparing me for times to come. (1Co.10:13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.    

How ironic that the unity which was lacking at the start of Judges is now evident for retribution. Verse 1 "all Israel... as one man... from Dan to Beersheba came together to destroy their brothers - 400,000 of them. On hearing the Levite's report vengeance is agreed upon. In v11, for emphasis, we have repeated "all Israel... as one man". The Benjamites, likewise, gather unitedly to fight for undeserving reprobates in a forlorn hope. The record adds, with a measure of sadness, that 700 from the tribe meaning 'son of the right hand' were left-handed ie untrue to what should be expected from them. These Benjamanites were so accurate in using their slingshots that the description was that they could hit a target of a hair's' breadth - the expression "not miss" means in the Hebrew to 'not sin' (sin is 'a missing of the mark'; we aim for perfection but we all fall short of this: see Romans 3 verse 23). The chapter concludes with the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin - but 600 only surviving. Isaiah describes Messiah's wholehearted devotion and gentle support of any who could be revitalised. Verses 1-4 tell of the faithfulness of the servant - our Lord Jesus Christ - who will not rest until he has completed his Father's work. That work involves tenderness and encouragement of the downcast and strugglers. Messiah will focus their minds on Almighty God who strengthens all who put their trust in Him. Verses 5-9 speaks of Yahweh's character and care for His children. They righteous sing a new song in praise of their Sovereign in verses 10-13. Verses 14-17 tell of the LORD rousing Himself to vindicate His people and to bring vengeance upon their enemies. The Servant himself is supported and sustained by God Almighty. Sadly the chapter concludes with a lament that, in large measure, the nation would be unheeding of Messiah's message imploring Israel to turn to their Maker. As Isaiah 6 had said they would be deaf to the message and blind to the signs that the Messiah would show them. In 1 John 5 verses 1-5 we are told the source of overcoming the world - by the faith of the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. And by that faith I live. An early Christadelphian writer, John Thomas said, that this was by a faith, which works by love and purifiers the soul (life). John Thomas was alluding to the early verses of Galatians 5. The Apostle John tells us that such a belief is evidence of our divine begetting. And, for us, it is the assurance ("by this we know") that God is with us. We can be more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8). The work, spoken of in chapter 2, is not about our love, but we do love the Father with all of our heart. And this love of the Father which impels us was the motive force of the life of the Son of God. Read Romans 8 verses 31-39 slowly and pause and ponder. Verses 6-12 provide testimony concerning the Son of God. Our Lord Jesus who came by water and blood - the water in which he was immersed at his baptism and the water of the Word of God with which his mind was saturated; and the blood of his sacrificial offering of himself. This offering was sanctified by the Word of God and prayer and pleased his Father. John is alluding to his witnessing of the crucifixion (John 19 verses 34-37). Verse 7 from the ESV reads, and I quote in full, "For there are three that testify:". Most of the better translations recognise the insertion into the text of additional words which aren't found in most of the older manuscripts. The additional words used in the KJV (and some other versions are admitted by most modern translations to be spurious and added by a Jesuit monk, Immanuel Tapsensis). Verse 8 identifies the three witnesses to our Lord's divine Sonship as - the Spirit, the water and the blood. Under the law at least two corroborating witnesses were needed to determine truth. John affirms total agreement among these witnesses. Additionally God bore testimony, Matthew 3 verses 15-17, to His Son. And only in His Son, and through His Son's work, we have life. From verses 13-21 the beloved disciple John has written these things for our assurance ("that we may know"). We have known and believed upon the name above every name (Philippians 2:9-11), and the only name in which there is salvation (Acts 4 verse 12). And through continuance in this Name salvation is assured. John repeats that the Father's ear is ever open to His children's pleas. Verses 16-17 reiterates that when we love the brethren we will help them (as they will likewise help us) when we stumble (Galatians 6 verse 1-5). Such advice and correction will prevent rejection at the coming judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, for the habitual and lawless sinner, who has abandoned any attempt to continue walking in the light there remains "no offering for sin" (Hebrews 10 verses 26-39). Being begotten by God, through His Word (1 Peter 1verse 22-25), we overcome in faith and walk in the way of His commandments. The world and its ways allure, but cannot conquer us. Finally, says John, "Keep yourself from idols" - a specific allusion to the Ten Commandments (especially numbers 1 and 10 which bookend all the others). Keeping  ourselves from idols is about the tendency within our human nature to always look after ourselves before applying ourselves to living according to the ways of our Almighty Father.

As Peter continues Chapter 4, he takes a few verses to look at some of the things that Christians are to be consistently doing. Our Lord Jesus does have things for us to do, and we have good reason to do them. Not only will we be held accountable for our opportunities, but the ultimate […]

Joshua 19 tells of the inheritances of Simeon, Zebulon, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and Dan; as well as Joshua's personal allocation. Simeon was the second eldest of Israel's sons so this allotment was to be the next chosen by lot. Verses 1-9 describe the territories and cities given to Simeon. These portions are in the Negev – the southern part of Canaan. Verses 10-16 outline Zebulon's allotted lands and the twelve cities in that portion. Verses 17-23 describe Issachar's allocation and the sixteen cities within this allotment. Verses 24-31 tell of Asher's portion in the north of the land like Zebulon's allotment and also of Naphtali. Those two tribes were the subjects of enlightenment by the gospel message, spoken of in Isaiah 9 and preached by our Lord Jesus Christ during his ministry, which was chiefly in Galilee. The city of Cabul, mentioned in verse 27, was given by king Solomon to Hiram, king of Tyre. Hiram saw them as a disagreeable present. Verses 32-39 speak of Naphtali's inheritance with its nineteen cities. Verses 40-48 tell of Dan's lands. In the numbering of the sealed disciples from each tribe (Revelation 7) we find that Dan is omitted. Possibly as Dan became a source of idolatry and apostacy within the Promised Land. Verses 49-51 reveal Joshua's inheritance in the hill country of Ephraim, which Joshua had requested from Moses and was granted by Yahweh's command. Isaiah 25 is a remarkable chapter in which God promises to swallow death in victory. It is like the interspersed empowering visions that we find throughout the book of Revelation. The purpose of this chapter, found often in the scriptures is to give the faithful believers a vision of the great promise of the Almighty to His children that He is fully in control and no matter how disconcerting the raging of the nations are in their troubled sea God will give His children peace and assurance (compare Isaiah 26:1-4). Isaiah 25:1-2 explain that his Sovereign's acts cause the prophet to praise his God. Verses 3-5 say that the LORD's protection of the poor and His defence of His people when facing destruction from the powerful oppressors brings them to extol Him. Verses 6-9 tell us that in that time of distress; in that place of insecurity and apparent hopelessness; there is no need to fear. Yahweh will because of His faithfulness without fail deliver His people. Their greatest enemy – death – will not swallow them. Rather will our Omnipotent Sovereign swallow death itself in victory – 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. How motivated are we to strive indefatigably to serve our God with all our might, all strength, all our heart and with every fibre of our being? Hosea gives a similar message: Hosea 13:14. Both these passages are united in the great message by the Apostle in the teachings he has given to us in 1 Corinthians 15. Slowly read aloud Isaiah 25:9 and pause and ponder its power for you. The chapter finishes with the mighty acts of the LORD exercised on behalf of His children. Hebrews 8 tells of Jesus the High Priest administering a “better” covenant. What majestic language the writer uses to start this chapter. Jesus is seated at His Father's right hand – called “the throne of the Majesty in heaven” (V1 ESV). Our Lord Jesus serves in the true tent pitched by God, and not man (he was, by miraculous begettal “the Son of God”). The Tabernacle was typical and the man gifted by God for the fabricating of that tent was Aholiab (meaning in Hebrew “from the Father's tent”) Christ as our heavenly High Priest has both offered sacrifices and given great gifts. The Exodus record twice tells us that Moses was to make the Tabernacle after the pattern which was shown to him in the Mount. The covenant Christ mediates has been founded on “better” promises. The writer cites Jeremiah 31:31-34 in verses 8-12 of chapter 8. The concluding verses take us back to chapter 1, which cited Psalm 102:25-26 indicating that Messiah would end the Mosaic covenant (the “heavens” being there mentioned). Verses 1-10 of chapter 9 speak of the earthly (typical) sanctuary – the Tabernacle. This was set up for Israel's worship, in a holy place where the comers thereto could have their minds centred on divine matters. The writer firstly describes the Holy Place in v2. From verses 3-5 we are taken beyond the veil into the Holy of Holies ie Most Holy Place. Some, wrongly believe, that the writer has here made a mistake in placing the incense altar in the Most Holy: thus for one day each year the incense altar was the Most Holy Place. On the Day of Atonement (the only day in which the High Priest was allowed into the Most Holy) incense had to fill the Most Holy before the High Priest was allowed to enter – “lest he (the High Priest) die”. And every other day the sweet incense of prayer permeated the Holy of Holies (Revelation 8:3-4). Whilst the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, were operating they had a status; but, when Jesus died and the veil separating the Holy and Most Holy Place was rent from top to bottom, it could not function any longer. Those former structures being only the shadow and not the reality, are no longer needed. Christ, the believer's High Priest, is there, in heaven for us. From verses 11-28, of chapter 9, the writer explains how we have redemption through what was achieved in Jesus' offering of himself on the tree (cross). One offering for all time of himself has opened the way for salvation. The offering of bulls and calves provided ritual forgiveness, on the condition that the person making the offering understood what God was teaching (the law was a teacher to bring worshippers to an understanding of Jesus' sacrifice – Galatians 3:23-26). But the Law of Moses could never cleanse the conscience of the offerer – since it was the sin of each person that was atoned for, and by the slaying of an animal – incapable of sinning (as it didn't have a nature which prompts sin) our conscience is cleansed. So by our identification with Jesus' offering, as one of us (and representing us in every respect; as the earlier chapters of the book explain – particularly chapters 2, 4 and 5).; we have been given a clear conscience. But the understanding of what Jesus has done on our behalf powerfully motivates us to forsake and turn from our sins to right ways. The old covenant was ratified by the death of animals; but the covenant in Christ, is brought into force by the death and RESURRECTION of our Lord. Verse 22 of chapter 9 states an eternal principle, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (ESV). And so Christ's “better” sacrifice has brought us nearer to God. All this by one perfect offering. Verses 27-28 tell us that having dealt with the problem of sin in his first advent, our Lord Jesus will destroy it for ever at his second coming. For Christ no longer is burdened by a nature biased towards sin, but in a sinless immortal body he will do the eradicate sin for every believer (see 1 Corinthians 15:13-28). Read aloud, pause and ponder.

The greatest way to understand and know the Lord Jesus is to study His prayer life. In John 17:15-16, Christ is praying for those who are in the strength of life who get discouraged about a matter, and think, "I want out of here. I know I will go to heaven and be with the Lord. I would just like to go on." Our Lord Jesus would not pray for that because we need laborers for the Lord's work. He is praying for God the Father to keep us from the evil so that we can minister to others around us.

“Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” — 1 Timothy 6:17 Our Lord Jesus is ever giving, and does not for a solitary instant withdraw His hand. As long as there is a vessel of grace not yet full to the brim, the oil shall not be stayed. He is a sun ever-shining; He […]

Paul sent the letter to the Colossians in about 62 AD. He never personally visited the region where there were two groups of believers – one in Colossae and the other in Laodicea. The one letter was read by both at this time and about 34 years time when another letter was sent in 96 AD by the Lord Jesus Christ. The area was exceptionally fertile and lay in a very rich valley. The epistle commenced with the greeting “Grace (‘charis' the Greek greeting) and peace (‘shalom' the Jewish greeting) coming to the believers from God our Father. This is followed by thanksgiving and prayer for their faithfulness in the gospel; as reported to the Apostle from Epaphras. The believers were increasing in knowledge and love. But the greatest of all thanks was to be expressed to God, our Father, who had “qualified us to share the inheritance of the saints in light … and has transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son” (verses 12-13 ESV). Then from verses 14-23 Paul tells us of the preeminence of the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father. Our Lord Jesus is the beginning (Gk ‘archegos') and head of God's new creation and is the firstborn (Jesus firstborn by birth, death and resurrection) of that creation; the firstborn from the dead to be raised to eternal life. Verses 24-29 tell of Paul's suffering for all Gentile believers, that he might share and participate in the sufferings of Christ (as part of his body, which we,the ecclesia are). In verse 27 we have the key verse and theme of the book, “Christ in you (ie each of us) the hope of glory”.

“Who is even at the right hand of God.” — Romans 8:34 He who was once despised and rejected of men, now occupies the honourable position of a beloved and honoured Son. The right hand of God is the place of majesty and favour. Our Lord Jesus is His people's representative. When He died for […]

Since the beginning of the world, it has been God’s plan to turn our grieving into Joy. Our Lord Jesus, the Risen One, fulfills God’s plan and turns our deep grieving into rejoicing. Join us this Sunday, in-person or online at www.youtube.com/fabicchurch/live at 10:25 a.m., as we finish our Easter series on the Lord’s Supper.

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you,     and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.For the LORD is a God of justice;     blessed are all those who wait for him.Isaiah 30:1823 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Matthew 23:23GOD WILL SHOW MERCYTherefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you,     and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.For the LORD is a God of justice;     blessed are all those who wait for him.Isaiah 30:18And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil.Luke 4:1-2"Misinterpretations of our Redeemer's delays are the occasion of a great deal of wickedness. Our Lord Jesus has gone up into the mount of glory, where he is appearing in the presence of God for us, but out of our sight; the heavens must contain him, must conceal him, that we may live by faith. Weariness in waiting betrays us to a great many temptations."HenryHow we act in the wilderness is not the exception; its the rule (its who we really are)Certain of God's people are in trouble and distress, and they are eager for immediate rescue. They cannot wait God's time, nor exercise submission to his will. He will surely deliver them in due season; but they cannot tarry till the hour cometh; like children, they snatch at unripe fruit. ‘To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven'; but their one season is the present; they cannot, they will not wait. They must have their desire instantaneously fulfilled, or else they are ready to take wrong means of attaining it. If in poverty, they are in haste to be rich; and they shall not long be innocent. If under reproach, their heart ferments towards revenge. They would sooner rush under the guidance of Satan into some questionable policy, than in childlike simplicity trust in the Lord and do good. It must not be so with you, my brethren, you must learn a better way.Charles SpurgeonHOW WILL YOU WAIT FOR GOD?IN VIEW OF HIS ABSENCE“Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Luke 24:19-2132 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”Luke 24:32God's absence might be a lack of feeling or understanding; but it is never a true absence. God is always there.IN VIEW OF OUR SINLike a dog that returns to his vomit    is a fool who repeats his folly.Proverbs 26:11God's absence might be due to our pursuit of sin; but it does not stop Him from pursuing us.HOW DID MOSES WAIT FOR GOD?IN VIEW OF GOD'S MERCY11 But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.'” 14 And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.Exodus 32:11-1411 But Moses implored the Lord…Exodus 32:11ḥālâ — to become weak; to groan26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[g] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27HOW DOES JESUS WAIT? 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost[a] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.Hebrews 7:25JESUS MAKES INTERCESSION FOR USThe son's intercession does not reflect the coolness of the Father, but the sheer warmth of the Son. Christ does not intercede because the Father's heart is tepid toward us but because the Son's heart is so full toward us. But the Father's own deepest delight is to say yes to the Son's pleading on our behalf.Dane C. Ortlund

We reflect on Jesus, the warrior-king who triumphs not with might, but with humility. May this narrative of our Savior reshape our understanding of salvation and reorient our hearts to the kingdom He brings. Our Lord Jesus saved us so we will not live our lives to ourselves but for Him so we could follow Him. 

Let's join Dr. Mitchell as we continue our special study on the Biblical Passion of Christ and His resurrection with this introduction. Our study today on the Unchanging Word continues in John chapter 20 at verse 19. Dr. Mitchell continues on the theme of Christ as the victorious One. Our Lord Jesus arose physically from the dead in the identical body in which He was crucified and buried. In verses 19-23, Jesus appears to ten of His remaining disciples who had gathered together with doors closed because of fear of the Jews. Thomas was not there at this meeting. Jesus showed them His hands and His side and these disciples were glad. Jesus now commissions them for service and they experienced the Holy Spirit from the Lord Jesus to proclaim forgiveness of sins. Have you received the forgiveness of your sins from Jesus Christ? He really does grant a very real forgiveness. As you thank Him for His forgiveness personally, you can receive it right now. Do this now.Let's join Dr. Mitchell, John 20:19-23.

John 5 records the third sign in the healing of the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda (meaning “the house of mercy”). It would seem that the Jews had a superstition about this place – just as surrounds the mythology of the waters of Lourdes. Some translations add, ‘it was said that an angel ..'. The man was about 38 years old and a symbol of Israel, who for 38 years were powerless and perishing in wilderness. The miracle occurs on the Sabbath day and so once again the Jews seek to persecute our Lord. In verses 19-47 Jesus witnesses to his sonship, his authority and truthfulness. There was no equality between our Lord and his Father – Jesus' authority was derived from his Father. Our Lord Jesus had no power independently of his Father. And without the Father he could do nothing. But the authority of the Word spoken by Jesus extended to the raising of the dead. Those who were morally dead listened to Jesus and consequently enlightened and enlivened. This means that having now ‘heard' the voice of the Son of God; they would be brought to life as they will be called forth to resurrection at the coming and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. The chapter concludes with Jesus outlining the witnesses that incontrovertibly proved he was from God.

“In the name of the Lord I will destroy them.” — Psalm 118:12 Our Lord Jesus, by His death, did not purchase a right to a part of us only, but to the entire man. He contemplated in His passion the sanctification of us wholly, spirit, soul, and body; that in this triple kingdom He […]

Sermon on angels by Larry Ollison Ministries. Enjoy. The glory of God is on us through Our Lord Jesus. Sermon on angels by Larry Ollison Ministries. Enjoy.

In Leviticus chapters 8-10 we are told of the consecration of the priests – Aaron and his sons. Chapter 8 describes the activities of the first seven days. Verses 1-13 tell of Aaron and his sons being robed and anointed. Verses 14-17 speaks of Moses offering the sin offering on their behalf. Verses 18-21 tells of Moses offering the burnt offering for the priests. Verses 22-30 their peace offering is presented by Moses. Verses 31-36 tells us that the service of consecration was to last seven days – speaking of the covenant for which Aaron and his sons would be the ministers.Psalm 107 commences Book 5 of the Psalms – the Deuteronomy psalms, which go through to Psalm 148. Just as the 5th book of Moses crystallised the principles of the Law. So these Psalms are a distilling of the principles of the Almighty. It is then fitting that this section summarises what the LORD seeks from His children. The 107th Psalm could be encapsulated in the words from the ESV, and verse 2, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say, So”. What is it that they say? From verse 1, “Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for He is good, for His stedfast love endures for ever!” This psalm is about the awesome deeds of our Father, the Almighty Creator and His incomparable Son. Our Lord Jesus revealed the Father's character to mankind. Jesus said that whatsoever the Son sees the Father do, that the Son does also. The Psalm is divided into distinct stanzas which are recognised by the call of the refrain ending each stanza, “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress … Let them thank the LORD for His stedfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of man!” ESV. This refrain varies slightly, but is repeated in verses 6-8, 13-15, 19-21, 28-31 and 43. Each stanza refers to a generalised circumstance of life for the people of God; who having undergone the experience call upon their Almighty Delivery who responds out of His love for His children. And their response is to praise Him for His constant, dependable love and care. The reader can see in many of the related stories specific events that have overtaken the children of God. For example the stanza which begins with the words, verse 23, “They that go down to the sea in ships has an unmistakable echo to the Apostles on the Sea of Galilee when our Lord Jesus Christ calmed the Sea and they exclaimed, “Who is this? ..” For it revealed to them that Jesus was Yahweh's incomparable Son. The Psalm finishes in verse 43, “Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the stedfast love of the LORD (ESV).” Let us pause and ponder.1 Corinthians 16 tells us to be prepared for contributing money when we come to the Lord's Supper. The background to the starting of the collections among the Gentiles was to support their Jewish brethren who were suffering hardship due to their persecution for becoming believers in Christ Jesus and to alleviate the troubles brought by the great famine. The first day of the week was traditionally the day when the believers met to remember our Lord Jesus Christ in bread and wine. By the Jewish calendar it was after 6pm Saturday evening. Those believers who were blessed to have some money gave some of it at that time. It was done discretely that is why Paul requested preparation before they arrived at the gathering. In his final instructions the Apostle sends greetings and commends the house of Stephanos for their addiction to service of fellow believers. The letter ends with both a warning and an implied appeal, verses 22-24, “If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” (ESV) Contemplate our privileges in Christ – the blessings that we receive – and how we can love our Lord and live to please him now that we might graciously find a place in his kingdom.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen A sellout. Have you been one? Or have you experienced this at work? You confided in someone, placed trust in them. Maybe you shared a personal secret, juicy bit of office gossip, or maybe you even asked for help discreetly without someone knowing. Suddenly, everyone seems to know! It is terrible. You are the talk of the office and didn't even mean to be. A sellout. Part of integrity is knowing when to mind your words and when to keep confidences at work. Your integrity in this manner can earn you deep trust with colleagues and bosses but if you fail in this, it can have devastating consequences on you or the person you sellout. Our Lord Jesus had a sellout at work—Judas. Now, Jesus had the advantage of being all knowing and knew Judas was part of the plan for the salvation of the world from sin and death. But he still had someone he worked with every day, trusted with the money, and dined with turn on him—literally to the point of his death on the cross. Judas did it for money. The picture we receive of the betrayal is even worse. Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek to indicate to the soldiers which one was Jesus. Ultimately, Judas regrets his deep betrayal of Jesus. He tries to give the money back and ultimately takes his own life in terror and grief over what he had done. Keeping your integrity of faith at work is reliant on you not being like Judas! At work, you won't sellout someone to the point of death, but you could very well impact how someone is perceived. The Bible warns of the tongue's power repeatedly. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:4). The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil (Proverbs 15:28). Remind the people to be subject to the rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to be gentle toward everyone (Titus 3:1-2). Simply, don't be a sellout! Keeping your integrity of faith at work is incumbent upon how you choose to keep confidences and lift others up—not tear them down.

Chapter 4 tells of the angel giving Moses 3 powerful supporting signs to convince the resistant Hebrews to believe God and His prophet and representative, Moses. The sign of the staff that would turn into a snake; the sign of the hand that would become leprous before being healed; the sign of waters of the Nile (Egypt's life blood) becoming blood (itself the symbol of life) turning to blood and bringing death. Still Moses poses excuses to Yahweh as to why someone else should be God's spokesman. In anger his Sovereign tells Moses not to give any more excuses – you will have Aaron, your brother, to support you. Aaron will become your mouthpiece and your prophet. Moses returned to Egypt with his wife and sons. And the message for Pharaoh, “Israel is My firstborn son; let My son go to serve Me; or I will slay your firstborn son”. The challenge from the God of Israel was to issued to the gods of Egypt, of whom Pharaoh was their incarnation. In the inn the angel sought to slay Moses because Moses, despite being sent as the leader of the circumcised(covenanted) people, had neglected to circumcise his own son, Gershom. What an unforgettable lesson to Moses and to ourselves. Although God can and does use us; He relies on no individual for His plan to proceed (with the exception of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ). Psalm 56 is Miktam of David telling of his plea to the Almighty for help, when he was hopelessly lost in Achish's prison in Gath. It also calls upon all hearers to praise God for His capacity and willingness to save. God vindicated David's trust and delivered him. Yahweh would recompense the Psalmist's foes; and for these reasons God would be extolled by David and all mthe ladies prighteous. In confidence the Psalmist tells of offering thanksgiving offerings in the glorious icoming Kingdom Age.Psalm 57 is likewise a Miktam of David's and shares the background of the 56th psalm. It is a plea for mercy and the image of a defenceless, trembling bird find a place of refuge beneath the protective wings of the Almighty. Our Lord Jesus the same metaphor in describing his desire to protect his people, Israel (see Matthew 23 verses 37-39). God's purpose for the psalmist would be fulfilled and his foes put to shame. David, like Daniel later, felt as if he was in a lions' den. This possibly is a description of the desperate 600 men who had gathered themselves together with David, during his exile. His Sovereign would, nonetheless, turn them into a band of courageous, faithful warriors. David then described his pursuers, in Saul and his army, as having spread a net in which they themselves would be ensnared. Because of his trust in the LORD, David remained steadfast, immovable. The psalmist would praise his God for His steadfast faithfulness and loving kindness. Yahweh will be exalted and His glory fill the earth. In Romans 9 Paul explains his frustration at his nation's failure to grasp the glory God was offering his people. The Apostle shows from Scripture that this failure was foretold and follows a persist pattern of behaviour demonstrated by Israel. Nonetheless the Almighty's sovereign selection would stand upon the principles of the Divine grace and mercy, not because of any effort or merit on the part of any individual within the Chosen People. The Scriptures stand true and the restoration of the former people of God's choosing would be by His actions through which anyone to be saved could on one basis alone – by faith in the foundation stone the Father set in Zion (Isaiah 28 verse 16) His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Genesis 44 Joseph sets up yet another test for his brothers. As they journey from the Governor's house homeward they are overtaken by a group dispatched by Joseph. They are accused of stealing the Governor's silver cup. Naturally, the accusation is denied and the brothers' sacks searched. The cup is found in Benjamin's sack and they are escorted back to Joseph's home. Here he confronts them and says, that because of the theft, Benjamin must become a house slave. Judah tells Joseph of the harm this will cause to Israel, his father; he also points out that he had become the guarantor for Benjamin's safe return. Judah requested that Joseph accept him as a substitute slave instead of Benjamin. Chapter 45 tells us that Joseph was so overwhelmed with emotion that he demanded everyone apart from his brothers leave him alone. Joseph then rushed from the room to weep. Once he had regained his composure Joseph washed and came back to his brothers. He than revealed himself to them, “I am Joseph”. On hearing they were speechless. Joseph declared (verse 5) to them that despite their motives God had a purpose for him in Egypt – “to save them”. He then told of the remaining years during which the famine would continue; and requested that they transfer to Egypt for this time. In the land of Goshen he would provide for them. Tell my father, he encouraged them, of my status and wealth in Egypt. Joseph next with much emotion embraced his brother Benjamin. On hearing of the reunion of Joseph and his brothers Pharaoh's household was delighted. Pharaoh, likewise, insisted that the family move to Egypt and be cared for throughout the famine. Transportation wagons were given to assist in the move. They were then liberally given provisions and clothing. Finally Joseph instructed his brothers not to squabble on the journey to Canaan. Israel, Joseph's father, was reluctant to believe the report about Joseph until he saw the wagons. And then his spirit revived within him – like the prodigal son “he was alive again”. And Israel would travel to Egypt to see Joseph. In Psalm 49 we have, yet again, another from the sons of Korah. In it they speak of the natural weakness and finiteness of humanity. The first 4 verses are a plea for all the world to listen to the proverb sung upon the lyre. The instruction must not be ignored. The fate of the ignorant will be to perish like those who are the subject of the Psalm. The psalmist declared that the Almighty will preserve him from those who cheat him and are confident that they do not need God, because they have abundant riches and possessions. Those fools fail to understand that their substance is useless in its ability to redeem any other person; far less can they redeem themselves. They will die and leave their wealth to another. Their property ceases to be theirs once they breathe their last; but the grave will become their eternal home. No matter how great the boastful appear to be, in death they are no different to a slain sheep. Fools they were; and in death fools they stay. The time will come in the future – at the resurrection – when the righteous will be raised to rule. The faithful will be recognised as being wise; and at that time they will be vindicated. The Psalm concludes with advice to have no fear now of the rich and powerful for the time of their existence is short. Our Lord Jesus tells us the same message (Matthew 10 verses 26-33). Though the boastful and rich lived a life of luxury when they die they leave everything behind and take nothing with them. Learn these lessons and apply your heart to wisdom while we have life and opportunity. by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org Cont reading...https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-january-27th-genesis-44-45-psalm-49-romans-1-2/

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:Exodus 12-13;Psalm 21; Acts 1 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible with Hunter and Heather. Today is January 23rd, and I'm Hunter. Every day, we come together to spend time in God's word, allowing His word to transform our lives and shape us into His likeness. If you're joining us for the first time, know that our goal is to read through the entire Bible in a year, immersing ourselves in its teachings and seeking transformation through the love of God revealed in Jesus. In today's episode, we continue our journey through the scriptures with readings from Exodus chapters 6 to 8 and Luke chapter 23. We hear God's powerful promises to Moses and witness the unfolding of the plagues in Egypt. In the New Testament, we follow the harrowing events leading to Jesus' crucifixion, His interactions with Pilate and Herod, and His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Let's step into God's word together, grounding ourselves in His love and finding rest in the work that Jesus finished on our behalf. Join me now as we begin today's readings and reflect on the profound truths these passages hold for us. TODAY'S DEVOTION: All hell was breaking loose, and Luke tells us that the people rested. The horrors of this day, the day of Christ's suffering, are culminating in a moment of rest. The women from Galilee who had witnessed Jesus' body being taken down from the cross went home on that horrific day thinking they still had work to do. We're told in verse 56 that they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished, the Sabbath had begun. So they rested from their work. Even after all of these horrors, they thought that there was still work to be done. What they did not know was that Jesus, on this Good Friday, had completed all the work necessary. So now theirs was to rest. Now, the Sabbath had really come. Jesus finished the work. So that the girls could rest. He finished the work so that you and I could find rest. On that Friday, Jesus went to work. For bystanders and mocking soldiers, he went to work. For reluctant Pilate and indulged Herod, he went to work for guilty Barabbas and Simon the Cyrene. Jesus went to work for signmakers, cross builders, common criminals, gamblers, good and righteous men like Joseph of Arimathea, and heartbroken women who are forced to watch at a distance. Jesus was finishing his work on that Friday so that we all could find rest. Jesus was giving his everything. He was working hard. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He has done the work of redeeming, rescuing, forgiving the sins of the world. He forgave us because we did not know what we were doing. That's why he came to us. Because we don't know. We're trapped and blinded, unable to save ourselves. We don't know what we're doing. Jesus said so himself on the cross, father, forgive them. They don't know what they are doing. Athanasius says, what then was God to do when he saw humanity spiraling into non-being? What was God to do? Because they didn't know he would send his son. Our Lord Jesus would come to rescue us so that at last our eyes would be open and we would be awakened to life and rest in him. That rest belongs to you. It belongs to all of humanity. He made it free out of the abundance of his heart of love. He did that work. There's nothing left for me to do other than to step in. To say yes. To receive freely the rest that there is in him. And that's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, and my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so.   TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Exodus 6-8; Luke 23 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible with Hunter and Heather. Today is January 23rd, 2025, and we are diving deep into the scriptures once again. In today's episode, Hunter guides us through pivotal moments in the book of Exodus and the Gospel of Luke. From the powerful plagues that struck Egypt and Moses' relentless encounters with Pharaoh, to the poignant moments of Jesus' trial before Pilate and His ultimate crucifixion, we explore profound themes of deliverance, stubbornness, and the ultimate act of love. Join us as we reflect on God's word, allowing it to shape our lives and bring us closer to Him. So grab your Bible, and let's immerse ourselves in these transformative stories together. TODAY'S DEVOTION: All hell was breaking loose, and Luke tells us that the people rested. The horrors of this day, the day of Christ's suffering, are culminating in a moment of rest. The women from Galilee who had witnessed Jesus' body being taken down from the cross went home on that horrific day thinking they still had work to do. We're told in verse 56 that they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished, the Sabbath had begun. So they rested from their work. Even after all of these horrors, they thought that there was still work to be done. What they did not know was that Jesus, on this Good Friday, had completed all the work necessary. So now theirs was to rest. Now, the Sabbath had really come. Jesus finished the work. So that the girls could rest. He finished the work so that you and I could find rest. On that Friday, Jesus went to work. For bystanders and mocking soldiers, he went to work. For reluctant Pilate and indulged Herod, he went to work for guilty Barabbas and Simon the Cyrene. Jesus went to work for signmakers, cross builders, common criminals, gamblers, good and righteous men like Joseph of Arimathea, and heartbroken women who are forced to watch at a distance. Jesus was finishing his work on that Friday so that we all could find rest. Jesus was giving his everything. He was working hard. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He has done the work of redeeming, rescuing, forgiving the sins of the world. He forgave us because we did not know what we were doing. That's why he came to us. Because we don't know. We're trapped and blinded, unable to save ourselves. We don't know what we're doing. Jesus said so himself on the cross, father, forgive them. They don't know what they are doing. Athanasius says, what then was God to do when he saw humanity spiraling into non being? What was God to do? Because they didn't know he would send his son. Our Lord Jesus would come to rescue us, so that at last our eyes would be open and we would be awakened to life and rest in him. That rest belongs to you. It belongs to all of humanity. He made it free out of the abundance of his heart of love. He did that work. There's nothing left for me to do other than to step in. To say yes. To receive freely the rest that there is in him. And that's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, and my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Genesis 37 tells us about Joseph, Israel's (Jacob's) favourite son of his old age. Joseph's mother was Rachel, Israel's favoured wife. Joseph's half brothers were envious of their brother, who was deeply loved. The other brothers were ill disciplined and wicked in their behaviour. Joseph reported this to Israel. To show the love Israel had for Joseph he gave him “a coat of many colours” AV (the Hebrew means “of stripes”, or “strips” – some say suggesting the robe of a priest). This furthered the antagonism towards Joseph. In the course of time Joseph had two dreams, at different times. The first dream was of the wheat harvest – the 11 sheaves of his brothers bowed in reverence before Joseph's upright sheaf – speaking of Joseph's ruling of them (note that this dream had its fulfilment later in Egypt as Genesis 43:26 indicated). The second dream was of the sun, moon and 11 stars did obeisance to Joseph's star. The interpretation of this dream is said by Israel in verse 10. Israel, ie Jacob observed the saying; just as Mary did of the sayings of Simeon in the Temple about her son Jesus some 1,800 years later(Luke 2verses 28-35). Since the dream spoke of Joseph's mother, Rachel, bowing before Joseph it necessitated her resurrection at the coming and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Israel sent Joseph to find his brothers and their flocks. They were found near Dothan. The ten brothers (minus Benjamin) stripped Joseph of his coat and cast him into a waterless pit – symbolic of the grave. Joseph being hated by his brothers spoke of the Lord Jesus being the subject of his brothers' opposition (Psalm 69:8). Joseph was sold for 30 pieces of silver (the price paid to a master for a slave gored by an ox). The same price paid by the chief priests to Judas for the betrayal of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was sold to a passing merchant band of Ishmaelites/Midianites; who were to take Joseph to Egypt to be sold as a slave. Reuben had been absent when Joseph was sold. Reuben had hoped to later rescue Joseph. With Reuben not present the decision to sell Joseph was made by Simeon (the tribe of Simeon became the Scribes) and Levi (the priests) – these were the chief antagonists, who were the foremost of those who envied and hated Jesus (Joseph was enacting a parable of events to come). The 10 brothers conspire to deceive Israel into believing that a wild beast had slain Joseph. Israel was unable to be consoled when he believed that Joseph was dead. In Psalm 39 David asks his Sovereign to let him understand his mortality and limitations. David had to a large degree abandoned his authority since his great sin against God; in the matter of his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. David felt his capacity to judge and punish had been undermined by his crimes. And so in silence he allowed his foes a license to rebel. In the end the Psalm tells us that knowing his own insignificance David would trust in the Almighty to vindicate him. David declared in verse 7 that Yahweh was his hope. The Psalmist pleads that the LORD show mercy when disciplining him. For David like all the faithful confesses that he is merely a sojourner awaiting the kingdom. Psalm 40 is a record of the mind and motivation of Messiah. David speaks of being brought from the pit of death – as Jesus would be raised from the grave to live again. The new song in the Psalmist's mouth was the victory song of immortality – new because it can can only be understood in its singing by those made eternal. David encourages the faithful that they must put their trust in their Sovereign. David knew from experience the goodness and the loving kindness of his God. Messiah from verses 6-8 declares his purpose for coming into the world and the secret of his capacity to conquer. Of course it was needful that Jesus be begotten of God to lay the foundation for Messiah's mind to be in tune with his Father. Mosaic sacrifices and offerings could never take away sin; but the offering of Messiah would for once and all time remove the need for further sacrifices. The entire Bible speaks of Messiah and his work. Verse 8 of this Psalm has two distinct meanings in the Hebrew and both are equally true and valid – 1) I delight to do Thy delight; and,2) I will do do Thy will. These speak of the mind and motives of Messiah. It is no wonder that Jesus was the only Beloved of his Father. These words capture David's desires; but not being God's Son – the Messiah – he could not completely outwork this in his own life. Slowly read and meditate on the writer to the Hebrews in the exposition of chapter 10 verses 1-14. Our Lord Jesus will rehearse these matters to the “great congregation” – the assembly of faithful immortalised disciples. Because of David's typical faithfulness and the Christ's actual and complete righteousness; their God (and ours) would ultimately deliver them.

The world today puts a great lot of effort and money into marketing goods and services.  The internet, radio, TV, newspapers magazines and sign boards are full of promotions of one kind of thing or another.  A fundamental aim of the majority of this promotion is to make us envious of what other people have or experience – the aim is to make us want it ourselves! Now David's Psalm (No. 37) today is very special, it is full of spiritual advice to those who aim to live in a godly way in contrast to the attitudes in our world of 2025.  David says, “I have been young and now I am old” [v.25] so these are words of reflection at the latter end of his life.  He starts by saying [v.1] “be not envious of wrongdoers” because they, like the grass, have no future.  In another Psalm we read, “I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” [73 v.3] So David had to learn the right attitudes in his life's experiences, like we do. .  But it is not just a matter of avoiding doing wrong, or not being envious of the successful: note what David also says in today's Psalm, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way” [v.7]  It is a real challenge to “be still” in the sense that is meant here  – in a world that is so active in experiencing and doing everything possible – it is a hyperactive society today. How much are you being swept along by it? !  Is it affecting you sub-consciously? The awareness the Lord gives David, leads him to see a time when “the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” [v.11]  Our Lord Jesus repeats this and applies it to inheriting the entire earth! [Matt. 5 v.5]  We need this awareness, if we are to effectively counteract temptations to take part in as much of this world's spirit of living  – without actually engaging in wrongdoing.   David says, “the Lord laughs (mocks) at the wicked for he sees that his day is coming” [v.13].  Now note v.30 & 31, “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.”  An essential foundation for that kind of thinking and living is achieved today by those who regularly read the word of God, and really think about what they read: may that include all who are reading this.

Friends of the Rosary, Today, December 1, is the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of the new Liturgical Year. This means a renewed commitment to the faith by all who follow Christ the Lord—the One who was incarnated for us. Advent awakens Christians to be ‘vigilant waiting' for Our Lord Jesus' coming. It's a preparation to welcome the mystery of the Word Incarnate. In this Sunday Gospel (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36), Jesus invites us to recognize the signs of the last days. This reminds us that Advent is about our preparation for Christ's first coming at Christmas and  His Second Coming. "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man," said Jesus. The true light entered the world through Mary's immaculate womb. The light of Christ flows out into our dark, obscure, and sinful lives to illuminate them. In this way, we become the light that illuminates the world in service of others. Saint John Henry Newman described the meaning of the Advent Season: "Advent is a time of waiting; it is a time of joy because the coming of Christ is not only a gift of grace and salvation but also a time of commitment because it motivates us to live the present as a time of responsibility and vigilance." Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You! Come, Holy Spirit, come! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York • ⁠December 1, 2024, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Our Lord Jesus literally went into the slave market of sin and paid the price for us. Broadcast #6525To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menu.A transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

Our Lord Jesus taught us to pray these words, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. That is our heartfelt prayer. May You be honored in this nation with godly leaders, with humble people, with obedient followers of Jesus the Messiah. May Your kingdom come in power in each of our lives that we may do Your will on earth even as it is done in heaven. And may this nation experience a spiritual rebirth, a renewal that comes through the Holy Spirit of the Living God. We pray this in the strong name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Friends of the Rosary, Today, the faithful celebrate the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary. On her Assumption to Heaven, our Blessed Mother was solemnly reunited with her Son, and Our Lord Jesus has crowned Our Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth. The Church celebrates Mary's, Mother of God's, queenship as a share in Jesus's kingship. This title of Queen is applied to the Mother of God since she was so closely associated with the redemptive work of her Son and is the Mediatrix of all graces. This Feast was established by Pope Pius XII in 1954. However, Mary's Queenship is not only based on Sacred Tradition but anciently rooted in the Scripture. The Archangel Gabriel, at the Annunciation, proclaimed that Mary would “bear a son, Jesus,” who would be given “the throne of David, his father” and “of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31-33). Saint Elizabeth, at the Visitation, ardently addressed Mary as “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43). Both narratives point to how the mother of the King is herself a Queen. This Feast reminds us to venerate Mary with devotion and love and to enthrone the Queen of Heaven and Earth in our hearts and homes. Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You! Come, Holy Spirit, come! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York • ⁠August 22, 2024, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET