Podcasts about see proverbs

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Best podcasts about see proverbs

Latest podcast episodes about see proverbs

ScriptureStream
Matthew 19:1-30

ScriptureStream

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 41:07


Matthew 19 Matthew 19:1-12 – Marriage and divorce Jesus went all the way back to Genesis, to the law before the Law of Moses. See Proverbs…

Don't Miss Out!!! (Victory Worship Center)
CD 1700 Diagnosing and Defeating Double-Mindedness

Don't Miss Out!!! (Victory Worship Center)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 44:59


CD 1700 Diagnosing and  Defeating Double MindednessI heard this in my spirit: “Don't major in the minor and minor in the major”!In our natural lives which is a pattern of or from our spiritual lives in order to change something we have to first come to the understanding that something needs changing. If we're feeling ill in our bodies, or in our minds then we need a diagnosis. Only after we get a diagnosis can we defeat the problem. This morning we're going to be talking about diagnosing and then defeating double-mindedness. Double-mindedness is something that will hinder your entire life until you bring it under subjection to the Word of God. Double-mindedness will keep you from receiving the promises of God's word which is the truth that makes you free!*Text: James 1:1-8 (KJV) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. [2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. [5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. [8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.#1 Divine Diagnosis *Reread James 1:8 (KJV) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.Note the Bible give us a clear definition of what the situation will appear like in your life if you are being double-minded! He said we would be "unstable" (ak-at-as'-tat-os) inconstant - this has to do with making a decision and then ruling and living from that decision. If we're always changing our minds, changing our words, and thus changing our actions then we have just been diagnosed with double mindedness! Can you imagine getting inside of your automobile and there were two steering wheels? How could the automobile be driven? The answer is it could NOT be driven with two drivers! Let Jesus drive, that leads us to our next point:#2 Divine Direction*Reread James 1:5 (KJV) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.The Lord God gives direction to all who ask in faith. His wisdom is a revelation of direction for our daily lives. See Proverbs 3 and 6 He promises to direct our past then Psalms 16 and 11 it says he will show us the path!#3 Divine Deliverance*Read James 1:17 (KJV) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.Q. How?(Read James 1:17 and 18)*Read James 4:7-10 (KJV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. [9] Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. [10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.Decree I take God of His Word! He will do what he said! I refuse double-mindedness. I will not be ruled by the outside but led and empowered from the inside!Closing Illustration: Starbucks has over 170,000 varieties Support the show

AcreSoft Story Classic:
The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle - Aesop Fable - Kids Story Short Stories for Children and Adults

AcreSoft Story Classic:

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 0:51


Two Game Cocks were fiercely fighting for the mastery of the farm-yard. One at last put the other to flight. The vanquished Cock skulked away and hid himself in a quiet corner. The conqueror,... #story AcreSoft Story Classic ⁠https://acresoft.contactin.bio⁠ Before destruction [is] pride,... See Proverbs 16:18 YLT

2Rivers Church Messages
Wisdom: What is it and How do we get it? // Meaningless Part 3

2Rivers Church Messages

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2024 40:57


There's a reason the rearview mirror is smaller than the windshield. We must glance back occasionally to move forward effectively. By paying attention to the good things God is doing day-to-day, we're positioned to receive His wisdom and live out His design for us. This week, we are looking back so we can look forward with clarity and purpose! As we dive into the wisdom of King Solomon, we'll see God's faithfulness and discover the opportunities ahead. Embracing God's wisdom makes us stronger and better prepared for the journey forward.  Proverbs 4:7 - “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” See Ecclesiastes 7:19 Join Pastor Nick Tallo as we continue in the book of Ecclesiastes where King Solomon writes on timeless wisdom; what is it, where do we get it from, and how we know we have it. WISDOM IS LIVING LIFE BY GOD'S DESIGN We live in an informational era. We have more information than any other generation to date.So what does wisdom look like? Knowledge coupled with action! Jesus teaches about building on the rock or sand and putting it into practice. The result is how you are living your life out. See James 3:13, Matthew 7:24, Ecclesiastes 7:20-22, James 1:5, Proverbs 2: 3-4,6 GODLY WISDOM STARTS WITH AND CONTINUES IN HUMILITY BEFORE GODThe fear of the Lord leads us to a heart posture of humility. We must be quiet enough and humble enough to receive God's answers. It is knowing God is on the throne and we are not; that we are not who we used to be but not yet who we want to be.See Proverbs 1:7, Matthew 7:24, James 3:17, James 1:22, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Colossians 2:1-32Rivers Church in O'Fallon, MO, exists to help people become passionate followers of Jesus.LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE for more content that will help you live equipped and become a passionate follower of Jesus! Resources mentioned during the sermon:●     Find the Ecclesiastes Reading Plan here: https://mailchi.mp/2riverschurch/3aao9vtsci●      Get our app and sermon notes, resources, and more! https://onelink.to/2rivers     Are you struggling and need prayer? We'd love to pray for you. Submit a prayer request here:  https://2rivers.churchcenter.com/people/forms/29709  Include social media handles, website, and other ways to connect: 

Because I Said So!
Picky Eaters, Adopted Children, and Fake Diagnoses

Because I Said So!

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 23:09 Transcription Available


Children are soap opera factories. See Proverbs 22:15. Which is why, for the most part, no one should engage them in discussions concerning their feelings.ParentGuru: Better Parenting Starts Here Thousands of stressed parents are finding their way to better parenting with the help of ParentGuru.Parenting With Love and Leadership Weekly Substack newsletter by Parenting Expert John Rosemond.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showThanks for listening! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North Sermons - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.Ice-Breakers:[01:08] - Q: What is your favorite color?A: Gray (Jeff), Royal/Navy Blue (Taylor)[02:19] - Q: What is your favorite book of the Bible and why?A: OT - Ecclesiastes / NT - Romans (Taylor), OT - Ecclesiastes / NT - Revelation (Jeff), James (Matt)[04:40] - Q: What Christian book has made an impact on you that you would recommend to others?A: See TBD - TBDThe Bible:[06:35] - Q: Does God still speak to us today?A: See Hebrews 1:1-2 - Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.[10:06] - Q: Do you guys know anything about why certain books were included and others weren't, such as other books found in Dead Sea scrolls? And what about books mentioned in Bible such as Enoch?A: TBDOld Testament:[12:22] - Q: Who was the third person on earth?A: Cain[12:45] - Q: If Cain killed Abel, who did Cain marry? How did humanity continue?A: His sister[14:05] - Q: Genesis 5:4 - The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died. Who or what are the Nephilim?A: See TBD[18:25] - Q: What is your stance on Psalm 83? Is it a war, a lament? If you believe it to be a war, is it a past war or yet future?A: See TBD - TBDNew Testament:[19:55] - Q: In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus talks about narrow & wide gates, one that leads to destruction & one that leads to life. He indicates that there will be few who find the narrow gate that leads to eternal life. Is Jesus revealing in these verses that proportionally speaking that most people born throughout the ages will go to hell compared to those that truly come to salvation through Jesus?A: See TBD - TBD[24:25] - Q: The Bible says “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matt 7:1), but there are other places like I Cor 2:15 where God says “but he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one”. Can you explain the seeming contradiction between these two verses?A: See TBD - TBD[28:28] - Q: Can you discuss the Bema seat? I know it is a judgment for believers (good and not so good) that will take place post rapture for how we spent our lives on earth, but since God forgives our sins past, present, and future and wipes them from his memory once we confess our salvation in Him, why do we stand in judgment for things we did that are not so good?Or is it just situations where we could have shared the gospel or helped someone and didn't do anything that will be called out and judged?A: See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 - According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.Potluck:[31:05] - Q: With as flawed, hypocritical, & inconsistent as we are as believers, why would God choose to limit Himself in such a way to effectively share the truth of His message to the lost world?A: See - TBD[33:40] - Q: What does the Bible say about the use of Western Medicine example anti depressants, pain killers, medical marijuana, etc.?A: See Proverbs 31:6 - Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress...[35:15] - Q: Is drinking alcohol, using tobacco/ marijuana, or gambling all sins? Should a born again believer stop these activities?A: See TBD - TBD[On the Blog] - Q: Why does God allow trials in my life to test my faith, if in His sovereignty He already knows how I'll respond (positively or negatively)?A: See 1 Peter 1:6-9 - In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.[On the Blog] - Q: Can you explain what Jesus means in Luke 14:26-27 where He says we can not be His disciples unless we hate our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children? This seems totally contradictory to His message for us to love one another as He has loved us.A: See Matthew 10:37 - Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.Any question that was missed due to time constraints during the service Pastor Jeff will address the answer on the blog.Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK Small Group Questions (Whole Group):Review the questions submitted above. Discuss any of these that stuck out to you, or that maybe your group finds particularly interesting.Breakout Questions:Pray for one another!

Forestgate
The Divorce that Never Happened

Forestgate

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2022


Matthew 1:18-25 Sermon Notes:1) An Unexpected Pregnancy, 18-19 2) An Angelic Proclamation, 20-21 3) A Prophetic Explanation, 22-23 4) An Obedient Conclusion, 24-25 Reflection questions: 1. How was “just” Joseph (v19) planning to deal with the unexpected circumstances in his life? What does this show us about the limits of human wisdom, and how we should approach God with our plans? See Proverbs 3:5-6; 14:12; 16:9; Matthew 6:33. 2. Isaiah 7:14 was probably written about 700 years before Christ was born. What does the 700-year 1 -plan of God tell you about His wisdom and His care for you? See Romans 8:27-39; Romans 12:33-36. 3. What does this story teach us about obedience in the face of difficulty circumstances? Consider: 1 Cor. 15:58.

Douglas Jacoby Podcast

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.IntroductionThere are oracles against nations in most of the prophetic books of the Bible.In 1:3 to 2:5 there are 7 doom oracles.Yahweh is lord over the gentile nations, so why should we think Israel will be judged less strictly?The seven oracles of doomDamascus (1:3-5) is the chief city of Syria (Aram)It may be the world's oldest continuously inhabited city.Gilead, east of the Jordan and bordering Syria, included Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.“I destroyed 592 towns of the 16 districts of the country of Damascus, rendering them like hills over which the flood had passed.” – Tiglath-Pileser III, AnnalsSyria will go into exile (the divine punishment of last resort against the covenant people in the law of Moses)Gaza (1:6-8), one of the 5 cities of Philistia (Gath is often omitted in oracles against the Philistines).Exodus 21:16 forbids kidnapping, and by implication the slave trade.Hear the slavery podcast for more discussion.Again, there will be no escape for the nation that has defied the righteous standards of Yahweh.Tyre (1:9-10)100 miles NW of Jerusalem, modern LebanonAgain, condemnation of the slave tradeEdom (1:11-12)Ammon, Moab, and Edom are the lands east of Canaan, partly in (modern) Jordan, partly in Israel.Obadiah (plus Jeremiah, et al) contains oracles against Edom.The sin was a lack of brotherly love. Instead, bitterness, vengeance, lack of forgiveness.Ammon (1:13-15)Barbaric cruelty: pregnant women were ripped open to ensure that male offspring would not rise up to avenge their enemies.Tiglath-Pileser I was praised by his chroniclers in the 11th C. BC for the ruthless murder of pregnant women and the children in their wombs.Menahem (2 Kings 15:16), ruling a few years after the time of Amos, did the same thing.Again, there will be no escape from the impending judgment.Moab (2:1-3)Burned bones to lime amounts to desecration of the dead, a serious transgression in ancient times.At Kerioth (v.2) was a shrine to Chemosh.Judah (2:4-5), the southern part of the divided kingdomShe survived longer (till 586 BC, when the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem).She was only relatively more righteous than the northern kingdom of Israel, which fell in 722 BC at the hand of the Assyrians.Including Judah proves that Amos wasn't prejudiced.Seven nations have been singled out. But Amos isn't done yet. We come to the climax in 2:6-16, which is the substance of our third lesson in the series.ConclusionThe Lord is sovereign over all the world, over all nations. If the nations are held responsible for their actions, how much more the people of God!  Yet instead of viewing themselves as belonging exclusively to God, Israel viewed God as belonging exclusively to them.Advanced:The 7 target nations were all at one time under the control of David.Three acts… four (x, x+1) is a common literary device in the wisdom literature. (See Proverbs 6:16-19, 30:18-19,21-23,29-31; Sirach 26:5-6.) This implies each nation has done more than enough to deserve punishment.House of Hazael (v.4) probably refers to Hazael (c.843-796) and Ben-Hadad III (c.796-770), who caused much trouble for Jehoram, Jehu, and Jehoahaz.Gath is usually ignored in oracles against the Philistines. Sargon of Assyria destroyed Gath in 711 BC.Re: v.11, brother may mean treaty-partner, as in 1 Samuel 20:29, 1 Kings 9:13.Kerioth may be singled out because it contained a shrine for Chemosh, as recorded in the Mesha inscription. (Click here to learn about this inscription.)

Family Church Portsmouth
Kingdom Economics Part 3 - Sowing & Reaping | Andy Elmes | 24th July 2022

Family Church Portsmouth

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2022 44:03


Pastor Andy concludes his three week series on Kingdom Economics with this message about the giving, specifically a lifestyle of sowing and reaping. Sowing & reaping is about having a lifestyle of giving that has a direct relationship with tithing. It's about putting seeds in the prepared ground that tithing correctly has provided for us. Thinking like a farmer, the world of farming and agriculture gives us the best visual example of these two things working together: The farmer prepares the soil The farmer sows His seed. The farmer waits for the soil to do what it does The farmer harvests a crop The farmer takes the best of the crop to sow again to secure ongoing provision, not just a momentary one This starts with correctly separating the tithe & the seed: The tithe and seed are two separate components working together in unison in God's plan of caring for and prospering us Tithe is a tenth of our increase Seed is that which is given above and beyond the tithe and unlike the tithe which belongs in the storehouse, can be given wherever we feel led to give Some examples of good soil: Alms – Widows, orphans and humanitarian needs. (Psalms 41:1-3, Proverbs 21:13 & 19:17, Leviticus 25:35-37, Galatians 6:2) Missions & missionaries Other ministries that inspire us to give - evangelists, and church planters Tithing up or forwards – giving into things we want to see a harvest in When this is done correctly, it also empowers and resources a church to act effectively in its giving and response to needs. The principle (law) of seed time and harvest is something God designed and instituted. It's another principle that carries on after the cross and is a law like the law of gravity can be denied but is present to be used. It is something initiated for our benefit that man could be fruitful and multiply according to His desire for them. We see this desire expressed in the original design of Genesis firstly in Genesis 1:28 (Adam and Eve – be fruitful and multiply) then Genesis 9:1 & 7 (Noah – be fruitful and multiply). God instituted a principle (law) that was both natural and spiritual to enable multiplication called sowing and reaping. It's a law that affects every area of our lives, not excluding finances. See Proverbs 18:24 (friendship) and Proverbs 11:25 (refreshing and encouraging). This is a continual principle described in Genesis 8:22(ESV) “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” Also Galatians 6:7 (ESV) “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” and Luke 6:38 (ESV) “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”  Understanding “seed kind”………. Every seed bears fruit after its kind Genesis 1:11 (NIV) Carrots make carrots, and cabbages produce cabbages What we sow, we reap – God puts control of our harvest into our hands A replacement structure of financial provision beyond being carried by Him What do we need more of in our lives? What do we need to sow into to make it happen? We are making it a lifestyle, not a moment. The key verse is 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 with key points: We determine the amount and heart behind our sowing Giving should be by heart conviction, never manipulation God is able and willing to respond in abundance God supplies seed to the one who intends to sow and desires to increase the size of a person's seed barn Enrichment returns in every way Our obedience to give results in praises given to God Remember there are 3 stages, not 2: “seed – time- harvest”. Sowing involves faith and believing in the promise. It's not about what we see or experience Sowing and reaping are not subject to natural conditions Example 1: Issac sowing in famine – Genesis

Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North Sermons - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.[00:00] - Q: My question is how as followers of Christ are we to equip ourselves and our children (besides prayer) to stand up against evil ideology but particularly LGBTQ agenda in our schools and the "in your face" push throughout media. How do we teach our kids to respond to teachers/peers when confronted with these movements?A: See - TBD[00:00] - Q: Why should I pray for this world if the Bible says that the world is going to get worse?A: TBD[00:00] - Q: There's a lot of dialogue in our country about rights. What rights are actually given to us by God?A: See TBD - TBD[00:00] - Q: In light of many current events, shortages, and inflation, I feel the need to hoard food and necessities. Is it wrong to have an excess of these items in stock. Does that show a lack of faith in God's provision?A: See TBD - TBD[00:00] - Q: What is a woman?A: TBD[00:00] - Q: What are your thoughts about churches with women pastors? What does the bible say about this?A: See 1 Timothy 2:12-15 - TBD[00:00] - Q: People at work say Christians can swear. Can they swear to be relevant?A: See Ephesians 5:4TBD[00:00] - Q: What does the Bible say about the use of Western Medicine example anti depressants, pain killers, medical marijuana, etc.?A: See Proverbs 31:6 TBD[00:00] - Q: Psalms are psalmists praises and often supplications, too. They are not necessarily God's promises. How shall we then treat those supplications? For example 1, Ps 6:23a, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Is this true for US? For example 2, Ps 90:15, Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. Does this prayer being included in Bible mean approval of this supplication by God? Can WE make the same supplication?A: See TBD - TBD[00:00] - Q: If Jesus was a Galilean Jew, why aren't we?A: See TBD - TBD[00:00] - Q: Are there spirits outside of angels and demons on earth? Is there any scripture that would lead us to believe that people once they die would be a spirit on earth?A: See TBD - TBD[00:00] - Q: Are we missing something when it comes to the Sabbath and the value of rest? Jesus addresses the Pharisees' legalistic approach to the Sabbath and much of the OT has been fulfilled through the cross, but this is the only one of 10 commandments that isn't expected to be followed still.A: See TBD - TBD[00:00] - Q: Does Nicodemus believe that Jesus is who he says he is?A: See John 19:39 - TBD[00:00] - Q: Gen. 3:15 makes mention of Satan's "offspring". Did Satan procreate with humans? Who was Satan's offspring?A: See John 8:44 - TBD[00:00] - Q: What do you think is the strongest evidence outside of the Bible that Jesus of Nazareth is a historical existence?A: See TBD - TBD[00:00] - Q: In Daniel chapter 10 at the very end of the chapter it says “but I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael your prince.” Why is Michael called a prince? Are there other angels known as princes like Michael?A: See TBD - TBD[00:00] - Q: When do the O.T. saints get their glorified bodies? If it is not at the time of the rapture when the dead rise first, can you explain?A: See TBD - TBD[00:00] - Q: Why does the Lord send Saul an evil spirit several times in 1 Samuel? Why would the Lord do that? We are told to ‘resist the devil and he will flee…'?A: See TBD - TBDAny question that was missed due to time constraints during the service Pastor Jeff will address the answer on the blog.Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK Small Group Questions (Whole Group):Review the questions submitted above. Discuss any of these that stuck out to you, or that maybe your group finds particularly interesting.Breakout Questions:Pray for one another!

Empowering People
The Benefit of Patience

Empowering People

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2022 17:12


See Proverbs 16:32 for a "better-than" proverb. Preference is given to someone who is a patient person over a rash passionate warrior.

Abundant Life Sermons
Why Was Daniel Thrown into the Lions' Den?

Abundant Life Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2022 46:25


Daniel in the Lions' Den - Daniel 6(Picture of Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand)Daniel 6 takes place in 536 B.C. The Babylonians have fallen and the Persian Empire has risen.Daniel did what he had always done. He chose to stand up and wound up in a lions' den. Proverbs 28:1, “The righteous are bold as a lion.” Daniel is now a very elderly man, but God calls on him one more time to take a stand.The lions' den is a place of darkness where we are devoured by fear, worry, and anxiety prepared by our enemy. 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”Why was Daniel as “bold as a lion” even in a den of lions?1) Daniel had the character of God.Daniel 6:1-5, It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”Daniel's godly integrity made him a threat to his enemies! They hated him for his honesty and integrity and burned with envy and jealousy. They feared Daniel. (See Proverbs 28:1)Proverbs 28:1, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Media only)Because of Daniel's godly character, he never changed his “colors.” There are many “chameleon” Christians in the world today that try to “blend in” to their surroundings.”(Video of chameleon changing colors)Daniel 6:6-10, So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.2) Daniel had confidence in God. Even when he knew a law had been signed making it illegal for him to pray to his God under penalty of death, he continued to do it with his windows wide open for all to see!Daniel's courage to live for God came from his confidence in God. He was faithful to God because he was full of faith in God.When you trust in God's sovereignty, you can live with certainty in a world gone crazy. Daniel was confident in God's sovereign control over his life. He knew God's plan for him was perfect even if the cost was high. Daniel 6:11-17, Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” 16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.3) Daniel was consecrated to God.You are consecrated to whatever you are willing to die for. You do not have a faith worth living for if you don't have a faith worth dying for. “A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith.” –Richard WurmbrandDaniel 6:18-23, Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” 23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.God promises a resurrection when we choose a life of consecration. The prize will be worth whatever the price.

Abundant Life Sermons
When God Crashes Your Party

Abundant Life Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2022 48:24


May 15, 2022When God Crashes Your Party - Daniel 5Daniel 5 records the events of October 12, 539 B.C. – the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians.Daniel 5:1-4, Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.Death was literally knocking at the door, but Belshazzar was partying when he should have been praying. He knew Babylon was being besieged, but he had a false sense of security inside the fortified walls of the city.In a defiant act against God, Belshazzar got the sacred cups stolen by Nebuchadnezzar to use for “booze.” He was using for wickedness what God designed for worship. He was using the sacred for something sinful.Belshazzar was in God's face. When you get in God's face, you are about to lose God's grace. Belshazzar had crossed the line. When you reject the grace of God, all that is left is the judgment of God.God literally crashed Belshazzar's party and the “handwriting was on the wall.”Daniel 5:5-8, In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Now all the king's wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation.Belshazzar pictures the one who lives as if this life will last forever, and this life is all that matters. They reign temporarily as kings over little kingdoms made of dust that will one day rust, decay, and fade away!Luke 12:20, But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?”Mark 8:36-37, For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?Daniel 5:13, 16-18, Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?...And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor.Daniel 5:22, But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.Why did God crash Belshazzar's party?1) He chose not to remember God. (See Romans 1:18-25)2) He chose not to revere God. (See Proverbs 15:25)Belshazzar pictures the one who deliberately rejects God's grace and mercy. When you reject God's forgiveness and grace, all that is left is God's wrath and God's judgment. (See Matthew 12:31)Matthew 12:31, Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.Daniel 5:24-30, Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written. 25 “And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” 29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. If you die without Christ, the “handwriting is on the wall.”Like Belshazzar, your life will be judged by God — “weighed and found wanting.”

Awake O Sleeper Podcast
The loss that lead to my purpose

Awake O Sleeper Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2022 31:51


Though it's been a challenging week, I'm here by the grace of God!I'm here to share with you that I count all my loss as gain because through my losses, I've gotten to know my Heavenly Father and Lord and Savior Jesus Christ like I never have before. (See Philippians 3:7-8)As I have, still do today and will continue to do so, trusting in and relying confidently on the Lord with ALL of my heart and leaning not on my own understanding. In all my ways i submit/surrender to him and he will make my paths straight! (See Proverbs 3:5-6)I trust in the Lord and no one who expectantly trusts and waits for the Lord will be ashamed but those who turn away from what is right and deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed (humiliated, embarrassed) (See Psalms 25:3)Following the Lord won't be easy but don't give up, your faith is worth the fight! He fights for you and you must only believe, surrender, and confess! He will ease your burden, give you rest, and teach you with his humble and gentle heart as you find this rest for your souls (mind, will, emotions)(See Mathew 11:28-29)God works ALL things for your good as you choose to love him and for His glory as he gives you his purpose for you to carry out! (See Romans 8:28) His mercy triumphs judgment ! Breaking your silence, is breaking your chains, freedom you have in Jesus name !AwakeOSleeperAmen! 

Morning Mindset Daily Christian Devotional
What you don't see | Proverbs 13:7

Morning Mindset Daily Christian Devotional

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 6:01


SCRIPTURE Proverbs 13:7 - One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Talks for Growing Christians

< Back to Joshua IndexTALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANSSetting Up the Tabernacle at Shiloh and the Boundaries for Benjamin Printed Version BACKGROUND NOTESDOCTRINAL POINT(S)Worship should have a central place in the believer's life.Life's major decisions should be made before the Lord.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONGood things can come in small packages.QUESTIONSThe tabernacle was moved. When and why?What was one of the first things the Israelites did once the tabernacle was moved?Why did Joshua rebuke the children of Israel?What is the lesson in this for us?The seven tribes chose lots for their territories. What does this mean?ANSWERSWhen the people moved, the tabernacle moved. When the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River and came into the promised land, they set up the tabernacle at Gilgal. Now that the land was conquered the tabernacle was moved to Shiloh. Thus, after the conquest, the tabernacle was placed in the center of the land for easier access.They divided the rest of the land among the seven tribes who still had no assigned tribal territory.He rebuked them for their procrastination in possessing the land.We are rebuked for failing to possess the spiritual land of blessing that God has given us. We are exhorted to be more victorious in the spiritual battles in this land.Jewish tradition says that the priests took two urns and put the territories in one urn and the names of the tribes in the other urn, then the high priest drew one from each urn. In any case, God controlled the division of the land. See Proverbs 16:33.DISCUSS/CONSIDERThe tabernacle was the focal place of worship for the children of Israel. It was the place where God dwelt among His people to maintain a relationship between a holy God and a sinful people. A top priority for Israel was to have a central place of worship. Similarly, worship should have a central place in the believer's life today. See Psalm 96:6-9 and John 4:23. Does worship have a central place in your life?Life's major decisions should be made before the Lord. The Israelites surveyed the land and brought it before the Lord. These decisions would not only affect their position in the land, but much of their future history as well. Do you make your major decisions in life before the Lord? Give examples, both of when you have done this, and when you have gone ahead without consulting the Lord.CHALLENGEBenjamin was one of the smallest tribes, and its territory was located between the two major tribes of Ephraim and Judah. Benjamin became a buffer zone between these other tribes. Jerusalem was one of the cities given to Benjamin, and it would become the capitol of the nation. The temple would eventually be there. Saul, the first king of Israel would come from the little tribe of Benjamin, and so would the apostle Paul. Benjamin was a good thing in a small package. Do you feel like you are a small package with no great upfront gift or talent? Be encouraged. God says that you are necessary in the body of Christ. See 1 Corinthians 12:21-22.KEY VERSES"The whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh and set up the tabernacle of meeting there." (Joshua 18:1)"Joshua said, 'How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord has given you?" (Joshua 18:3)

PRAYER: With Margaret Christine Mullings

Walking by faith is choosing over and over again to obey Christ and follow His example with every life decision and every conversation. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. See Proverbs chapter 10 verse 19 and chapter 17 verse 27. Seek each day to activate your Faith. Be encouraged as you tune in!

Douglas Jacoby Podcast

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.ReviewOur first six studies set the stage, so that we can draw near to GodPsalm 51 is the psalm that most epitomizes the theme of this series, Drawing Near to God. Theme: restoration to GodEvery psalm has a theme. In most of the lessons in this series, we're reading only excerpts, in order to illustrate broader themes.This time we will study a single psalm, and one of the most famous of all, ranking with 23 in general familiarity.Davidic?Associated with David, and fits perfectly the scenario of 2 Samuel 11-12.“Build up the walls” (v.18) – the psalm did not evolve to its present form till centuries after the time of David.Whether or not David is the author is immaterial. The psalm speaks to us all!Commentaryv.1 - Mercy, not justice. Blessed are the merciful. Am I merciful towards others (Matthew 5:7, 18:21-35; Eph 4:32)?v.2 - We are unclean – cannot be self-restored. We need God.v.3 - Sin doesn't get cleansed by time. Time may afford a broader perspective, but it doesn't automatically heal.v.4 - See Genesis 39:9. Judgment: Psalm 7:11 (daily judgment, the outworking of sin); 21:9 (final judgment, like 2 Thessalonians 1:8).v.5 - Not original sin (see 71:6, 22:9, 58:3). Projection of the present feeling of sinfulness back to the earliest possible point in the psalmist's life.v.6 - We are born to be moral. We may have a proclivity towards selfishness – for biological and psychological reasons, yet God calls us to act beyond the level of mere self-interest .v.7 - Hyssop was used for cleansing in levitical ceremonies (Exod 12, Lev 14, Num 19 – a dozen places in all the Bible.) Hyssop contains thymol. Confessions / accepting forgiveness from God – 32, 38, 51 (7 penitential psalms also include 102, 6, 143, 130).v.8 - See Proverbs 17:22.vv.9 -10 Not just asking to be let off. Asking for transformation. A new spirit – a common longing in the prophetic literature, such as in Isaiah and Ezekiel. And not just a one-time revival, but consistency!v.11 - Holy Spirit rare in OT. The phrase appears only here and in Isaiah 63:10-11 and here . God is spirit; thus he is present in Spirit. John 7:39 – no indwelling before Jesus' ascension (Acts 2:30,33).v.12 - The joy of our salvation is more than a feeling. Willingness. God will not force us. In a sense, the psalmist is asking God for a holy spirit – to make him holy through and through. We too should pray for this spirit. Jesus says the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him Luke 11:13. See also Psalm 15 - holiness / integrity required if we are to enter God's presence and dwell there.v.13 - We cannot keep the good news to ourselves. It is hard to stay motivated in evangelism when all we seek are results, or recognition. It's easy to keep going when awareness of who we are (God's children in Christ) and gratitude continually well up from our inmost being! Further, the good news isn't a message of self-improvement.v.14 - Guilt is a reality. Psychologists and psychiatrists lacking a biblical orientation may miss this. But true healing (therapy) requires acknowledgement of guilt, ownership. Proverbs 30:20. "Guilt of bloodshed" is a phrase often occurring in the context of murder. Worship as the natural response to the experience of cleansing, when we have gratitude to God for his mercy and grace.vv.15-16 - Religion without heart is worthless. Psalm 51, Psalm 50, Psalm 15 (in the podcast I said "51" -- but meant 15). Also Malachi 1—it's all over the OT. Jesus preached the same Mark 7. This is not to say that we can dispense with formal faith. The last verse of the Psalm doesn't dismiss the sacrificial system – which would be replaced only after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.v.17 - Heart focus. See 34:18.vv. 18 -19 - This shows that the Psalm is exilic, or postexilic – at least in its final form.

Guidelines For Living Devotional
Why The Habit Of Lying Is Harmful

Guidelines For Living Devotional

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2021 4:50


The practice of dishonesty is the second taboo on God's list of what He detests (See Proverbs 6:16-19).  While God loves the sinner, He certainly dislikes some of his habits.  Question:  On a scale of 1-10, how honest are you?  Would you say you are honest all of the time?  Most of the time?  Part of the time?  Or whenever it suits your purpose?

Dan A. Rodriguez Articles and Podcasts
Gospel Preaching versus Anemic Sermonettes

Dan A. Rodriguez Articles and Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2021 12:49


  24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self- control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid (became frightened, “trembled” in at least 7 translations, terrified, much alarmed) and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time, I will call for you.” (Acts 24:24, 25 NET- parenthesis- my comment) Faith in Christ was defined in this passage as a message that expounded on righteousness, self-control, and judgement to come. What? Really? Does that sound like most modern-day “gospel” messages concerning faith in Christ?  Some would say that there is no need to tell sinners they need self-control or to speak of judgment because that would not be very loving towards them, but Paul did that. Some may think that to speak to sinners about righteousness is a waste of time, or not something that will be conducive to their conversion, and that it may turn them off to the gospel. Tell that to the Apostle Paul. The text calls righteousness, self-control, and judgement to come a “faith in Christ” message. That was the gospel message that Paul preached. Have our gospel messages been missing some things? Most evangelicals think that John 3:16 is the only gospel message there is! Paul preached more than a "God or Jesus loves you" message. He preached more than a "believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess with your mouth that He is Lord" message! (Romans 10:9) It was more varied and it included themes not generally thought of as pertaining to a gospel message. Righteousness, self-control, and judgment as the definition of ministering faith in Christ sounds almost identical to what Jesus said the Holy Spirit was sent to do, and it is not even close to an evangelical type gospel message. “And He, when He comes, He will convict (lit., expose, convict, reprove, rebuke) the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” (John 16:8 NKJV) What Paul stated to Felix was identical to what Jesus said to His disciples about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Paul used the term “self-control” when talking about “sin”. The connection between sin and a lack of self-control should be obvious. If you sin, it is because you did not exercise self-control. Self-control is control of your actions by the Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Self” infers that the action starts with you. The Holy Spirit is your Helper. (John 16:7) In other words, the Holy Spirit will not make you obey God’s Word, but He will help you to do what is right according to God’s Word. The word convict (Gr. elegcho) in John 16:8 is translated in Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon as “reprehend severely, call to account, correct, to show one his fault.” The same word is found in 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Tim. 5:20; Titus 1:13, 2:15; Hebrews 12:5, and in the words of Jesus: Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will]. (Revelation 3:19 Amplified) Rebuke, that is, to reprehend severely, call to account, correct, to show one his fault must come when a lack of self-control is evident. (See also elegcho in John 3:20, 1 Corinthians 14:24, and Ephesians 5:11.) Sin is the result of a lack of self-control that opposes God’s Word and commandments. James 1:14-16 in the Amplified Bible clarifies the process of sin from lust or some evil desire, to conception, and finally, to execution.  The word elegcho in Luke 3:18, 19 is translated rebuked: 18 And in this way, with many other exhortations, John proclaimed good news to the people. 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil deeds that he had done. John the Baptizer was proclaiming the “good news” or the gospel to the people, and it was not at all sugar and spice and everything nice. Go back into Luke chapter three and begin reading at verse three. You will see all the elements of rebuking, such as “reprehend severely, call to account, correct, to show one his fault.” He called those practicing sin “offspring of vipers”! That was not your typical sermonette with all smiles, soft tonalities, and niceties! 7 Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, and don’t begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones! 9 Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Luke 3:7-9 NET) To top it all off, he called Herod the tetrarch to account because of his adulterous relationship with the wife of his brother. Verse 18 says that John’s rebuke, correction, conviction, exposing, and calling to account was THE GOSPEL, the proclamation of the good news! And in this way, with many other exhortations, John proclaimed good news to the people. (Luke 3:18 NKJV) Good news of the gospel? Does Luke chapter 3 sound like our interpretation of what is a good gospel message? No, it does not! Something is missing from gospel messages if they only preach salvation, healing, and the blessings of God! Yes, there is something terribly missing if that is all the people hear out of a preacher or pastor. Sometimes, there must be rebuke, correction, conviction, exposing, and calling to account. These cannot be left out when necessary, that is, IF it is a real gospel message. John was a minister according to the meaning of a true gospel message. It may not seem like everything John the Baptizer preached was good news, but that would be an assessment from a human perspective. From the Scriptural perspective, and therefore from God’s viewpoint, it was all good news because it brought conviction and correction. Regardless of whether the people heard and received the messages, or they rejected them. John’s gospel message called people to account and allowed the Father to work on their hearts so repentance would come, and real change could take place in their lives! Think about that. A real gospel message is preaching and teaching whatever the Spirit of the Lord gives you. If it comes from Him, regardless of anyone’s feelings or offense at it, it will carry the anointing to set the captives free.  Did you get that? Even though Jesus was tough and no-nonsense often, He was specifically anointed to announce the good news or gospel message. (Luke 4:18) Power stood behind His messages. The preaching of the true gospel always manifests the power of God in some way. (Romans 1:16) If nothing happens and there is not a message that shakes things and people up, then it did not come from the Holy Spirit. Look at Matthew 23 where Jesus viciously rebukes the hypocritical among the Pharisees, and slams Jerusalem for killing the prophets sent to it. Read the whole chapter. It's an eye opener concerning “good news”. Does the following sound like any "good news” message we know of today? Remember, Jesus said this, and it was not "sugar and spice, and everything nice." I say this because many think all Jesus taught was love and acceptance (tolerance), and He was always soft toned, and tame as a little lamb. Nothing could be further from the truth! Here are some excerpts from the fiery preacher and astonishing powerhouse known as Jesus: "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!... Therefore, you will receive greater condemnation... Fools and blind... You make your followers twice the sons of hell that you are... “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence... For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness... "  And, one more for the road: "Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?" (See Matthew 23.) Jesus was no pushover, monotone, long-haired, guru of love, sissified, “kumbaya” preacher! He didn’t put up with sin, hypocrisy, unbelief, or talking against God or His Spirit. He was tough, no-nonsense, strong, and never capitulated or quit, and he was THE bearer of the good news of the gospel! He didn’t just say “believe the gospel”. No, He told people to REPENT, and that was first! (Mark 1:14, 15) In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, His rebukes and calling into account were hard and often harsh. It is true He also praised the churches when they did what was right, but He held nothing back in His messages to the churches when a sharp rebuke was necessary. Go study the two chapters! It will set straight that “good news” preaching from Jesus (Luke 4:18, 19) included much more than “good news” according to our understanding. In Mathew 11:20-24 one can read the Master's rebuke against the cities of Bethsaida, Chorazin, and Capernaum because even though great miracles were done in them, they refused to repent. He condemned Capernaum to hell (Hades)! That was good gospel preaching but wait because there is more. So, you want acceptance or tolerance in the words of Jesus? Here is His idea of acceptance and tolerance for those that refuse to repent and continue in their sin. Are you ready? It's a spanking for the backside! 23"And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:23, 24 NKJV) There's your tolerance.  I’ll never forget one brother in the Lord, himself a minister and teacher, that told me before I stood to preach and minister, “Brother, just preach Heaven to them. Give them Heaven!” That sounded really good. Of course, if it came from the Lord, it would be His will done on earth as it is in heaven, but there was something else involved with his statement. I couldn't put my finger on it at the time. I knew something was off, but it took me a while to learn from the Lord what it was. If all you do is preach “inspiring verses” or uplifting and positive messages without the other as the Lord leads we have been talking about, then we have missed Heaven’s idea of good news. Are you ready for a shift in your thinking? It will shock all those that think “gospel” is sweetie pie and kind preaching. It will shock all those that think we should have sweetness in our gospel message because if it gets too harsh people will leave or tune out the message.  Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, and he had an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. (Revelation 14:6 NET) Next follows the eternal gospel proclaimed by this angel, but pay close attention to the content. It covers areas not traditionally understood as a gospel message. 7 He declared in a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has arrived, and worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water!” 8 A second angel followed the first, declaring: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great city! She made all the nations drink of the wine of her immoral passion.” 9 A third angel followed the first two, declaring in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and takes the mark on his forehead or his hand, 10 that person will also drink of the wine of God’s anger that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tortured with fire and sulfur in front of the holy angels and in front of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke from their torture will go up forever and ever, and those who worship the beast and his image will have no rest day or night, along with anyone who receives the mark of his name.” 12 This requires the steadfast endurance of the saints—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to their faith in Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: ‘Blessed are the dead, those who die in the Lord from this moment on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they can rest from their hard work, because their deeds will follow them.” (Revelation 14:7-13 NET) Gospel announcement included revelation, instruction, rebuke, correction, mention of God’s anger and wrath, the lake of fire for the followers of the beast, and the hour of God’s judgment! It pointed out the immorality of those following Babylon’s example. Notice that gospel preaching includes faith in Jesus, but also mentions obedience to God’s moral commandments. It even speaks of the coming judgment where believers will be rewarded for their good works. Wow, all that and a call to the fear of God to headline that gospel message! Does that sound anywhere near to what many believe to be the gospel message? Gospel includes a whole lot more than salvation, healing, deliverance, and the blessing of God. Gospel can include more than telling people about the plan of salvation and the Lord Jesus.  I am not saying every message has to be the same and include all these elements. What I am saying is that the definition of gospel preaching has been limited and much has been left out because churches have gotten away from preaching anything that could offend or make people feel uncomfortable. Actually, if a gospel message doesn't make you feel uncomfortable at some point, it is not from the Holy Spirit. (See John 16:8.) When the message is the mighty and unstoppable two-edged sword of the Word of God that divides between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart, there will be discomfort, and the Lord will confront you! (Hebrews 4:12, 13) When you feel your very thoughts and intentions are on display before God as the Word is preached, you will not feel comfortable, and that is good! There should be a fear of the Lord flowing as the ministry of the Word and the Spirit comes forth. (Acts 2:43, 5:11) Let me tell you something. When anointed ministers preach and teach, the message will get you! My God, I felt that way when my dad preached! When pastors Rodney Howard Browne and Tom Laipply (and a very few others) preach the Word something will shake you up and sometimes the power of God will grip you! Those are the type of messages we need today.  Here is more proof of what I am writing about. 9 Realizing that law is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 sexually immoral people, practicing homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers—in fact, for any who live contrary to sound teaching. 11 This accords with the glorious gospel of the blessed God that was entrusted to me. (1 Timothy 1:9-11 NET) What? Paul says that these are in accord or agree with the glorious gospel message. That means that within the gospel message there will preaching against these sinful lifestyles and practices. Why, because at times there must be exposing of these things. There must be correction and calling to account even before the lawless, rebellious, ungodly, sinners, unholy, profane, murderers, sexually immoral, practicing homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers and for all those that live contrary to sound teaching. That means that sound gospel teaching will teach people to live contrary to all those things mentioned or inferred.  The references in Luke, Revelation and First Timothy reveal that the gospel includes all these elements usually not associated with “gospel preaching.” What gospel message are you listening to or preaching? In general, many in the body of Christ have gotten away from such preaching themes. Messages have been watered down to the place they often sound like psychological hogwash and not like the Bible. It is more self-help positivity and affirmation messages rather than messages that preach and teach the Scripture without compromise! At one church I attended, they brought in some foolish person to teach that women see through pink glasses and men through blue. Could you imagine that instead of going to the Scripture, they were teaching that nonsense to couples at Church? It was all talk with ZERO anointing! It was all an offshoot of the “women are from Venus” and “men are from Mars” psychobabble that is really against the sound teaching of Scripture. So many churches have moved away from real strong gospel messages, and have embraced messages of self-help, cotton-candy, sugar-coated fluff meant to “inspire” the senses instead of informing, rebuking when necessary, correcting weird and wrong ideas, exposing sin, and revealing the truth of God’s Word. Churches have often become country clubs and entertainment venues with no power from heaven, no anointing, and no conviction. Some started with an anointing, and later lost it by trying to become respectable and likeable.  Some have gotten away from ministering to the sick through the laying on of hands (of course, dead churches don’t do that anyway), and many no longer pray in public for people to be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in other tongues. I am speaking about so-called Spirit-filled churches or Pentecostal, Charismatic, Full-Gospel churches. Many no longer have altar calls. If they pray for people to receive Jesus, it is done without an altar call. Everybody is led in a prayer and the “saved” no longer make a public confession of their faith in Christ Jesus. Have you noticed that some churches let altar workers pray with those that stay after the service is dismissed? It is disrespectful of the Gospel and the Savior, Jesus Christ! It disrespects the anointing of the Holy Spirit to relegate ministry after a service is dismissed! In those “mickey mouse” churches, the pastor rarely prays for people personally. Other churches, instead of teaching the saints according to God’s Word, they entertain their audience for an hour! Hollywood style entertainment has invaded many churches with their “broad is the way” (known as Broadway) replacing the straight and narrow way Jesus taught. 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13, 14 NKJV) So, what did Paul preach according to the faith in Christ to Felix and Drusilla? Here it is in a nutshell. Righteousness: The main points: * It is a gift (Romans 4:23-25, 5:17) received upon initially believing and trusting in what Jesus did and provided for us when God raised Him from the dead and we confessed Him as our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9, 10). *The gift can be interrupted by sin, but confessing our sins before the Lord, we can be forgiven and cleansed from all un-righteousness, restoring our relation to God. See 1 John 1:7-10, 2:1,2. *Righteousness includes righteous living according to God’s moral commandments. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him… Little children let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous… In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. (1 John 2:29, 3:7, 10 NKJV) See also Titus 2:11, 12; and compare it with Titus 1:8, where a leader must be “righteous”. If righteousness is only a gift that has nothing to do with conduct or lifestyle (Christian character) then why bother to list it as a qualification? No, Paul taught that righteousness is also a lifestyle of doing what is right. See also 1 Timothy 6:11-“pursue righteousness, godliness” and 2 Tim. 2:22- “flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Even after our initial cleansing in the blood and the renewal in the Spirit that placed us in His righteousness, we must pursue righteous living as an everyday reality. Self-control Main points: Self-control is “self-restraint, temperance, control of one’s passions, desires, and sexual impulses.” It means to control yourself according to God’s word and commandments, His requirements. You dominate your body’s unruly desires. The Holy Spirit will not do it all for you. He requires your personal and individual participation. He will empower you to have dominion over your body and rule over any passion or evil desire that would try to get you off the Word and holiness. God’s armor is His personal armor, but we must put it on. God will not put His armor on you. (Eph. 6:10-17) We are to put off the old man and put on the new man. (Eph. 4: 22, 24) We cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, and we put on the Lord Jesus (Romans 13:12-14) The above means that every Christian has a daily responsibility. Every day we are to take up our cross and follow Him. If we do not put on Jesus today, then we are without Him during that day. If we do not put on the armor of light daily, then it never will come on you on its own. Nothing is automatic in God’s kingdom and you have responsibilities, orders, commandments, requirements, duties, and something is demanded of you daily. Some have said, “Oh, I just couldn’t help it. I just had to do it.” Lies, Lies, Lies! That person didn’t submit to God and did not resist the devil. (James 4:7) They yielded to the unrenewed mind, conformity to the world, and the old man. They yielded to works of the flesh. Nobody made them do anything. They did it! Examine every time you ever did something wrong. I have and I know that I yielded to sin because I flat out desired the wrong thing. I let the wrong thing get into my mind and work on my flesh, and I sinned! It was not God’s fault but my own. An admission like that demonstrates spiritual growth when you are willing to admit or confess your faults and receive forgiveness and cleansing from the Lord. (See James 5:16. And 1 John 1:9.) That truly demonstrates humility when you admit your wrongs and come before God in repentance. (See Proverbs 28:13.) The humble are the ones that get the grace (1 Peter 5:5, 6). Examine yourself whether you are in the faith! Isn’t that our main text from 2 Corinthians 13:5? Coming Judgment Main points: Eternal judgment in Hebrews 6:1, 2 is one of the principal teachings of Christ. Eternal judgment is both for the righteous and the wicked. There is eternal judgment and a judgment that comes on those that refuse to repent and continue to practice sin. *Judgment on the wicked: Revelation 20:4, 12, 13, 21:7. *The judgment seat of Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:10. *Judging yourself so you stay out of  coming under God’s judgment while on the earth: See 1 Corinthians 11:29, 34. First John 1:9 is a great and powerful gift to the followers of Jesus. It is our way out of certain judgment and our way back into cleansing, forgiveness, and the unchanging righteousness of Jesus. For forgiveness and cleansing, all we have is His shed blood for us. He is the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins (1 John 2:1, 2), and His blood cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) Much more could be said about all this, but that is sufficient for today. In case you didn’t get the scoop in my previous articles on useless masks, vaccines, and more: Canadian doctors and medical professionals reject the closures, lockdowns, quarantines, and masks: https://medicalkidnap.com/2021/03/10/canadian-doctors-speak-out-against-government-covid-restrictions-masks-and-vaccines-not-needed/ At the end of the article, listen to the 11-minute video presentation. Doctors from other countries speak out: https://healthimpactnews.com/2020/doctors-around-the-world-issue-dire-warning-do-not-get-the-covid-vaccine/ Mask mandates: Medical studies on the use of masks reveal a few shocking things: *Masks are useless at stopping viruses from infecting a person wearing one, and from stopping the virus from escaping the mask if someone is infected. Keep in mind the fact that ALL viruses are much smaller than the microscopic openings in the material used for masks. "It's like using a chain link fence to keep out mosquitos!" I heard someone else say that, but I don't remember who it was or I would give them credit because it really gives you a mental picture of what I am saying here. *Masks hinder the intake of air for breathing (up to 30%) and hinder the exhaling of carbon dioxide into the air. That means that what you are rebreathing under the mask is partly carbon dioxide (a waste product that is unbreathable) and not the air you need to live! That contributes to the diminished function of a lot of internal organs! There is evidence that surgeons have decreased mental acuity after 4-6 hours in the operating room after using a surgical mask. The real losers here are the little children being forced to wear masks for hours a day. What do you think oxygen deprivation together with carbon dioxide inhalation is doing to their developing brains and internal organs? It is child abuse and it is criminal. Here follows an article by Dr. Margarite Griesz-Brisson MD, PhD. a Consultant Neurologist and Neurophysiologist with a PhD in Pharmacology, with special interest in neurotoxicology, environmental medicine, neuroregeneration and neuroplasticity on the child abuse and criminal demand to mask up children: https://www.globalresearch.ca/covid-19-masks-crime-against-humanity-child-abuse/5726059 *Studies indicate that continual use of masks will have a detrimental effect on the immune system and will contribute to infections in the gums and lungs. Look at this article: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/mask-mouth-dentists-warn-prolonged-use-of-masks-leading-to-poor-oral-hygiene Dr. Lee Merritt on the falsehoods of masks: https://www.americasfrontlinedoctors.com/custom_videos/mask-myths A surgeon speaks out on the falsehood of the general population wearing masks: https://principia-scientific.com/surgeon-destroys-myth-if-masks-dont-work-why-do-surgeons-wear-them/ Penile shrinkage because of mask usage: https://nationalfile.com/study-chemical-that-causes-penile-shrinkage-found-in-face-masks/ Men, masking up is death to your manhood! Take off that stinking mask! Your wife will thank you! Interviews with Dr. Richard Urso: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4BfPl2EzMI https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/conservativebusinessjournal/id/17376962 The medical profession is slowly but surely revolting against all the lies of Covid-19, and they are coming from different countries around the world.  In some countries, and in some local socialist governments (NYC and others), they are implementing an ID card to prove you have been vaccinated or you can’t go into a business or eat at a restaurant. That is just like wearing the emblem of the beast! The same has been done with mask wearing. Sometime back, I tried to get my little boys ice cream at two different shops on Treasure Island (next to St Petersburg Beach) and they would not serve me without a mask! Did I yield? No way! I went through a Chick-Fil-A drive through and got each one of my boys an Ice-Dream! Haha! Trust me, it’s not an advertisement. Chick-Fil-A closed in store service and tripled up on their drive-thru operation. They also capitulated!   “May no man eat fruit of you hereafter forever?” Mark 11 anyone? That may have been Jesus’s attitude and words to a non-productive ice cream shop, I mean, fruit tree. Hmm! Nazi-like measures similar to those used against Jews in Germany are in place! Jews were forced to identify their businesses with a special emblem (a star) so Germans faithful to the Third Reich would not buy from them or sell them anything. In many places, you can’t buy or sell unless you have on a mask, and still, churches don't get it and try to defend their closure actions and capitulating ways. At a SunBank/Truist bank, I was told that to come into their lobby to open an account, I had to wear a mask! Do you know that many states have laws on their books that prohibit wearing a face mask inside a bank and most businesses? It wasn’t that long ago that if you wore a mask inside a bank, you were considered a criminal trying to rob the bank! I refused to wear a mask in their bank, so, I couldn’t open the account there. Food, money, grocery stores, government buildings, and what else is coming? If that doesn’t sound like preparation for the antichrist's one-world government in training with the mark of the beast, then I don’t know what would! Saint reading this, are you still yawning and sleeping? Vaccination, forced vaccinations, vaccination passports: Article and 55 minute interview with Dr. Kaufman: https://vaccineimpact.com/2020/censored-dr-kaufman-they-want-to-genetically-modify-us-with-covid-19-vaccine-loses-his-job-and-willing-to-go-to-jail-to-resist/ The associated deaths and side effects from the "vaccines" are running into multiplied thousands and maybe millions all over the planet. Now a new phenomenon is taking shape among the vaccinated as brain function after vaccination in many can begin to go haywire. The root of these dire problems with people passing out, going into an intense mental fog, and losing perception of reality, is being only now taking center stage among the vaccinated. There a huge amount of reports of non-sensical auto accidents because of these issues among the vaccinated. This is no joke and no conspiracy theory. It may take weeks or months before this begins to make headlines, but I have already read many reports about this terrible vaccine side-effect, and here is the science behind it.  Vaccines can modify DNA permanently and contribute to Mad Cow Disease like symptoms and illnesses in humans: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/science-mrna-vaccines-alter-dna/ https://naturalnews.com/2021-04-08-mrna-vaccines-may-cause-your-body-to-churn-out-prions-eat-your-brain-mad-cow-disease.html# 8 ways that the mRNA vaccine can kill you by Dr. Sherri Tenpenny: https://www.brighteon.com/3ef68971-87ad-4ac5-9a1c-8552364d8ccd https://rumble.com/vd0vrj-interview-with-sherri-tenpenny-about-dangers-of-vaccines.html New medical research reveals that the Pfizer mRNA vaccine can lead to the development of common neurodegerative diseases. I hope the government doesn't bury the research, so I suggest you download it and keep a copy for your records, especially if you stupidly took the experimental "vaccine". That way, when you get crippled from some neurodegenerative disease, you can try to sue Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, or Astra Zeneca for damages. News flash: The government has released big pharma from liability for any injuries or deaths resulting from the "vaccines." Basically, that means that if you get a neurological disorder, a debilitating disease, or die from the experimental "vaccine", big pharma cannot be sued. Below is the PDF of the research paper that recently came to light, though it was accepted by the SciVision Publishers (medical journals and medical research site) January 18, 2021. That was 4 months ago from me publishing this article! News like this can really travel slowly. This should be FRONT PAGE news on CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS and the rest of the alphabet soup devil-inspired news networks! Don't hold your breath because the fake news, mainstream media, are corrupt and in bed with the devil. This paper will not see them light of day on any major news channel or social media. It doesn't fit their agenda or lying narrative. It took Nationalfile.com to report it.   https://nationalfile.com/report-pfizer-vaccine-confirmed-to-cause-neurodegenerative-diseases/ PDF research paper: https://scivisionpub.com/pdfs/covid19-rna-based-vaccines-and-the-risk-of-prion-disease-1503.pdf The side effects of these demon-inspired experimental gene modifiers erroneously called "vaccines" will have a huge effect among the vaccinated population. Watch for a huge increase in senseless accidents of all kinds and generally people losing their minds and ability to concentrate and carry out everyday activities. It will be a plague unto itself and demonstrate that the supposed cure is a million times worse than the coronavirus!  More than 52,000 medical professionals worldwide have signed the Great Barrington Declaration at https://gbdeclaration.org/ calling into question the draconian Covid 19 policies, procedures, and vaccinations: https://healthimpactnews.com/2020/covid-has-caused-tens-of-thousands-of-medical-doctors-and-scientists-to-wake-up-to-corruption-in-the-medical-industry/ Israel’s “vaccination passport” and the violation of the Nuremberg Code: https://vaccineimpact.com/2021/israelis-cry-out-to-the-world-to-stop-mandatory-covid-injections-as-lawsuit-is-filed-in-international-criminal-court-over-nuremberg-code-violation/ Chananya Weissman: 31 Reasons Why I Won’t Take the Vaccine. Some points have to do specifically with what is going on in Israel, but we see the same nonsense in the U. S. A. New York Teachers for Choice: https://nyteachersforchoice.wordpress.com/2020/09/20/top-10-reasons-why-a-covid-vaccine-should-not-be-mandatory/ Mandatory vaccines, or forcing people to get vaccinated, is a direct violation of the Nuremberg Code that was established after WW2 to counteract Nazi policies and practices. These are all signs of the times where the antichrist system is being pushed to set things up for the still future man of sin or lawlessness. This is not funny! Listen to this medical doctor on what Bill Gates is doing NOW with injections: https://media.gab.com/system/media_attachments/files/073/075/235/original/214821d7b2498c91.mp4 I hope that struck your heart and made you shiver. Yes, the mark of the beast and the antichrist are pretty close. Look at the latest official info (May 2021) on deaths and injuries from the experimental gene altering jabs falsely labeled as vaccines that already reported. These numbers are way behind the real numbers but it shows you where all these injections are doing to the people receiving them and there are many more yet to be reported.  https://healthimpactnews.com/2021/genocide-in-the-u-s-continues-3848-deaths-118902-injuries-following-covid-injections-children-now-being-reported-as-dying-also/ We must take a stand and become the restraining factor against Satan's agenda. The protests are going on all over the world. There is a complete media blackout on these protests going on worldwide. Video of just ONE day of protests against the overreach and removal of our human rights by tyrannical governments:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvXXgPHyPFE Why are not churches protesting? Where is the righteous indignation and anger against evil!  Now to today’s podcast message:

Daily Word, Light, and Hope
Ep. 774: Wednesday, February 3, 2021 (See Proverbs 28:5)

Daily Word, Light, and Hope

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2021 0:52


The evil understand nothing of justice, but those who seek the Lord understand everything.(See Proverbs 28:5)NABRE

Daily Word, Light, and Hope
Ep. 774: Tuesday, February 2, 2021 (See Proverbs 21:21)

Daily Word, Light, and Hope

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2021 0:52


Whoever pursues justice and kindness will find life and honor.(Proverbs 21:21)NABRE

Daily Word, Light, and Hope
Ep. 767: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 (See Proverbs 12:19)

Daily Word, Light, and Hope

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2021 0:56


Truthful lips endure forever, the lying tongue, for only a moment.(See Proverbs 12:19)NABRE

Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North Sermons - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

With over a decade of Real Estate experience, Alex began as an investor and at the market's peak in 2006 owned 11 properties including his personal residence. The bubble burst and hit his family hard, but they regrouped and carried on with a No Debt Philosophy thanks to discovering the teachings of Dave Ramsey. Alex and his wife, Stacie, began teaching Dave's course, Financial Peace University and to date have helped hundreds of people to pay off over a million dollars in debt. Alex and Stacie are members of Harvest Bible Chapel with their two college-age boys, Christian and Samuel. Guest Speaker - Alex Giannettialexgiannetti.com Introduction: Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." God wants you to be a Giver . See: Proverbs 11:23-24 Malachi 3:8-10 - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." Be Content . (1 Timothy 6:9-10) Live the life that God is calling you to live and be grateful for that which he has given you. See: Proverbs 12:9 There is no such thing as Good Debt. Proverbs 22:7 - "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." See: James 4:3-4 | Proverbs 21:20 Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead Matthew 6:24What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?Have‌ ‌you‌ ‌ever‌ ‌experienced‌ ‌first‌ ‌hand‌ ‌that‌ ‌the‌ ‌borrower‌ ‌is‌ ‌slave‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌lender?‌ ‌(Proverbs‌ ‌22:7)‌ When‌ ‌was‌ ‌the‌ ‌last‌ ‌time‌ ‌that‌ ‌you‌ ‌wanted‌ ‌to‌ ‌give‌ ‌but‌ ‌didn’t?‌ ‌How‌ ‌did‌ ‌that‌ ‌make‌ ‌you‌ ‌feel?Do‌ ‌you‌ ‌feel‌ ‌pressure‌ ‌to‌ ‌”keep‌ ‌up‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌Jones’?”‌ ‌Do‌ ‌you‌ ‌cave‌ ‌in?‌ ‌If‌ ‌not,‌ ‌how‌ ‌do‌ ‌you‌ ‌fight‌ ‌the‌ ‌urge?‌Is‌ ‌it‌ ‌ok‌ ‌for‌ ‌a‌ ‌follower‌ ‌of‌ ‌Christ‌ ‌to‌ ‌have‌ ‌abundant‌ ‌wealth?‌Tell‌ ‌us‌ ‌about‌ ‌a‌ ‌time‌ ‌when‌ ‌you‌ ‌received‌ ‌a‌ ‌perfectly‌ ‌timed‌ ‌blessing‌ ‌that‌ ‌could‌ ‌only‌ ‌have‌ ‌come‌ ‌from‌ ‌God.‌BreakoutPray for one another.

Daily Word, Light, and Hope
Ep. 756: Friday, January 1, 2021 (See Proverbs 3:7-8)

Daily Word, Light, and Hope

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2021 1:14


Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord away from evil; this will mean health for your flesh and vigor for your bones.(Proverbs 3:7-8)NABRE

Daily Word, Light, and Hope
Ep. 755: Thursday, December 31, 2020 (See Proverbs 29:11)

Daily Word, Light, and Hope

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2020 0:54


Fools give vent to all their anger; but the wise, biding their time, control it.(Proverbs 29:11)NABRE

Candidly Kendra
Parenting & The Partnership Between Discipline and Deterrence

Candidly Kendra

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 10:33


When a young mom got on Facebook to ask for advice for her kids, the responses were almost universal: Deter the bad behavior. Reward the good behavior. What happened to discipline? Is discipline better than deterrence? Is it worse? In this episode I explore the relationship between discipline and deterrence in parenting.To see this post on my website: https://www.candidlykendrak.com/the-partnership-of-discipline-and-deterrence-in-parentingBooks I Mentioned:Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd TrippGive Them Grace by Elyse FitzpatrickThe Age of Opportunity by Paul David Tripp*Regarding spanking: There are many passages in scripture that encourage parents not to spare the rod with their children. (See Proverbs 29:15, Proverbs 23:13, Proverbs 22:15, and Proverbs 13:24.) I believe that the primary lesson to take from these Scriptures is that we must be about the work of disciplining our children. But I don't believe that the Bible is indicating that there is only one right way to discipline. As a parent, you will know what is working for you and your child. Maybe you tried spanking your child and quickly discovered that this triggered terrible memories from your childhood. Maybe your child responded worse to spanking and somehow became even more defiant. (One of my kids did this.) I strongly urge you to evaluate your efforts at discipline to make sure that your anger isn't escalating and that you are always under emotional control. I once heard that discipline should always be "matter of fact." Ways that you can consider disciplining your children if spanking isn't the right fit are: time-outs, loss of privileges, natural consequences. See the books listed above for more ideas.

Life Lessons in Proverbs
EP. 35 | Taste and See | Proverbs 31 Series

Life Lessons in Proverbs

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2020 5:08


Today's lesson of the day comes from Proverbs 31:18. Thanks for joining me and tuning in, I pray your heart is open and you're blessed by what you've heard! I want to hear from you so tag me on IG and use the hashtag #lifelessonsinproverbs to share with me what you took away from the podcast today! If you're blessed to have an iPhone and enjoyed the podcast please consider leaving a 5 star rating on Apple so more people can be equipped and blessed by truth and wisdom as well! Show Notes: lifelessonspod.wixsite.com/proverbs *Always go back to the Word for yourself, you may get more out of it concerning your own life as well! Disclaimer: I've read this chapter many times and each time I've received something different or saw things a certain way due to the season of life I was in. Remember the Word of God is alive and active, it speaks to us! This season this is what I've received from the Word and am sharing with you, if you go back and read them for yourself and receive something else that is wonderful and doesn't discredit what I've received from it and am sharing with you as well. Peace. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/proverbs/support

Forestgate
How Much Do I Owe Caesar?

Forestgate

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2020


Luke 20:19-26 Sermon Notes1) The Plan Conceived, 19-20 2) The Trap Laid, 21-22 3) The Tables Turned, 22-25 4) The Truth Examined, 25-26 Reflection questions:1. The plans of the scribes and chief priests were not as pure as they appeared to be. Are there times when your own thoughts are not as pure as they should be, not as pure as you think they are? See David’s prayer in Psalm 139:23-24 as you consider this. 2. The scribes and chief priests tried to reduce a complicated question (v22) down to two simple options. Are there times when God calls us to avoid simplicity and embrace wisdom? See Proverbs 1:1-7 and 1:20-22. 3. Read Romans 13:1-7 and Acts 5:29. Do these passages disagree? Or do they only appear to disagree, at first? What did the men in Acts 5:29 conclude that they had to obey God, rather than men (aka, the governing authorities – cf Romans 13:1)?

People Magnet School
STRESS CAN BE GOOD (S1 E11)

People Magnet School

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2020 8:14


Stress is good, if the pressure on the inside of your life is greater than the pressure on the outside of your life. Stress can actually hold us together, if we detox our minds about stress. With COVID-19, we need a new way to think about stress. Discover three ways to think about stress built on the Bible and insights from Dr. Caroline Leaf in her book "Switch on Your Brain." ———————Here are THREE FREE resources to help you to reboot your brain.DETOX YOUR BRAIN FROM RACISM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Rb6l5ZLu4&t=21sDownload the Alpha Bible App www.evergreenchurch.tv/biblePastor Phil’s Antivirus Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_fgB8bCiMoIvUDS94X8BTAP7REcbv_G_-----------------If you are stressed you are experiencing:* Irritability* Fatigue * Lack of motivation* Anxiety* Headaches* Feeling sad * IndigestionStress can feel bad, but it can be good.It’s all how you deal with stress. You are designed by God for stress. Stress holds you together. Dr. Caroline Leaf in her book “Switch on Your Brain” says, “Stress on the outside is good, but if we do not have an equal and opposite stamina from the inside, stress can become not good.”Internal stress is not good. But we have this treasure in jars of clay… 2 Corinthians 4:7 You are a clay pot. If you let the stress get inside you can crack.External Stress is good. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:17Detox your mind from stress with these three liberators.I am not God: But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 Relax into your humanity. God is inside of me We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…2 Corinthians 4:8 I am going home.For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison… 2 Corinthians 4:17 You are not God. God is inside of you. You are going home. When you begin thinking that way, stress can become good. __________________The Five Steps of the 21 Day Mind Detox are:1. GATHER YOUR TOXIC THOUGHTSSay about yourself: “I’m an intellectual. I’ve been designed by God to capture thoughts.” See 2 Corinthians 10:52. REFLECT ON HEALING THOUGHTSSay “I think with God. I ask him, ‘What needs my focus?’” See Habakkuk 2:13. WRITE HEALING THOUGHTS DOWN TO MAKE THEM PART OF YOUSay “I do busy well. When I plan my work and I work my plan.” See Proverbs 16:34. REVISIT THESE THOUGHTS FOR 21 DAYSSay “I open one app at a time. I give my work and people the gift of focus.” See Luke 10:41-425. REACH FOR THE GOOD TO OVERCOME EVILSay “I pay attention to people. I choose to be present.” See Matthew 18:20Read Dr Caroline Leaf’s book https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Your-Brain-Happiness-Thinking-ebook/dp/B00CIUJXAS-----------------Subscribe on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWmFLtqFcIHOYZt-xyM1OJgSubscribe on iTuneshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-magnet-school/id1505275403Subscribe on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/2tHekDtpRRUetgmpmm4rBJLike on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/peoplemagnetschoolFollow on Instagram @PeopleMagnetSchoolFind more https://linktr.ee/peoplemagnetschool-----------------Follow Phil McCallum on Social MediaFacebook https://www.facebook.com/philmccallumInstagram @philipmccallumLinkedin https://www.Linkedin.com/in/PhilMccallumTwitter @PhilipMcCallum

Daily Word, Light, and Hope
Ep. 574: Saturday, June 20, 2020 (See Proverbs 10:17)

Daily Word, Light, and Hope

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2020 0:59


Whoever follows instruction is in the path to life, but whoever disregards reproof goes astray.(Proverbs 10:17)(New American Bible, Revised Edition)

People Magnet School
5 WAYS TO GET RACISM OUT OF YOUR BRAIN (S1 E10)

People Magnet School

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2020 8:35


How can you detox your brain from racism? On #BlackoutTuesday June 2, 2020, I woke up with that question. I didn’t check my phone. I didn’t know there was a social media collective silence all voices and to let African Americans speak out on racism and police injustice. I didn’t know that. I simply prayed and the Holy Spirit asked me to call POC and just listen. Here’s what happened next.———————Here are THREE FREE resources to help you to reboot your brain.DETOX YOUR BRAIN FROM RACISM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Rb6l5ZLu4&t=21sDownload the Alpha Bible App www.evergreenchurch.tv/biblePastor Phil’s Antivirus Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_fgB8bCiMoIvUDS94X8BTAP7REcbv_G_-----------------5 WAYS TO GET RACISM OUT OF YOUR BRAIN1. LISTEN TO CHANGE. You are SO loved, therefore GO to those different from you, LISTEN to their discomfort, ASK more questions, and let the Holy Spirit CHANGE how you think.2. INCARNATE THEIR TROUBLE. Jesus became human to carry your pain, so you too be human and make the problem of others your problem.3. EMBRACE DIFFERENCE. Stop trying to be color blind, instead enjoy the differences of cultures, and embrace distinctions as essential for your well being.4. LIVE TOGETHER. Jesus gave his DNA to make humans new, to live at home with him in the House of Miracles, where no one race controls, instead Christ is host, every person is a rookie in a new culture of unconditional love, and show off cultures being family.5. BE THE GOOD NEWS. Be the message with broom in hand, towel over arm, and walking shoes on to take the journey beside them.__________________The Five Steps of the 21 Day Mind Detox are:1. GATHER YOUR TOXIC THOUGHTSSay about yourself: “I’m an intellectual. I’ve been designed by God to capture thoughts.” See 2 Corinthians 10:52. REFLECT ON HEALING THOUGHTSSay “I think with God. I ask him, ‘What needs my focus?’” See Habakkuk 2:13. WRITE HEALING THOUGHTS DOWN TO MAKE THEM PART OF YOUSay “I do busy well. When I plan my work and I work my plan.” See Proverbs 16:34. REVISIT THESE THOUGHTS FOR 21 DAYSSay “I open one app at a time. I give my work and people the gift of focus.” See Luke 10:41-425. REACH FOR THE GOOD TO OVERCOME EVILSay “I pay attention to people. I choose to be present.” See Matthew 18:20Read Dr Caroline Leaf’s book https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Your-Brain-Happiness-Thinking-ebook/dp/B00CIUJXAS-----------------Subscribe on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWmFLtqFcIHOYZt-xyM1OJgSubscribe on iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-magnet-school/id1505275403Subscribe on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2tHekDtpRRUetgmpmm4rBJLike on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/peoplemagnetschoolFollow on Instagram @PeopleMagnetSchoolFind more https://linktr.ee/peoplemagnetschool-----------------Follow Phil McCallum on Social MediaFacebook https://www.facebook.com/philmccallumInstagram @philipmccallumLinkedin https://www.Linkedin.com/in/PhilMccallumTwitter @PhilipMcCallum

Dan A. Rodriguez Articles and Podcasts
Faith in Christ: The Often-Watered-Down Message

Dan A. Rodriguez Articles and Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2020 11:55


Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you are disqualified. (2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV) What is being in the faith? Without question, it is faith in Christ Jesus. I don’t think any believer would argue with that, but just in case, here are some verses about it: Acts 3:16, 6:7, 14:22, 16:5, 26:18; Romans 3:22, 26; Galatians 3:22; Philippians 1:27, where a parallel is drawn between the gospel of Christ and the faith of the gospel; Colossians 1:4, 23, 2:5, 7, 12, and so on. First Timothy 3:13 settles it for me: “in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” The following portion of the Scripture tells us exactly how the faith in Christ is defined. Do you want to know what the Apostle Paul called the faith in Christ? It is clearly stated when Paul preached to Governor Felix and his wife Drusilla. 24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self- control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid (became frightened, “trembled” in at least 7 translations, terrified, much alarmed) and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” (Acts 24:24, 25 NET- parenthesis- my comment) Faith in Christ was defined in this passage as a message that expounded on righteousness, self-control, and judgement to come. What? Really? Does that sound like most modern-day “gospel” messages concerning faith in Christ? That was the essence of Paul’s gospel message. Some would say that there is no need to tell sinners they need self-control or to speak of judgment because that would not be very loving towards them, but Paul did that. Some may think that to speak to sinners about righteousness is a waste of time, or not something that will be conducive to their conversion, and that it may turn them off to the gospel. Tell that to the Apostle Paul. The text calls righteousness, self-control, and judgement to come a “faith in Christ” message. Have our gospel messages been missing some things? Righteousness, self-control, and judgment as the definition of ministering the faith in Christ sounds almost identical to what Jesus said the Holy Spirit was sent to do. “And He, when He comes, He will convict (expose, convict, reprove, rebuke) the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” (John 16:8 NKJV) What Paul stated to Felix, and what Jesus said to His disciples, were both referring to the same thing. Paul used the term “self-control” when talking about “sin”. The connection between sin and a lack of self-control should be obvious. If you sin, it is because you did not exercise self-control. Self-control is control of your actions by the Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Self” does not infer that you are by yourself or that you are alone in this matter. It infers that the action starts with you. The Holy Spirit is not your enforcer, but He is your Helper. (John 16:7) In other words, the Holy Spirit will help you to do what is right. He will not make you obey God’s Word, but He will help you to do what is right according to God’s Word. The word convict (Gr. elegcho) in John 16:8 is translated in Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon as “reprehend severely, call to account, correct, to show one his fault.” The same word is found in 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Tim. 5:20; Titus 1:13, 2:15; Hebrews 12:5, and in the words of Jesus in Revelation 3:19: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. (NKJV) Rebuke, that is, to reprehend severely, call to account, correct, to show one his fault must come when a lack of self-control is evident. (See also elegcho in John 3:20, 1Corinthians 14:24, and Ephesians 5:11.) Sin is the result of a lack of self-control that opposes God’s Word and commandments. James 1:14-16 in the Amplified Bible clarifies the process of sin from lust or some evil desire, to conception, and to execution.  The word elegcho in Luke 3:18, 19 is translated rebuked: 18 And in this way, with many other exhortations, John proclaimed good news to the people. 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil deeds that he had done. John the Baptizer was proclaiming the “good news” or the gospel to the people, and it was not at all sugar and spice and everything nice. Go back into Luke chapter three and begin reading from verse three. You will see all the elements of rebuking, such as “reprehend severely, call to account, CORRECT, to show one his fault.” He called those practicing sin “offspring of vipers”! That was not your typical sermonette with all smiles and niceties! 7Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, and don’t begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones! 9 Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Luke 3:7-9 NET) Then, to top it all off, he had the gall to call Herod the tetrarch to account because of his adulterous relationship with the wife of his brother. Verse 18 says that even with all of John’s rebuke, correction, conviction, exposing, and calling to account that it was THE GOSPEL, the proclamation of the good news! And in this way, with many other exhortations, John proclaimed good news to the people. (Luke 3:18 NKJV) Good news of the gospel? Does Luke chapter 3 sound like our interpretation of what can be included in a good gospel message? No, it does not! It makes one wonder if something could be missing from our gospel messages if it is only preaching about salvation, healing, and the blessings of God! Yes, there is something terribly missing if that is all the people hear out of their preacher or pastor. Sometimes, there must be rebuke, correction, conviction, exposing, and calling to account. These cannot be left out when necessary, that is, IF it is a real gospel message. John was a minister according to the meaning of a true gospel message. Even Jesus was tough and no-nonsense often, and He was specifically anointed to announce the good news or gospel message. (Luke 4:18) Take a look at Matthew 23 where He viciously rebukes the hypocritical among the Pharisees, and slams Jerusalem for killing the prophets sent to it. Read the whole chapter. It's an eye opener. Does the following sound like any "good news message" we know of today? Remember, Jesus said this, and it was not "sugar and spice, and everything nice." I say this because many think all Jesus taught was love and acceptance (tolerance), and He was always soft toned, and tame as a little lamb. Nothing could be further from the truth! Here are some excerpts from the fiery preacher and astonishing powerhouse known as Jesus: "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!... Therefore you will receive greater condemnation... Fools and blind... You make your followers twice the sons of hell that you are... “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence... For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness... "  And, one more for the road:  "Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?"  Jesus was no pushover. In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 His rebukes and calling into account were hard and often harsh. It is true He also praised the churches when they did what was right, but He held nothing back in His messages to the churches when a sharp rebuke was necessary.  Now read in Mathew 11:20-24 and the Master's rebuke against the cities of Bethsaida, Chorazin, and Capernaum because even though great miracles were done in them, they refused to repent. He condemned Capernaum to hell (Hades)! That was good gospel preaching, but wait because there is more. So, you want acceptance or tolerance in the words of Jesus? Here is His idea of acceptance and tolerance for those that refuse to repent and continue in their sin. Are you ready? It's a spanking for the backside! 23"And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:23, 24 NKJV) There's your tolerance.  I’ll never forget one brother in the Lord, himself a minister and teacher, that told me before I stood to preach and minister, “Brother, just preach Heaven to them. Give them Heaven!” I knew something was off, but it took me some time to learn from the Lord what it was. If all you do is preach “good or inspiring verses” and uplifting and positive messages without the other we have been talking about, then we have missed Heaven’s idea of good news. It may not seem like all of what John the Baptizer preached was good news, but that would be an assessment from a human perspective. From the Scriptural perspective, and therefore from God’s viewpoint, it was all good news because it brought conviction and correction. John’s gospel message called people to account and allowed the Father to work on their hearts so repentance would come, and real change could take place in their lives! Think about that. Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, and he had an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. (Revelation 14:6 NET) Are you ready for a shift in your thinking? It will shock all those that think “gospel” is sweetie pie and kind preaching. It will shock all those that think we should have sweetness in our gospel message because if it gets too harsh people will leave or tune out the message.  Next is a sample of the eternal gospel, but pay close attention to the content. It covers areas not traditionally understood as a gospel message. 7 He declared in a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has arrived, and worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water!” 8 A second angel followed the first, declaring: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great city! She made all the nations drink of the wine of her immoral passion.” 9 A third angel followed the first two, declaring in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and takes the mark on his forehead or his hand, 10 that person will also drink of the wine of God’s anger that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tortured with fire and sulfur in front of the holy angels and in front of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke from their torture will go up forever and ever, and those who worship the beast and his image will have no rest day or night, along with anyone who receives the mark of his name.” 12 This requires the steadfast endurance of the saints—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to their faith in Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: ‘Blessed are the dead, those who die in the Lord from this moment on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they can rest from their hard work, because their deeds will follow them.” (Revelation 14:7-13 NET) Gospel announcement included revelation, instruction, rebuke, correction, mention of God’s anger and wrath, the lake of fire for the followers of the beast, and the hour of God’s judgment! It pointed out the immorality of those following Babylon’s example. Notice that gospel preaching includes faith in Jesus, but also mentions obedience to God’s moral commandments. It even speaks of the coming judgment where believers will be rewarded for their good works. Wow, all that and a call to the fear of God to headline that gospel message! Does that sound anywhere near to what many believe to be the gospel message? Gospel includes a whole lot more than salvation, healing, deliverance, and the blessing of God. Gospel includes more than telling people about the plan of salvation and the Lord Jesus.  Here is more proof of what I am writing about. 9 Realizing that law is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 sexually immoral people, practicing homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers—in fact, for any who live contrary to sound teaching. 11 This accords with the glorious gospel of the blessed God that was entrusted to me. (1 Timothy 1:9-11 NET) What? Paul says that these are in accord or agree with the glorious gospel message. That means that within the gospel message there will preaching against these sinful lifestyles and practices. Why, because at times there must be exposing of these things. There must be correction and calling to account even before the lawless, rebellious, ungodly, sinners, unholy, profane, murderers, sexually immoral, practicing homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers and for all those that live contrary to sound teaching. That means that sound teaching will teach people to live contrary to all those things mentioned or inferred.  The references in Luke, Revelation and First Timothy reveal that the gospel includes all these elements usually not associated with “gospel preaching.” What gospel message are you listening to? In general, many in the body of Christ have gotten away from such preaching themes. Messages have been watered down to the place they often sound like psychological hogwash and not like the Bible. At one church I attended, they brought in some foolish person to teach that women see through pink glasses and men through blue. Could you imagine that instead of going to the Scripture, they were teaching that nonsense to couples at Church? I exited and never went back after the first few minutes of the man’s psychological talk. It was all talk with ZERO anointing! It was all an offshoot of the “women are from Venus” and “men are from Mars” psycho-babble that is really against the sound teaching of Scripture. So many churches have moved away from real strong gospel messages, and have embraced messages of self-help, cotton-candy, sugar-coated fluff meant to “inspire” the senses instead of informing, rebuking when necessary, correcting weird and wrong ideas, exposing sin, and revealing the truth of God’s Word. Churches have often become country clubs and entertainment venues with no power from heaven, no anointing, and no conviction. Some started with an anointing, and later lost it by trying to become respectable and likeable.  Some have gotten away from ministering to the sick through the laying on of hands (of course, dead churches don’t do that anyway), and many no longer pray in public for people to be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in other tongues. I am speaking about so-called Spirit-filled churches or Pentecostal, Charismatic, Full-Gospel churches. Many no longer have altar calls. If they pray for people to receive Jesus, it is done without an altar call. Everybody is led in a prayer and the “saved” no longer make a public confession of their faith in Christ Jesus. Have you noticed that some churches let altar workers pray with those that stay after the service is dismissed? The pastor rarely prays for people. Other churches, instead of teaching the saints according to God’s Word, they entertain their audience for an hour or two! Hollywood style entertainment has invaded many churches with their “broad is the way” (known as Broadway) replacing the straight and narrow way Jesus taught. 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13, 14 NKJV) So, what did Paul preach according to the faith in Christ to Felix and Drusilla? Here it is in a nutshell. 1. Righteousness: The main points: * It is a gift (Romans 4:23-25, 5:17) received upon initially believing and trusting in what Jesus did and provided for us when God raised Him from the dead and we confessed Him as our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9, 10). *The gift can be interrupted by sin, but confessing our sins before the Lord, we can be forgiven and cleansed from all un-righteousness, restoring our relation to God. See 1 John 1:7-10, 2:1,2. *Righteousness includes righteous living according to God’s moral commandments. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him… Little children let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous… In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. (1 John 2:29, 3:7, 10 NKJV) See also Titus 2:11, 12; and compare it with Titus 1:8, where a leader must be “righteous”. If righteousness is only a gift that has nothing to do with conduct or lifestyle (Christian character) then why bother to list it as a qualification? No, Paul taught that righteousness is also a lifestyle of doing what is right. See also 1 Timothy 6:11- “pursue righteousness, godliness” and 2 Tim. 2:22- “flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Even after our initial cleansing in the blood and the renewal in the Spirit that placed us in His righteousness, we must pursue righteous living as an everyday reality. 2. Self-control Main points: Self-control is “self-restraint, temperance, control of ones passions, desires, and sexual impulses.” It means to control yourself according to God’s word and commandments, His requirements. You dominate your body’s unruly desires. The Holy Spirit will not do it all for you. He requires your personal and individual participation. He will empower you to have dominion over your body and rule over any passion or evil desire that would try to get you off the Word and holiness. It is God’s armor, but we must put it on. God will not put the armor on you. (Eph. 6:10-17) We are to put off the old man and put on the new man. (Eph. 4: 22, 24) We cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, and we put on the Lord Jesus (Romans 13:12-14) The above means that every Christian has a daily responsibility. Every day we are to take up our cross and follow Him. If we do not put on Jesus today, then we are without Him during that day. If we do not put on the armor of light daily, then it never will come on you on its own. Nothing is automatic in God’s kingdom and you have responsibilities, orders, commandments, requirements, duties, and something is demanded of you daily. Some have said, “Oh, I just couldn’t help it. I just had to do it.” Lies, Lies, Lies! That person didn’t submit to God and did not resist the devil. (James 4:7) They yielded to the unrenewed mind, conformity to the world, and the old man. They yielded to works of the flesh. Nobody made them do anything. They did it! Examine every time you ever did something wrong. I have and I know that I yielded to sin because I flat out desired the wrong thing. I let the wrong thing get into my mind and work on my flesh, and I sinned! It was not God’s fault but my own. An admission like that demonstrates spiritual growth when you are willing to admit or confess your faults and receive forgiveness and cleansing from the Lord. (See James 5:16. And 1 John 1:9.) That truly demonstrates humility when you admit your wrongs and come before God in repentance. (See Proverbs 28:13.) The humble are the ones that get the grace (1 Peter 5:5, 6). Examine yourself whether you are in the faith! Isn’t that our main text from 2 Corinthians 13:5? 3. Coming Judgment Main points: Eternal judgment in Hebrews 6:1, 2 is one of the principal teachings of Christ. Eternal judgment is both for the righteous and the wicked. There is eternal judgment and a judgment that comes on those that refuse to repent and continue to practice sin. *Judgment on the wicked: Revelation 20:4, 12, 13, 21:7. *The judgment seat of Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:10. *Judging yourself so you stay out of judgment while on the earth: See 1 Corinthians 11:29, 34. First John 1:9 is a great and powerful gift to the followers of Jesus. It is our way out of certain judgment and our way back into cleansing, forgiveness, and the unchanging righteousness of Jesus. For forgiveness and cleansing, all we have is His shed blood for us. He is the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins (1 John 2:1, 2), and His blood cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) We have much more to say about all this, but that is sufficient for today. Hear the podcast Repentance Part 10 and be mightily blessed!

People Magnet School
I OVERCAME MY FEAR OF THE HOMELESS (S1 E8)

People Magnet School

Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2020 9:51


What fear is holding back what God could do through your life? Walk with Phil McCallum as he pushes through his toxic thoughts about the growing homeless population in the city of Seattle. Phil was annoyed, until God’s Spirit started a conversation with him. During the COVID-19 outbreak, God led Rich Simms with REACH ministry through his social media feed and into Phil’s life. Walk with Phil as he ventures into Pioneer Square, feeding unhoused people, introducing himself, learning the names of people living on the street, and even witnessing police and EMT workers take a disturbed woman to help. Most of all, see what happens when we push past a toxic fear.Learn more about Rich Simms and REACH ministry. http://www.reachministry.org-----------------Here are THREE FREE resources to help you to reboot your brain.Sing Yourself Free https://youtu.be/bdLP6n_QIaEVision in the Dark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zBPrNYW7kk&t=21sFlip It Over https://youtu.be/33hScwI3BhgBONUSDownload the Alpha Bible App www.evergreenchurch.tv/bible-----------------The Five Steps of the 21 Day Mind Detox are:1. GATHER YOUR TOXIC THOUGHTSSay about yourself: “I’m an intellectual. I’ve been designed by God to capture thoughts.” See 2 Corinthians 10:5Read Dr Caroline Leaf’s book https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Your-Brain-Happiness-Thinking-ebook/dp/B00CIUJXAS2. REFLECT ON HEALING THOUGHTSSay “I think with God. I ask him, ‘What needs my focus?’” See Habakkuk 2:13. WRITE HEALING THOUGHTS DOWN TO MAKE THEM PART OF YOUSay “I do busy well. When I plan my work and I work my plan.” See Proverbs 16:34. REVISIT THESE THOUGHTS FOR 21 DAYSSay “I open one app at a time. I give my work and people the gift of focus.” See Luke 10:41-42Learn more about the study with sixth graders better able to read emotions without cell phones https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/in-our-digital-world-are-young-people-losing-the-ability-to-read-emotions5. REACH FOR THE GOOD TO OVERCOME EVILSay “I pay attention to people. I choose to be present.” See Matthew 18:20-----------------Subscribe to People Magnet School podcastsYouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWmFLtqFcIHOYZt-xyM1OJgiTuneshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-magnet-school/id1505275403Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/2tHekDtpRRUetgmpmm4rBJFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/peoplemagnetschoolInstagram @PeopleMagnetSchoolFind more https://linktr.ee/peoplemagnetschool-----------------Follow Phil McCallum on Social MediaFacebook https://www.facebook.com/philmccallumInstagram @philipmccallumLinkedin https://www.Linkedin.com/in/PhilMccallumTwitter @PhilipMcCallum

People Magnet School
YOU DESERVE REST (S1 E7)

People Magnet School

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2020 9:47


We live in a restless world. Jesus was the master of rest. Jesus did not seek rest. Jesus lived from rest. “For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Matthew 12:8-----------------Here are THREE FREE resources to help you to reboot your brain.Sing Yourself Free https://youtu.be/bdLP6n_QIaEVision in the Dark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zBPrNYW7kk&t=21sFlip It Over https://youtu.be/33hScwI3Bhg-----------------In rest you find God and God finds you.“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28Rest is not earned, it is a gift. You are not a human doing, you are a human being.Rest is a confession that we are not God, the Lord is God. When you make Jesus Lord of the rest, he takes care of the rest.Here are three ways to activate sabbath into your lifeDivert Daily—Like Jesus, seek a quiet place to pray each day.Withdraw Weekly—Like Jesus, seek the house of worship each week.Abandon Annually—Like Jesus, schedule vacation, to vacate your work and to rest.-----------------The Five Steps of the 21 Day Mind Detox are:1. GATHER YOUR TOXIC THOUGHTSSay about yourself: “I’m an intellectual. I’ve been designed by God to capture thoughts.” See 2 Corinthians 10:5Read Dr Caroline Leaf’s book https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Your-Brain-Happiness-Thinking-ebook/dp/B00CIUJXAS2. REFLECT ON HEALING THOUGHTSSay “I think with God. I ask him, ‘What needs my focus?’” See Habakkuk 2:13. WRITE HEALING THOUGHTS DOWN TO MAKE THEM PART OF YOUSay “I do busy well. When I plan my work and I work my plan.” See Proverbs 16:34. REVISIT THESE THOUGHTS FOR 21 DAYSSay “I open one app at a time. I give my work and people the gift of focus.” See Luke 10:41-42Learn more about the study with sixth graders better able to read emotions without cell phones https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/in-our-digital-world-are-young-people-losing-the-ability-to-read-emotions5. REACH FOR THE GOOD TO OVERCOME EVILSay “I pay attention to people. I choose to be present.” See Matthew 18:20Learn more about the unicycling clown here https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/acp.1638-----------------Download the Alpha Bible App www.evergreenchurch.tv/bibleSubscribe to People Magnet School podcastsYouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWmFLtqFcIHOYZt-xyM1OJgiTuneshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-magnet-school/id1505275403Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/2tHekDtpRRUetgmpmm4rBJFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/peoplemagnetschoolInstagram @PeopleMagnetSchoolFind more https://linktr.ee/peoplemagnetschool-----------------Follow Phil McCallum on Social MediaFacebook https://www.facebook.com/philmccallumInstagram @philipmccallumLinkedin https://www.Linkedin.com/in/PhilMccallumTwitter @PhilipMcCallum

People Magnet School
ZOOM FATIGUE AND THE MULTITASKING MYTH (S1 E6)

People Magnet School

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2020 9:13


Why do Zoom meetings leave us feeling fatigued? Researcher Julia Sklar calls it “Zoom fatigue.” After reading the facial expressions of each member of the Zoom call, we suffer the weariness connected with multitasking. Read more here. “Multi-tasking is a myth,” states Dr. Caroline Leaf in her book “Switch On Your Brain.” “Every shift of thought is like making a milkshake with your braincells…”-----------------Here are THREE FREE resources to help you to reboot your brain.Vision in the Dark Flip It Over Show Fear the Door-----------------Here's the 21 Day Mind Detox and how to FOCUS.1. GATHER YOUR TOXIC THOUGHTSSay about yourself: “I’m an intellectual. I’ve been designed by God to capture thoughts.” See 2 Corinthians 10:5Read Dr Caroline Leaf’s book here2. REFLECT ON HEALING THOUGHTSSay “I think with God. I ask him, ‘What needs my focus?’” See Habakkuk 2:13. WRITE HEALING THOUGHTS DOWN TO MAKE THEM PART OF YOUSay “I do busy well. When I plan my work and I work my plan.” See Proverbs 16:34. REVISIT THESE THOUGHTS FOR 21 DAYSSay “I open one app at a time. I give my work and people the gift of focus.” See Luke 10:41-42Learn more about the study with sixth graders better able to read emotions without cell phones here. 5. REACH FOR THE GOOD TO OVERCOME EVILSay “I pay attention to people. I choose to be present.” See Matthew 18:20Learn more about the unicycling clown here -----------------Download the Alpha Bible App Subscribe to People Magnet School podcastsYouTubeiTunesSpotifyFacebookInstagram @PeopleMagnetSchoolFind more https://linktr.ee/peoplemagnetschool-----------------Follow Phil McCallum on Social MediaFacebook https://www.facebook.com/philmccallumInstagram @philipmccallumLinkedin https://www.Linkedin.com/in/PhilMccallumTwitter @PhilipMcCallum

Dan A. Rodriguez Articles and Podcasts
Is God Really in Control of Everything?

Dan A. Rodriguez Articles and Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2020 13:57


  Many believe that “God is in Control” is the Gospel truth. “Brother Rodriguez, that is what the Bible says!” Is it? If it is, then we are stuck with it. Maybe we should look at that idea a little closer before coming to a conclusion. Following is a verse interpreted to uphold the theology that God ultimately controls all leaders in human government. The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants (Proverbs 21:1 NET). Many assume that verse means that all rulers are like puppets on a string, and God is the master puppeteer. That was never a Biblical view but one that originated in the beliefs about mythical gods and their treatment of mankind. Among these mythical gods, humans were like pawns in a game of otherworldly chess played by them. The gods set human fate according to their will. That same thinking infiltrated Christianity beginning in the second century. We could go into a lengthy discussion of how Greek pagan thought supplanted Jewish Messianic Biblical thought of the 1st century church in Jerusalem. I will spare you the details, but ideas prevalent in paganism about their mythological gods and their relationship with humanity had a deep impact on Christian Biblical interpretation as the church moved further west into pagan territory. Historically, the church to the west by the 3rd and 4th century would have been almost unrecognizable to Jesus, the apostles, and the churches that sprang up among the Jewish believers around Jerusalem and its vicinity. Anybody that has done research into the history of the church between the 1st and 4th century knows this to be true. (1) The idea that God is like a master puppeteer or a divine chess master in control of all human actions, and that all humans must bow to His will, was a part of heathen or pagan mythology. Pagan gods could force their will upon humans at their every whim. It did not matter if their will was immoral or unrighteous. Human beings had no choice in their fate. Whatever the gods willed was to be done even by unwilling humanity. That posited idea takes away from human beings all powers of decision and makes them automatons that are forcibly subject to the divine will. If God could do that with kings and government leaders, or any human being for that matter, why not do that with the unsaved on planet earth? Why not force everyone to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, and mandate that everyone to go to heaven? We could start the Millennium tomorrow and get on with eternity if that were the case! That is not the case because human beings can choose their eternal destiny, and they have a choice in this life to serve or disobey God. The right to choose From the beginning, God gave people the right to choose, and it has never been rescinded. He commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and that IF they did eat of the forbidden tree, then they would die (Genesis 2:17). God gave them a choice, but they chose the wrong thing and suffered the consequences. It was not God’s plan that they chose evil, but they did, and God respected their choice. If God was sovereign as people think, as in full control of all circumstances, why not rebuke the devil and stop sin in the garden? Why not stop the many millennia of the rule of darkness that perverted His creation and brought it a devastating curse? Many think that God created man to fail and sin. They believe that God in His sovereignty had some purpose in all this damnation and planetary misery. Really? Step back from religion and theology and hear that nonsense for what it is. “Sovereignty” and “God is in control” as taught in much of Christendom is a perverted and twisted traditional religious idea that makes God into an indiscriminate murderer and destroyer that somehow favors evils to strike mankind for some mysterious purposes. Those ideas make human beings into robotic servants subject to the “control” of the “programmer” (God). Let us get specific. Those that think that because of God’s sovereignty, He is control of all human actions, what then do you do with Hitler, Stalin, Mao, ISIS, and all the evil rulers, empires, and terrorist organizations that have plagued the planet? God would have to be worse than all of them if this human cesspool of evil and bondage were of His design and under His total control. The idea is so ludicrous and preposterous that only in churches will people believe that nonsense and utter stupidity. I do not have any nice words to describe the foolishness of the “God is in control of everything” crowd. God sent Jesus. Those that trust and follow Him (believe) will be saved, and those that do not will be damned (John 3:15-18, 36; 12:48; Mark 16:16, etc.). The choice between life and death, blessing or curses, love and hatred, and obedience or disobedience has always been among men. God has never taken it away, and never will! I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live (Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV- See also Jeremiah 21:8 and ff., and Amos 5:14) Who has the choice to make? God? God is in control of whether we have life or death, blessing or cursing? No, human beings must choose. What is the problem? Many want it to be God's choice, but God has left it up to us as to what we choose. He does tell us to choose life because He wants us to live, but the ultimate choice is left to us as long as we are on the earth. Granted, once you leave your body, your final fate is set. Eternal life to those that know Jesus and serve God, and eternal damnation for those that rejected the Lord and doing what was right according to His Word. (See Romans 1:16-32 through 2:1-11 for Paul's teaching on the subject.)  And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15 NKJV) God does not choose for you whom you will serve? The choice is left up to YOU and ME! I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. (Psalms 119:30 NKJV) The Psalmist said he chose the way of truth. God did not choose it for him.  Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 1:29 NKJV) Who makes the choice here? The person rejecting the knowledge (knowing and doing the Word) of the Lord. Choosing to fear (honor and respect) the Lord is in human hands. It is not in God's hands. It's our choice of whether we revere the Lord or not.  Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings. (Isaiah 7:15 NKJV) For fun, think about it. Who chose for you that you should eat corn flakes or eggs and biscuits this morning? Was it God? No, you chose what to eat. He calls upon us to fast at times, but it is our choice whether to obey or disobey His instruction. In the same way, we choose between good and evil. God desires we reject the evil and choose the good, but whether we do or not is in our hands.  No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24 NKJV) Whom we will serve is in our hands. God does not make that choice for us.  So that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ. (Philippians 1:10 NET). You decide what is best! Yes, we follow the leading of the Lord and what His Word says to make the right choices, but no one can take away your right to choose. Even martyrs chose Jesus and refused to deny their faith regardless of the deadly end results.  Here is one more portion of Scripture that blows wrong theology about the life and death of a believer completely out the door.  But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith. (Philippians 1:22-25 NKJV) What do you think of that? Do you mean to tell me that Paul had a choice in the matter whether to die and be with the Lord or to stay in the body because the Philippians needed to get more from his ministry? Do mean to tell me we can have a choice? YES! We can do things to extend our days upon the earth. We can also do things to cut our days short upon the earth. Anyone that has read the first three chapters of the book of Proverbs should know that. See Proverbs 1:32-33; 2:20-22; 3:1-2, 7-8, 13-18, and I dare anyone to refute the clear teaching of the Scripture! A part of God's divine protection is that we be satisfied with a long life (Psalms 91:16). Who or what do you believe? Do you believe God or the traditional idiocy of many sectors of Christendom that think all matters of life and death are in God's hands? The Scriptures above prove the massive errors believed in these areas of choice, even in the areas of life and death.   How about this often half-quoted verse? These verses tell us one way to extend our days upon the earth. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2, 3; Paul is quoting from Exodus 20:12 -NKJV) Don't quote the first part without also quoting the second part about living long on the earth. Here is another portion of Scripture that tells us how we can extend our life upon the earth. The apostle Peter quoted it.  10 It is written in the psalms, If you love life and want to live a good, long time, then be careful what you say. Don’t tell lies or spread gossip or talk about improper things. 11 Walk away from the evil things in the world—just leave them behind, and do what is right, and always seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the Lord watches over the righteous, and His ears are attuned to their prayers. But His face is set against His enemies; He will punish evildoers. (1Peter 3:10-12 -The Voice translation- a quotation from Psalms 34:12-16) Let’s get our theology straight! The ONLY way to straighten up our ideas is by looking at Scripture after Scripture like we are doing here, but there are many more that prove the point.  Again, and for the record, it is an impossibility to trust and obey the Lord or to distrust and disobey Him unless you have a choice, a right to decide. Believing or unbelief is a human choice. God will not force “faith” (faithfulness, trust, obedience) on you any more than He will force unbelief on you. Does God control all government leaders? “But isn’t the obvious meaning of Proverbs 21:1 that, because of His sovereignty, He can control everyone whenever He wishes?” No, it does not mean that at all once you take into consideration Hosea 8:4 and Nehemiah 9:17 and a truckload of other verses! They enthroned kings without my consent! They appointed princes without my approval (Hosea 8:4a NET)! They refused to obey and did not recall your miracles that you had performed among them. Instead, they rebelled and appointed a leader to return to their bondage in Egypt (Nehemiah 9:17a NKJV). Some kings and princes (leaders of some country) disobeyed God and refused to do what He said. Have you read the extensive list of kings that disobeyed God in the Old Testament? Most of the kings of Israel and Judah disobeyed and rebelled against the Lord. Most of these rebellious kings usually died off quickly and were replaced by another that would do worse. There is no way to read First and Second Chronicles and be oblivious to the fact that most kings did not have their hearts in the hand of the Lord. If God could have turned any of the hearts of these kings whenever He wanted, why didn’t He turn any of the hearts of the evil kings? Obviously, something is wrong with the way we have understood Proverbs 21:1 and many other verses that would seem at first glance to imply that “God is in control” of all human affairs and events. If God is completely in control of human events, then how do we account for the death and destruction flooding this planet over millennia? How can we say God is in control of everything with a straight face and see the evil at work on this planet? Is God in control when women are raped, children are sold into slavery, young women are forced to be sex slaves, and Islamic terrorist organizations murder, rape, maim, behead, and knife to death men, women, and children? Only idiotic, ignoramus, anti-Biblical, religious, traditional BUNK could blind a person to believe that God is in control of all that bad stuff. He is not! I know I am repeating myself, and maybe belaboring the point though using different words, but this subject of sovereignty and “God’s control” are too important to give a lightweight answer. In the sense that God’s prophetic words concerning our planet will happen, yes, He is in control of that! The promised return of Jesus to rule and reign on the earth will occur no matter what anybody decides or chooses against it. The Book of Revelation will happen regardless of who is in government and who is not! Some events will transpire no matter what anybody believes or does because God said it, and His Word will accomplish what He wants (Isaiah 55:11). He is sovereign and in control where these events are concerned, but He is not ruling over the human will when people decide to disobey and rebel against Him and follow the devil. As far as humanity and their right to choose, God is not in control of their wrong choices or their corrupt activities. Jesus said that the thief is the one that comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). To believe that evil comes because God is in control means that you believe that God is the thief! Yes, God does allow a lot of evil stuff because many human beings have rejected Him, embraced the darkness and false religions, and they are in Satan’s territory as the “destroyer.” People choose darkness, and they reap destruction and death. The wages of sin are still death (Romans 6:23). When people choose evil and disobedience against God and His holy commandments, He turns them over to their enemies. As one example among many, read Judges 2:7-23. This truth is taught excessively in the Bible from cover to cover! There were kings and princes ordained by people that were never in God’s plan. They were NOT God's will! People voted them in” without God approval. We have some kings in Scripture that lived during a time in history where God had His Word on the line concerning His people. Sometimes God put a “decision” in their hearts to do something in line with His will and they obeyed. Other times, judgment came against some of them until they obeyed. He can do that whenever necessary! One prominent example was Nebuchadnezzar. He disobeyed the Lord and was severely judged to wander the earth for seven years with the mind of an animal. When He recognized God and was willing to obey Him, the kingdom was restored to him, and he was reinstated as King of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was a part of a greater plan that had to do with God’s people. Because of their sin, God turned over the nation of Israel to Nebuchadnezzar. (See the book of Jeremiah.) He took thousands into captivity, and they were to remain in that land for a minimum of seventy years. The prophet Jeremiah spoke the Word of the Lord concerning Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon, and the exile of the sons of Israel. There was a divine Word in place, and events had to line up to fulfill the Word of the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar was a key player in these developments. Pharaoh continued to oppose the Word of the Lord that Moses proclaimed concerning the release of Israel from Egyptian bondage. He hardened his heart and God agreed, in turn, allowing the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. Through ten judgments, Pharaoh complied with the Word of the Lord. Again, a Word was spoken to Abraham and his descendants, and it was necessary for the Lord to bring it to pass (Genesis 15:13, 14). There are occasions like those, but those are not the usual succession of events in the earth. Kings and all government leaders have a choice to make whether they will serve the Lord, and whether they will be a force for good or evil. If Proverbs 21:1 were taken to refer to kings in the same predicament as Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar, I could agree on one level. However, this verse makes no mention of supernatural events changing the heart of a king. Supernatural events could be what are necessary to turn the heart and force a leader to obey the Lord. Did it happen often? No. It seems to have been relegated to special events surrounding the deliverance of His people. Other than at those times, nothing happened except the decisions of the inividual, either for good or for evil.  When the Lord started showing me that the Scripture had much to say on this subject of good or evil human government, this verse in Proverbs 21:1 stared back into my face. At face value, one could hardly help giving it the standard interpretation of “God makes kings obey His will whether they want to or not because God is in control of their hearts.” Something was wrong with that interpretation when I compared this verse with other verses on the same subject. Thank God that the entrance of His Word brings LIGHT. (Psalms 119:130 NKJV) Stick to the Word and light will come regardless of how ignorant (simple) we are.  The king in Proverbs 21:1 First, who is the king in Proverbs 21:1? If we can get that question answered, then we can start to unravel this verse in our thinking. Was Solomon speaking of a specific king, or was his statement a reference to all world leaders? People want to make this verse applicable to all kings, presidents, and prime ministers. I believe that is a mistake. Who was this king mentioned by Solomon? I am convinced Solomon was speaking of himself as the king whose heart was in the hand of the Lord. Solomon gave his heart over to the Lord as a young man. He asked God to give him a wise and discerning heart so he could judge the people of Israel in righteousness. God granted his request in a powerful way. “Therefore, give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “…see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you” (See 1 Kings 3:9-12 NKJV abbreviated). Solomon’s heart was in the hand of the Lord as the channels of water because he submitted his heart to the Lord and received a wise and discerning heart from Him. The phrase “heart in the hand of the Lord” speaks of someone who submits his or her life to God to do His will and carry out His plan. Though Solomon deviated from the Lord later in life, for many years, he served the Lord and did His will. Solomon’s heart (life) was in the hands of the Lord, and God could lead him as He wanted. Often Proverbs gives us “stand-alone” pithy sayings that were spoken in the wisdom of God. Other times we see a few verses discussing the same subject before the subject matter changes. Sometimes certain subjects are grouped together. Proverbs 21:1 has been pulled from its context. It is not referring to a wicked king’s heart as being in the hands of the Lord. This verse speaks of a righteous king as the one whose heart in the hand of the Lord. Let me give you a few verses before and after Proverbs 21:1 to put it in context. Proverbs Chapter 20 - A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his eyes. V.8- A wise king sifts out the wicked and brings the threshing wheel over them. V. 26- The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. V. 27- Mercy and truth preserve the king, and by lovingkindness he upholds his throne. The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head. Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, as do stripes the inner depths of the heart. V. 28-30 Proverbs Chapter 21- The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. V.1- Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts. V.2- To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. V.3 Again, Solomon's subject king in Proverbs 21:1 is a righteous king. Only a righteous king can have his heart in the hand of the Lord. Unrighteous kings had hearts that were far from the Lord. The exceptions to that are kings that did not know God, but they were willing to obey the Lord in whatever He wanted for His people. Good examples are Cyrus and Artaxerxes (Ezra 1 and Nehemiah 2). Look at some of these references in connection with the preceding statements: Ezra 6:22, 1 Kings 11:2-9, 15:3, 2 Kings 10:31, see 2 Chron. 6:38, 12:14, 15:12-15, 19:9, 26:16, 32:25, 26, 34:27, 31, 36:13. NOTES: (1) If you want a book that explores these truths in much more detail with references for further study, I suggest  you read the book by Marvin Wilson: Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith. You can get it from christianbook.com  and other booksellers. If you want to delve even deeper in historical truth, get the scholarly and classic study published originally in 1960, Hebrew Thought Compared With Greek, by Thorlief Boman. It is very informative at 208 pages plus the bibliography, but I warn you, drink coffee before you read it, or you may snooze. Maybe it was just me when I read it for my university studies back many moons ago. Get it on Amazon.  I trust that this article has helped you understand a controversial subject. Be blessed in your study of the Word with me in the following podcast: Repentance Part 8!

Daily Word, Light, and Hope
Ep. 469: Saturday, March 7, 2020 (See Proverbs 7:2)

Daily Word, Light, and Hope

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2020 0:43


Keep my commands and live.(See Proverbs 7:2)(New American Bible, Revised Edition)

Daily Word, Light, and Hope
Ep. 455: Sunday, February 23, 2020 (See Proverbs 3:5-8)

Daily Word, Light, and Hope

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2020 1:54


Trust in the Lord with all your heart; on your intelligence do not rely. In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.Do not be wise in your eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.This will mean health for your flesh and vigor for your bones.(See Proverbs 3:5-8)(New American Bible, Revised Edition)

FIKA with ArcticEric
Divine Appointments and Divine Connections, you are Favored!

FIKA with ArcticEric

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2020 7:15


Divine Appointments and Divine Connections, you are Favored! See Proverbs 3:4 regarding Favor.

Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North Sermons - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

Introduction: Galatians 6:1 - Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. How to Truly (and Lovingly) Help an Addict: Get the Facts . Biblical Confront . See Proverbs 24:11  |   Matthew 18:15-17 When Confronting the Addict... DO NOT: Allow blame-shifting. Allow a victim mentality. Put the blame on yourself. Get emotional. Be an enabler. Look for instant change. Hebrews 3:13 - But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. DO: Cry out to the Lord – for the addict and yourself. Get coaching - from a pastor and the police. Agree on the terms for helping - and the consequences for the addict not complying. Look for genuine repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:10 - For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. Follow through with "Treatment". What should the "treatment" include? Biblical counseling. Church and Small Group involvement. - not just attending – but being involved Constant accountability. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead any of the passages from this week’s messageWhat was your big “take-away” from the message?Specifically, what are some clues that someone has an addiction?How do you know if an addict truly wants to repent? Read 2 Corinthians 7:10. What’s the difference between “godly grief / sorrow” and “worldly grief / sorrow”?What are some ways that people (unwittingly) enable addicts? Why is that such an easy trap to fall into?How do you know what course of “treatment” is best for an addict (residential, group therapy, living with a believer, etc)?BreakoutPray for one another to be able to recognize, and truly help, an addict that may be in your lives.

Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North Sermons - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

Introduction: Seeing Addiction as God Sees It: Addiction Defined: Addiction is bondage to the domination of a substance (legal or illegal) which becomes the central focus of my life. Disease defined: A disease is a diagnosable condition with a primary physical cause. See Proverbs 23:20, 1Corinthians 6:10, Galatians 5:21 Sin (including addiction) is Enslaving . John 8:34 - Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin." Ephesians 5:18 - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit... Sin (including addiction) is Deceptive . Five Signs of Addiction: Absorbing Focus (it occupies my thoughts, dictates my schedule, claims my money). Increasing Tolerance (always need more) Growing Denial (I don't have a problem, I can quit when I want, it's no big deal) Damaging Consequences (money, job, marriage, friendships, health) Painful Withdrawal (quitting is physically painful, emotionally painful) Addiction Described: Addiction is Idolatry Eph 5:5 – For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 1 Cor 1:18 - For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Addiction is Adultery Addiction is Foolishness No one tells me how to live. Prov 28:26 - Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. I'm not really worried about the consequences. Prov 9:17-18 - "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. I'll always get away with it. Prov 15:3 - The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. No matter how bad things have gotten for me (relationships, money, health), I can't give this up. Prov 27:22 - Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. I know it's bad for me but I can't stop! I keep going back to it over and over. Prov 26:11 - Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. It's God's fault I am like this. Prov 19:3 - When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD. Addiction Destroyed : 1 Cor 6:9-11 - Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead any of the passages from this week’s messageWhat was your big “take-away” from this message?Define addiction in your own words. How do you know when something is an addiction?Is addiction a disease? Why or why not? What are the differences between addiction and a disease (like diabetes)?How is addiction idolatry? How is it adultery? How is it foolishness?BreakoutPray for this sermon series to save lives in bondage to addiction.

VICTORY IN YAHUAH YAHUSHA!
*HIS HADAYAH PUBLISHERS PRESENTS | THE WAY OF YAHUAH | "TRUST IN YAHUAH"

VICTORY IN YAHUAH YAHUSHA!

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 265:54


HALLEUYAHUAH! TUDAH YAHUAH FOR LOVING US SO YAHSHAR'EL THATHE SENT HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON WHO KNEW NO SIN TO DIE FOR YOU AND I.AND AS MANY AS ABBA YAH WILL CALL UNTO HIM HE GIVES EVERLASTING LIFE.SEE JOHN 17:3TUDAH YAHUAH I HEARD THE RUACH SAY...TEACH THEM TO TRUST YAHUAH. HALLELUYAHUAH!SEE PROVERBS 3:5-8PSALMS 37:3-6ISAIAH 61:1-3

Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North Sermons - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

Introduction: Proverbs 26:17 - Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one taking a passing dog by the ears. Four Reasons I Will Not Be a "Meddler": It's Foolish . Proverbs 18:6 - A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. It's Hateful . Proverbs 10:12 - Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. It's Dishonorable . Proverbs 20:3 - It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. Luke 12:13-14 - Someone in the crowd said to him (Jesus), "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he (Jesus) said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?" The Lord Hates it! Proverbs 6:16-19 1 Peter 4:15 - But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Why do I want to get involved? What do I hope to accomplish? Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead Proverbs 26:17See also Proverbs 18:6, Prov 10:12, Prov 20:3, Prov 6:16-19, Luke 12:13-14, 1 Peter 4:15What was your big “take-away” from the passage / message?What do you think motivates someone to “meddle” in something that is not their business?This Proverb specifically indicates that meddling can bring harm back on yourself. In what ways can you get “hurt” by meddling?How do you know when you SHOULD get involved in an argument between two others?How does meddling reveal a “hate-filled” heart (Proverbs 10:12)? Why does God hate “sowing discord”, ranking it up there with murder and theft? See Proverbs 6:19, 1 Peter 4:15.BREAKOUTPray for one another to walk wisely by avoiding strife.

Sermons by the Monte Vista church of Christ
Revisiting The Truth About Marriage

Sermons by the Monte Vista church of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2019 34:47


(Matthew 19:1-9) See Proverbs 5:18, 18:22; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Hebrews 13:4. What do all these verses have in common? I don’t think it is hard for us to see that all of them talk about how much of a blessing it is to be married, yet a very different message is being preached in our culture […]

Daily Word, Light, and Hope
Ep. 243: Wednesday, July 24, 2019 (See Proverbs 7:2)

Daily Word, Light, and Hope

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2019 0:43


Keep my commands and live.(See Proverbs 7:2)(New American Bible, Revised Edition)

Campden Baptist Church
Vision - if the people cant see | Proverbs 29:18 | 23 Jun 19 | Philip Deller | AM | One off's

Campden Baptist Church

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2019 16:14


Vision - if the people can't see Proverbs 29:18 23 June 2019 Philip Deller AM One off's

Cindy Stewart
Change Your Words - Change Your Life ~ Episode 93

Cindy Stewart

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2019 10:35


Change Your Words - Change Your Life ~ Episode 93 When I was growing up we use to say to someone who was calling us names, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” What a lie! Words are the most powerful weapon we possess. There is life and death in the power of the tongue! (See Proverbs 18:21) The words we speak become our mindset. Our mindset forms what we believe and what we believe creates the framework we build our life around — whether positive or negative, true or false. Think about the false statement I opened with and the mindset it produces.  It says when people say mean and hurtful things to us, it is harmless. When in reality, hurtful words can cause emotional damage to our souls. And as we know our physical health is dependent on the health of our soul. How do we change our mindset? Read the Blog: https://cindy-stewart.com/blog/change-your-words-change-your-life/ or Listen to the Podcast to find out more. HAVE YOU READ MY NEW BOOK, God’s Dream for Your Life? Here are a few quotes from others who have read my book: Cindy weaves through her personal experiences, experiences with God, and Scripture in a powerful and engaging way. Through the book you will find yourself being drawn close to the Father's heart and truly beginning to dream with God. Hendrickson44 This book stirred my spirit and reminded me of how faithful and powerful God is ALWAYS! It lit my spiritual flame back to LIFE! Thank you Cindy for sharing your relationship with God with us! So grateful!!! Pamela C. Purchase Now and Receive Your Signed Copy: https://cindy-stewart.com/media/books/ (USA) Purchase Now Outside of USA: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Dream-Your-Life-without/dp/1722698276/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538396997&sr=8-1&keywords=god's+dream+for+your+life+cindy+stewart For those of you who have read my book would you please write a review on Amazon. Your comments help others know what to expect. https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Dream-Your-Life-without/dp/1722698276/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538396997&sr=8-1&keywords=god's+dream+for+your+life+cindy+stewart UPCOMING EVENTS: Prophetic Night June 7, 2019 – 7:00pm The Gathering with Jesus 39918 US Highway 19 N Tarpon Springs, FL 34698 Waymaker Revival June 14, 2019 – 6:30pm The Gathering with Jesus 39918 US Highway 19 N Tarpon Springs, FL 34698 Dr. Rodney Howard Brown June 20, 2019 – 7:00pm The Gathering with Jesus 39918 US Highway 19 N Tarpon Springs, FL 34698 www.wearethegathering.com For His plans & your dreams, Cindy Stewart #positivewordsonly #100dreamchallenge #godsdreamforyou #more2019mentoring

Daily Word, Light, and Hope
Ep. 165: Tuesday, May 7. 2019 (See Proverbs 7:2)

Daily Word, Light, and Hope

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2019 0:43


Keep my commands and live.(See Proverbs 7:2)(New American Bible, Revised Edition)

100X Podcast Kingdom Entrepreneurship
Your Gift Really Will Make Room For You

100X Podcast Kingdom Entrepreneurship

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2018 4:01


As Kingdom Entrepreneurs, we have to do business differently than the world.   The world talks about "putting the customer first" but rarely does the world follow through. What does loving well and putting the customer first look like in the Kingdom? Sometimes it looks like putting a knife to your own throat just like King Soloman said. (See Proverbs 23:2)   Are you willing to put the customer first even if it means they get the better deal? If you make less money? If on paper it doesn't make sense? Loving your customers well is easier said than done. However, if you are diligent in your works God will make sure you stand before Kings.  (See Proverbs 22:29)   In the Kingdom of God, when you put the customer first, you will always end up with the better deal.    Want more 100x? www.100xacademy.com @PedroMAdao 100x on Facebook

Martha's Daily Devotional
Episode 12: She Does Him Good

Martha's Daily Devotional

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2018 5:10


As wives, our influence on our husbands must be positive and not evil. See Proverbs 31:12, and listen and be blessed.

Dan A. Rodriguez Articles and Podcasts
Faith in Jesus, or is it Faith in Something else? Part 9

Dan A. Rodriguez Articles and Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2018 16:57


Faith in Christ Jesus must have a foundation of righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come. (Acts 24:24,25). We are to test ourselves to see whether we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). In this podcast we look closer at self-control.  Self-control means “self restraint- temperance- control of ones passions, desires, and sexual impulses.” It does not mean control of others. It means to control your self and your body. We are to take authority over our words and thoughts. We are to demand obedience out of ourselves according to God’s word, commandments, and requirements.  “A man has needs” and “a woman has needs” many say. People that say that mean that sexual union outside of marriage in necessary to quell those “needs.” That is a big fat lie! Paul taught that the body is not for sexual immorality (fornication) but for the Lord… so flee sexual immorality” (fornication) (1Cor. 6:13, 18 NASB). Only in marriage can a man and a woman have the spiritual and physical right to satisfy each other sexually. See 1 Corinthians 7:1-9. God blesses sex in marriage. Outside of marriage, it is cursed! Sexual immorality includes all illicit forms of sex such as: adultery (sexual union with someone other than your spouse), fornication (sexual union between a man and a woman outside of marriage), homosexuality (includes bisexuals), lesbianism (includes all woman that want to act like men), men that are effeminate (includes all transgender), bestiality (sexual union between a human and an animal), and incest. “Oh, I just couldn’t help it. He or she looked so good that I just had to do it.” Lies, lies, lies! People have actually used this excuse when they come for counseling. No, you did not have to do it. Self-control was needed! You didn’t submit to God, and you did not resist the devil! (James 4:7) Instead of controlling yourself, you yielded to the un-renewed mind, conformity to the world, and the old man. You yielded to works of the flesh (Galatians 5:17-21). Nobody made you do anything. You did it! The devil may have tempted you, but who said you has to obey him? No, we resist him and cast him out. We reject his temptation to sin sexually or in any other area that violates God’s Word. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate (self-controlled)in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified(Greek: adokimos)(1Cor. 9:24-27 NASB). We discipline our body and we demand it to be in subjection to God and His Word so that we are not disqualified (adokimos). Adokimosis the same word translated “fail the test” or “disqualified” in 2 Corinthians 13:5.  I only refer to this in passing, but another area people need self control is with overeating or anything else that controls you. It could be worry and anxiety. It could be alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal drugs. It could be pornography. It could be masturbation. It could be the shopping channel! It could be any number of things in control of a human being! See Luke 21:34; 1 John 2:16, 17.  Is Jesus your Lord? Have you yielded control of your life to Him? (Romans 10:9) If we have, nothing else of this evil world should control us! If something ungodly is controlling us on some level then true repentance, which includes acknowledging sin and confession of sin, is needed. (See Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:7-10, 2:1.) Other important parts are becoming accountable to spiritual leaders at your church, changing your contributing environment, and getting rid of enabling people. May you be richly blessed with the podcast! See the bottom of the page for PART 9 of this series.   Get A Call to Return: Restoring The Roots of Our Relationship With Jesus as an ebook, softcover, or hardcover book from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook, Westbow Press, or order it through your favorite bookstore. From the Back Cover: A Call to Return—Restoring the Roots of Our Relationship with Jesus explores the depths of the Scriptures to excavate, refine, and lift up its words of power, revealing deep truths that will radically change the lives of believers. By tapping into this rich vein of biblical insight, Dan Alan Rodriguez offers Christians the insights to enable them to set out upon paths of discipleship that follow Jesus closely and that lead to profound experiences of His presence and power. Drawing upon the author’s study of first-century Judaism and Christianity and resting upon a diverse array of sources steeped in the foundational texts of these traditions, the twelve chapters of A Call to Return address a series of interlocking topics: a prophetic call to return; the revival of lawlessness; the revival, purpose, and preexistence of God’s commandments; the church’s commandments and their connections to faith, grace, and good works; the association of works of the law to Jewish tradition and ceremony; holiness; the fear of the Lord; each believer as a temple of the holy; and the meaning of loving the Lord Jesus. If you have a sense that Jesus’s message and ministry are calling you to embark upon a walk with Him that might take you away from all in Christianity that requires no accountability or responsibility before God, then A Call to Return—Restoring the Roots of Our Relationship with Jesus is the right book for you to read. It will give you the keys for understanding and responding to the Lord’s call to return to Him and to follow where He leads. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 2:29 NASB). The PDF of the entire book is free of charge! Use this link to go to the page and download it. Be mightily blessed! ____________ Faith that Receives the Grace of God is so important for you and me right now! There is an abundance of strange teaching in the area of grace. Grace has become for many a proposition "sin all you want without accountability", and a "do-nothing to receive from God." Grace for many is a rejection of Biblical moral commandments, and for others it is a denial of the words of Jesus. Grace, when it is in its right place Scripturally, is beautiful, abundant, and powerful, but it can be misused and misapplied. Unfortunately, grace is often taught wrongly. Instead of amazing grace, it has become gross, devilish, pseudo “grease” and not the Blood-bought-grace taught in the New Testament! This book was written so the Biblical perspective on faith and grace could be clearly presented by using verses in their context and according to the intent of the writers of the New Testament. If you have questions in this area, this free 266-page book is for you. Download the free PDF file here.     ______________  Tres Días y Tres Noches en el Corazón de la Tierra debe ser una parte necesaria en la vida de todo Cristiano. El libro enseña específicamente acerca del sacrificio de Jesús. Esto incluye la cruz, resurrección, y especialmente lo que tomó lugar durante las horas en que el espíritu de Jesús dejó Su cuerpo, y cuando su cuerpo fue resucitado de entre los muertos. El mundo tiene sus héroes, pero lo que Jesús hizo por nosotros lo hace el Supremo y Máximo Héroe y Conquistador de todo el universo. La derrota de Satanás, y la potestad dada a la iglesia en el Nombre de Jesucristo, fueron actos sin igual en la eternidad. No te pierdas este libro GRATIS. Ninguna película ha mostrado el verdadero sufrimiento del Maestro en el Calvario y en el centro de la tierra. Prepárate para una aventura gloriosa. Descarga el libro PDF completo usando este eslabón.   Documento portátil (PDF) es completamente gratis.  

Bethlehem Community Church
What Are You Thinking?

Bethlehem Community Church

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2018 35:10


Sunday, June 3, 2018 -- Sermon Questions -- Series: Real Christianity Pastor Frank Wray “WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?” 1. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23. What does this tell you about human beings? 2. Why does your intellect/thinking matter? (See Proverbs 23:7.) 3. Read Romans 8:5. What does this verse teach? 4. What is a worldly or carnal mind? 5. How would a carnal mind view money? 6. How does Jesus and the bible view money? (See Luke 16:13-15; Revelation 17:1-6.) 7. What kind of mind/thinking do we come into this world with? 8. Read Romans 12:1-2. What do these verses tell us? 9. What does a heavenly mind focus on? (See Colossians 3:1-4.) 10. How did you do on the test? (I.e., How do you answer the question, “A great life would be…. ?) Discuss how a person of the world might answer the question verses Jesus. (See Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.) 11. Which chair are you in?

Faith and Finances
103: Save… but Trust

Faith and Finances

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2018 33:49


Do we demonstrate a lack of faith in God when we save for our future? Are we to trust God for future provision and NOT plan or make any effort ourselves?   In This Episode, We Look At: It is possible to accumulate wealth and then let our hearts turn to trusting that wealth instead of trusting God. It is biblical to both trust God AND save for a future known need. Trust. See Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Timothy 6:17 Save. See Proverbs 21:20, Genesis 41:33-36   Improve Your Faith and Finances: Just as we plan and labor for today's income, by faith, so too we ought to plan and work toward tomorrow's income—by faith, trusting in the Lord.   Share Your Thoughts: If you have a question or comment about today's topic, we invite you to share your thoughts. Podcast on Facebook Tim Website or Twitter Troy Twitter Matt Website or Twitter

Bethlehem Community Church
You Can't Be Successful Without It

Bethlehem Community Church

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2018 36:01


Sunday, March 4, 2018 -- Sermon Questions Series: The Book of Proverbs “YOU CAN’T BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT IT” 1. Why is disciplining your children important? (See Proverbs 13:24 and 29:15.) 2. What is the difference between a swamp and a river? 3. What goals do you have? Are they great goals? (I.e., discuss the difference between goals and great goals.) 4. Are great goals easily achievable? (I.e., discuss discipline and what it is.) 5. Is getting out of debt a great goal? (See Proverbs 22:7.) 6. Are you prepared for your real (i.e., eternal) retirement? (See Matthew 6:19-21.) Why or why not? 7. Are you excited to see Jesus? (Discuss Matthew 6:21 and Revelation 22:20.) 8. What is “delayed gratification” and why is it important? (Why is this a problem for most Americans? Talk about it in terms of getting out of debt.) 9. What, in your opinion, is “the goal” of life? (Talk about Jeremiah 29:13 and Hebrews 11:6 and what is involved in achieving this goal.)

Daily Devotional
#78 Looking Ahead (2/28/18 Blog Post)

Daily Devotional

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2018 1:58


As long as we keep walking, we will get where God has for us to go, so keep walking. See Proverbs 4:10-12 Blog: http://insharonsheart.blogspot.com/?m=1

Daily Devotional
#70 Living Put God’s Purpose (2/20/18 Blog Post)

Daily Devotional

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2018 3:48


Do you know, your purpose and easy don't go together? They don't match. If we are going to go towards everything the Lord has for us there is no getting around doing the challenging and constantly going out our comfort zone. See Proverbs 19:21. Blog: http://insharonsheart.blogspot.com/2018/02/living-out-gods-purpose.html?m=1

Daily Devotional
#60 Put Positive into the Atmosphere (2/8/18 Blog Post)

Daily Devotional

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2018 3:14


Has anyone ever told you, your words have power? If not, I'm coming to tell you to start believing that they in fact do. See Proverbs 18:21. Blog: http://insharonsheart.blogspot.com/2018/02/put-positive-in-atmosphere.html?m=1

Daily Devotional
#52 “Do More, Get More” (1/29/18 Blog Post)

Daily Devotional

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2018 2:59


There is a simple rule of life. You want to know what it is? The people who do more, get more. Have you ever noticed that? Think about it. See Proverbs 12:11 Blog: http://insharonsheart.blogspot.com/2018/01/do-more-get-more.html?m=1

Daily Devotional
#45 “The Diligent Ones” (1/19/17 Blog Post)

Daily Devotional

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2018 4:20


Do you know God wants the very best for you and not the crumbs? Are you the one many call diligent (a hard worker), or can you use a little help in that area? See Proverbs 13:4. Blog: http://insharonsheart.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-diligent-ones.html?m=1

Bethlehem Community Church
What Lies Do You Believe? (Part 2)

Bethlehem Community Church

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2017 36:20


Series: The Book of Philippians -- Pastor Frank Wray “WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?” (Part 2) 1. What are the two choices in life? 2. Read Philippians 4:8. How critical are our minds? 3. Lie #5 of Satan is that you can listen to and watch whatever you want because these things can’t hurt you. Is this really true? (See Proverbs 15:14 and Psalm 1:1.) 4. Lie #4 of Satan is “Sin is not a big deal.” Is this true? (See Proverbs 6:16-19 -- discuss why it is a “big deal” to God.) What does sin do to the soul and relationships? 5. Lie #3 of Satan is: “Hell does not really exist.” (See Matthew 10:28; Revelation 20:11-15.) Is this true? 6. Discuss what the Cross represents. 7. Read Luke 16:19-31. What lessons can we draw from this story?

Bethlehem Community Church
Are You Different?

Bethlehem Community Church

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2016 25:53


Following are the Sermon Questions for Sunday. “Are You Different?” 1) Read Ephesians 4:17-19. How do the Gentiles (unbelievers) live? What is wrong with what they do? (See Proverbs 16:25 and Matthew 7:13-14.) Do you live or think like the Gentiles (unbelievers) do? In what ways? 2) Read Ephesians 4:20-32. What is the difference between the non-believer and the believer? 3) Read Ephesians 4:22-24. The Apostle Paul gives us two very important reasons as to why the believer is to be different from the unbeliever. What are those two powerful reasons? (See 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 6:6-7.) God bless, Bethlehem Community Church If you would like to not receive any more emails from Bethlehem Community Church, then click here to unsubscribe.

Sfmin
My Favorite Passages 6

Sfmin

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2015 42:46


MY FAVORITE PASSAGES SESSION 6 JULY 19,2015 JOSHUA 1:THE MAKING OF A TRUE LEADER Review: The preparation: rejection; suffering; covering; claiming your ground; staying in your territory; your authority (greater than power). Rev Up Your Resolve!! (Joshua 1:6, 7) The Key To Your Success (Joshua 1:8, 9) The Power of His Word in Your mouth Your heart (believing mechanism) and your mouth (releasing mechanism) work together by Divine Design! I.E. Creation .... Salvation (Romans 10:9, 10) (See Proverbs 18:21) The Supernatural Life and Power of God is inherent in His Word! (Psalm 1; John 1:1-4; John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12) The Power and necessity of meditation for long term success! What is meditation? The re-speaking of His word inwardly and outwardly. Becomes Life, substance, spiritual reality in your inner man! The Process, the faith, the endurance, the trust. The Process is up to you! The Products (results) are up to Him! He will not fail you!

Caribbean Radio Show Crs Radio
Dating vs Courting

Caribbean Radio Show Crs Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2015 120:00


The main difference between dating and courtship involves the goals to be reached by spending time with a potential marriage partner. Men and women who choose to date often have no commitment to consider marrying the other person. Maturity and readiness for marriage are not considerations in the decision to date. According to the Institute in Basic Life Principles (iblp.org) Courtship is a relationship between a man and a woman in which they seek to determine if it is God's will for them to marry each other. Under the protection, guidance, and blessing of parents or mentors, the couple concentrates on developing a deep friendship that could lead to marriage, as they discern their readiness for marriage and God's timing for their marriage. (See Proverbs 3:5–7.) Interesting topic for Sunday 8pm - 10pm on CaribbeanRadio Show "Loving Our Mandingo Men" with BMichelle and Professor D. Dial in 661-467-2407 or caribbeanradioshow.com internet access. Looking forward to this discussion.