Podcasts about this spirit

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Best podcasts about this spirit

Latest podcast episodes about this spirit

WestWay Christian Church
The 1015 - The Spirit Who Stays

WestWay Christian Church

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 34:56


Jesus promised that He would not leave us as orphans—and He kept that promise through the gift of the Holy Spirit. As we begin our new series, The Spirit-Filled Life, we're learning not just what the Holy Spirit does, but who He is: the Spirit who stays. In John 14, Jesus comforts His disciples with the truth that the Holy Spirit would not only be among them, but would live in them. This marks a fundamental shift—from God's presence being temporary and external in the Old Testament to being permanent and internal in the New. Now, because of the cross, we are cleansed and made fit to be His dwelling place.This Spirit doesn't come and go. He's not a visitor. He remains.

BecomeNew.Me
13. How the Holy Spirit Helps You Stay at Peace | John Ortberg

BecomeNew.Me

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 14:39


Jesus invites us into an untroubled heart, not by avoiding life's chaos, but by walking with the Holy Spirit—our wise advocate. This Spirit brings peace, encouragement, and truth in a world full of deceptive brain messages. With a nod to neuroscience, we learn how the Holy Spirit helps us recognize patterns of fear and worry and instead leads us to five relational gifts: acceptance, affection, appreciation, attention, and allowing. We're reminded through the ancient Aaronic blessing that God's face shines on us, bringing deep affirmation and care. Today, lean into the truth and live with integrity, supported by your forever friend.Join the conversation in our FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.John's new book STEPS is out! Check it out here: https://becomenew.com/steps/Want to work the steps with a friend or small group? Visit: DoTheSteps.com

The Everfree Podcast
Prayer Prompt / Psalm 138 Attune Our Mind

The Everfree Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 16:01


Keith Peeler leads the listener through Psalm 138. As he leads a guided prayer, the listener is invited to open their heart, mind, spirit, and soul to the love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Spirit-led prayer will bless your day.

Kootenai Church Adult Sunday School
Full of the Spirit (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 11:1-5)

Kootenai Church Adult Sunday School

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024 49:58


The relationship between Jesus and the Holy Spirit reveals how being full of the Spirit enabled Christ's earthly ministry. Through Isaiah's prophecies, we see how being full of the Spirit equipped Jesus with divine wisdom, understanding, and counsel. This Spirit-empowered life demonstrated God's personal nature and commitment to dwell among His people, ultimately fulfilling ancient promises through the incarnation.Application Questions:When you sin, do you look to the grace of God our Savior through the gift of the Son by the Spirit?Have you meditated on your personal relationship with God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit?Is your theology of the baby Jesus big enough to include His role as the Davidic Messiah?If you are joined with Christ through salvation, does your prayer life reflect the priority of establishing His kingdom?Do you read the Old Testament and, specifically, the prophets regularly? If not, why?Are you united by faith with Jesus and therefore able to access the power of the Spirit in His life?This Christmas season, will you commit to slowing down and refreshing yourself anew with time with God as you ponder the magnificence of the Incarnation? ★ Support this podcast ★

NPPBC Audio Sermons
Put On Christ

NPPBC Audio Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2024 41:14


Once saved, you're given the armor to protect us from the evil one. Just as a child, we must help them to get dressed. God does the same for us at times, He helps us get ready for the battle.    Romans 13:14, Galatians 3:27 You received everything you ever needed to stand for Christ, He gives them.   Christ - Protection - Truth Clothed upon truth.   Breastplate - Righteousness It protects the vital organs, the heart, lungs, etc. Our body parts do what they do because they were divinely orchestrated. We don't even know how they work. 2 Corinthians 5:21, The devil can't get to your soul because he can't get through the righteousness.   Feet - Gospel of Peace If the feet are not prepared for the battle then they can't fight. The feet once protected can go anywhere. The world is full of rock, gravel, thorns, and thistles. Be prepared by the Gospel. As long as your feet are uncovered you will not be ready for the battle.   Shield - Faith The devil has many that do his evil work. A shield is something you must typically hold. The shield is movable and can be placed anywhere. Many days our faith waivers. It's sometimes up and at other times down. Nothing can get through the shield of faith.   Helmet - Salvation A helmet is something that if not worn can't help you. It's like wearing a seatbelt. The purpose of the helmet is to keep the devil out of your mind. The helmet was given at the time of your salvation. Salvation protects your mind, Psalm 28:7; 27:1. If your mind is clear then you're able to function correctly. Have you ever had a night that you laid down and couldn't get your mind to shut off because of worry? Call out to God to help get the helmet on.   Sword - Spirit If you've been saved then you're given the Spirit. The Spirit is the sword. You're using the Spirit's sword. This Spirit is the Word of God, the Bible. There is nothing that can stand against the Word of God.   Once armored up the only thing that's not covered is your back. The enemy is NOT other people, it's spiritual evils. The armor itself is NOT physical but spiritual. The spiritual armor is to help protect us from the spiritual evils of the devil.

The Gospel for Life
The Spirit Buries Our Misdeeds and Intercedes for Us

The Gospel for Life

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 14:30


Geoff Thomas: The Holy Spirit – Chapter 14: “The Spirit Buries Our Misdeeds and Intercedes for Us”Opening verses: Romans 8“Romans 8 is probably the greatest chapter in this epistle. Along with Ephesians 1, these two chapters are some of themost majestic pieces in the New Testament. Romans 8 is particularly important for us because of its observations onthe person and work of the Holy Spirit. Let us focus on three themes in this chapter: the Holy Spirit leads us, buriesour misdeeds, and intercedes for us.” Pg. 153THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS US Pages. 153-157The leading of this Spirit may be viewed in the following ways:1. This Spirit originates from heaven.2. This leading is not experienced only by super-Christians.3. The Spirit leads us not to enable us to escape the difficulties, dangers, trials, or sufferings of this life, butspecifically to conquer sin.4. This leading of the Spirit is a continuous work5. The Spirit does not teach us to let go so the Spirit does the work for us.6. The Spirit leads us according to the teaching of the Bible.THE HOLY SPIRIT BURIES OUR MISDEEDS Pages. 157-161“The Bible says the Christian is delivered from the dominion of sin by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the Christian'snew master and king. Sin is no longer his lord; the believer has been freed from sin's insistent commands to satisfy itslusts.” Pg. 157-1581. The Spirit convinces you of sin.2. The Spirit reveals the power of Christ to deliver you.3. The Spirit sustains you in expecting help from Christ to overcome sin. (Romans 6:5-7)4. The Spirit fixes Calvary in your heart with sin-killing power.5. The Spirit is the author and finisher of our sanctification.A. The Spirit puts to death our sin, first, by using the law of God.B. The Spirit puts to death the energies and restless ambitions of sin by making us increasingly conscious that true life is found only in Jesus ChristTHE HOLY SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR USRomans 8:26–27 tells us the Spirit helps us in our weakness, specifically in praying.As George Rawson (1807–1889) so beautifully wrote,Gentle, awful, holy guest,Make Thy temple in our breast,There supreme to reign and rest,Comforter divine.In us, for us, intercede,And with voiceless groanings pleadOur unutterable need,Comforter divine.For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 8:00am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on 94.1 The Voice in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. There is only one rule: Be Kind! Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://941thevoice.com/podcasts/gospel-for-life/

MIRACLES FOR YOU Sondra Ray & Markus Ray on A Course in Miracles
TGOG 2024; 7-20; TEXT 19; SEC IV; THE OBSTACLES TO PEACE #5

MIRACLES FOR YOU Sondra Ray & Markus Ray on A Course in Miracles

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2024 24:23


Why are we actually "attracted to pain?" We "think" that our Self-Identity is so wired together with the body, we forget that we are Spirit. This Spirit is always in a state of grace, always in a state pf Peace and Joy, always ONE with its SOURCE. The second we forget this and "think" we actually are a body, separated from it's Source, we invite in the duality of Life vs. Death. Now what we have identified our "self" as the body, it has a shelf life and we think "death is inevitable." This causes not only pain and disease in the body, it produces fear, guilt, and anger in the mind. Then we are "all fucked up," as they say. Removing this false "identification with the body," we can restore our proper alignment: Spirit - Mind - Body. Then the pain we attracted before is over. There is only Joy, far greater than any gratification of pleasure we pursued before. And now we can use the body indefinitely as a "communication tool" to transmit this Joy to all our brothers and sisters.

Get Real! -Lithoscry
New Rock Reborn!

Get Real! -Lithoscry

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 49:18


Rock music is being Reborn with the Spirit of hope, deliverance, freedom, and salvation. This Spirit is Holy Spirit. Not the spirit in this age of hedonism, rebellion, and A new sound is arising. It's not the loudness of the guitars, screams, and intense drum beats that make a song or style of music ungodly. Rather, it is the spirit behind the music.The rock music of Reborn is a refreshing sound emerging from the rubble of today's oppressive music industry. While addressing the difficult issues of life, the music of Reborn does not wallow in the darkness. It provides the answer of hope of salvation through Jesus Christ.Find out what it truly means to be reborn as you meet the members of Reborn and experience their unique brand of rock music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Good Hope Church's - Cloquet Podcast
Spirit Led Life // Part 1 - LIVE

Good Hope Church's - Cloquet Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 33:31


Last week, we explored Water Baptism. Now, we move forward to discuss the Spirit Led Life. Often, it seems like there are only two options: selfish pleasure seeking or dead religion, both leading to negative outcomes. But there is a third, much better option: the Spirit Led Life, offering true fulfillment beyond the emptiness of dead religion and the pain of selfish living.I've experienced all three paths. While I led a relatively boring life, I understand selfish pleasure and the entanglements of dead religion, which often leads to bureaucracy and conflicts. However, my early walk with God involved prayer, Bible reading, and daily communication with Him. This Spirit-led journey inevitably led me to church, where the challenge is to keep it God-focused rather than organization-focused.Jesus exemplifies the Spirit Led Life, as shown in Matthew 4:1-11, where He overcame wilderness temptations through His connection with God. Romans 8:1-17 emphasizes the freedom and guidance found in living by the Spirit, particularly in verses 8:2, 8:9, and 8:14.If you feel stuck between two bad options, it's time to embrace the Spirit Led Life. This path offers true fulfillment and spiritual growth. Let's seek the Spirit Led Life together, praying to be filled with the Spirit and to walk in His steps, as highlighted in Ephesians 5:15-16.#SpiritLedLife #SaturdaySermon #FaithJourney #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #WaterBaptism #JesusExample #Romans8 #Ephesians5 #PastorDanielStevens #ChurchLife #LivingByTheSpirit[ Video Version ] / [ Sermon Notes ][ Daily Devotions with Pastor Daniel ]STAY CONNECTEDDaily Devotionals with Pastor Daniel: http://goodhope.ag/devotionsSermon Podcast: https://sermons.goodhope.agInstagram: http://instagram.com/goodhopemnFacebook: http://fb.com/goodhopemn

Good Hope Church's - Cloquet Podcast
Spirit Led Life // Part 1

Good Hope Church's - Cloquet Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2024 36:39


Last week, we explored Water Baptism. Now, we move forward to discuss the Spirit Led Life. Often, it seems like there are only two options: selfish pleasure seeking or dead religion, both leading to negative outcomes. But there is a third, much better option: the Spirit Led Life, offering true fulfillment beyond the emptiness of dead religion and the pain of selfish living.I've experienced all three paths. While I led a relatively boring life, I understand selfish pleasure and the entanglements of dead religion, which often leads to bureaucracy and conflicts. However, my early walk with God involved prayer, Bible reading, and daily communication with Him. This Spirit-led journey inevitably led me to church, where the challenge is to keep it God-focused rather than organization-focused.Jesus exemplifies the Spirit Led Life, as shown in Matthew 4:1-11, where He overcame wilderness temptations through His connection with God. Romans 8:1-17 emphasizes the freedom and guidance found in living by the Spirit, particularly in verses 8:2, 8:9, and 8:14.If you feel stuck between two bad options, it's time to embrace the Spirit Led Life. This path offers true fulfillment and spiritual growth. Let's seek the Spirit Led Life together, praying to be filled with the Spirit and to walk in His steps, as highlighted in Ephesians 5:15-16.#SpiritLedLife #SaturdaySermon #FaithJourney #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #WaterBaptism #JesusExample #Romans8 #Ephesians5 #PastorMikeStevens #ChurchLife #LivingByTheSpirit[ Video Version ] / [ Sermon Notes ][ Daily Devotions with Pastor Daniel ]STAY CONNECTEDDaily Devotionals with Pastor Daniel: http://goodhope.ag/devotionsSermon Podcast: https://sermons.goodhope.agInstagram: http://instagram.com/goodhopemnFacebook: http://fb.com/goodhopemn

Audio - Bethel Worship Center
Who is the Holy Spirit Week 2

Audio - Bethel Worship Center

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2024 36:19


It was for our good Jesus sent the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of God is hovering over us, convicting us, empowering us, contending for us, liberating us, and leading us.

Grace Community Church Listen Again
'Guided by the Spirit' / Neil Dawson

Grace Community Church Listen Again

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2024 28:20


In John 16:5 – 7,13 – 15, Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure, explaining that it's necessary for the Holy Spirit to come. This often overlooked member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, embodies truth and guides us towards authenticity in life's journey. Jesus's mission goes beyond expectations; instead of vanquishing enemies, he demonstrates love by sacrificing himself for them. The disciples struggle to comprehend Jesus leaving, but he assures them that his departure will pave the way for the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. This Spirit encourages us to embrace honesty in both our triumphs and struggles. Rather than simply asking for negative emotions to be removed, the Spirit invites us to journey together, confronting anger, pride, and bitterness with divine guidance. As we navigate our inner conflicts, the Spirit patiently awaits our willingness to embark on this transformative journey towards healing and redemption. It's not just about seeking relief but embracing the process of growth and self-discovery alongside the Holy Spirit's comforting presence.

Malcolm Cox
S2 Ep2159: Quiet Time Coaching Episode 470 | New Thing Series — Part 25 | “Rahab's Kindness” | Malcolm Cox

Malcolm Cox

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 4:55


Quiet Time Coaching Episode 470 | New Thing Series — Part 25 | “Rahab's Kindness” | Malcolm Cox Introduction A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab's kindness. “As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any of us because of you. The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the LORD that you in turn will deal kindly with my family.” (Joshua 2:11-12 NRSV) Rahab's kindness is a new thing Rahab has “dealt kindly” with the spies. In return she asks them to ‘deal kindly' with her family The word ‘kindly' is a very rich word. It is the Hebrew word ‘hesed'.   ‘hesed' is a covenant word expressing a commitment to faithfulness God uses the word of himself when speaking to Moses “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love (‘hesed') to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”” (Exodus 34:6-7 NIV11) God is saying, ‘I am the hesed God. You can count on me to keep my covenant.' Ḥesed is found nearly 250 times in the OT and is hard to translate. Usually a composite of English words is used: grace, mercy, compassion, steadfast love and so on. Bernard of Clairvaux described it as the “love that will not let us go.” Note in the Exodus passage how his love is lavished on thousands while the punishments for sin only last to the third or fourth generation. These are the first things God says to Moses from within the cloud, as he prepares to give the law to Moses the second time. The very giving of the law a second time is an act of ḥesed love. hesed is not so much about a state, but a relationship. It makes sense in the context of family and community bonds.  For Reflection Rahab has demonstrated hesed (kindness) and wants hesed to be shown to her family. She wants in on the family of God who she trusts to show her hesed because that is at the very core of what God's family is all about. The same is true for us in the New Testament: “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7 NRSV) Why not take some time today to reflect on some of the ways God has been lavishly kind to you in your Christian life so far? Conclusion I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.  Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org. If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. "Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Watford Church of Christ Podcast
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 470 | New Thing Series — Part 25 | “Rahab's Kindness” | Malcolm Cox

The Watford Church of Christ Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 4:55


Quiet Time Coaching Episode 470 | New Thing Series — Part 25 | “Rahab's Kindness” | Malcolm Cox   Introduction A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'   We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab's kindness.   “As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any of us because of you. The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the LORD that you in turn will deal kindly with my family.” (Joshua 2:11-12 NRSV)   Rahab's kindness is a new thing Rahab has “dealt kindly” with the spies. In return she asks them to ‘deal kindly' with her family The word ‘kindly' is a very rich word. It is the Hebrew word ‘hesed'.  ‘hesed' is a covenant word expressing a commitment to faithfulness God uses the word of himself when speaking to Moses   “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love (‘hesed') to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”” (Exodus 34:6-7 NIV11)   God is saying, ‘I am the hesed God. You can count on me to keep my covenant.' Ḥesed is found nearly 250 times in the OT and is hard to translate. Usually a composite of English words is used: grace, mercy, compassion, steadfast love and so on. Bernard of Clairvaux described it as the “love that will not let us go.” Note in the Exodus passage how his love is lavished on thousands while the punishments for sin only last to the third or fourth generation. These are the first things God says to Moses from within the cloud, as he prepares to give the law to Moses the second time. The very giving of the law a second time is an act of ḥesed love. hesed is not so much about a state, but a relationship. It makes sense in the context of family and community bonds.   For Reflection Rahab has demonstrated hesed (kindness) and wants hesed to be shown to her family. She wants in on the family of God who she trusts to show her hesed because that is at the very core of what God's family is all about. The same is true for us in the New Testament:   “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7 NRSV)   Why not take some time today to reflect on some of the ways God has been lavishly kind to you in your Christian life so far?   Conclusion I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.   Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community.   Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.   If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.   Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.   "Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Thames Valley Church of Christ
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 470 | New Thing Series — Part 25 | “Rahab's Kindness” | Malcolm Cox

Thames Valley Church of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 4:55


Quiet Time Coaching Episode 470 | New Thing Series — Part 25 | “Rahab's Kindness” | Malcolm Cox   Introduction A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'   We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Rahab. Today we explore Rahab's kindness.   “As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any of us because of you. The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the LORD that you in turn will deal kindly with my family.” (Joshua 2:11-12 NRSV)   Rahab's kindness is a new thing Rahab has “dealt kindly” with the spies. In return she asks them to ‘deal kindly' with her family The word ‘kindly' is a very rich word. It is the Hebrew word ‘hesed'.  ‘hesed' is a covenant word expressing a commitment to faithfulness God uses the word of himself when speaking to Moses   “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love (‘hesed') to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”” (Exodus 34:6-7 NIV11)   God is saying, ‘I am the hesed God. You can count on me to keep my covenant.' Ḥesed is found nearly 250 times in the OT and is hard to translate. Usually a composite of English words is used: grace, mercy, compassion, steadfast love and so on. Bernard of Clairvaux described it as the “love that will not let us go.” Note in the Exodus passage how his love is lavished on thousands while the punishments for sin only last to the third or fourth generation. These are the first things God says to Moses from within the cloud, as he prepares to give the law to Moses the second time. The very giving of the law a second time is an act of ḥesed love. hesed is not so much about a state, but a relationship. It makes sense in the context of family and community bonds.   For Reflection Rahab has demonstrated hesed (kindness) and wants hesed to be shown to her family. She wants in on the family of God who she trusts to show her hesed because that is at the very core of what God's family is all about. The same is true for us in the New Testament:   “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7 NRSV)   Why not take some time today to reflect on some of the ways God has been lavishly kind to you in your Christian life so far?   Conclusion I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.   Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community.   Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.   If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.   Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.   "Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Summit Church Conway
Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Summit Church Conway

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 25:06


ELDER BLESSINGBy: Jason CooneySame SpiritHoly Spirit, you've been with us all along.You hovered over the waters in the beginning, witness to the glorious work of the Father and Son in creation.From the lips of Isaiah, the Father promised You to us, that you would never depart from us.With Ezekiel's voice, the Father proclaimed he would put You in us, replacing hearts prone to wander with ones prone to obedience.From Joel's mouth, the Father promised to pour You out on us, that our sons and daughters would prophesy, our old men dream dreams, and young men see visions.It was you who allowed Mary to conceive our Lord.You, Spirit, descended on Christ at his baptism, and then drove him into the wilderness, preparing Him for victory over the enemy's temptations.Spirit, you were with Jesus as He made lame beggars walk, blind men see, and dead men rise.Wasn't it You that made the lifeless body of our savior breathe again?Then Jesus breathed You upon his disciples.At Pentecost, You gave those same disciples words in languages they didn't speak, to announce truths all people needed to hear.Jesus said You would teach us all things, reminding us of the words of Christ.You help us in our weakness, interceding for us with utterings too deep for words.In Your presence there is freedom.Your fruit is love, peace, kindness, and faithfulness.You are building us into a dwelling place for God.This Spirit dwells in you!May He have His way with us.May he have His way. All God's people said... Amen.

EMPOWERING THE THIRD DAY ECCLESIA
ELISHA'S LEADERSHIP TRANSITION IS A TYPOLOGY OF THE PRESENT THIRD-DAY CHURCH. PT 10

EMPOWERING THE THIRD DAY ECCLESIA

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 105:45


ELISHA'S LEADERSHIP TRANSITION IS A TYPOLOGY OF THE PRESENT THIRD-DAY CHURCH. PT 10. As we continue to track the heart of the Father for this epoch, there are various prophetic signals and emphases that we are picking that are critical for us to heed, even as the intention of the reality of the kingdom unfolds in a more accelerated, visible format and urgency in the earth. One of the things we are picking up is a call to build up both the strength and strategy to confront the spirit of Jezebel corporately. We are certain that we, as the ecclesia, will not be able to precisely enter the scope of advancing the prophetic objective of the kingdom of God without certain things and values being restored to their rightful place and function. One of those things we need to restore, as we've been mentioning for a while now, is the broken altar of God. To rebuild the destroyed altar of God from our individual, family, or corporate societal lives, we first need to address the spirit or system that initially destroyed the altar. And to do this, we must wear the correct grace, anointing, mantle, or lifestyle, and there's no better one than the spirit of Elijah. We perceive heaven is releasing the tools and training software that can enable the Saints to step into this dimension of what is known as the spirit of Elijah. We believe we are part of a company of a people, a Church in the earth entering a higher authority and wisdom of the spirit of Elijah. This Spirit is now proclaiming the days of the Lord and his coming. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/isaiah-phillips-akintola/message

Reflections
Tuesday the Eighteenth Week of Pentecost

Reflections

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2023 4:57


October 3, 2023Today's Reading: Philippians 2:1-18Daily Lectionary: 2 Chronicles 34:1-4, 8-11, 14-33, Colossians 2:8-23Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus... (Philippians 2:4,5)In the Name of Jesus, Amen. There is only one God, the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is one with the Father and the Son. When you were baptized the Spirit of God was poured out upon you. The Holy Spirit dwells in you. By baptism you were made one with God; Christ in you, and you in Christ. Your life is in Him and He lives and reigns in you. What joyful oneness and unity you have with God who delights in YOU. I am sure you know that your congregation is not perfect. Perhaps you have seen members argue or even yell at each other. Maybe your pastor lost his temper and said something that shouldn't have been said. The people of Israel and their leaders were much like our congregations. Now, as then, God's people sinfully grumble and argue in ways that are not right and God pleasing. This ought not be. Sinful pride and self-centeredness can tear congregations apart. The devil works hard to cause conceit and selfish ambition in God's people in order to destroy Christian fellowship and unity. Satan does not want peace and joy in Christ among and in God's people.Do you have the mind of Christ? Do you think like Jesus? Do you desire what God desires? That is, do you love God above all things and your neighbor as yourself? Do you love Jesus? Do you believe He died for you? To have the mind of Christ is to love God and your neighbor, that is, especially and most importantly, your brothers and sisters in Christ in your congregation. This is not easy to do as sinners. You are one with God in Christ. This is a great mystery. It is equally true that all your brothers and sisters in your congregation share the same oneness with Jesus as you do. Jesus is the perfect brother that put Himself last for you and for them. In Him was no selfish ambition or conceit. He loves you and them and considers us all of far more worth than His own life. He gave His life for you and them. What joy! The same Spirit of life dwells in all of God's people in your congregation. This is hard to remember and to put into practice. But through God's Word, prayer and the Holy Spirit we can live in great joy, peace and unity in our congregations!  In the Name of Jesus, Amen.Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!  “May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” For my brothers and companions' sake,  I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,  I will seek your good.  (Psalm 122:6-9)-Pastor Preston Paul is pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Almena, WI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

EMPOWERING THE THIRD DAY ECCLESIA
ENGAGING THE DEALINGS OF THE LORD FOR THE NEW DAY. PART 3. PRAYER SESSION.

EMPOWERING THE THIRD DAY ECCLESIA

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 81:59


ENGAGING THE DEALINGS OF THE LORD FOR THE NEW DAY. PRAYER SESSION. ELISHA'S LEADERSHIP TRANSITION IS A TYPOLOGY OF THE PRESENT THIRD-DAY CHURCH. PT 3. As we continue to track the heart of the Father for this epoch, there are various prophetic signals and emphases that we are picking that are critical for us to heed, even as the intention of the reality of the kingdom unfolds in a more accelerated, visible format and urgency in the earth. One of the things we are picking up is a call to build up both the strength and strategy to confront the spirit of Jezebel corporately. As the ecclesial, we are certain that we will not be able to precisely enter the scope of advancing the prophetic objective of the kingdom of God without certain things and values being restored to their rightful place and function. One of those things we need to restore, as we've been mentioning for a while now, is the broken altar of God. To rebuild the destroyed altar of God from our individual, family, or corporate societal lives, we first need to address the spirit or system that initially destroyed the altar. And to do this, we must wear the correct grace, anointing, mantle, or lifestyle, and there's no better one than the spirit of Elijah. We perceive heaven is releasing the tools and training software that can enable the Saints to step into this dimension of what is known as the spirit of Elijah. We believe we are part of a company of a people, a Church in the earth entering a higher authority and wisdom of the spirit of Elijah. This Spirit of Elijah now proclaims the days of the Lord, the days of his coming. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/isaiah-phillips-akintola/message

Wilderness Wanderings
God's Promises to the Unworthy

Wilderness Wanderings

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2023 5:08


I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you (Genesis 28:15). These words are part of the promise God made to Jacob as Jacob flees from his brother's wrath. The Bible is full of promises like these: from God's promise to Adam and Eve to bring redemption all the way to Jesus promise that he is coming back. The Bible's narrative, one might say, is propelled forward by these promises. The Bible does not portray Jacob as morally or even spiritually upstanding in any way. Throughout his story, his faults are front and centre. It is important to see this because the Bible is not about upstanding people we should emulate. Rather, it is the story of God's faithfulness to unfaithful humans. These are the kinds of promises percolating throughout the Bible. Promises that God will prosper people who are particularly unworthy of God's attention. Let's look at the promises God made to Jacob and hear them as promises made to us, who are very much like Jacob. We need to hear them in the messiness of life, some of it, of our own making. These promises are not reserved for those on the spiritual mountain top but for those sloshing through the valleys. The first part of the promise is that God will be with Jacob as he flees. In Jacob's day, most people believed that the deities only had power in local areas, not able to influence events beyond their territory. Thus, it is remarkable that God can go with Jacob wherever he ends up. David explores this truth in Psalm 139, finding comfort in the reality that he cannot escape God's presence. Jesus leaves his disciples with the same promise before he returns to heaven (Matthew 28:18-20). He gives this promise even though some of them still doubted (17). He makes good on his promise by sending his Holy Spirit. This Spirit reminds us that we are the children of the heavenly father. The second part of the promise to Jacob is that God will watch over him. Again, it is a promise that Israel as a whole, comes to claim. Psalm 121 is probably the most well known and it places this promise into the liturgy of Israel and the church. It became part of our worship because it is so difficult to believe. We sing it to each other to shore up our faltering faith. Jesus reworked this promise when he said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). We know it is part of this promise because Jesus is quick to add, “And the realm of the dead will not overcome it”. The church is up against the worst kind of enemy, but Jesus will keep his church. He makes this promise to his disciples who probably would not be permitted to members in our churches. They just didn't get who Jesus was, yet the promise is made. And to this day, he has kept it. Again, it is important for us to consider to whom God makes these promises. Jacob is a schemer and deceiver. He does not act out of faith, but doubts that God is able. Yet, God goes with him. This is God's mercy. Consider this in the context of your own doubts and waywardness. If the promises of God are dependent on our worthiness, none would ever be fulfilled. They are dependent on God's faithfulness to his own Word. That is good news indeed. Consider this promise also in the context of Christ's church which seems to fail more often in holiness and grace then she succeeds. In the messiness of Christian community, we rely not on ourselves but in the promises of Jesus. This is the good news of the gospel.  Journey on with God's blessing, May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it! The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!

Live to Love Scripture Encouragement
You have received a life of love in Christ.

Live to Love Scripture Encouragement

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 3:57


Romans 8:3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, In verse 3, we see what Paul was doing through chapter 7, namely, showing his readers why the Law of God, the Ten Commandments, could not produce fruit for God. God's Law didn't have a weakness. It did what it was assigned to do by God. The weakness was with the flesh from the beginning. It was assigned to sin, and when faced with the Law, it did just that. Remember Adam and Eve? That's why Paul called it “sinful flesh.” Ok, let's not miss what Paul was saying here. God never intended for the flesh to be able to obtain or produce righteousness. God's plan, conceived and agreed upon in the godhead before the creation of the world was to glorify His Son by sending Him in the likeness of sinful flesh, meaning, in a mortal body, to offer His body as a sacrifice for sin. He, who lived and died by the Spirit of life which indwelled His mortal body, obtained righteousness in the power of the Spirit of life. This Spirit-assigned righteousness condemned all flesh attempts to attain righteousness. What made the flesh “sinful flesh”? It is sinful for the flesh to try to be righteous without the life of God as its source. Why is it sinful? Because it robs God of His glory through Jesus Christ. So today be encouraged by this great truth: God has done for you through sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh what you could not do, namely, set you free from the condemnation of sin in the flesh. There are some who think that God looked down the corridors of time and saw who would believe in Jesus by an exercise of “free will”, and then He put them into Christ. This verse totally exposes the fallacy in that view. If free will is an act of the flesh without the Spirit of Life as its source, then it is condemned by the life and death of Jesus Christ. God never intended you to be set free by the power of your fleshly free-will. It is also true that God never intends for us to love others by the power of our free-will, which is another name for the spirit of flesh. God has condemned sin in the flesh through Jesus' coming in the flesh and dying in the flesh. That's why you hear me saying day after day, God has called all who are His, all who have the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, to live to love with Him. The Spirit of life in Christ, when He was on the earth lived to love with His Father. Those who are set free from the law of sin and death live in this world as Jesus did. 1 John 4:13 “By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” You have received a life of love from God which was manifested in Jesus, the Son of God. Be amazed, and abide in Him. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

Sermons – Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Speak From Your Guttural - The Rev. Adrienne Koch

Sermons – Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2023 52:34


Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Psalm 33:1-12 A sermon preached by the Rev. Adrienne Koch at Trinity Cathedral on the second Sunday After Pentecost 2023. According to Talmud, the psalmist is not telling us that God created the heavens with a word, but rather, that God created the heavens with the part of speech that comes before a word, "the breath of the mouth." You see, the word, heaven in Hebrew begins with the guttural letter "Heh," in the word hashamayim. Heaven was created with God's "heh". The imperceptible sound that created the heavens and soul is the Spirit that Genesis tells us hovered over the waters of chaos before God said, "let there be!" and created the world. This Spirit, this breath of God would then make its way into the dirt lungs of Adam and Eve and eventually, you and me. What if you thought of pausing your speech as an echo of the moment heaven was created. What might fill the void if we leave it blank for a while? The psalmist tells us that it's the loving-kindness of God that fills the whole earth, an earth born from a long pause, a white space, the "heh" of God's breath that still longs to speak heavens into existence within our souls today.

La Porta | Renungan Harian Katolik - Daily Meditation according to Catholic Church liturgy
Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the Seventh week of Easter, May 22, 2023

La Porta | Renungan Harian Katolik - Daily Meditation according to Catholic Church liturgy

Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2023 7:01


Delivered by Deacon Sevrin, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Community of Surabaya, Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 19: 1-8; Rs psalm 68: 2-3.4-5ac.6-7b; John 16: 29-33 THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US TO CARRY THE CROSS   The theme for our meditation today is: The Holy Spirit Helps Us to Carry the Cross. A student asked his teacher in the lesson on Catholic religion: "We are in the Easter season and awaiting with joy the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, but why is our lesson about the cross and the suffering? Where's the joy here, Teacher?"   The lady teacher responded him by using the analogy of a pregnant mother. This coincided with the mother of that boy who was pregnant with her second child which was a daughter. "All of you at home are happily awaiting for your sister's birth, right? That is a good news. But your mother carries a heavy burden every day, and it will be more painful during the birth of your sister. All of these are about the cross and suffering. But after the birth of your sister, your family will be happier than you are now."   The boy was quiet and agreed with his teacher. We all also agree that the Lord gives each one of us the cross according to one's own ability, and this is indeed a burden that each should carry. We must carry it every day, and when time comes we will rejoice because the cross gives us confidence to achieve happiness in God. At the end of suffering and the cross there is happiness which is already promised by the Lord.   The Holy Spirit has a mission to teach us in all truth. One element of this truth is the cross. What we mean by the truth of the cross is that, our suffering and sorrow with Jesus Christ become our justification, because through this cross we are freed from sin and we are allowed to enter into the glory of God. The cross is a victory and glory as well. We should not see it as a futile suffering, foolishness or a scandal. Jesus had taken up the cross and with that He conquered the world. So we don't have to worry or be ashamed of the cross.   Jesus gives us the best gift, namely His own Spirit and this means that we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. We have all received the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Baptism. The person named Apollos and his friends, stated in the first reading today, received the same gift of the Spirit that enabled them to do the evangelization of the Early Church with great success. This Spirit filled experience then followed by the laying on of hands to signify the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation that makes a person fully anointed with Holy Spirit. We the followers of Christ and members of the one Church will renew the moment of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us on the Day of Pentecost which is to be celebrated coming Sunday.   The Holy Spirit indeed makes us able to face many obstacles and difficulties already awaiting for us. The Holy Spirit is present with us and always accompanies us as we each carry our own cross. It is the same Holy Spirit who remains with us in all our joy and success, after we endure the difficulties and sufferings that come along our journey in this life.   Let's pray. In the name of the Father ... God the almighty Father, may we remain in the hope and zeal to welcome your Holy Spirit, and we thank you for Jesus your Son as our only way to come to You. Hail Mary ... In the name of the Father ...   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/media-la-porta/message

Wilderness Wanderings
A Passionate Plea

Wilderness Wanderings

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2023 5:48


Our text is from Philippians 2: “Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion…” (Philippians 2:1). We now move into one of the great chapters of the New Testament. The poem about Jesus in verses 6-11, most likely a song already being sung in the church, is still well known among Christians today. It offers us a succinct summary of Christ's work while at the same time offering us the character of the Christian life: humility. But to engage with this chapter, we need to draw out its connection to what Paul has already written. Our text begins with, ‘Therefore', a word which always draws our attention to what has gone before. Earlier, Paul wrote, “I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel” (1:27). This ‘standing firm in the one Spirit' and ‘striving together as one' is applied to two areas of the Christian life. At the end of chapter one, he commends the Philippians for standing with him in his imprisonment. They are standing firm against opposition to the gospel; they are not buckling under persecution against the church. In this aspect of the Christian life, standing strong against opposition from the outside, Paul commends their vigor for the gospel. But now, in chapter 2, Paul turns their attention to matters within the church. Here, in this area of the Christian life, in the matter of Christian unity, they are not doing so well. There are lots of good spiritual things happening in the church in Philippi; she is a source of joy to the apostle. Still, their domestic affairs were not ideal. One wonders, were they seeing too much of each other and getting on each others' nerves? Were they exaggerating weaknesses of certain brothers or minimizing the virtues of certain sisters? This chapter suggests that those inside the family were attacking or even belittling each other. This makes a sorry spectacle before the world. When we Christians fight with each other, our inner spiritual growth is hindered and our witness to the world is weakened. Paul calls them to stand firm in the “One Spirit.” This Spirit lavishes the Christians with gifts for the sake of the church. The Philippi Christians have received. As have we. Sometimes Christians even like to boast about the gifts they have received. The Christians in Corinth certainly did. Yet, these gifts do us and the church no good if we are not loving our brothers and sisters at home. Love is the greatest of the gifts. Paul uses a rapid series of ‘if' clauses to make a heart-felt appeal to the Philippians, as their friend and as their apostle. If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion.” Paul does not doubt that these things are present among the believers. The gifts are there. Now it is time to put them into practice, to learn how to use them. That is the nature of spiritual gifts. After receiving them, we must learn how to use them. We must practice. A choir can sing in harmony only after considerable practice, even if it has gifted singers. This is what the whole chapter is about, how to sing in harmony under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Elsewhere, Paul tells the Galatian Christians “To walk in step with the Spirit” (5:25). Same point, different words. To be Spirit led does not mean being passive. It means getting our hands dirty doing the things that bring unity to the fellowship, things like forgiving and sacrifice. Difficult things. Unity in the church is a gift God gives. But we only experience it, if we do the things it demands, putting the needs of others above ourselves. This is what Christ does. How is Christ drawing you towards this self-denial?

East North Church
Central: The Church

East North Church

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 45:01


Previously on Central Easter: Celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus - the source of our full and complete forgiveness, the origin of God's grace generously poured out on his people, and the spring from which the unconditional love of God flows.  Pentecost: Celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit - “God's presence is no found in a building, but in a people.” Guy Harris. This Spirit of God in us points us to Jesus, convicts us of sin, and animates life-giving qualities like “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)  Church: Celebrating God's plan to advance his kingdom -  Before his death and resurrection, Jesus spoke to his disciples about building his church…

The Daily Nugget
Who is God?? God uses His power to change us!

The Daily Nugget

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023


Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike talks about the power of God. God gives us Holy Spirit who brings His power into our lives. This Spirit allows us to have our character changed, we become more like Jesus Himself!

The School of The Holy Spirit
The Dominion of Dreams and Visions

The School of The Holy Spirit

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2023 67:35


Jesus has equipped His Church with the most supernatural weapon, the Holy Spirit. This Spirit has a language that induces an onslught of dominion authoirty and power. Your value of this gift, reliance upon this gift, and expectation in this gift will release overcoming power into the darkest places on earth. Its time to induce the labor of the Holy Spirit!   Recommended Resources:  Book: David Cuppett, Wisdom Filled Warriors – Awakening a New Breed of Deliverer Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P5BY6FD/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_XQCGF5CRP8YKGH64HM3F Book: David Cuppett, The Key of David – Experiencing the Voice of God Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Key-David-Experiencing-Voice-God/dp/1688789898/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=david+cuppett&qid=1574087778&sr=8-2   Book: David Cuppett, Transfigured – The Call of the Horsemen to Awaken the Church https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YHZT2Z8/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1615385602&sr=8-1 Donations If you would like to support David in future missions to India, Pakistan, Native American Reservations and other places in the World, please use the following links: @David-Cuppett-1

The School of The Holy Spirit
The Heart that Carries the Presence of Holy Spirit

The School of The Holy Spirit

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 64:36


Jesus has equipped His Church with the most supernatural weapon, the Holy Spirit. This Spirit has a language that induces an onslught of dominion authoirty and power. Your value of this gift, reliance upon this gift, and expectation in this gift will release overcoming power into the darkest places on earth. Its time to induce the labor of the Holy Spirit!   Recommended Resources:  Book: David Cuppett, Wisdom Filled Warriors – Awakening a New Breed of Deliverer Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P5BY6FD/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_XQCGF5CRP8YKGH64HM3F Book: David Cuppett, The Key of David – Experiencing the Voice of God Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Key-David-Experiencing-Voice-God/dp/1688789898/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=david+cuppett&qid=1574087778&sr=8-2   Book: David Cuppett, Transfigured – The Call of the Horsemen to Awaken the Church https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YHZT2Z8/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1615385602&sr=8-1 Donations If you would like to support David in future missions to India, Pakistan, Native American Reservations and other places in the World, please use the following links: @David-Cuppett-1

Celebration Church Rarotonga
The Fear Of The Lord Pt.1

Celebration Church Rarotonga

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2023 26:13


One of the great things that are lacking within the body of Christ is the Spirit of the fear of the Lord. This Spirit will not only keep us from sin but will unlock deep intimacy and friendship with God. The Lord reserves friendship for those who walk in a godly fear of Him. This powerful message by James Cargill highlights the need for the fear of the Lord and how it is such a needed revelation in these times. Tune in for a life-changing message!

The School of The Holy Spirit
Hearing the Voice that Drives out the Darkness

The School of The Holy Spirit

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2023 71:35


Jesus has equipped His Church with the most supernatural weapon, the Holy Spirit. This Spirit has a language that induces an onslught of dominion authoirty and power. Your value of this gift, reliance upon this gift, and expectation in this gift will release overcoming power into the darkest places on earth. Its time to induce the labor of the Holy Spirit!   Recommended Resources:  Book: David Cuppett, Wisdom Filled Warriors – Awakening a New Breed of Deliverer Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P5BY6FD/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_XQCGF5CRP8YKGH64HM3F Book: David Cuppett, The Key of David – Experiencing the Voice of God Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Key-David-Experiencing-Voice-God/dp/1688789898/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=david+cuppett&qid=1574087778&sr=8-2   Book: David Cuppett, Transfigured – The Call of the Horsemen to Awaken the Church https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YHZT2Z8/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1615385602&sr=8-1 Donations If you would like to support David in future missions to India, Pakistan, Native American Reservations and other places in the World, please use the following links: @David-Cuppett-1

THE POWER OF GOD'S WHISPER
23-009 FACE TO FACE WITH JESUS

THE POWER OF GOD'S WHISPER

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 4:21


TITLE: 23-009 FACE TO FACE WITH JESUS VERSE: When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. JOHN 16:13, NIV In today's podcast, we're going to talk about Jesus' parting words to the disciples. When Jesus gave the disciples their marching orders, He told them it would be better for Him to leave and for his Spirit to come and fill them to the point of overflowing. But then He said something even more audacious: This Spirit-filled life that I'm about to give you is better than anything I could ever do with miracles and signs or even talking face-to-face with you. They would be better equipped to hear and handle truth. Remember how Jesus talked about how much He loved them? Well, now He was saying goodbye. And not only that—He was saying goodbye so they could have a relationship with Him that was deeper than they'd ever dreamed possible! We live in a world where it's easy to feel overwhelmed by choice. When we try to make decisions, we are often faced with so many options that we just don't know which way to go. But what if you could have a guide who would help you choose the best option? What if that guide could help you understand what the right decision looks like? Jesus said that His Spirit is your teacher and counselor—a guide who will lead you into truth. And when you don't know what the truth is for a specific situation, He will continue to lead you toward it as well. If you're looking for guidance in your life, remember that God has given us all the guidance we need in His Word—and through His Spirit. The most important thing you can do to be more sensitive to the voice of God is to spend time with Him. I know that sounds obvious, but I'm serious. If we want to hear God's voice, then it's crucial that we spend quality time with Him. When Jesus was on earth, He spent all of His time with the Father. When He was tired and hungry, He went into a desert place where He could be alone with the Father. When He needed strength or guidance, He went back into the desert and prayed for those things (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus taught us that this is how we should live our lives too—to be constantly connected with God through prayer and communion (Matthew 6:6). LET'S PRAY... Holy Spirit, fill me with Your thoughts, acquaint me with Your ways, saturate me in Your presence. Help me to hear Your voice as You breathe into me moment by moment.

Charles Nyaaba Podcast
HOW TO SERVE GOD

Charles Nyaaba Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2022 111:24


Have you wondered why God delivers you from the hands of Pharaoh (your Problems)? God does so according to Exodus 8:1 so that we may serve Him. This Spirit filled message is here to enlighten you on how God expects service from us after delivering us from our problems. Be blessed as you listen to this message.

Liberty Bible Church
The Work of Pastors

Liberty Bible Church

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2022 47:00


The pastors must care for, feed, lead, and protect the local church. This Spirit-given task requires constant vigilance for themselves and for the believers entrusted to their care.

Liberty Bible Church
The Work of Pastors

Liberty Bible Church

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2022 47:00


The pastors must care for, feed, lead, and protect the local church. This Spirit-given task requires constant vigilance for themselves and for the believers entrusted to their care.

Liberty Bible Church
The Work of Pastors

Liberty Bible Church

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2022 47:00


The pastors must care for, feed, lead, and protect the local church. This Spirit-given task requires constant vigilance for themselves and for the believers entrusted to their care.

Liberty Bible Church
The Work of Pastors

Liberty Bible Church

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2022 47:12


The pastors must care for, feed, lead, and protect the local church. This Spirit-given task requires constant vigilance for themselves and for the believers entrusted to their care.

LifeLift
How to quit falling back into the old habits

LifeLift

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2022 29:38


Most of us understand that we have a body and Spirit. We often confuse “soul” and “spirit” as being the same thing, though. They are different. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (emphasis added). Notice, the Word of God will separate, dividing the inner parts of us, so that we can discern what is Spirit and what is soul.

Daily Liturgy and Scripture
August 19: Psalm 119:49-72, Joel 3, and John 16:1-15

Daily Liturgy and Scripture

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2022 7:43


If you want to know what the Holy Spirit is all about, the section is for you. Revealing that Jesus is true, that the Father and Son are working together, and that God will always reign. This Spirit, coming at Pentecost, was and is the presence of God among us. Just as those who saw Jesus in the flesh had the physical Son of God, we still today have the Spirit of God in and around us. We are his people, and we remain connected to him.

Fourteen Holy Helpers Church
Ask and you shall receive ... July 24, 2022

Fourteen Holy Helpers Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2022 59:57


Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time The Father goves the Holy Spirit to everyone who asks for it. This Spirit ledds and guides disciples from within and helps them perceive how God is active in their life. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 12:00 pm on July 24, 2022.

Cross Church Winnipeg
The Fruit of the Spirit – Part 3: Peace

Cross Church Winnipeg

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2022


We are born at war. At birth, our sinful nature has already declared war on God and His truth. Our heart's desire is to be separated from Him, and if we persist in this desire until death, He will give us what we want. In Romans 12:8, Paul exhorts, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." This Spirit produces the fruit of peace in us as we yield our will to His leading and our actions to His Word. Only God can create peace in our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit. *And* the peace mentioned in Galatians 5 is the peace of a harmonious relationship with God.

Christ Church (Moscow, ID)
The Eternal House of David

Christ Church (Moscow, ID)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2022 43:10


INTRODUCTION Because you're confronted with it each Sunday, it might be easy to think that our musical style is high up on the list of important Christ Church distinctives. In actuality, it's further down the list in importance. Not unimportant, but not of first importance. You could hang around for a good while without knowing the first thing about our eschatology, which actually looms large over much of what we do around here. This text is an instance of both distinctives being woven together, providing an opportunity to highlight why we worship the way we do, and what that has to do with the end of the world. THE TEXT The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David... (Zech. 12:7-13:3). SUMMARY OF THE TEXT Zechariah, along with the other later prophets, encourage the returning exiles in the work of rebuilding Jerusalem. Though enemies threatened the work, those dwelling in tents wouldn't be more vulnerable than those in the more secure habitations (2:7). Jehovah would defend His people; the feeblest would be like David in the height of his greatness, and the house of David would be as God, an angelic warrior of the Lord (2:8). With such a warrior within her, no enemy shall overcome this New Jerusalem (2:9). Upon the house of David, God's spirit of grace & supplication would be poured out; they would look upon a pierced Warrior-God, whom they pierced, and greatly mourn Him (2:10, Cf. Jn. 19:37). They'd mourn as Judah had once mourned for the death of good king Josiah (2:11, Cf. 2 Kg. 23:29, 2 Chr. 35:22-25). Every family & household––royal & priestly, great & small, husband & wife––would mourn (2:12-14). In that day, a cleansing fountain would rain down on the house of David, cleansing sin & all uncleanness (3:1). This fountain will wash away both idolatry & false prophecy (3:2-3). THE HOUSE OF DAVID It isn't a stretch to say that David is the central character of the Old Testament. His reign is the crescendo of the OT narrative, and after his reign, Israel falls into a sad decline. The centuries after David are filled with nostalgic yearning for that Golden Era. The prophets foresee that Davidic glory returning. Later Psalmists are both students & conservators of David's musical brilliance. Zechariah is no exception to invoking Davidic imagery. He uses the term “house of David” because of how laden it is with historic significance, liturgical bearing, and Messianic meaning. The historic significance which is used here is to remind the exiles of David as Israel's champion. The House of David was the undisputed Royal household, so it would be quite natural for the regathering Jews to look there for God's deliverance. But Zechariah also draws out one of David's other significant contributions. David brought musical worship into a prominent part of the religious life of Israel. His preparations to build the temple were motivated by an insight that is expressed throughout many of the Psalms: behind God's command for burnt offerings, was a greater desire for contrite sacrifices praise (Cf. Ps. 51:16-17, 69:30-31). One of David's most important episodes was the building of the tabernacle of David on Mount Zion, in order to bring the Ark of Covenant to a permanent resting place. This tabernacle wasn't identical to the one which the Levites offered animal sacrifice in (that was in Shiloh, and later in Gibeah). This tabernacle of David, in the stronghold of David, in the city of David was full, not of the smoke of burnt offerings, but with the sound of Psalms. Zechariah's prophesies that the Spirit of true prayer would return to the lips of David's household. Finally, we cannot miss the Messianic hope latent in this reference to David's house. God's promise to David was that he would not fail to have an heir sit on the throne (1 Ki. 2:4). Zechariah picks up on this promise and foretells that David's house would arise like the avenging Angel of the Lord; a real  boon of hope to the feeble regathering exiles then dwelling in Jerusalem. The Messianic promise was that David's Son would conquer all enemies, wash all the people, cleanse them from their idolatry & false prophets. This Messianic Angel would be pierced in the battle, but still He would wash the entire house of David & Jerusalem clean. A SERVICE OF SONG Zechariah expresses the Messianic promise as a renewal of a spirit of grace and supplication. This Spirit would rest in a particular way upon the house of David. Matthew Henry makes a wonderful comment on this passage: “When God intends great mercy for his people the first thing he does is to set them a praying.” It's no small matter that a large portion of our worship service is comprised of spoken & sung prayers. An enterprising 5th grader might tally up 19 prayers in our service. This is a service of prayer. We bring our supplications to the Lord, and it is fitting that we do so with glorious music. The casual air of our age has led many to misinterpret what it means to come before the throne of grace with boldness. We slap indie-band chord progressions on the lyrics of a High School cheerleader's diary, and think it a worthy offering to Royal David's heir. We come boldly, not impudently. Singing is a peculiar feature of the Christian faith. We owe that heritage to David. When God sets out to grant revival and reform, it is always accompanied by His Spirit. That Spirit energizes us, to come by the blood of David's heir, to bring our pleas to the Father. It does no good just to have songs. We must have the Spirit. And if we have the Spirit, we will also recover the singing of Psalms with joyful reverence (Ps. 105:2, Eph. 5:19, Jam 5:13). WEEKLY RENEWAL OF AN ETERNAL COVENANT Weekly worship in the Lord's house shouldn't be viewed as merely an activity to entertain religious people. Rather, this is a weekly ratification of a vow which God made to David. But that vow is older than even David. It was a covenant more ancient that Moses. It predated Abram. God's covenant mercies existed long before the bow was hung in the sky for Noah to behold. For the covenant of grace was in the heart of God even before He promised a skull-crushing heel to the Serpent. Christ gathers up all these iterations of the covenant of grace in himself, and by Him we order our service to follow that pattern of covenant renewal. He calls us by His Word. He convicts us of our sin, commanding us to confess our sin. He consecrates us as His own, by His Word preached. He communes with us in a feast of bread & wine. He commissions us to walk in our covenant duties by covenant grace. Our worship is the dawning of New Covenant glory (Jer. 31, Ez. 36:25-27) FOLLOWING A DAVIDSON TO CONQUEST The worship of the saints isn't a peripheral aspect of Christian faith. The Son of David has bought the world. The kingdom is His. Look on Him who was pierced. We now sing His praise. We render worship to him. Are there idols in your own heart? The Goliath-slayer will not tolerate mixing praise for idols with His praise. Are you besieged by great enemies? The Lord pours out His Spirit of grace and supplication. So call upon God to deliver. The mighty, Angelic Messiah, the Christ, the Lord's anointed Messenger shall conquer all His enemies. He conquers by filling the house of David with David's songs. Bending before the rightful King, singing His praise, is how we overcome. A Davidson has taken up the world's government by taking His rightful place upon the Israel's throne. We worship & serve Him, and this praise shall crescendo until all His many enemies fall. Our worship each Sunday foretells the end of the World: Jesus shall reign.

Resurrection UMC / Overflow
5G Series: Gift

Resurrection UMC / Overflow

Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2022 22:23


Moms give their children many things: food, shelter, advice, comfort, birthday presents, etc.. But the greatest gift a mom can give is herself. It is the same way with the Holy Spirit. This Spirit gives us many gifts and fruit such as love, joy, peace, faith, miracles, etc.. But the greatest gift is the Spirit itself – God living in us.

Touched by Mercy & Living on Grace
SEASON 4: SERIES: TRANSFORMATIONAL LIVING : EPISODE 12: STIRRING UP THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Touched by Mercy & Living on Grace

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2022 38:13


YOU ARE INVITED, THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN: JESUS HAS EXTENDED THE INVITATION, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED IN TO SPEND THIS LIFE AND YOUR LIFE AFTER THIS WITH HIM. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS OPEN UP YOUR MOUTH AND HEART SO HE CAN SAVE YOU, MOLD YOU INTO A NEW CREATION. WILL YOU ACCEPT, WILL YOU SAY YES TODAY?INTRODUCTION: TRANSFORMATIONAL LIVING: STIRRING UP THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!2 Timothy 1:6-14- 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,  9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher [a]of the Gentiles. 12, For this reason, I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He can keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing, which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.My question is what will it take to get you stirred up?Leviticus 6:12-13-12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. 13 The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out. The is a supernatural fire {Consuming fire that comes from Heaven and then there is a natural fire { things we have to do to keep the fire burning} Acts 4:31-33- 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them allThe song or sermon may not get finished. If the Spirit is moving, someone is being delivered, healed, set free, a change is happening. Let the Spirit Interrupt your program, your life, your plans.  When you ACTIVATE, you can activate others! This Spirit is Contagious! I WISH SOMEBODY SOUL WOULD CATCH ON FIRE AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST! SCRIPTURES TO LIVE BY:         Galatians 6:8- Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.Romans 12:11- Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord.NEXT WEEK WE TALK ABOUT TRUE WORSHIP!Next week read: John 4:21-24You can find us on FB/Instagram, Google, Apple iTunes, Spotify, Buzzsprout. Continue to share, tell a friend, tell somebody.3 $25 gift cards giveaway to Amazon, Walmart, Visa FRIDAY, APRIL 1!REMEMBER MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS, IT TAKES GRACE TO MAKE IT!

The Daily Lectionary
Tuesday, December 21

The Daily Lectionary

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2021 13:40


Readings for Tuesday, December 21, 2021 “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” -- Luke 1:46-49 Morning Psalm 33 1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright. 2 Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord . 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord ; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage. 13 The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind. 14 From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth— 15 he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds. 16 A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save. 18 Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the Lord ; he is our help and shield. 21 Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. Psalm 146 1 Praise the Lord ! Praise the Lord, O my soul! 2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. 4 When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. 5 Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; 7 who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; 8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 10 The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord ! Midday 2 Samuel 7:1-17 7 Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.” 4 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord : Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. 15 But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever. 17 In accordance with all these words and with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David. Titus 2:11-3:8a 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. 15 Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you. 3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is sure. I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. Luke 1:39-56 39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. Evening Psalm 85 1 Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. 3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. 4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us. 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. 8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. 9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. 12 The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps. Psalm 94 1 O Lord, you God of vengeance, you God of vengeance, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve! 3 O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? 4 They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. 5 They crush your people, O Lord, and afflict your heritage. 6 They kill the widow and the stranger, they murder the orphan, 7 and they say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.” 8 Understand, O dullest of the people; fools, when will you be wise? 9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? 10 He who disciplines the nations, he who teaches knowledge to humankind, does he not chastise? 11 The Lord knows our thoughts, that they are but an empty breath. 12 Happy are those whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, 13 giving them respite from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. 14 For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; 15 for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. 16 Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers? 17 If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. 18 When I thought, “My foot is slipping,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. 19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. 20 Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who contrive mischief by statute? 21 They band together against the life of the righteous, and condemn the innocent to death. 22 But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. 23 He will repay them for their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the Lord our God will wipe them out. You can also find all of today's readings at PCUSA.org. The Daily Lectionary podcast is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh, NY, read by Pastor Timothy J. Luoma.

The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast
#444: The Identity of the Holy Spirit

The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2021 5:19


Episode 444 - Show NotesIt's important that we see the Holy Spirit as a person. The Holy Spirit is the third person in the God-head.  He is not a personality.  He is not the personality of God.  He is the third person of the God-head.It's important for you to know that the Holy Spirit of God comes in a personal way.  The Holy Spirit is not impersonal.  He is not just a force or a power.  When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you are not just filled with a power – you are filled with the Spirit of God.This is very important because sometimes we only think of the Holy Spirit as power.  In our times of weakness we somehow want to get a hold of this power and use it.  But that would be impersonal.  But the Spirit of God wants to get a hold of us and use us. The New Testament was originally written in the Greek Language.  In the Greek language this word “comforter” is “paraclete,” which is a combination of two words – “one who is called alongside.”  The other word means simply “to help.”  So we have the “Counselor – who is called alongside to help.”Jesus was faithful to fulfill his word. He did not leave us alone. He ascended back to the Father in the glory of Heaven, but he has sent us the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of God wants to fill us, teach us, comfort us, guide us, empower us, and use us to bring glory and honor to God.Begin to make it your daily prayer that God would fill you with His Holy Spirit and that he would use your life for his glory.John 16:7-8 – “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.”5MinuteDiscipleship.com

T.O.P. Church Las Vegas
This Spirit-filled Life Is Not Easy, But It's Worth It - Pastor Micheal Jackson

T.O.P. Church Las Vegas

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 44:06


10.24.21 This Spirit-filled Life Is Not Easy, But It's Worth It Mark 14:32-36, Hebrews 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 8:9 Pastor Jackson s speaks about having a Spirit-filed life and what it truly costs to be effective in the Kingdom. It cost Jesus something for Him to come down and redeem us, and so we can expect the same when we want to be used by God. Thank you for listening today! If you want to learn more info about our church, visit us on our website at www.topchurchlv.com. We hope this message encouraged you to know you can live victoriously through Jesus Christ. Join us next week for another sermon to uplift your spirit.

Kreate with Kendra
The Keeping Power of the Holy Spirit

Kreate with Kendra

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 25:31


No matter what state your faith is in, you will need the keeping power of the Holy Spirit. This week, we learn that God's Holy Spirit is a gift to all that ask and receive Him openly. This Spirit comforts us and guides us through life, and it is through this Spirit that we experience our own spiritual growth.   Read: Luke 11:9-13 Watch full video episode here: https://youtu.be/CvjhAxRFgjs

Funniest Thing!
You Can Skip the Baggage Claim with Will Rubio

Funniest Thing!

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2021 54:16


There is a benevolent Spirit within us and all around us that is forever at work in our best interest. This Spirit is setting up divine appointments and scheduling golden opportunities. There is nothing in our way but the old baggage we carry around. On this episode, Darrell and Ed encourage listeners to drop their old baggage of insecurity and trust in the newness of life. Today's guest, good news-er and cohost of Random Acts on BYUtv, Will Rubio reinforces our faith with today's Daily Word®, “Fun.”

Read the Bible
June 29 – Vol. 2

Read the Bible

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2021 3:37


Here I reflect on two things: first, the place of Isaiah 61 in the developing argument; and second, its contribution to biblical theology.(1) Isaiah 60 made it clear that the present order of things cannot go on forever: a time is coming that will be characterized by both unqualified blessing (Isa. 60:19–21) and irremediable judgment (Isa. 60:12). This bifurcation is picked up in Isaiah 61: here is proclamation both of “the year of the LORD's favor” and of “the day of vengeance of our God” (Isa. 61:2). The vengeance theme is not developed until chapter 63. Immediately at hand is “the year of the LORD's favor” (chaps. 61–62). Isaiah 61 opens with someone proclaiming that the Spirit of the Lord is upon him to accomplish the Lord's redemptive purposes (Isa. 61:1–6). Then the Lord himself speaks (Isa. 61:7–9), proclaiming an everlasting covenant characterized by both joy and justice. The chapter ends with a solitary voice, presumably Isaiah's, exulting in the anticipated fulfillment of these promises (Isa. 61:10–11).(2) But who is the one who speaks in Isaiah 61:1–6? The most important clue is in the first line: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,” he says—and thoughtful readers recall two previous passages. Isaiah has already said that the Spirit of the Lord will rest in peculiar measure on the Messiah (Isa. 11:1–2; cf. John 3:34), and has pictured God saying to the Servant, “I will put my Spirit on him” (Isa. 42:1). The most obvious conclusion is that the one who speaks in Isaiah 61:1–6 is this Servant-Messiah, the superlative suffering Servant of Isaiah 40–55 and the expected Messiah of Isaiah 1–35. Small wonder, then, that in the synagogue in Nazareth, the Lord Jesus reads these lines from the Isaiah scroll and deliberately applies them to himself (Luke 4:17–19).This Spirit-anointed Servant-Messiah brings in “the year of the LORD's favor” (Isa. 61:2), almost certainly an allusion to the Year of Jubilee when, according to the Mosaic covenant, slaves were freed and those forced to sell their property were to receive it back again (Lev. 25:8–55). The Servant-Messiah comes “to preach good news to the poor” and “to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,” “to comfort all who mourn”—to bestow the “insteads”: a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isa. 61:1–3). If the initial installment of such blessing was in the return from exile and the first restoration of the ruins (Isa. 61:4), the ultimate fulfillment bursts these categories (chap. 62). This podcast is designed to be used alongside TGC's Read The Bible initiative (TGC.org/readthebible). The podcast features devotional commentaries from D.A. Carson's book For the Love of God (vol. 2) that follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan.

Wilderness Wanderings
The Spirit Stays with Us

Wilderness Wanderings

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2021 6:48


And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18) Today, we return to Jesus promise of the Holy Spirit. His disciples were in deep distress because he kept talking about leaving them. Understand, these were young men who had committed their lives to him. They had left everything to follow him, if he left, they literally had nothing. They were quite distraught with Jesus' talk of leaving. We get a glimpse of that after his crucifixion. Last week we reflected on the Spirit as paraclete. Jesus now indicates that he understands just how devastating his leaving will feel to his disciples. He says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). There is deep theology in these verses, so deep that these verses caused the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church to go their separate ways about 1000 years ago. But there is also deep comfort for the Christian, both then and now. Jesus is our King and Lord. A people need their king. That is the way things are. But heaven can seem such a long way away. When we ask, “where it is?” and “what is it?” we get rather vague answers. But this is where our text comes with such wonderful news, “I will come to you”. Jesus has just promised to ask the Father to send another advocate, paraclete. This is the Holy Spirit. But notice the word, ‘another'. This means someone just like. The Holy Spirit is nothing less than the life-breath of the exalted Jesus, our Lord and King. This Spirit makes the victory of Jesus available for us: saved, sanctified, and sent. As much as Jesus led, taught, and comforted his disciples, the Spirit will do the same for us. The Paraclete remains with us forever. He “abides” in us continuously as He makes His home with us. So much so, that Paul would later write, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 3:19). The words used here are intensely personal and relational. Jesus has even more to say, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (23). Father, Son and Holy Spirit come to abide, encourage, empower, and witness through us. No wonder we will never be orphans. The Spirit connects us intimately with Jesus. He says, “you are in me, and I am in you” (20). Jesus speaks here of an intimacy which is without precedent or parallel. Even ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved', leaning on his breast at the supper, could not make such a claim. The key to it is expressed in these terms, “because I live, you also will live” (19). The Spirit will fill us with the life of Jesus, sending us forth to do the ministry that Jesus did. Heaven may seem far away, but the Spirit is right here, dwelling within us. There is no need to feel as if our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling. They do not need to go that far. Jesus is right with us. The Spirit connects his heart with ours. He hears us. And while the Spirit dwells in each of us personally, He also abides with us corporately. He is the One who gathers us and makes us one. Jesus called his disciples, “little children”. They would become the body in whom He dwells through the Paraclete. Even when we cannot see each other face to face, we are still one body, for the Spirit fills us and makes us one. Jesus is our King. Revelation opens with Jesus walking among his congregations. He is with us. Do not fear.

Awake Church Winston Salem
Holy Spirit - Part 1 | Matt Peterson | May 16th, 2021

Awake Church Winston Salem

Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 47:11


The same Spirit that hovered over the waters at creation has been sent to live inside of every follower of Jesus, giving us power to do the works of Jesus and be witnesses of Him in all of the earth. This Spirit is the great Helper sent from heaven, bringing truth, revealing Jesus and doing the impossible through us.

Evergreen Christian Community
Prayer & Worship | Jesus is Limitless

Evergreen Christian Community

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2021 23:32


John 6:5-15Big Idea: The limitless power of Jesus covers over our limited selves.John 6:53-58So Jesus says: He is limitless and he requires limitless devotion.God's limitless power, grace and love work in spite of our limited status.Jesus works his miracle through his disciples.His limitless power worked through limited individuals.In Jesus Christ, we find our potential.Jesus Christ fills us with the Holy Spirit.This Spirit guides, fills us, empowers us.RESPONSE: Accept that you are limited in power, but He is Limitless. Trust that His Power can work in every circumstance. Believe and pray that God's limitless Power impacts your Oikos.

Love Light
Keeping On...Keeping On

Love Light

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2021 57:33


How do we overcome life challenges and obstacles that can seem unrelenting, when it feels like there is no patch of blue sky ahead? What do you do when you just don't know what to do anymore, because nothing you do seems to work? How do you deal with anxiety, depression, or fear of your future being more of the same? If this sounds like YOU, you are not alone. Millions of people are feeling this angst after a year of Covid 19 uncertainty and massive disruption. There is ENERGY SUPPORT. Join Judy Satori as she discusses the thorny question of Keeping On...Keeping On with show host Dr. Jean Marie Farish on her LOVE LIGHT program on VoiceAmerica. Judy is a spiritual conduit. She receives information and energy from Source/God Creation. This Spirit led discussion will give you strategies and energy support to keep on believing in your dreams and to magnetize JOY. www.JudySatori.com www.AscensionLibrary.org

Love Light
Keeping On...Keeping On

Love Light

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2021 60:00


How do we overcome life challenges and obstacles that can seem unrelenting, when it feels like there is no patch of blue sky ahead? What do you do when you just don't know what to do anymore, because nothing you do seems to work? How do you deal with anxiety, depression, or fear of your future being more of the same? If this sounds like YOU, you are not alone. Millions of people are feeling this angst after a year of Covid 19 uncertainty and massive disruption. There is ENERGY SUPPORT. Join Judy Satori as she discusses the thorny question of Keeping On...Keeping On with show host Dr. Jean Marie Farish on her LOVE LIGHT program on VoiceAmerica. Judy is a spiritual conduit. She receives information and energy from Source/God Creation. This Spirit led discussion will give you strategies and energy support to keep on believing in your dreams and to magnetize JOY. www.JudySatori.com www.AscensionLibrary.org

REPENT AMERICA!
REPENT AMERICA!: The Renewal of Life By the Holy Spirit, Lunch Hour Season 1 Episode 17

REPENT AMERICA!

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 28:56


The Mightiest Mightiest Prophets talks about the Role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian believer. He goes ahead to further bring revelation about the Mighty Reviver in the book of Ezekiel 47:1-10. The Lord here is directing the church back to Jesus. This Spirit of life provides life, healing, taking away death, and bringing provisions of God, Renewing life. The river is the later anointing that we are seeing in our very own life in the Ministry of Repentance and Holiness.

The Daily Lectionary
Saturday, February 20

The Daily Lectionary

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2021 11:37


Readings for Saturday, February 20, 2021 “In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.” -- Psalm 31:1 Morning Psalm 43 1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me! 2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. Psalm 149 1 Praise the Lord ! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2 Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King. 3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre. 4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory. 5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, 7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron, 9 to execute on them the judgment decreed. This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the Lord ! Midday Deuteronomy 7:17-26 17 If you say to yourself, “These nations are more numerous than I; how can I dispossess them?” 18 do not be afraid of them. Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, 19 the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. 20 Moreover, the Lord your God will send the pestilence against them, until even the survivors and the fugitives are destroyed. 21 Have no dread of them, for the Lord your God, who is present with you, is a great and awesome God. 22 The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to make a quick end of them, otherwise the wild animals would become too numerous for you. 23 But the Lord your God will give them over to you, and throw them into great panic, until they are destroyed. 24 He will hand their kings over to you and you shall blot out their name from under heaven; no one will be able to stand against you, until you have destroyed them. 25 The images of their gods you shall burn with fire. Do not covet the silver or the gold that is on them and take it for yourself, because you could be ensnared by it; for it is abhorrent to the Lord your God. 26 Do not bring an abhorrent thing into your house, or you will be set apart for destruction like it. You must utterly detest and abhor it, for it is set apart for destruction. Titus 3:1-15 3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is sure. I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. 9 But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, 11 since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned. 12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Make every effort to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and see that they lack nothing. 14 And let people learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive. 15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you. John 1:43-51 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Evening Psalm 31 1 In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. 2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. 3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me, 4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. 6 You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord . 7 I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities, 8 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. 9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. 10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away. 11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. 12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. 13 For I hear the whispering of many— terror all around!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. 14 But I trust in you, O Lord ; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. 16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. 17 Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord, for I call on you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go dumbfounded to Sheol. 18 Let the lying lips be stilled that speak insolently against the righteous with pride and contempt. 19 O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone! 20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues. 21 Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. 22 I had said in my alarm, “I am driven far from your sight.” But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help. 23 Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily. 24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord . Psalm 143 1 Hear my prayer, O Lord ; give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness; answer me in your righteousness. 2 Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. 3 For the enemy has pursued me, crushing my life to the ground, making me sit in darkness like those long dead. 4 Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. 5 I remember the days of old, I think about all your deeds, I meditate on the works of your hands. 6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah 7 Answer me quickly, O Lord ; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. 8 Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. 9 Save me, O Lord, from my enemies; I have fled to you for refuge. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path. 11 For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life. In your righteousness bring me out of trouble. 12 In your steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy all my adversaries, for I am your servant. You can also find all of today's readings at PCUSA.org. The Daily Lectionary podcast is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh, NY, read by Pastor Timothy J. Luoma.

Presence: A Global Conversation for a New Earth.
Science & Spirituality Part 4

Presence: A Global Conversation for a New Earth.

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2021 42:38


"The success of humanity's evolution will not be determined by "survival of the fittest," but by our own capacity to converge and unify" -- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin   Central to the integration theme of The Ambient Christ is harmonizing the creation/evolution stories together as one, (a) for future generations, (b) to round-out the gospel story by explaining the third (organic) nature of Christ in creation, and (c) for a futuristic vision of where history is headed in keeping with the biblical timeline toward the Omega Point of history (a Christogenesis). The chief contributor to this integral view was French paleontologist, theologian, and mystic Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who saw evolution as including the rise of consciousness in progressive stages, unfolding from its elementary state embedded (incarnated) in the heart of matter, to its advancing rise in biological, psychological (mind) and finally spiritual form over deep time. According to Joe Masterleo, author of Ambient, such a global advance in consciousness replicates the unfolding of same in unhindered human psycho-spiritual development (see 1 Cor. 15). Below find two short video clips on the significance of Teilhard's work and vision, found here and here. More than seventy years after his death, this gestating global synthesis is now birthing as Teilhard envisioned, headed in the direction of a third eye (spiritual) seeing necessary to bridge multiple splits and divisions at all levels toward a unitive global consciousness. (For those wishing to explore Teilhard's contributions in greater detail, there are corresponding YouTube videos of greater length that can be readily referenced online.) Teilhard anticipated the advance of the highest levels of human thought and consciousness converging in the direction of a new and inclusive synthesis. This Spirit-generated synthesis will result in the natural selection of a new human phylum (remnant) that has overcome its defunct ancestral habit of dualistic thought and perception. For an explanation on the faulty human tendency to think and perceive dualistically, and the necessity of overcoming the intensity of this subtle error(sin), see two video clips on same by Richard Rohr, here and here. Upon completing the unitive synthesis in his book, Joe extends Teilhard's vision by anticipating what this new, totally spiritualized phylum of humans will look like as homo elektor or homo universalis, evolved light beings and light workers, co-creating a new world with God "on earth as it is in heaven.    #science, #evolution, #spirituality, #christ, #theology, #creation, #integral, #cosmos, #universalism

Wilderness Wanderings
God's Promises to Jacob (1)

Wilderness Wanderings

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2021 6:09


I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you (Genesis 28:15). The Bible is full of promises: from God's promise to Adam and Eve to bring redemption all the way to Jesus promise that he is coming back. The Bible's narrative, one might say, is propelled forward by these promises. On Tuesday, I spoke about God's promises to Jacob as he fled from his angry twin. The Bible does not portray Jacob as morally or even spiritually upstanding in any way. Throughout his story, his faults are front and centre. It is important to see this, because the Bible is not about upstanding humans whom we ought to emulate. Rather, it is the story of God's faithfulness to unfaithful humans. So, let's take a look at the promises God made to Jacob and hear them as promises made to us, who are very much like Jacob. We need to hear them in the midst of the mess that life is for us, some of it, of our own making, not from the spiritual mountain tops. The first part of the promise is that God will be with Jacob as he flees. In Jacob's day, most people believed that the deities only had power in local areas; they had no power outside it. Thus, it is remarkable that God can go with Jacob wherever he ends up. David explores this in Psalm 139, finding comfort in the reality that he cannot escape God's presence. Jesus leaves his disciples with the same promise as he returns to heaven (Matthew 28:18-20). He gives this promise even though some doubted (17). He makes good on his promise by sending his Holy Spirit. This Spirit reminds us that we are the children of the heavenly father. The second part of the promise to Jacob is that God will watch over him. Again, it is a promise that Israel as a whole, comes to claim. Psalm 121 is probably the most well known that places this promise into the liturgy of Israel and the church. It became part of the liturgy because it is a difficult thing to believe. We sing it to each other to shore up our faltering belief. Jesus reworked this promise when he said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). We know it is part of this promise because Jesus is quick to add, “And the realm of the dead will not overcome it”. The church is up against the worst kind of enemy, but Jesus will keep his church. He makes this promise to a group who probably would not be permitted to make ‘profession of faith' in our church. They just didn't get who Jesus was, yet the promise is made. And to this day, he has kept it. God also promises Jacob that Jacob will return to his father's land. God will see it done. God will bring him back. That part of God's promise receives all kinds of layers as the biblical story progresses. Too many layers for us to consider today. We'll save that for next Tuesday. But let me at least say this about that part of the promise. It ends in a party. So, Tuesday will be party day. And it will lead us into the season of Lent 2021.

Royal Chapel Savoy
Friday 25 December 2020 - Christmas Day

Royal Chapel Savoy

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2020 26:17


FIRST READING Titus 3.4–7 When the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. SECOND READING LUKE 2: 8-20 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!' When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.' So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. THE COLLECT FOR THE DAY Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Wrestling with Theology
Moment of Meditation: Kingdom Come (Matthew 6:10)

Wrestling with Theology

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2020 1:11


Your kingdom come. Guard Your domain and Your eternal righteous reign. The Holy Ghost enrich our day with gifts attendant on our way. Break Satan's power, defeat his rage; preserve Your Church from age to age. (LSB #766.3) Kingdom Come God's Kingdom is not a kingdom of this world. God's Kingdom is a proclamation of the Gospel. It is the Church in its purest form. The one holy, catholic and apostolic Church we confess in the creeds. This kingdom does not come with a metal sword. It comes with the sword of the Spirit, God's Word (Ephesians 6:17). This vocal sword proclaims Jesus' "eternal righteous reign" on earth as it is in Heaven. God reigns over all the earth for the sake of His Church (Romans 8:28). He enlightens Christians with His gifts that allow us to work in the world for the spreading and advancement of God's eternal, gracious kingdom. The sword of the Spirit brings us new life. It breaks Satan's power over our sinful nature. Its proclamation fuels Satan's rage, as he is constantly reminded of his defeat at Jesus' tomb. Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit continues to preserve the Church against every satanic attack (Matthew 16:18). Through the Holy Spirit, God enriches you so that you may be held in His arms for all eternity. Amen.

MBM Rooty Hill // Bible Talks
A Spirit Filled Community

MBM Rooty Hill // Bible Talks

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2020 24:37


This Spirit filled community are devoted to the apostles teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.

NightChurch in Kenmore
Freedom to Serve (Galatians 5:13-26)

NightChurch in Kenmore

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2020


1. Through Christ, we are free to live a life of loving (and willing) service of one another 2. This Spirit-led freedom helps us love our neighbour as ourself… 3. … therefore, keep in step with the Spirit.

Kenmore Presbyterian Church
Freedom to Serve (Galatians 5:13-26)

Kenmore Presbyterian Church

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2020


1. Through Christ, we are free to live a life of loving (and willing) service of one another 2. This Spirit-led freedom helps us love our neighbour as ourself… 3. … therefore, keep in step with the Spirit.

The Tao of Christ
You Are Not Who You Think You Are

The Tao of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2020 16:25


You are not who you think you are. You are not WHAT you think you are. French Christian philosopher and paleontologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin famously said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Even that does not quite communicate it. It makes it sounds like there are a lot of little spiritual beings having human experiences. There is only one Being, what Christian philosopher Paul Tillich called Being Itself or the Ground of Being. Another word for this is Spirit, and that is what we are. I would phrase it this way: We are not humans having a spiritual experience. We are Spirit having human experiences. This Spirit is that within which all experiences occur. All is One. We are One expressed in what appears to be many. We are Being appearing as human beings. Reality is One. I call that One Reality God. The problem with using the word “God” is that people mean very different things when they say that word. I am not using it as a traditional theist would use it. For that reason perhaps I should not use the word at all. But this is my religious vocabulary. If I can’t call Ultimate Reality God, then what use is the word God? The trick is trying to communicate this Reality, which seems to be nearly impossible to do. That is why the Tao Te Ching says, “He who speaks does not know, and he who knows does not speak.” And yet I speak. It is what I do. I am a preacher, and as the Scripture says, “How will they hear unless someone tells them?” So I speak. This episode is my attempt to express the inexpressible.

The BreadCast
August 31 - Monday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

The BreadCast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2020 5:26


(1Cor.2:1-5;   Ps.119:97-102;   Lk.4:16-30)  “Your faith rests not on the wisdom of men but on the power of God.” Paul comes to the Corinthians with preaching that has “none of the persuasive force of ‘wise' argumentation, but the convincing power of the Spirit,” and with them he determines to “speak of nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”  Similarly, when “Jesus came to Nazareth where He had been reared,” in the synagogue He simply read the passage from Isaiah which prophesies the coming Messiah, sat down before the eyes of all, and stated, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  I AM here.  I AM He.  This is the day of salvation.  Period.  And here even at the beginning of His ministry we see how the crucifixion is already near, as His townspeople attempt to kill Him for the truth He speaks. Upon what is this simple wisdom, this power of the Lord, based but the Word of God?  The psalmist, whose “meditation all the day” is the law of the Lord, declares in truth and in joy: “Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies.”  It grants him “more understanding than all [his] teachers” and “more discernment than the elders,” because all genuine wisdom comes from the Word spoken by the mouth of God and not through human learning.  We have seen that Scripture is the foundation of the teaching of Jesus Himself, who is the Word of God made flesh.  Yes, He speaks much more through “the appealing discourse which came from His lips.”  Yes, there is oral tradition as well (for the Word of God is living and active); but on Scripture He begins His instruction, and continually He refers to the Word.  Whether rejecting the devil's temptations, rebuking the Pharisees and scribes, or enlightening the people – as He tries to do today by referring to Elijah's having to go to Zarephath and Elisha's healing only the Syrian, to show how prophets are not accepted in their native place – the Lord's words are founded in the Word of God, in Scripture. And, of course, an integral part of that Word is the suffering the Christ must undergo.  But notice that even as the people intend “to hurl Him over the edge” of the hill of Nazareth, just as directly as He has spoken truth to them, so directly and with the power of God He “went straight through their midst and walked away.”  For the Word is as a sword which pierces all the dark limits of the world, and even through death it shall lead all to salvation. Brothers and sisters, let your faith rest on this Word that is Christ found in Scripture and living in the Church, for the Spirit does not die with the devices of the human mind.  This Spirit holds eternal life. ******* O LORD, open our eyes that we might see and know the blessing you bring us by your Son's Cross. YHWH, let us follow your Word and your way, the way of your only Son, the way of the Cross that leads to life.  Of Christ crucified let us speak; with all our lives let us give witness to Him.  Then we shall be obedient to your Word as He – then we shall make your wisdom our own. O LORD, let us meditate on the Word that comes to us in Scripture, that comes walking among us in your Son.  All the day let our hearts be set on the illumination your Word brings.  Though in the Word we are chastised for our sins, though it lead us along a narrow path; if we observe your precepts and follow in the way of the Christ, you shall guard our steps and keep us from every evil.  For then we shall be wiser than all our foes, wiser than any other soul, for then your Spirit will be with us; His power will be upon us. May the Word of Truth come from our Savior's mouth and lived in His very flesh help us to walk straight through the midst of our enemies and come to you.

The BreadCast
August 31 - Monday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

The BreadCast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2020 5:26


(1Cor.2:1-5;   Ps.119:97-102;   Lk.4:16-30)  “Your faith rests not on the wisdom of men but on the power of God.” Paul comes to the Corinthians with preaching that has “none of the persuasive force of ‘wise' argumentation, but the convincing power of the Spirit,” and with them he determines to “speak of nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”  Similarly, when “Jesus came to Nazareth where He had been reared,” in the synagogue He simply read the passage from Isaiah which prophesies the coming Messiah, sat down before the eyes of all, and stated, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  I AM here.  I AM He.  This is the day of salvation.  Period.  And here even at the beginning of His ministry we see how the crucifixion is already near, as His townspeople attempt to kill Him for the truth He speaks. Upon what is this simple wisdom, this power of the Lord, based but the Word of God?  The psalmist, whose “meditation all the day” is the law of the Lord, declares in truth and in joy: “Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies.”  It grants him “more understanding than all [his] teachers” and “more discernment than the elders,” because all genuine wisdom comes from the Word spoken by the mouth of God and not through human learning.  We have seen that Scripture is the foundation of the teaching of Jesus Himself, who is the Word of God made flesh.  Yes, He speaks much more through “the appealing discourse which came from His lips.”  Yes, there is oral tradition as well (for the Word of God is living and active); but on Scripture He begins His instruction, and continually He refers to the Word.  Whether rejecting the devil's temptations, rebuking the Pharisees and scribes, or enlightening the people – as He tries to do today by referring to Elijah's having to go to Zarephath and Elisha's healing only the Syrian, to show how prophets are not accepted in their native place – the Lord's words are founded in the Word of God, in Scripture. And, of course, an integral part of that Word is the suffering the Christ must undergo.  But notice that even as the people intend “to hurl Him over the edge” of the hill of Nazareth, just as directly as He has spoken truth to them, so directly and with the power of God He “went straight through their midst and walked away.”  For the Word is as a sword which pierces all the dark limits of the world, and even through death it shall lead all to salvation. Brothers and sisters, let your faith rest on this Word that is Christ found in Scripture and living in the Church, for the Spirit does not die with the devices of the human mind.  This Spirit holds eternal life. ******* O LORD, open our eyes that we might see and know the blessing you bring us by your Son's Cross. YHWH, let us follow your Word and your way, the way of your only Son, the way of the Cross that leads to life.  Of Christ crucified let us speak; with all our lives let us give witness to Him.  Then we shall be obedient to your Word as He – then we shall make your wisdom our own. O LORD, let us meditate on the Word that comes to us in Scripture, that comes walking among us in your Son.  All the day let our hearts be set on the illumination your Word brings.  Though in the Word we are chastised for our sins, though it lead us along a narrow path; if we observe your precepts and follow in the way of the Christ, you shall guard our steps and keep us from every evil.  For then we shall be wiser than all our foes, wiser than any other soul, for then your Spirit will be with us; His power will be upon us. May the Word of Truth come from our Savior's mouth and lived in His very flesh help us to walk straight through the midst of our enemies and come to you.

Unapologetically Sensitive
080 Best of the Podcast 20+ Ways to Practically Manage Change and Loss with Jill Johnson-Young

Unapologetically Sensitive

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2020 70:59


TITLE Best of the Podcast 20+ Ways to Practically Manage Change & Loss  GUEST  Jill Johnson-Young, LCSW EPISODE OVERVIEW  Loss & change encompasses jobs, education, career, moving, illness, disability, relationships, pets, birth, adoption, coming out, learning you didn’t have an ideal childhood, and the obvious, death. Jill provides concrete examples of how we can set boundaries, create new traditions, and so much more! Jill talks about the importance of keeping memories alive and ways we can honor those we’ve lost (included our 4-legged family members), and she gives examples of how to help a partner talk about their losses. HIGHLIGHTS During times of grief, stress, loss, change, etc. it is very likely that we will become MORE sensitive, and possibly reactive, and we may have a harder time managing.  This is very normal, and it is to be expected. We need to have even more gentleness and self-compassion during these times Grief includes losses, disenfranchised losses, hopes, dreams, change—it is so much more than just death How to manage those losses: awareness of them at the holidays, and finally  wrap up with a death-related loss  WHAT OTHER LOSSES ARE THERE AT THE HOLIDAYS? THESE WERE MENTIONED: ‘I think that the holidays bring out a lot of grief for everyone…’  SUBSTANCE ABUSE AT THE TABLE OR THE TREE  The drunk relative that nobody wants to be around,  The opioid epidemic Folks drinking to cope with the anxiety of functions or the stress of holidays FAMILY ISSUES THAT SHOW UP RATHER THAN HALLMARK: when we feel more like we belong in the land of the lost toys, not by a fireplace waiting for Santa with our dog named Spot A dysfunctional family  Grief when your family isn’t large like everybody else’s   Grief because you’ve chosen not to be a part of your immediate family because of the toxicity in it  Grieving the family you THOUGHT you had...  and about how to connect with them despite awareness of emotional neglect due to your high sensitivity.  Feeling concerned with the upcoming holidays with the new awareness of how your family relates emotionally... it all suddenly feels so superficial. FINANCIAL STRESS AMPLIFIED BY THE HOLIDAYS:  Grief because you don’t have enough money for presents  Grief because you don’t have enough food,  Those issues can cause some of us to avoid holiday get-togethers because we can’t afford them that might include employee events DISENFRANCHISED LOSSES: Those that have experienced recent breakups and this is their first Thanksgiving or Holiday without their partner.  Pets Moving Retiring Lost friendships Marriage Divorce  Illness Disability especially recently A partner who is disabled or have cognitive issues ONE THING I DO FOR GRIEVERS PRIOR TO THE HOLIDAYS IS PREPARE THEM FOR THE IMPACT: EXPECTATIONS- FALSE OR REAL OR SELF IMPOSED, INCLUDING NEEDING TO RECREATE WHAT WAS BEFORE A LOSS grief when everybody else posts the holiday party pictures, or you are looking at old social media posts- when things were different  Shopping, advertising, holiday mailers - the temptation to overspend to make up for what is missing The belief that if you focus on the holidays and what it should provide, you will have some type of relief, but most of the time it doesn’t work  The belief that others don’t experience grief and you feel loneliness EXPECTATIONS THAT YOU WILL FEEL HAPPY OR LIGHTER You might at times, but if you have had a recent loss or have an unresolved loss it will travel with you to holiday events The mix of joy and sadness is normal, but hard to manage unless you are ready for it, and you can balance your energy, and give yourself permission to not participate or to limit time spent out Practicing using the positive to create balance- plans for the year coming, remembering the good moments of past holidays or this season If you can hold the opposite of both emotions, it affects how your brain reacts to it so a lot of times when we feel sad as a family then we try to balance it out by looking at what’s great or what we’re happy for… We find that helpful during the holidays. For HSP folks, one person suggested that being able to feel grief and joy at the same time neutralizes some of the woundings that have happened in the past. DEATH RELATED LOSS AND HOLIDAYS Fear of death infringing on happy moments because we are aware of the potential of someone dying  Managing grief from deaths at the holiday, deaths associated with that time of season by proximity  deaths that happened recently.  Experiencing grief because you’ve lost someone in the past, especially if it is not a relationship you have finished  Anticipating someone close to you dying—even if they are in good health The fear that you will be overwhelmed with their death The fear that you won’t be able to cope The fear that you will become so depressed, that you can’t get out of it We talk about carrying that person in our heart moving forward, and if possible having these conversations NOW while the person is still alive (if appropriate) We have all managed loss We have more tools than we remember we do We will feel sad, and we will manage We can get extra support, counseling, therapy, coaching, join groups We all need death and dying education. It is necessary so we can know what we see, and that we can manage it when that time comes. We will all lose people we love to death-- that leaves only the option of being ready. That, in and of itself, helps ward off being caught unaware and thrown into depression. We know those who are ready and have reorganized before death is the ones who will thrive afterward in their new life. Those who live fear of death and will not prepare are the ones who do not farewell.  SO WHAT DO WE DO TO GET READY? Plan ahead Don’t overspend Avoid stores if the input is too much, or too much of a reminder with a recent loss.  You can order everything, including groceries, online. Don’t plan on every little activity.  Limit them Limit time there Take your own car Look for an exit Don’t feel a need to explain GRIEF CARD TIME SET BOUNDARIES. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE GRIEVING, YOU GET TO SET THEM.  PRACTICE WHAT YOU WILL SAY TO THOSE CROSSING BOUNDARIES GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO CHANGE IT UP!  Take a vacation instead of doing what you traditionally do Invite new friends over Choose to celebrate on a different day, or someone new DON’T INCLUDE THOSE WHO DO NOT FEEL GOOD IN YOUR SPACE DO INCLUDE THOSE YOU HAVE LOST- PEOPLE, PETS IF THERE IS AN ANNIVERSARY AT THE HOLIDAYS?  MARK IT PLAN AHEAD REMEMBER THERE IS MORE THAN THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS/HANUKKAH/KWANZA-  NEW YEAR’S IS EVEN WORSE TV COVERAGE OF THOSE WHO DIED- BUT OUR SPECIAL PEOPLE AND PETS ARE NOT ON THAT LIST, ARE THEY? WRITE DOWN WHAT WORKS WHAT FELT GOOD WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO DIFFERENTLY. THAT MEANS JOURNAL DAILY. YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER GRATITUDE JOURNAL TO SET YOUR MINDFRAME  EXERCISE AS YOU ARE ABLE SUNSHINE POSITIVE INPUT- EXAMPLE: MT RUBIDIOUX, NOT THE FESTIVAL IF YOU DO NOT WANT CROWDS, OR THE FESTIVAL LATE AT NIGHT WITH A FRIEND TO SEE THE LIGHTS, BUT NOT THE CROWDS.  Wolfenoot - It’s pronounced Wolf-a-noot according to Buzzfeed, and takes place on November 23rd. (If you wish to celebrate, you should be prepared for the Spirit of the Wolf to visit your home. This Spirit will hide and leave behind gifts for you, your children, and of course, dogs. The people who treat canines kindly get better presents than those who don’t, but this gift-giver doesn’t seem to penalize people who are just kind of indifferent to animals. We aren’t sure if the Spirit of the Wolf leaves presents for cats. On Wolfenoot, you will celebrate by eating roasted meats, because meat is a dog’s favorite food, and a cake decorated like a full moon because dogs like to howl sometimes.) (If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, you obviously adjust so that this fits with your values and beliefs) It feels like a nice way to change the tone-- to be grateful and thank our furry friends in any way you choose. It was created by a child in New Zealand, around the concept of kindness.  For the holidays, coping with grief is about being Gumby. Bend, Flex, Change it up. Make it work for you.  WAYS TO GENERATE CONVERSATION Is there someone you’ve had in your world that has died that you want to include in our blessing, or holiday tradition(s) Tell me about your pets? Tell me who they were What part of that person is always going to be a part of you? What lessons did you learn? Who were they for you? How did they impact your life? GUEST BIO Jill Johnson-Young, LCSW is a dynamic and engaging speaker who loves teaching both professional and community groups about dementia, death and dying, and grief and loss. She is the CEO of Central Counseling Services in Riverside, California, where she is also a clinical therapist. She is a certified Grief Recovery Facilitator after spending more than a decade with hospice as a medical social worker and as a director of social workers, chaplains and grief staff. She holds a BA from UC Riverside and her MSW from the University of South Florida. Jill has authored three children’s grief books and an adult grief workbook with more in process, and created Your Path Through Grief, a year-long, comprehensive grief support program which includes resources for therapists.  PODCAST HOST Patricia Young hosts the podcast Unapologetically Sensitive, and works with Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) helping them to understand their HSP traits, and turning their perceived shortcomings into superpowers. Patricia is passionate about providing education to help HSPs and non-HSPs understand and truly appreciate the amazing gifts they have to offer. Patricia works globally online with HSPs providing coaching. Patricia also facilitates online groups for HSPs that focus on building community and developing skills (identifying your superpowers, boundaries, perfectionism, dealing with conflict, mindfulness, embracing emotions, creating a lifestyle that supports the HSP, communication, and more). LINKS Jill’s Links: Website-- www.yourpaththroughgrief.com, https://www.facebook.com/grieftalker/ Facebook--https://www.facebook.com/Riversidedementiasupport/, LinkedIn--https://www.linkedin.com/in/jilljohnsonyoung/.  My pet is sick: It’s time to say goodbye by Jill Johnson-Young Someone is sick: How do I say Goodbye? By Jill Johnson-Young Someone I love just died: What happens now? By Jill Johnson-Young Your own path through grief; A workbook for your journey to recovery by Jill Johnson-Young Amazon link for Jill’s books-- https://www.amazon.com/Jill-A.-Johnson-Young-LCSW/e/B07NPT5NYQ%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Leo Buscaglia-- http://www.buscaglia.com/biography Leo Buscaglia YouTube—How to Love and be Loved-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8tw9ontdc0 Wolfenoot-- https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=12136886 Patricia’s Links: Bonus Episode 21: I lost my sh*t, and it’s not about the gravy https://unapologeticallysensitive.com/unapologetically-sensitive-bonus-episode-21/ Website--www.unapologeticallysensitive.com Facebook-- https://www.facebook.com/Unapologetically-Sensitive-2296688923985657/ Facebook group Unapologetically Sensitive-- https://www.facebook.com/groups/2099705880047619/ Instagram-- https://www.instagram.com/unapologeticallysensitive/ Youtube-- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOE6fodj7RBdO3Iw0NrAllg/videos?view_as=subscriber e-mail-- unapologeticallysensitive@gmail.com Show hashtag--#unapologeticallysensitive Music-- Gravel Dance by Andy Robinson www.andyrobinson.com

MustardSeed Talks 2019
Rivers of Living Water (David Gore • John 7:37-39)

MustardSeed Talks 2019

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2020 14:39


Jesus promises those who believe in him that they will have ‘rivers of living water bubbling forth from them’. What on earth might this mean?! This was a looking forward to the coming and impact of the Holy Spirit. A spirit not of humanity but from beyond us. A unique and other spirit. This Spirit changes everything for disciples of Jesus. We are transformed from being consumers to being a resource for those around us and the whole world.

Devotable Daily Devotions
Daily Devotion - Episode 229 - The Holy Spirit

Devotable Daily Devotions

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2020 14:14


When a person asks Jesus into his heart, the Holy Spirit comes to live within him. Changes take place and the Spirit begins to move you and guide you. You find yourself stepping further away from the former you and turning into this new creation.Who is the Holy Spirit?Most of us know of the Trinity - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost as it is sometimes called. We know the role of the Father, God and Creator of this universe, the Son, Jesus Christ, who was sent by the Father into this world to free us all from sin and death, but what exactly is the role of the Spirit?In John 14, Jesus called Him the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth. He promised that upon His ascension into heaven, the Father would send this comfort to anyone who loves Him and obeys His teaching.This Spirit would guide us to live more Christlike lives. He is that voice you sometimes hear within yourself. It can be difficult, initially, learning to discern between His voice, your own thoughts, and even thoughts brought into your mind by the adversary. One way is to remember that Jesus Christ called Him the Spirit of truth.....He IS God!As confusing as this tends to be, they are all equal parts of one whole, one God in three persons. This Spirit will never tell you to do something that would go against the Father. When you come to the Father, don't try to hide anything from Him (what could you possibly hide from the one who knows all?) and don't think that you must perfect yourself before you come to him. Just come as you are. Lay it all out before him and ask , not only for forgiveness of your sins, but ask Him also to help you become who you were always intended to be. As you grow closer to Christ and stronger in your faith, this discernment will become easier."Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone and the new is here." 2 Corinthians 5:17"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the holy spirit." Romans 15:13Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-2-corinthians-5-17-the-holy-spirit/

Your Faith Journey - Finding God Through Words, Song and Praise

Early in the morning, there was the rush of a mighty wind.   Straight line, hurricane force winds were so strong the large white pine tree in our front yard was knocked down and one very large branch abruptly crashed through our roof, landing on our living room floor.  Trees were toppled throughout the city, hundreds of buildings and vehicles were damaged and power was down throughout most of Muskegon county.  It was Sunday morning, May 31, 1998.  I will always remember worship on that day.  Without electricity, we sang hymns by candlelight.  And, most memorably, accompanied by piano and not organ, the choir sang one of the great choral pieces from The Creation, by Franz Joseph Haydn. That Sunday, May 31, 1998, will be forever etched in my memory because it was also Pentecost Sunday, a celebration of the outpouring of God’s Spirit in the world.  And, the Spirit of God was very present as we gathered for worship on that extraordinary morning. Today, on this Sunday, May 31, 2020, we again celebrate Pentecost, and I am reminded of that morning twenty-two years ago. I am reminded of the great, destructive, mighty winds, that blew through our community.  Powerful wind, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami waves – they all fascinate us.  But, nothing really prepares us for the degree of power displayed in these forces of nature as they tear apart our lives.  Destructive power of this magnitude leaves behind unrecognizable landscapes and devastated communities.  And, when we experience such power, life changes.  In an instant the world is turned upside down by a tremendous release of energy through wind, water, air, fire, or earth.  Another power, a creative, life-giving power of a very different dimension and magnitude informs our faith.  It is also a power that changes lives, but in a very different way.  This is the power the disciples experienced on the day of Pentecost.  This is the power that was received by a small, insignificant group of men and women gathered in Jerusalem as they waited for a promise to be fulfilled.  During that time of waiting, nothing could have prepared them for the strength and power that was about to hit them.  Nothing could have prepared them for the magnitude of their enlightenment as they responded to the world-shattering, transforming, creative Spirit of God.  You see, to stand in its path was to catch fire with divine love.  In an instant, the disciples’ world was turned inside out by a tremendous rush of creative power released into their hearts and minds, souls and bodies – a power the writer of Luke/Acts describes as manifesting itself in tongues of fire upon their heads. The creative energy that rushed in and was poured out among them was more powerful than any of the natural powers and forces that tear apart.  When this happened, the eyes of their hearts were opened to a world that was previously unknown, an experience that did not fit any of their previous experiences or categories.  They saw a new world through new eyes.  The many differences of culture and language that separated one from another crumbled under the force of this unifying power.  Suddenly, in an instant, each could speak and hear with the same understanding..  While the power of nature opens us to the enormity of its ability to destroy, the power of the Spirit opens our hearts and creates.  This is a power that creates new relationships among people and a new intimacy with God.  Bridges that are made by human hands crumble by the force of natural disaster.  But, the Spirit builds bridges beyond time and space, bridges that bind the slave and the free, men and women, Jew and Gentile. This is the power of the Spirit of God, the power that changes lives, the power that sustains creation, the power that reunites what has been torn apart, the power that reconciles the alienated.  This Spirit of Pentecost is the power that rushes into the world as out of nowhere and even breathes life into the place of death.  Friends, we are presently seeing two pandemics, the pandemic of systemic racism that plagues our culture and the COVID-19 pandemic. We are experiencing not only the divisive, destructive nature of both, but also the resulting grief and pain of both. We grieve George Floyd’s horrific death and we grieve the death of hundreds of thousands to COVID-19. Racism and this virus are like destructive winds blowing throughout the country as they annihilate lives.  Last Sunday evening, I watched the United Council of Churches online Memorial Service for all who have died.  In the depth of pain and death, the creative, life-giving, Spirit was so very present during that service as clergy leaders from multiple denominations participated sharing words of remembrance, grief, faith, and hope.  Some read scripture and prayed in their native languages – Korean, Spanish, French, and the native language of the Navajo tribe.  In the depth of diversity, the oneness of God’s Spirit was remarkably present, the oneness that only God’s Spirit creates.  It was healing and life-giving.  Bishop Michael Curry gave the sermon and he observed that as Jesus was dying on the cross, he said, “Into your hands, I commend my spirit.”  Bishop Curry noted that, at that very moment when Jesus commended his spirit to God’s care as he died, that was also the very moment that marked the beginning of resurrection!  Friends, we, too, commend the spirits and lives of all who have died to God’s care.  And, we commend our very lives to God’s ever-present care, God’s unfathomable love, and God’s ever living, ever creating Spirit.  As I look at the church today during these challenging times, I do believe God is doing something new among us.  God is transforming the church in ways we do not presently understand, and it is happening before our very eyes.  You see, God’s Spirit is not restricted by human will, desire, thinking or even chaotic circumstances.  We cannot drive its wind or stop its force, any more than we can control hurricane force winds or the devastation of this COVID-19 virus.  We cannot seem to catch it, contain it, control it, or confine it.  As we celebrate this day and remember Pentecost, we celebrate the certain and sure promise that wherever the fire burns, wherever the wind blows, wherever chaos and life intersect, the Spirit of God is there, blowing where it will and driving God’s people into the heart of mission, God’s mission in this world.  This is the power of Pentecost, the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon the disciples, not only two thousand years ago, but also right here and right now.  And, both then and now, the Spirit rushes in and transforms our experience.  Both then and now, the Spirit breaks open the old to reveal the magnitude of God’s connecting power and there is no returning to the old frame of reference.  Both then and now, lives are changed forever.  Both then and now, hearts are broken open to a dimension of relationship newly reconciled through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Both then and now, there is no end to the horizon of God’s loving embrace.  Yes, as I think back and remember that Pentecost morning when a large tree branch broke through the ceiling onto our living room floor, I am always reminded that the creative energy of God overwhelms even the most destructive powers of human beings and nature.  The creative Spirit of God that transformed Jesus’ death on a cross into the greatest act of love the world has ever seen, the creative Spirit of God that raised Christ from the dead, is the same creative Spirit that rushes in and through our own world and is reconciling and reuniting all of creation through us, within us and for us – for the life of the world.

John Davies: Notes from a small vicar
There is a Spirit journeying through the nation. Let's catch it

John Davies: Notes from a small vicar

Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2020 6:20


There is a Spirit spreading through the nation, bringing joy and inspiration to those who feel its power. This Spirit unites people; it is a Spirit of vision and dreams, for those it affects imagine audacious new possibilities for the world. In this talk for Pentecost Sunday 31 May 2020 I make connections between the spirit(s) of our times and the coming of God's Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and explore the spiritual disciplines which will help us sustain it. Find the text to this and all my talks at bit.ly/johndavies-talks.

La Porta | Renungan Harian Katolik - Daily Meditation according to Catholic Church liturgy
Reading and meditation of Monday of the 7th Week of Easter, May 25, 2020

La Porta | Renungan Harian Katolik - Daily Meditation according to Catholic Church liturgy

Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2020 6:59


Reading by Br. Al-Varet, SDB and meditation by Manette Maturan THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US TO CARRY THE CROSS The theme for our meditation today is: The Holy Spirit Helps Us to Carry the Cross. A student asked his teacher in one the religion classes: "We are in the Easter season and awaiting with joy the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, but why is our lesson about the cross and the suffering? Where's the joy here, Miss?" The lady teacher responded him by using the analogy of a pregnant mother. This coincided with the mother of that boy who was pregnant with her second child which was a daughter. "All of you at home are happily waiting for your sister's birth, right? That is a good news. But your mother carries a heavy burden every day, and it will be more painful during the birth of your sister. All of these are about the cross and suffering. But after the birth of your sister, your family will be happier than you are now." The boy was quiet and agreed with his teacher. We all also agree that the Lord gives each one of us the cross according to one's own ability, and this is indeed a burden that each should carry. We must carry it every day, and when time comes we will rejoice because the cross gives us confidence to achieve happiness in God. At the end of suffering and the cross there is happiness which is already promised by the Lord. The Holy Spirit has a mission to teach us in all truth. One element of this truth is the cross. What we mean by the truth of the cross is that, our suffering and sorrow with Jesus Christ become our justification, because through this cross we are freed from sin and we are allowed to enter into the glory of God. The cross is a victory and glory as well. We should not see it as a futile suffering, foolishness or a scandal. Jesus had taken up the cross and with that He conquered the world. So we don't have to worry or be ashamed of the cross. Jesus gives us the best gift, namely His own Spirit and this means that we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. We have all received the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Baptism. The person named Apollos and his friends, stated in the first reading today, received the same gift of the Spirit that enabled them to do the evangelization of the Early Church with great success. This Spirit filled experience then followed by the laying on of hands to signify the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation that makes a person fully anointed with Holy Spirit. We the followers of Christ and members of the one Church will renew the moment of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us on the Day of Pentecost which is to be celebrated coming Sunday. The Holy Spirit indeed makes us able to face many obstacles and difficulties already awaiting for us. The Holy Spirit is present with us and always accompanies us as we each carry our own cross. It is the same Holy Spirit who remains with us in all our joy and success, after we endure the difficulties and sufferings that come along our journey in this life. Let's pray. In the name of the Father ... God the almighty Father, may we remain in the hope and zeal to welcome your Holy Spirit, and we thank you for Jesus your Son as our only way to come to You. Hail Mary ... In the name of the Father ... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/media-la-porta/message

Christianityworks Official Podcast
A Risen Saviour // Who is Jesus, Part 4

Christianityworks Official Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2020 23:09


Imagine that you'd watched Jesus die that horrible death on the cross.  And then, on the third day you go to His tomb and discover that it's empty.  What would you think? How would you react?   An Empty Tomb Well I'm excited. This is the last week in a four week series that I've called "Who is Jesus?" And over these last few weeks we have just been looking at little snapshots of who Jesus is from the different gospels. From Mark and John and Matthew and Luke. And today of course we are going to talk about the empty tomb. And maybe you have been having a long week end because its Easter but two thousand years ago it wasn't some long weekend they were celebrating in Jerusalem it was a brutal crucifixion. A burial and then something that nobody would have expected. Imagine you have a friend or relative that has just died, tragically killed. You have watched them die. You go to the funeral. You've seen them buried and you get what you think is closure. Closure is one thing but the mourning process goes on. And then three days later you go down to the grave to leave some flowers, to reflect on the life that was so tragically taken, and the grave's been dug up. The coffin is up on the ground, the lid's off and it's empty. What would you feel? What would you do? A friend of mine was interviewing Barry McGuire for a radio program in New Zealand recently. Now Barry McGuire is a well known rock protest singer from the sixties. And over a period of 10 years or so he lost more than 20 of his closest friends to drug overdoses and sexually transmitted diseases. Now these were TV and movie stars and politicians who committed suicide. They were personalities of such promise and yet they turned out not to be what they promised. Marilyn Monroe, Michael Hutchins of INXS. These were fallen stars. See people have placed their hope in these stars and then they failed to deliver. And Jesus must have looked the same. He had rock star status the crowds followed Him everywhere. He was very definitely Jesus Christ superstar. Over the last 3 weeks we have been looking at who this Jesus is. And we have seen how He healed people. And people flocked to Him to see His miracles and to hear His preaching. Jesus had this wisdom that confounded the religious critics. And they tried to trap him and yet He cared for the widows and the prostitutes and He did these amazing miracles healing the lepers, the blind and the lame. He was passionate, He was profound, He had a wisdom about God and yet He was so relevant. He touched people deep inside, and so these huge crowds. Jesus held out so much promise. I mean, here He was in the first century in Israel. It was an oppressed land, occupied by the Romans. Most of these people were subsistence farmers. They were poor. They needed someone to believe in, someone to hope in and that someone looked like it was Jesus. And yet the events of that first Easter long week end, you know, the Passover festival, the crowds in Jerusalem. And then the unexpected. The lynching the mob baying for Jesus blood. They cried out, “We want Barabas” and “Crucify Jesus”. And this hope, this Jesus who was a miracle worker and such a powerful preacher, the hope turned into to despair. Jesus was crucified on a cross and he was buried. And he was buried just before the Sabbath. And so on the Sabbath people couldn't do anything. But on the day after the Sabbath they went down to his grave because he needed to be embalmed they didn't have any funeral parlors in those days or an undertaker. So this just had to be done. Let's have a listen to the story. Let's pick it up. If you have a Bible open it up. In John Chapter 20 beginning at Verse one. John Chapter 20. Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. And she said to them, “They have taken our lord out of the tomb and we don't know where they have laid him”. Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together. The other disciple out ran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter came following him and went into the tomb. He too saw the linen wrappings just lying there and the cloth that had been on Jesus head not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the disciple who reached the tomb first also went in and he saw and he believed. For as yet they didn't understand the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. The first reaction of Mary was to run back to Peter and the others and say they have taken the body out of the tomb. Then Peter and the other disciple run down there and sure enough the stone's been rolled away, the linen wrappings are lying there folded neatly. They saw and they believed. You see Jesus had been telling them that He would rise from the dead. Now you read on and they had a mix of pain and fear and tears and hope and confusion but there it was a glimmer of hope that these next few weeks would show something different. I mean, they had seen Jesus killed and yet they had hope. They had hope before. They hoped in Jesus and it was lost on the cross and now here was this empty tomb. No Jesus. Hope. We can casually brush over this Easter story dozens of times, lots of times during our lives and miss out what was going on in the hearts of His followers. These were people who had lost hope and now they discovered new hope. Many years later the apostle Peter wrote these words. If you have a bible turn with me to First Peter, Chapter one. He writes this in Chapter one Verse three. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ by his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. See Peter writes looking back on this that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ God has given us a new birth into a new living hope; hope that we can have here and now a hope that is eternal; hope of glory and joy and peace; a hope of an eternal life of no tears and no pain for ever and ever. That hope began on that first Easter morning when the disciples went down to the tomb, and they discovered that it was empty.   The Local Gardner I hope that you're having a great Easter and that you have had a great Easter. But we do we brush the Easter celebration aside so quickly each year. A day or two later we have forgotten all about it. It wasn't like that on the first Easter, this brutal crucifixion the pain, the mourning, the fear. They had lost someone that promised so much. They had lost hope. And then on the day after the Sabbath when a few of his followers went down to the tomb they discovered that it was empty. He was gone. There was confusion there was hope there was despair there was fear. Maybe? No, surely not. Was there hope? Had He risen? He always said He would. But nah! Couldn't. Some found it easier to come to grips with than others. But Mary, Mary Magdalene, was the women who first saw the empty tomb and she couldn't come to grips with it. She thought some one had taken His body away. And then she talked to the local gardener. I hope you've been with us over these last few weeks as we've been looking at who this Jesus actually is. What He said and what He did. And as we've looked at Him in these last couple of weeks as we've looked these last couple of weeks, what happened leading up to His crucifixion and now what's happening after his crucifixion. If you have missed any of the programs you can listen to them again at our web site, www.christianityworks.com Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Jesus. She is the first one down to the empty tomb and her immediate reaction is the one that sticks out. They've taken His body. Who's "they"? The Romans? The religious leaders? Other followers? Don't know! But it's not an unreasonable reaction in fact it's the most plausible reaction. In john chapter 20 beginning now at verse 11 why not join me as we read this. So Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept she knelt to look into the tomb and she saw these two angels sitting there dressed in white one at the head the other at the foot of where Jesus' body had been laid. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping”. (See, there is this supernatural intervention going on) And Mary says, “They took my Master and I don't know where they have put Him”. After she said this she turned away and she saw Jesus standing there but she didn't recognise Him. She was sort of surprised. She wasn't expecting to see him alive. And Jesus spoke to her and said, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” And she thought He was the gardener and said, “Mister, if you took Him tell me where you have put Him so I can care for Him”. And then Jesus said “Mary”. Turning to face him she said in Hebrew, “Raboni” meaning ‘Teacher'. Jesus said, “Don't cling to me for I haven't ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God. So Mary Magdalene went telling the news to the disciples, “I've seen Him! I've seen the Master!” And she told them everything that He said to her. See, Mary was locked in the reality of her grief. Isn't that so often the way. We're locked in the here and now, the physical circumstances, the pain or just the plain old life that we live in, we are locked into our reality. And we brush by Easter and we barely notice that something profound has happened; we barely notice that Jesus has risen from the dead. Mary looked with her own eyes at Jesus and what she saw was the gardener. “Listen Mister”, she said. I think that is really funny, it always makes me laugh. Can you imagine? The son of God has just risen and Mary looks at Him and thinks He is the gardener. And in the same way we can look at Easter and see chocolate and Easter bunnies and all that stuff. That's such a tragedy. But then, you see, then He spoke her name. He said, “Mary”. (There is something special about someone who knows our name; someone whom we can trust.) And then she knew it was Him. He was alive! Instantly her grief turned to joy; instantly her hope was restored; instantly she knew she need never have lost hope at all. See, the disciples, Peter and the others, believed first, and then they went back to their lodgings. But Jesus knew her grief. He lingered there waiting for her. She was the first one to see Him alive and yet she didn't know it. And then He spoke her name. have you ever brushed past Easter? Have you ever been so locked in the present circumstances of life you can't take in that Jesus rose again for you? Today, today He is speaking your name; today He's whispering hope into your heart; today if you've lost hope He wants to bring that back to you again. The master's speaking your name, can you hear him? Listen deep inside. Listen. Jesus wants to give you a new hope, a new start, a new life. The gardner is one explanation but when we believe, when we truly believe He rose again we know the joy of Jesus who waited there for Mary.   The Promise Keeper Well, Jesus is risen. Here we are almost at the end of this 4 part series called "Who is Jesus?" We've been just asking and exploring this question, exactly who is Jesus? What I thought would be great is to finish up the series by having a look at one of His last promises. For me there's nothing worse than when someone makes a promise and then they fails to keep it. It's really lousy. Jesus makes quite a number of promises in his three-and-a-half years of public ministry. But this one, this was a parting promise. He said it was also His Father's promise, and it was a promise that ended up changing the course of human history. What was it? Did he keep it? What happened? In human terms promises are wonderful things. You look at the promise of marriage. There are two types of promises or covenants that we can make, or treaties if you like. There are unilateral promises and bilateral promises. A unilateral promise is an unconditional promise: no strings attached. A bilateral promise is a conditional promise: I'll do this if you do that but if you don't do that then I will do this. These are the vows that I shared with my wife Jacqui when we were married have a listen to this. Jacqui today I take you to be my wife and I set myself apart from the rest of the world for you and you alone. Everything that I am and everything that I have I give to you, in the heights of our joy and in the depths of our sorrow. I promise to be by your side, to hold you, to encourage you, to honour you, to cherish you, and to protect you. This is my solemn promise to you, that I will always seek to love you just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. All of these things are yours until we are parted in death. Now I just talked a little a bit about a unilateral promise, which is an unconditional promise and a bilateral promise, which is a conditional promise. So, these wedding vows, which one is it, unilateral or bilateral? See we think as wedding vows as being bilateral; two parties make a vow to each other. But actually, whenever you read or hear a wedding vow it is an unconditional promise. There is nothing in the promise that I made to my wife Jacqui or in the promise she made to me which depends on what the other party does. Nothing in what I read you says, “Well, my darling wife, if you love me and you are good to me then I will be faithful to you but if you are not I wont be." No, that is not what I said. I gave her an unconditional promise of relationship. No matter what you do, this is what I will do for you. Anyone who's married will know that it is tough some days and those days love is a decision. Marriage is a great promise. Its says, when you fail I wont attack you, I wont reject you, I will stick by you, I'll hold you, I'll cherish you, I'll lift you up. When one of us is down the other one can lift the other up. That's the beauty of an unconditional promise and in sense it's kind of the same thing this final promise that Jesus made to his disciples. If you have got a bible open it up to Acts chapter 1 beginning at verse 3. This is what it says: After His death He presented Himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face to face meetings He talked to them about things concerning the Kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together He told them they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but must wait for what the Father promised, the promise you heard from Me. John baptized you with water, you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit and soon. When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom of Israel? Is it time?” You don't get to know the time. Timing is the fathers business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you'll be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem. all over Judea and Samaria and even to the ends of the earth. These were his last words. As they watched he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared in white robes. They said, “You Galileans, why are you just standing looking at an empty sky. This very Jesus that was taken up from you into heaven will come as certainly and mysteriously as He left.” See they didn't get it. They were still thinking this Messiah was coming to save them from the Romans. “When are you going to restore the Kingdom of Israel?" "Is now the time?" They still didn't get it after three-and-a-half years with Jesus. Crucified and resurrected they still didn't get it. But Jesus wasn't promising them release from the Romans. Jesus was promising them something much better. What you get is the promise of the Father. You will get the promised Holy Spirit. John baptized you in water but not too long from now I'll baptize you with the Holy Spirit. These were his last words. See, when a husband and wife promises each other something they become one flesh and here Jesus promised an intimacy. He promised the Holy Spirit. He said, "You'll be baptised; you'll be dripping; you'll be drenched; you'll be dunked." You know when you have a crumpet and you put some butter and honey on it and its soaking in this sweet honey, that is what the word "baptise" means. You'll be drenched with the Spirit of God. That is the promise of Jesus to each person who puts their faith in Him. Isn't that an awesome promise! It's like the marriage promise. It's not a conditional promise any more, This is the new covenant, the new promise. This is what Jesus died and rose again to give us and it's open to every person who believes that Jesus Christ died for them on the cross and that he rose again for them to give them a new and eternal life. This promise is open to each one of us. A promise of a new intimate relationship. And if you read on in acts Chapter 22 you will read about the day of Pentecost, the day that God indeed poured his Holy Spirit out on every one who believes. That's exactly what happened. What does that mean? Well for the disciples these bumpkins, these fishermen, these tax collectors, God filled them with the power, the strength and the wisdom and the godliness to go out and kick off this thing called "church", and its still going today two thousand years later. God empowered them amazingly. Can I tell you, God has filled me with a power and strength and a wisdom and a desire and a passion and a closeness and intimacy with him that makes me want to do what I'm doing now to tell you about Jesus. We need never be alone. Can I ask you, what about you? Have you accepted this Jesus yet? Have you received that promised Holy Spirit yet? This Spirit of the intimacy and the closeness and the presence of God dwelling in you. So this is who Jesus is. This is what He did. He said, “I will come and make my home with you”. He wants to be with us every step of the way. One of His other promises just before he ascended to heaven was, “I will never leave you or forsake you”. Who is Jesus? Healer, teacher friend. Lord, Saviour, wise, kind, powerful, humble, creator. Everything. He is everything God is. He wants to baptise us with, He wants to drench us with His presence. What a Saviour. What a promise. Jesus.

Sermons at First United Methodist Church
Repeat the Sounding Joy: Salvation

Sermons at First United Methodist Church

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2019


Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 (NRSV)11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Unapologetically Sensitive
047 20+ Ways to Practically Manage Change & Loss Throughout the Holidays with Jill Johnston-Young, LCSW

Unapologetically Sensitive

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2019 70:14


  TITLE 20+ Ways to Practically Manage Change & Loss Throughout The Holidays   GUEST Jill Johnson-Young, LCSW   EPISODE OVERVIEW Loss & change encompasses jobs, education, career, moving, illness, disability, relationships, pets, birth, adoption, coming out, learning you didn’t have an ideal childhood and the obvious, death. Jill provides concrete examples of how we can set boundaries, create new traditions, and so much more! Jill talks about the importance of keeping memories alive, and ways we can honor those we’ve lost (included our 4-legged family members), and she gives examples of how to help a partner talk about their losses.     HIGHLIGHTS During times of grief, stress, loss, change, etc. it is very likely that we will become MORE sensitive, and possibly reactive, and we may have a harder time managing. This is very normal, and it is to be expected. We need to have even more gentleness and self-compassion during these times Grief includes, losses, disenfranchised losses, hopes, dreams, change—it is so much more than just death   How to manage those losses: awareness of them at the holidays, and finally wrap up with death related loss     WHAT OTHER LOSSES ARE THERE AT THE HOLIDAYS? THESE WERE MENTIONED: ‘I think that the holidays bring out a lot of grief for everyone…’ SUBSTANCE ABUSE AT THE TABLE OR THE TREE The drunk relative that nobody wants to be around, The opioid epidemic Folks drinking to cope with anxiety of functions or the stress of holidays FAMILY ISSUES THAT SHOW UP RATHER THAN HALLMARK: when we feel more like we belong in the land of the lost toys, not by a fireplace waiting for Santa with our dog named Spot A dysfunctional family Grief when your family isn’t large like everybody else’s  Grief because you’ve chosen not to be a part of your immediate family because of the toxicity in it Grieving the family you THOUGHT you had... and about how to connect with them despite awareness of emotional neglect due to your high sensitivity. Feeling concerned with the upcoming holidays with the new awareness of how your family relates emotionally... it all suddenly feels so superficial. FINANCIAL STRESS AMPLIFIED BY THE HOLIDAYS Grief because you don’t have enough money for presents Grief because you don’t have enough food, Those issues can cause some of us to avoid holiday get togethers because we can’t afford them that might include employee events DISENFRANCHISED LOSSES: Those that have experienced recent breakups, and this is their first thanksgiving or Holiday without their partner.  Pets Moving Retiring Lost friendships Marriage Divorce Illness Disability especially recently Partner who is disabled or have cognitive issues   ONE THING I DO FOR GRIEVERS PRIOR TO THE HOLIDAYS IS PREPARE THEM FOR THE IMPACT: EXPECTATIONS- FALSE OR REAL OR SELF IMPOSED, INCLUDING NEEDING TO RECREATE WHAT WAS BEFORE A LOSS grief when everybody else posts the holiday party pictures, or you are looking at old social media posts- when things were different Shopping, advertising, holiday mailers - the temptation to overspend to make up for what is missing The belief that if you focus on the holidays and what it should provide, you will have some type of relief, but most of the time it doesn’t work  The belief that others don’t experience grief and you feel loneliness   EXPECTATIONS THAT YOU WILL FEEL HAPPY OR LIGHTER You might at times, but if you have had a recent loss or have an unresolved loss it will travel with you to holiday events The mix of joy and sadness is normal, but hard to manage unless you are ready for it, and you can balance your energy, and give yourself permission to not participate or to limit time spent out Practicing using the positive to create balance- plans for the year coming, remembering the good moments of past holidays or this season If you can hold the opposite of both emotions it affects how your brain reacts to it so a lot of times when we feel sad as a family then we try to balance it out by looking at what’s great or what we’re happy for… We find that helpful during the holidays. For HSP folks, one person suggested that being able to feel grief and joy at the same time neutralizes some of the wounding that has happened in the past.     DEATH RELATED LOSS AND HOLIDAYS Fear of death infringing on happy moments because we are aware of the potential of someone dying Managing grief from deaths at the holiday, deaths associated with that time of season by proximity deaths that happened recently.  Experiencing grief because you’ve lost someone in the past, especially if it is not a relationship you have finished Anticipating someone close to you dying—even if they are in good health The fear that you will be overwhelmed with their death The fear that you won’t be able to cope The fear that you will become so depressed, that you can’t get out of it We talk about carrying that person in our heart moving forward, and if possible having these conversations NOW while the person is still alive (if appropriate) We have all managed loss We have more tools that we remember we do We will feel sad, and we will manage We can get extra support, counseling, therapy, coaching, join groups   We all need death and dying education. It is necessary so we can know what we see, and that we can manage it when that time comes. We will all lose people we love to death-- that leaves only the option of being ready. That, in and of itself, helps ward off being caught unaware and thrown into depression. We know those who are ready and have reorganized before a death are the ones who will thrive afterward in their new life. Those who live a fear of death and will not prepare are the ones who do not fare well. SO WHAT DO WE DO TO GET READY? Plan ahead Don’t overspend Avoid stores if the input is too much, or too much of a reminder with a recent loss. You can order everything, including groceries, online. Don’t plan on every little activity. Limit them Limit time there Take your own car Look for an exit Don’t feel a need to explain GRIEF CARD TIME SET BOUNDARIES. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE GRIEVING, YOU GET TO SET THEM. PRACTICE WHAT YOU WILL SAY TO THOSE CROSSING BOUNDARIES GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO CHANGE IT UP! Take a vacation instead of doing what you traditionally do Invite new friends over Choose to celebrate on a different day, or someone new DON’T INCLUDE THOSE WHO DO NOT FEEL GOOD IN YOUR SPACE DO INCLUDE THOSE YOU HAVE LOST- PEOPLE, PETS IF THERE IS AN ANNIVERSARY AT THE HOLIDAYS? MARK IT PLAN AHEAD REMEMBER THERE IS MORE THAN THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS/HANUKKAH/KWANZA- NEW YEAR’S IS EVEN WORSE TV COVERAGE OF THOSE WHO DIED- BUT OUR SPECIAL PEOPLE AND PETS ARE NOT ON THAT LIST, ARE THEY? WRITE DOWN WHAT WORKS WHAT FELT GOOD WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO DIFFERENTLY. THAT MEANS JOURNAL DAILY. YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER GRATITUDE JOURNAL TO SET YOUR MINDFRAME EXERCISE AS YOU ARE ABLE SUNSHINE POSITIVE INPUT- EXAMPLE: MT RUBIDIOUX, NOT THE FESTIVAL IF YOU DO NOT WANT CROWDS, OR THE FESTIVAL LATE AT NIGHT WITH A FRIEND TO SEE THE LIGHTS, BUT NOT THE CROWDS.   Wolfenoot - It’s pronounced Wolf-a-noot according to Buzzfeed, and takes place on November 23rd. (If you wish to celebrate, you should be prepared for the Spirit of the Wolf to visit your home. This Spirit will hide and leave behind gifts for you, your children and, of course, dogs. The people who treat canines kindly get better presents than those who don’t, but this gift-giver doesn’t seem to penalize people who are just kind of indifferent to animals. We aren’t sure if the Spirit of the Wolf leaves presents for cats. On Wolfenoot, you will celebrate by eating roasted meats, because meat is a dog’s favorite food, and a cake decorated like a full moon because dogs like to howl sometimes.) (If you’re a vegetarian, or a vegan, you obviously adjust so that this fits with your values and beliefs)   It feels like a nice way to change the tone-- to be grateful and thank our furry friends in any way you choose. It was created by a child in New Zealand, around the concept of kindness.   For the holidays, coping with grief is about being Gumby. Bend, Flex, Change it up. Make it work for you. WAYS TO GENERATE CONVERSATION Is there someone you’ve had in your world that has died that you want to include in our blessing, or holiday tradition(s) Tell me about your pets? Tell me who they were What part of that person is always going to be a part of you? What lessons did you learn? Who were they for you? How did they impact your life? GUEST BIO Jill Johnson-Young, LCSW is a dynamic and engaging speaker who loves teaching both professional and community groups about dementia, death and dying, and grief and loss. She is the CEO of Central Counseling Services in Riverside, California, where she is also a clinical therapist. She is a certified Grief Recovery Facilitator after spending more than a decade with hospice as a medical social worker and as a director of social workers, chaplains and grief staff. She holds a BA from UC Riverside and her MSW from the University of South Florida. Jill has authored three children’s grief books and an adult grief workbook with more in process, and created Your Path Through Grief, a year-long, comprehensive grief support program which includes resources for therapists.   PODCAST HOST Patricia Young hosts the podcast Unapologetically Sensitive, and works with Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) helping them to understand their HSP traits, and turning their perceived shortcomings into superpowers. Patricia is passionate about providing education to help HSPs and non-HSPs understand and truly appreciate the amazing gifts they have to offer. Patricia works globally online with HSPs providing coaching. Patricia also facilitates online groups for HSPs that focus on building community and developing skills (identifying your superpowers, boundaries, perfectionism, dealing with conflict, mindfulness, embracing emotions, creating a lifestyle that supports the HSP, communication and more).   LINKS   Jill’ Links   Website-- www.yourpaththroughgrief.com, https://www.facebook.com/grieftalker/ Facebook--https://www.facebook.com/Riversidedementiasupport/, LinkedIn--https://www.linkedin.com/in/jilljohnsonyoung/. My pet is sick: It’s time to say goodbye by Jill Johnson-Young Someone is sick: How do I say Goodbye? By Jill Johnson-Young Someone I love just died: What happens now? By Jill Johnson-Young Your own path through grief; A workbook for your journey to recovery by Jill Johnson-Young   Amazon link for Jill’s books-- https://www.amazon.com/Jill-A.-Johnson-Young-LCSW/e/B07NPT5NYQ%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share   Leo Buscaglia-- http://www.buscaglia.com/biography   Leo Buscaglia YouTube—How to Love and be Loved-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8tw9ontdc0     Wolfenoot-- https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=12136886     Patricia’s Links   Bonus Episode 21 : I lost my sh*t, and it’s not about the gravy https://unapologeticallysensitive.com/unapologetically-sensitive-bonus-episode-21/   Website--www.unapologeticallysensitive.com Facebook-- https://www.facebook.com/Unapologetically-Sensitive-2296688923985657/ Facebook group Unapologetically Sensitive-- https://www.facebook.com/groups/2099705880047619/ Instagram-- https://www.instagram.com/unapologeticallysensitive/ Youtube-- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOE6fodj7RBdO3Iw0NrAllg/videos?view_as=subscriber e-mail-- unapologeticallysensitive@gmail.com Show hashtag--#unapologeticallysensitive Music-- Gravel Dance by Andy Robinson www.andyrobinson.com

Basic Gospel Teaching Edition
Power of 8: Faith, Hope and Love

Basic Gospel Teaching Edition

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2019 25:00


"If you're looking for victory in life, it comes through being empowered by the very Spirit of God. This Spirit led life gives us full knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. The life we live now is lived by faith, anchored by hope and expressed by love. When we come to Christ we are identified with Him in His death, burial and resurrection and raised to walk in the newness of life. Walking by faith is trust, rely and depend on Jesus in all things.

Grace Northeast Sunday Sermons
Building Blocks of Faith - The Holy Spirit & the Creed

Grace Northeast Sunday Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2019 19:28


Romans 12:1-21 I ask you, beloved family in Christ, by the mercy of God: do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed. God will renew your minds, so that you may understand the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. By God’s grace I say to everyone among you: do not think of yourself more highly than you should, but think with clear judgment, and recognize that everyone has been given a measure of faith by God. One body has many parts, and not all the parts have the same purpose. In the same way, we are many, but we are one body in Christ, and also members of each other. We have different gifts according to the grace God gives us: if truth-telling, in proportion to faith; if service, in serving; if a teacher, in teaching; if prayer, in praying; if a giver, in generosity; if a leader, in diligence; the merciful, in cheerfulness. So among you: let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another; honor each other. Do not give up easily, be earnest in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the community, and show hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be proud, but be among the humble; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; live in peace with those around you. As the proverb goes: “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. John 14:16-17,26-27,16:12-14 After he had washed their feet, Jesus said to his disciples, “I will ask the Father, and God will give you another advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive; it cannot see or understand the Spirit. But you can, for the Spirit dwells with you, and will be within you. The Father will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, in my name. The Advocate will teach you everything, and remind you of everything I said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, you will be led into all truth. This Spirit will speak what the Father longs to say, and will tell you what is to come. The Spirit will glorify me; the Spirit will take what I have and declare it to all of you.

CCC Sermons
Ruth 1:1-22 | God's Redeeming Love: The Return

CCC Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2019 46:53


Throughout history, millions of couples have fallen in love, married, and grown old together. Most of their stories (even the best of them!) have long since been forgotten by the generations that have followed. But one of those love stories has been tucked away for us in the Old Testament–the story of Boaz and Ruth. This Spirit-inspired record of the early days of their relationship is beautifully told and is full of dramatic tension. But while their story may have some value in providing a vivid depiction of trust, generosity, and sacrificial love, its greatest contribution is reminding us of this couples’ descendant who would be born generations later–Jesus Christ, the one who’d follow in his great-great-great…grandpa’s footsteps as the redeemer of His bride.

TheSincereSeeker's Podcast
Jesus Christ in Islam

TheSincereSeeker's Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2019 23:40


Jesus Christ is a Central and revered figure in the Islamic faith. A fundamental pillar of Islam involves the fundamental belief in all of God’s Prophets and Messengers, that He has sent down to relay His Message to humanity. Anyone who does not believe in any of God’s Messengers or Prophets is considered a disbeliever in Islam. Muslims hold all Prophets of God in high esteem, including Jesus peace be upon him. Muslims love and admire Jesus peace be upon him and will not speak the name of Jesus, or Isa in Arabic, without respectfully adding the words ‘peace be upon him’ following the reference. Aside from Christianity, Islam is the only other religion that requires followers to believe in Jesus Christ. God’s last and final Prophet, Muhammad narrated, ‘He who bears witness that there is no true god except Allah, alone having no partner with Him, that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, that 'Isa (Jesus) is His slave and Messenger, and he (Jesus) is His Word which He communicated to Maryam (Mary) and His spirit which He sent to her, that Jannah (Paradise) is true and Hell is true; Allah will make him enter Jannah accepting whatever deeds he accomplished.’ Jesus Christ is mentioned over 25 times in the Holy Quran. The mother of Jesus is Mary (Mariam in Arabic). She was a very pious and righteous woman. According to the Quran, she is the holiest and greatest of all women that ever lived. Mary has the great honor to be the only female mentioned by name in the Holy Quran and even has a whole Chapter named after her. "And [mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds" (Quran 3:42) The mother of Mary, Hannah, was at one time a barren woman who longed for a child. She made a vow to God that if He gifted her with a child, then she would consecrate him to His service in the Holiest of all Temples, the Temple of Solomon, to be a scholar or a priest. God answered her prayers and gifted her with a girl child. Hannah was saddened at the child’s gender, as usually only male children were given in service. Following her promise to God, she instructed that Mary is raised at the Temple. Her Uncle Zechariah, who was a Prophet of God raised her. As Mary got older, Prophet Zechariah would visit her in her chamber at the Temple, where only he had access, and he would observe that she feasted on the best of foods and cold drinks. He would ask who had delivered these feasts when no one else had keys to the chamber. She then would respond, ‘Allah!’ She was blessed by miracles from God, even before the birth of Jesus Christ. According to the Quran, Angel Gabriel walked into Mary’s chamber. Terrified that someone had come to harm her or to remove her chastity, she cried out, ‘I seek refused from Allah!’ Angel Gabriel responded, ‘I am not an enemy, I am Allah’s servant and a messenger who came to deliver glad tidings to you, that Allah would bestow upon you a child.’ She replied, ‘How can I have a child if I don’t have a husband, and no man has touched me?’ Angel Gabriel then responded: “Allah creates what He Wills. If He decrees a thing, He says unto it only: Be! and it is.” (Quran 3:47) Jesus’ real name is Esau (Hebrew) or Yeheshua (Classical). The Christians of the West gave the Latin name, Jesus,. The letter ‘J’ does not exist in Aramaic, so Jesus himself would not recognize the name, Jesus. Mary gave birth to Jesus in the valley of Bethlehem, away from the people, after which she then returned. The Quran confirms that Jesus was born of a virgin woman. When they saw her with her newborn child Jesus, they said: "…O Mary, you have certainly done a strange thing. O sister of Aaron, your father, was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste" (Quran 19:27-28) Mary didn’t speak but pointed at her child. "So she pointed to him. They said, ‘How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?’ [Jesus] said, ‘Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me Prayer and Zakah as long as I remain alive and [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born, and the day I will die, and the day I am raised alive’" (Quran 29-33) The Quran references the miracles that Jesus performed by the power and will of God, even in his infancy, when he spoke in the cradle to defend his mother’s chastity and innocence. The word Messiah is the title of Jesus. The word Messiah comes from the Arabic and Hebrew word mesaha, which means to rub, to massage, to anoint. In religious context, the word translates to mean ‘the one that has been anointed.’ It was common to appoint or anoint a King or Judge of Israel on the head with oil when taking office, as a sign of his inauguration. In the law of previous nations, they would rub a person’s head with special water when they converted to their religion. This practice lives on today, in the form of a Baptist ritual. Prophet Jesus was anointed as the next Prophet by his cousin, John the Baptist, the preceding Prophet. Jesus peace be upon him is called by four noble titles: The Messiah, the Messenger of Allah, A Word from Allah, and A Spirit from Allah. Muslim’s belief and understanding of Prophet Jesus stands in accordance with God’s final Book, the Holy Quran, and narrations of God’s last Prophet, Muhammad peace be upon him. Jesus Christ was a mere prophet of God; whose mission was to confirm the Torah which was revealed before him. He did not come bearing a new law, but only abrogated some laws to make life easier for the Children of Israel—the nation that lived before us. Jesus was sent to teach the same general Message, which was taught by all the previous prophets of God; that we must worship and follow the One God and shun every false god. God created Jesus Christ without a human father, just as Prophet Adam peace be upon him was born without either a human father or mother; Allah just said Be, and it Was. Declining to call Jesus the son of God is not done to belittle or insult Jesus; instead, it is done to Glorify and Magnify God. Allah is the One and Only, and He is far above having a child or a partner in His divinity. One should realize that Jesus never claimed to be the son of God, let alone God Himself. Through a careful study of the Bible, one would conclude that Jesus never called himself a god or God’s son. Nowhere does it state in the Bible that Jesus proclaimed himself as God. Instead, others made that proclamation after Jesus’ departure. Jesus, peace be upon him, only preached the teachings he received from God the Almighty. Prophet Jesus was only a servant and slave of God. He is not the son of God in the sense he was the begotten Son of God, instead; he is—metaphorically -the son of God in the sense that all righteous people are the sons of God. Yet this title is not to be taken literally as many Christians have done in error. There are many individuals labeled ‘sons of God’ in the Bible including Prophet Jacob, Solomon, and Adam peace be upon them as this was a common saying amongst the children of Israel. As Jesus Christ grew into adulthood, he began to travel and preach God’s Message throughout the land of Palestine to the children of Israel. He taught the scripture that God sent to him, known as the Injeel, which translates to mean ‘Good News’ or ‘Gospel’; confirming the truth of previous Holy Books of God. "And [I have come] confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me"(Quran 3:50) To reinforce his Message, God granted Prophet Jesus peace be upon him the ability to perform miracles; such as fashioning birds from clay, then blowing into them to turn them into real birds—healing lepers and the blind, and even resurrecting the dead, all by the will and power of God the Almighty. Never did Prophet Jesus peace be upon him take credit for performing the miracles by himself, without the power of God. According to the Bible, many verses show that Jesus never took credit nor stated that he could perform miracles on his own: ‘…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth’ (Matthew 28:18) ‘I can of mine own self do nothing …’ (John 5:30) ‘…I with the Finger of God cast out devils…’ (Luke 11:20) Prophet Jesus peace be upon him preached and stressed that no deity is worthy of worship except the One true God; and only through Him (the One true God, Allah, which is the unique name of God) can one obtain salvation in the hereafter. Prophet Jesus peace be upon him attracted an inner circle of devoted followers who listened to his teachings with humility; a ring known as the disciples. Jesus Christ peace be upon him preached the same general Message as the Messengers and Prophets before him. According to the Bible, ‘One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ “The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one’ (Mark12:28-29) Never did Prophet Jesus, nor any other Prophet, preach that God is part of a Trinity. Because the Children of Israel had gone astray from the straight path of God, Allah, the Glorious, sent them their final Prophet, Jesus Christ, to remind them that this is their last chance to fulfill God’s commandments. When Jesus Christ continued to preach God’s Message, commanding them to do certain things and to avoid certain things, instead of believing him and following him, they got frustrated by him; turning their backs on him and rejecting him, plotting against him. According to the new testament, a group of hypocritical and self-serving men of the Children of Israelites plotted against Prophet Jesus peace be upon him. They complained to the Roman authorities, who were pagan idol worshipers who had political power at the time; this because the children of Israel were only a minority. The Children of Israel complained that Prophet Jesus peace be upon him was preaching something new, and they provoked the Romans to rise against him; making the Roman governor believe that the call of Jesus Christ conveyed direct threats against the Roman power. His people claimed that Jesus Christ was an agitator speaking against the emperor which was not true. The Roman governor issued an order that Prophet Jesus peace be upon him is arrested, then crucified by hanging him on a cross and starving him; a common form of shame killing.    According to the Christian narrative, which Muslims do not believe, the Roman authorities found Jesus Christ, arrested him, then put him on the Roman cross—where he died. They eventually buried him, only to see him resurrected and returned from the dead. He announced to everyone he was the son of God. However, in reality, according to the Holy Quran, God states: "And [for] their saying (in boast), ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise." (Quran 4:157-158) So according to the Holy Quran, they neither killed nor crucified Prophet Jesus peace be upon him; rather, God placed a resemblance of Prophet Jesus peace be upon him on another person to make him like Prophet Jesus. The Christians were differing amongst themselves as to the truth of the matter, as they themselves were in doubt and had no certainty what happened. In all actuality, God rescued His Prophet by raising Prophet Jesus’ soul and body up to Himself. The Israelites and the Roman authorities never could harm him, crucify him or kill him; this version of events was only an assumption. According to some Islamic scholars, God punished Judas, the traitor by casting him in a resemblance to Prophet Jesus peace be upon him. So, they crucified him instead, assuming it was Jesus Christ. According to the New Testament, Jesus Christ returned to his followers. Whereas Christians believe that he returned from the dead, Muslims believe that he never died. His followers were terrified at his reappearance, as they thought he had been crucified. Then Prophet Jesus said: ‘Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have’ (Luke 24:39) Jesus Christ then asked for food, so he could eat before them like a human being would, not a spirit or a ghost. After he proved his existence, he told them God had willed him to leave; and that in his absence they should preach and teach his Message and be faithful to God. He promised them finally that another would come after him. Whereas Christians believe that Prophet Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit in the context of this statement, Muslims believe that his words referenced the Prophet, Muhammad peace be upon him. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him is mentioned and prophesied in Scriptures of all major world religions. In the Old Testament, God the Almighty speaks to prophet Moses: ‘’I will raise up for them (the Israelites) a Prophet like you from among their brethren (the Israelites); I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them (the Israelites) everything I command him.’ (Deuteronomy 18:18) This verse is referencing Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, who came after Prophet Moses and after Prophet Jesus peace be upon them. Prophet Muhammad is also mentioned by name in Song of Solomon Verse 5:16 in Hebrew. The Hebrew word used there is ‘Muhammuddim.’ The letters ‘im’ in the end indicates a plural variation of a term that translates to mean respect majesty and grandeur. Without the 'im’ suffix, the name would be ‘Muhamud’; translated to mean ‘the praised one’ or ‘altogether lovely’ in the Authorized Version of the Bible. Gospel of John 16:12-14 Jesus Christ states: ‘I have much more to say to you, more than you can now them bear.’ God did not find it fit for mankind to receive the whole Message of Islam (the way of life of submitting fully to God) at that point, as they would not have been able to bear the Message in its entirety. So, Jesus Christ says: ‘But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me…” (Gospel of John 16:12-14) This Spirit of truth is none other than God’s last and final messenger of mankind, meant to be followed until the last day. Prophet Muhammad, who came after Jesus Christ, preached the same general Message as Prophet Jesus and every other Messenger and Prophet before him. After the departure of Prophet Jesus, controversies sparked amongst his followers. They questioned whether the person who returned was really Jesus Christ. A severe split erupted in the Christian faith, revealing a broad spectrum of opinions regarding Prophet Jesus and his role in the world.  Prophet Jesus was a mighty messenger of God, but he was only a mortal human being. He was born from a mother; he ate and drank; he would sleep and use the bathroom; he suffered pain and emotions. This differentiates him from God the Almighty, as God need not eat, sleep, or drink. He was only a servant and slave of God. The Trinity—the father, the son, and the holy spirit—and the concept that Jesus died for our sins is firmly rejected in Islam. “O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So, believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, ‘Three’; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs”    (Quran 4:171) God makes it clear in the Quran that the act of ascribing a son to Him, angers him. Ascribing a son to God is beneath the Almighty. God states: “And they say: ‘The Most Beneficent (Allah) has begotten a son (or offspring or children)’ Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing. Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins. That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Beneficent (Allah). But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Beneficent that He should beget a son” (Quran 88-92) According to the Holy Koran, the one that calls God part of the Trinity is a disbeliever who will face a painful punishment. The Quran states: "They have certainly disbelieved who say, ‘Allah is the third of three’ And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment" (Quran 5:73) The Quran then says: "The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look at how they are deluded" (Quran 5:75) It’s important to mention that Prophet Jesus peace be upon him did not come down with a new Law, nor did he come out to abolish the Old Testament (Torah); instead he came to affirm, teach and preach the previous law, the law of Moses. According to the Holy Koran and the Bible, the Children of Israel were veering away from the laws and disobeying the commandments of God. Prophet Jesus’ mission was to confirm the Torah that was previously sent, to render certain things lawful to facilitate life for the Children of Israel and to proclaim and re-affirm the belief in One God. Prophet Jesus peace be upon him was the last in a long line of Messengers sent to the Jewish people. Prophet Jesus peace be upon him and the Book he came down with, the Injeel (Gospel), was not meant for non-Israelites. According to the Bible, Jesus states: ‘I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of Israelites’ (Matthew: 15-24) In another verse, 'These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel' (Mathew 10:5-6) So, my dear Christian brother and sister, why are you spreading the Gospel to those for whom it was never meant? Jesus states he was sent ‘only to the Children of Israel’ and not for everyone else. God has sent another Book after the Gospel—his final Book, the Holy Quran—and his last and final Messenger--Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him — which is meant for our nation, the latest nation to exist on earth until the end of time. Christians believe that every child is born with the taint of the original sin committed by our parents, Prophet Adam and Eve peace be upon them; a sin committed when disobeying our Creator and eating from the forbidden tree. According to Islam, the notion of the original sin is inconsistent with the concept detailing justice of the Almighty, the All-Merciful, the All-Loving How can God, the All-Just, make an innocent child responsible for or to bear the guilt of a sin committed by a distant ancestor? It is not just for one soul to carry the burden of another, and there is no justice to be found in one person being punished for saving another when they never committed the sin themselves. Islam teaches that everyone is responsible and will be held accountable for their own actions and that everyone is accountable for their own salvation. Salvation only comes from the act of Believing in the One God and following His commandments. Christians believe that since all men are born in this sinful state, it is necessary that a Christian believes in the atonement; the idea that Jesus Christ died for our sins. However, nowhere in the Bible did Jesus explicitly state that he would die to save mankind from sin. According to the Holy Quran and the Bible itself, one can receive forgiveness of sins from God solely through sincere repentance sought directly from God. If God, the Almighty, wished and willed to forgive humanity, then he certainly could have done so without the need of sacrificing Jesus Christ, his supposedly ‘begotten son.’ The idea that all one has to do to attain salvation is to simply believe Jesus Christ died for their sins, without the need of any worship nor the need to follow the Holy Law because Jesus Christ fulfilled it for them, was never preached by Jesus Christ himself—nor is it even in the Bible. Muslims believe that Jesus is still alive and that he will return to this world in the last days before the Day of Judgement. Muslims believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Muslims believe that Jesus Christ will return and preach the true Oneness of God as he has always done, and; he will not preach the trinity. Jesus Christ will prove to the Jews that he never was crucified and will prove to the Christians that they were wrong to ascribe him as divine. Imam Mahdi will be alive at the time of his return, also the time of the Battle of the Great Armageddon that Christians also predict. Muslims will fight on the side of Prophet Jesus peace be upon him, who will be their leader. According to the Holy Quran, God will ask Prophet Jesus peace be upon him on the day of Judgement: "…O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?’ He will say, ‘Exalted, are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. I said not to them except what You commanded me - to worship Allah, my Lord, and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness. If You should punish them - indeed they are Your servants; but if You forgive them - indeed it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (Quran 5:116-118) Muslims are the true followers of Jesus Christ, following what Jesus Christ preached and taught. To my dear Christian brothers and sisters, it’s imperative you research and learn the real Message of Jesus Christ. God, the Almighty has distinguished man above His other creations, by providing him the gift of reason. One would not be considered a rational being if he or she believed in faith without using their intellect, without investigating, rationalizing, analyzing, examining, pondering, and reflecting over what he or she believes and just blindly following their Church and pastor. To my dear Christian brother or sister, take the time to research and think for yourself.

Trumpet Media Podcast
Scrape The Benefits of The Holy Spirit- (podcast)

Trumpet Media Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2018 27:49


Holy Spirit: The Best Companion - Ever! Benefits of The Holy Spirit. The third person in Trinity is an active part of God that he uses to make all things happen. God does everything through the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of God now lives with every believer. Christians have the opportunity of maximizing their benefits through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit which manifested his power periodically in the Old Testament has been permanently stationed with the New Testament’s believers. The Holy Spirit is here just as Jesus Christ promised, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17 NIV). “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26 NIV). Christians must treat the Holy Spirit as our companion to enjoy his full benefits. In other words, you, as a Christian, should daily consult with the Holy Spirit in all matters. The more you consult with the Holy Spirit, the more the list of your testimonies will grow. Click to tweet Why Should A Christian Maintain A Close Relationship with the Holy Spirit? He is the powerhouse who helps a person triumph in all situations He Helps a person to have a deeper knowledge of the word of God and receive the associated benefits. He is powerful at operating both in the physical and spiritual realm to earn anyone maximum benefits. Holy Spirit will help you achieve the maximum benefits that God has designated for your life. Use the Holy Spirit to your advantage my friend! Click to tweet Learn more at http://woem.org/devotion or visit https://jamestaiwo.com/blog Check the latest podcast episodes here https://jamestaiwo.com/podcasts/ You may also love these: Success Express Lane - Book Persistent Faith and Action Lead to Success God Will Bless His Diligent Children Sin Separates People from God Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and other outlets (& rate us). SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER  By subscribing I accept the privacy rules of this site   What More to know about the Holy Spirit? Read below   The Holy Spirit, which is the 3rd person in Trinity, is an active part of God’s head that God uses to make all things happen. God does everything through the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of God now lives with every believer. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins, shows us the judgment that awaits those that die without being saved. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to be more like Christ; to live that divine nature of Christ. One of the advantages of the Holy Spirit is that he empowers every believer to live a Holy life.   Jesus Christ promised to send us someone who will be our comforter, our advocate, who will teach us all things bring to our remembrance everything He has said to us. He didn't just promise this; He makes it happen.    “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17 NIV). “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26 NIV).   The Holy is a person. Therefore, we must have the Holy Spirit as a companion in order to enjoy the fullness of His benefits. We must be in constant communion with the Holy Spirit so that we can be replenished anytime we feel depleted. The benefits of Holy Spirit baptism are numerous. Below are some of those benefits   THE HOLY SPIRIT DEEPENS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD >> Continue reading here >>

North Wake Church Sermons
The Reason We Love (1 Jn 4:7-16)

North Wake Church Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2018


Focus: we who confess Jesus ought to love one another, for God is love, has shown us love in sending Jesus, and this is how God is seen by others. This Spirit’s work of love and faith assures us of our life in God. Click HERE to view the live stream...

Your Faith Journey - Finding God Through Words, Song and Praise

When I was serving my year of internship in the Fort Worth, Texas area and Trinity Sunday approached, my supervisor told me that I would be preaching on that day.  He said he always had his interns preach on Trinity Sunday.  The reason?  Well, it is not the most popular festival Sunday for preachers, a majority of whom dread this Sunday, because the Trinity is all about church doctrine.  Other festival Sundays during the church year celebrate events.  Throughout the church year we focus on the many events that took place in the life of Christ.  But, on Trinity Sunday, we celebrate a church doctrine, one that is notoriously hard to understand. The doctrine of the Trinity itself cannot be found explicitly in scripture. Yet, it is scriptural to its core. It is the result of approximately 250 years of the early church reflecting on scripture and on its experience of God's self-revelation, as those encounters are recorded in scripture.  I love the way Nadia Bolz Weber talks about the shaping of this doctrine.  She writes: God is three persons and one being.  God is one and yet three.  The Father is not the Son or the Spirit, the Son is not the Father or the Spirit, the Spirit is not the Father or the Son.  But the Father, Son and Spirit all are God and God is one…So to review.  1+1+1=1.  That’s simple enough.  It’s no wonder that so many of the early church councils were called to try and make sense of the Trinitarian formula.  The church took it’s time coming up with the doctrine of the Trinity.….much ink and much blood has been spilled on the matter, but it’s hard to see what there is to actually celebrate on this “Church Doctrine Sunday.”  Where’s the good news in that?  God as bad math?   The doctrine of the Trinity is a human attempt to explain who God is, who the Christian church has understood God to be, on the basis of Scripture.  And, it is the result of the church's continuing experience of God over us, of God with us, and of God in us. We talk so much about the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit that we need to remember they are three portions of the one reality we call God.  In today’s Old Testament reading, Isaiah gives us this wonderful big picture understanding of God.  Isaiah is in the temple and, in a vision, he is given a big picture experience in which he catches a glimpse of the grandness and greatness of God.  He catches but a glimpse of the hem of God's robe, and even that is so imbued with God's holiness that Isaiah must turn away his eyes, crying out, "Woe is me."  One of the many things being communicated in this passage is that God is holy, God is completely other and set apart.  That is what holy means. God within God's self is so separate from everything else in existence, so different, that we simply have no reference for God – no analogy will completely do. Theologians know that every metaphor for God finally breaks down. God is like but not like; nothing in creation is comparable to God.  So wholly other is God that even the seraphs – those heavenly beings that guard God's throne – shield their eyes with their wings as they cry out their eternal hymn of praise: "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord...." (And, by the way, that hymn as expressed in this Isaiah passage is where we get the Holy, Holy, Holy, we sing during the celebration of the Eucharist.  Just take some time to ponder that.)  In Isaiah’s vision, the seraphs sing their song, and it reveals something more about God than simply God's holiness.  As holy and set apart as God is, not only is heaven filled with God’s glory.  Earth is also filled with God's glory, filled with God's presence. And, here is the divine contradiction: God who is one, who is so beyond and unlike anything in the created order that nothing can be compared to God, is nonetheless personal, fully present, and at work in this world, revealing God’s self to the world.          The Bible reveals this God coming to us in three distinct ways, as three distinct co-equals – over, with and in us.  Yet, these three are one.  God is over us as our source, our creator, our protector, the One above and beyond who governs justly throughout all creation – the Divine Parent Jesus called "Father," beginning and preserving all things. But this One God is also a loving Savior, revealed as a Son, who is reconciling, liberating, saving and redeeming so that we might live in communion with God. And this God also renews, transforms, empowers and sustains everything within creation and remains eternally present to us as the Spirit.  All of this is the work of the One God who is indivisible in being, purpose and work; God is one. God the Father, or God the Mother as some name God, is a God beyond all gender, male or female. Remember, nothing in the created order is suitable for defining God and capturing God's essence, save what God gives us. We call the first person of the Trinity “Father” or “Mother” because this is the Parent of the Son and the source of the Spirit, the source of all that is. We call the second person of the Godhead "Son" because he comes from the Father, was sent by God as God's incarnation to reveal God to us, to be God with us, to live out his life with and for us as one of us. The Spirit of God is the wind of God Jesus spoke of in today's gospel.  This Spirit or wind blows where it will, and the Spirit’s work is to give new birth, to transform, renew, sustain, and make us children of God. The Spirit is the lifeline through whom the risen Son is present to us in life – it is the Spirit's work to make bread and wine into Jesus' body and blood for us and to use it as the means of drawing us into Christ's risen presence so that we can feed on him.  One might say, the Holy Spirit is the “wireless connection between us and the Son and us and the Father because they, the three in One, are ‘hard-wired’ together in the one essence we call God.” Parent, Son and Holy Spirit – three distinct means of God being over and above us, with and for us, in and among us, and three distinct relationships with one another, who are nonetheless one in essence, will, purpose and work.  And, they work in concert, the three playing their different parts – three voices forming a relational trio of grace-filled melodies that harmonize into one glorious sound, in order to accomplish the same purpose.  And, the relationship between the three voices is like a dance of love. This relationship is all about love – a circle of self-giving, creating, liberating, healing love that is so inclusive it encompasses all of creation.  And, as we look at this dance, God is not the dancer, but God is the dance itself, calling us into God’s love and inviting us to join the dance.  This is the mystery of God we celebrate on this Trinity Sunday – the God who is the dance of love.  God over and above us, God for us and with us, God in us and among us.  One God – the God who created us and makes us God’s own, the God who is revealed to us in Jesus Christ, and the God who is the Spirit in us and among us, inviting us into this mysterious dance of love and using us to share the good news of God’s love and purpose for all.

Redeemer Bible Church Sermon Audio
The Savior Every Heart Longs For

Redeemer Bible Church Sermon Audio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2018


120 Jesus followers gathered following the days of Jesus' ascension. Then one day the Spirit came. This Spirit empowered the proclamation of Jesus. Peter preached, 3,000 got saved, and it was evident that the Holy Spirit would in fact be the power the church would need for the supernatural spread of the Jesus message.What did Peter say to the crowd that had gathered on Pentecost? What is the message he gave to the people then that is the crucial message for every heart now? What is the right response to hearing of Jesus, and have I responded to Jesus the way God calls me to?Come watch as the church grows by 26 times after one Spirit-empowered sermon that Peter preached on Pentecost. Come with unbelievers who need to hear of a Savior who has come to save them.

Willing Vessels Podcast
Pharmakeia Spirit

Willing Vessels Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2017 35:41


There is an Epidemic of Drug Addiction and Overdose in our Society. In this battle we must understand that there is a Spirit behind all of it, and that Spirit is the 'Pharmakeia' Spirit. This Spirit is pulling people into bondage. The Good Gospel News is that there is a way out! The Blood of Jesus Christ and freedom from faith in His Name!

Willing Vessels Podcast
Pharmakeia Spirit

Willing Vessels Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2017 35:41


There is an Epidemic of Drug Addiction and Overdose in our Society. In this battle we must understand that there is a Spirit behind all of it, and that Spirit is the 'Pharmakeia' Spirit. This Spirit is pulling people into bondage. The Good Gospel News is that there is a way out! The Blood of Jesus Christ and freedom from faith in His Name!

The Shaun Tabatt Show
EP 103: Kelly Balarie - Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears

The Shaun Tabatt Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2017 15:24


Welcome to The Shaun Tabatt Show! Today I speak with Kelly Balarie about her new book Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears (Baker Books, 2017). Here's what you'll learn in this interview: The Kelly Balarie origin story. (00:38-02:01) How and when the ideas behind Fear Fighting began to take shape. (02:02-03:38) The secret Kelly learned to successfully fight fear. (03:39-06:12) Kelly shares about her personal struggle with depression and how it impacted her life. (06:13-07:37) The importance of daily bravery decrees for renewing your mind. (07:38-9:07) The 8 fear-inducers that plague women. (09:08-10:51) Kelly shares about the role prayer has played in her fear fighting journey. (10:52-12:41) The one thing Kelly would like every read to take away from Fear Fighting. (12:42-13:12) Kelly shares her vision for how she'd like to see women use the Fear Fighting book and study guide in small groups and Bible studies. (13:13-14:16) Where to find Kelly on the web and pick up your very own copy of Fear Fighting. (14:17-14:40) About the Book:  We all live with fear. It hangs around, whispering in our ears, reminding us of all we can't do or will never be. But that's not the end of the story. We also have a God who draws close to say, Fear not. I am with you. This Spirit transforms us into fear fighters--women breaking free of trepidation to find bold dedication to God's peace-, purpose-, and joy-filled callings. With remarkable compassion born from personal experience, Kelly Balarie shows women how to: Cultivate unstoppable faith by harnessing God's Word and promptings Usher in lasting peace through prayers that reduce panic, blood pressure, and stress Discover clear and immediate action plans to exchange worry for God's greatest gifts Implement daily bravery decrees to stand armed throughout the day Participate in a twelve-week study guide to foster new courageous habits  Kelly pulls back the curtain of fear so you can find the beautiful woman God created you to be. About the Author:  Kelly Balarie has lived her subject matter. Her faith was built as she battled through an eating disorder, depression, serious health concerns, company failures, family tragedies, job losses, and times without income. Throughout it all, Kelly has looked past the pain to pursue God's always-unfolding plan. Kelly is a featured blogger at Crosswalk.com and iBelieve.com. Her work has been featured on Relevant, (in)courage.me, and Today's Christian Woman. She lives with her husband and two toddlers near the sun-soaked shores of the East Coast.  Connect with Kelly: FearFightingBook.com PurposefulFaith.com Facebook Twitter (@KellyBalarie) Instagram Pinterest For additional show notes, visit ShaunTabatt.com/103.    

Whole Guidance Podcast: Nutrition | Fitness | Happiness | Mindset | Ancestral Health | Holistic Wellness

Heal Thy Self CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER THE BEST FOODS TO SUPPORT SELF-HEALING This may sound revolutionary But we must go back to our evolutionary history To uncover human health mysteries To discover the truth behind pain To see the pleasure that can rain Down upon your body treasure and turn sickness Around back to health to feel full of abundance And wealth to find amongst us true love That shines bright like the sun above Which moves the entire night into day And from the dark comes this spiritual haze It lifts and expands Its spiritual gaze Toward you, by you, through you, and now from you This Spirit you wonder is what's wondering you This soul you ponder is what's pondering you This energy you seek is what's seeking you This pain you bother is what's bothering you This pleasure you miss is what's missing you This life you live is what's living you And this love that you are is what is loving you Don't forget your ancestral past Their power now lives within you, it will forever last You are the product of generations of love And your health will regenerate from this love Health is not outside you, you are a health through and through Health is your essence, do not forget this lesson To find wealth there is no need to work To find God there is no need for church To find health there is no need to search These are all expressions of love in the Universe To be or not to be, love is always the answer Life is rhythm so be a dancer Sing in tune with Mother Nature Follow her beat, you’ll find your centre Play healing sounds and be a healer Create beautiful music and become the Creator Remember love is an inside job Your heart is full of it and gives love as it throbs But you cannot give what you do not understand So learn what love is and make it your brand Be open to giving your self a love raise Be open to receiving loving gifts of praise You get from life as much as you give So give as much as you can afford to live Now is not the time to be cheap Love has no limit give it freely so others can keep Giving what they're getting to the rest of the world This circle of giving and receiving is a never-ending whirl Wind that blows through the entire cosmos Everything, after all, is connected in the Universe After you've given all that you got, you have not lost There's nothing to pay for love, there is no cost In the end your health will be free To express itself naturally And one day you will realise and accept this truth You are not in your body; your body is in you Links and Resources How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy! -- Paul Chek The Fourfold Path to Healing -- Thomas S. Cowan MD, Sally Fallon, Jaimen McMillan   Please leave a 5-s tar iTunes review for the Whole Guidance Podcast Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Android | RSS The post WGP 052: Health is an Inside Job appeared first on Whole Guidance - Learn a New Way of Being.

WebPreach Ministries
Just Like Judas -webpreach.com

WebPreach Ministries

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2015 23:00


The Church of today has become like the one who once betrayed Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot. The Spirit of Judas has once again invaded the church and has joined the congregation of believers. This Spirit has breached the hearts and minds of many Christians because of compromise and slothfulness and the resistance to hear the true words of God.

WebPreach
Just Like Judas -webpreach.com

WebPreach

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2015 23:00


A new MP3 sermon from WebPreach is now available on SermonAudio.com with the following details: Overview: The Church of today has become like the one who once betrayed Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot. The Spirit of Judas has once again invaded the church and has joined the congregation of believers. This Spirit has breached the hearts and minds of many Christians because of compromise and slothfulness and the resistance to hear the true words of God.

Urantia Book
16 - The Seven Master Spirits

Urantia Book

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2014


The Seven Master Spirits (184.1) 16:0.1 THE Seven Master Spirits of Paradise are the primary personalities of the Infinite Spirit. In this sevenfold creative act of self-duplication the Infinite Spirit exhausted the associative possibilities mathematically inherent in the factual existence of the three persons of Deity. Had it been possible to produce a larger number of Master Spirits, they would have been created, but there are just seven associative possibilities, and only seven, inherent in three Deities. And this explains why the universe is operated in seven grand divisions, and why the number seven is basically fundamental in its organization and administration. (184.2) 16:0.2 The Seven Master Spirits thus have their origin in, and derive their individual characteristics from, the following seven likenesses: (184.3) 16:0.3 1. The Universal Father. (184.4) 16:0.4 2. The Eternal Son. (184.5) 16:0.5 3. The Infinite Spirit. (184.6) 16:0.6 4. The Father and the Son. (184.7) 16:0.7 5. The Father and the Spirit. (184.8) 16:0.8 6. The Son and the Spirit. (184.9) 16:0.9 7. The Father, Son, and Spirit. (184.10) 16:0.10 We know very little about the action of the Father and the Son in the creation of the Master Spirits. Apparently they were brought into existence by the personal acts of the Infinite Spirit, but we have been definitely instructed that both the Father and the Son participated in their origin. (184.11) 16:0.11 In spirit character and nature these Seven Spirits of Paradise are as one, but in all other aspects of identity they are very unlike, and the results of their functioning in the superuniverses are such that the individual differences of each are unmistakably discernible. All the afterplans of the seven segments of the grand universe — and even the correlative segments of outer space — have been conditioned by the other-than-spiritual diversity of these Seven Master Spirits of supreme and ultimate supervision. (184.12) 16:0.12 The Master Spirits have many functions, but at the present time their particular domain is the central supervision of the seven superuniverses. Each Master Spirit maintains an enormous force-focal headquarters, which slowly circulates around the periphery of Paradise, always maintaining a position opposite the superuniverse of immediate supervision and at the Paradise focal point of its specialized power control and segmental energy distribution. The radial boundary lines of any one of the superuniverses do actually converge at the Paradise headquarters of the supervising Master Spirit. 1. Relation to Triune Deity (185.1) 16:1.1 The Conjoint Creator, the Infinite Spirit, is necessary to the completion of the triune personalization of undivided Deity. This threefold Deity personalization is inherently sevenfold in possibility of individual and associative expression; hence the subsequent plan to create universes inhabited by intelligent and potentially spiritual beings, duly expressive of the Father, Son, and Spirit, made the personalization of the Seven Master Spirits inescapable. We have come to speak of the threefold personalization of Deity as the absolute inevitability, while we have come to look upon the appearance of the Seven Master Spirits as the subabsolute inevitability. (185.2) 16:1.2 While the Seven Master Spirits are hardly expressive of threefold Deity, they are the eternal portrayal of sevenfold Deity, the active and associative functions of the three ever-existent persons of Deity. By and in and through these Seven Spirits, the Universal Father, the Eternal Son, or the Infinite Spirit, or any dual association, is able to function as such. When the Father, the Son, and the Spirit act together, they can and do function through Master Spirit Number Seven, but not as the Trinity. The Master Spirits singly and collectively represent any and all possible Deity functions, single and several, but not collective, not the Trinity. Master Spirit Number Seven is personally nonfunctional with regard to the Paradise Trinity, and that is just why he can function personally for the Supreme Being. (185.3) 16:1.3 But when the Seven Master Spirits vacate their individual seats of personal power and superuniverse authority and assemble about the Conjoint Actor in the triune presence of Paradise Deity, then and there are they collectively representative of the functional power, wisdom, and authority of undivided Deity — the Trinity — to and in the evolving universes. Such a Paradise union of the primal sevenfold expression of Deity does actually embrace, literally encompass, all of every attribute and attitude of the three eternal Deities in Supremacy and in Ultimacy. To all practical intents and purposes the Seven Master Spirits do, then and there, encompass the functional domain of the Supreme-Ultimate to and in the master universe. (185.4) 16:1.4 As far as we can discern, these Seven Spirits are associated with the divine activities of the three eternal persons of Deity; we detect no evidence of direct association with the functioning presences of the three eternal phases of the Absolute. When associated, the Master Spirits represent the Paradise Deities in what may be roughly conceived as the finite domain of action. It might embrace much that is ultimate but not absolute. 2. Relation to the Infinite Spirit (185.5) 16:2.1 Just as the Eternal and Original Son is revealed through the persons of the constantly increasing number of divine Sons, so is the Infinite and Divine Spirit revealed through the channels of the Seven Master Spirits and their associated spirit groups. At the center of centers the Infinite Spirit is approachable, but not all who attain Paradise are immediately able to discern his personality and differentiated presence; but all who attain the central universe can and do immediately commune with one of the Seven Master Spirits, the one presiding over the superuniverse from which the newly arrived space pilgrim hails. (186.1) 16:2.2 To the universe of universes the Paradise Father speaks only through his Son, while he and the Son conjointly act only through the Infinite Spirit. Outside of Paradise and Havona the Infinite Spirit speaks only by the voices of the Seven Master Spirits. (186.2) 16:2.3 The Infinite Spirit exerts an influence of personal presence within the confines of the Paradise-Havona system; elsewhere his personal spirit presence is exerted by and through one of the Seven Master Spirits. Therefore is the superuniverse spirit presence of the Third Source and Center on any world or in any individual conditioned by the unique nature of the supervisory Master Spirit of that segment of creation. Conversely, the combined lines of spirit force and intelligence pass inward to the Third Person of Deity by way of the Seven Master Spirits. (186.3) 16:2.4 The Seven Master Spirits are collectively endowed with the supreme-ultimate attributes of the Third Source and Center. While each one individually partakes of this endowment, only collectively do they disclose the attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. No one of them can so function universally; as individuals and in the exercise of these powers of supremacy and ultimacy each is personally limited to the superuniverse of immediate supervision. (186.4) 16:2.5 All of everything which has been told you concerning the divinity and personality of the Conjoint Actor applies equally and fully to the Seven Master Spirits, who so effectively distribute the Infinite Spirit to the seven segments of the grand universe in accordance with their divine endowment and in the manner of their differing and individually unique natures. It would therefore be proper to apply to the collective group of seven any or all of the names of the Infinite Spirit. Collectively they are one with the Conjoint Creator on all subabsolute levels. 3. Identity and Diversity of the Master Spirits (186.5) 16:3.1 The Seven Master Spirits are indescribable beings, but they are distinctly and definitely personal. They have names, but we elect to introduce them by number. As primary personalizations of the Infinite Spirit, they are akin, but as primary expressions of the seven possible associations of triune Deity, they are essentially diverse in nature, and this diversity of nature determines their differential of superuniverse conduct. These Seven Master Spirits may be described as follows: (186.6) 16:3.2 Master Spirit Number One. In a special manner this Spirit is the direct representation of the Paradise Father. He is a peculiar and efficient manifestation of the power, love, and wisdom of the Universal Father. He is the close associate and supernal adviser of the chief of Mystery Monitors, that being who presides over the College of Personalized Adjusters on Divinington. In all associations of the Seven Master Spirits, it is always Master Spirit Number One who speaks for the Universal Father. (186.7) 16:3.3 This Spirit presides over the first superuniverse and, while unfailingly exhibiting the divine nature of a primary personalization of the Infinite Spirit, seems more especially to resemble the Universal Father in character. He is always in personal liaison with the seven Reflective Spirits at the headquarters of the first superuniverse. (187.1) 16:3.4 Master Spirit Number Two. This Spirit adequately portrays the matchless nature and charming character of the Eternal Son, the first-born of all creation. He is always in close association with all orders of the Sons of God whenever they may happen to be in the residential universe as individuals or in joyous conclave. In all the assemblies of the Seven Master Spirits he always speaks for, and in behalf of, the Eternal Son. (187.2) 16:3.5 This Spirit directs the destinies of superuniverse number two and rules this vast domain much as would the Eternal Son. He is always in liaison with the seven Reflective Spirits situated at the capital of the second superuniverse. (187.3) 16:3.6 Master Spirit Number Three. This Spirit personality especially resembles the Infinite Spirit, and he directs the movements and work of many of the high personalities of the Infinite Spirit. He presides over their assemblies and is closely associated with all personalities who take exclusive origin in the Third Source and Center. When the Seven Master Spirits are in council, it is Master Spirit Number Three who always speaks for the Infinite Spirit. (187.4) 16:3.7 This Spirit is in charge of superuniverse number three, and he administers the affairs of this segment much as would the Infinite Spirit. He is always in liaison with the Reflective Spirits at the headquarters of the third superuniverse. (187.5) 16:3.8 Master Spirit Number Four. Partaking of the combined natures of the Father and the Son, this Master Spirit is the determining influence regarding Father-Son policies and procedures in the councils of the Seven Master Spirits. This Spirit is the chief director and adviser of those ascendant beings who have attained the Infinite Spirit and thus have become candidates for seeing the Son and the Father. He fosters that enormous group of personalities taking origin in the Father and the Son. When it becomes necessary to represent the Father and the Son in the association of the Seven Master Spirits, it is always Master Spirit Number Four who speaks. (187.6) 16:3.9 This Spirit fosters the fourth segment of the grand universe in accordance with his peculiar association of the attributes of the Universal Father and the Eternal Son. He is always in personal liaison with the Reflective Spirits of the headquarters of the fourth superuniverse. (187.7) 16:3.10 Master Spirit Number Five. This divine personality who exquisitely blends the character of the Universal Father and the Infinite Spirit is the adviser of that enormous group of beings known as the power directors, power centers, and physical controllers. This Spirit also fosters all personalities taking origin in the Father and the Conjoint Actor. In the councils of the Seven Master Spirits, when the Father-Spirit attitude is in question, it is always Master Spirit Number Five who speaks. (187.8) 16:3.11 This Spirit directs the welfare of the fifth superuniverse in such a way as to suggest the combined action of the Universal Father and the Infinite Spirit. He is always in liaison with the Reflective Spirits at the headquarters of the fifth superuniverse. (187.9) 16:3.12 Master Spirit Number Six. This divine being seems to portray the combined character of the Eternal Son and the Infinite Spirit. Whenever the creatures jointly created by the Son and the Spirit forgather in the central universe, it is this Master Spirit who is their adviser; and whenever, in the councils of the Seven Master Spirits, it becomes necessary to speak conjointly for the Eternal Son and the Infinite Spirit, it is Master Spirit Number Six who responds. (188.1) 16:3.13 This Spirit directs the affairs of the sixth superuniverse much as would the Eternal Son and the Infinite Spirit. He is always in liaison with the Reflective Spirits at the headquarters of the sixth superuniverse. (188.2) 16:3.14 Master Spirit Number Seven. The presiding Spirit of the seventh superuniverse is a uniquely equal portrayal of the Universal Father, the Eternal Son, and the Infinite Spirit. The Seventh Spirit, the fostering adviser of all triune-origin beings, is also the adviser and director of all the ascending pilgrims of Havona, those lowly beings who have attained the courts of glory through the combined ministry of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. (188.3) 16:3.15 The Seventh Master Spirit is not organically representative of the Paradise Trinity; but it is a known fact that his personal and spiritual nature is the Conjoint Actor’s portraiture in equal proportions of the three infinite persons whose Deity union is the Paradise Trinity, and whose function as such is the source of the personal and spiritual nature of God the Supreme. Hence the Seventh Master Spirit discloses a personal and organic relationship to the spirit person of the evolving Supreme. Therefore in the Master Spirit councils on high, when it becomes necessary to cast the ballot for the combined personal attitude of the Father, Son, and Spirit or to depict the spiritual attitude of the Supreme Being, it is Master Spirit Number Seven who functions. He thus inherently becomes the presiding head of the Paradise council of the Seven Master Spirits. (188.4) 16:3.16 No one of the Seven Spirits is organically representative of the Paradise Trinity, but when they unite as sevenfold Deity, this union in a deity sense — not in a personal sense — equivalates to a functional level associable with Trinity functions. In this sense the “Sevenfold Spirit” is functionally associable with the Paradise Trinity. It is also in this sense that Master Spirit Number Seven sometimes speaks in confirmation of Trinity attitudes or, rather, acts as spokesman for the attitude of the Sevenfold-Spirit-union regarding the attitude of the Threefold-Deity-union, the attitude of the Paradise Trinity. (188.5) 16:3.17 The multiple functions of the Seventh Master Spirit thus range from a combined portraiture of the personal natures of the Father, Son, and Spirit, through a representation of the personal attitude of God the Supreme, to a disclosure of the deity attitude of the Paradise Trinity. And in certain respects this presiding Spirit is similarly expressive of the attitudes of the Ultimate and of the Supreme-Ultimate. (188.6) 16:3.18 It is Master Spirit Number Seven who, in his multiple capacities, personally sponsors the progress of the ascension candidates from the worlds of time in their attempts to achieve comprehension of the undivided Deity of Supremacy. Such comprehension involves a grasp of the existential sovereignty of the Trinity of Supremacy so co-ordinated with a concept of the growing experiential sovereignty of the Supreme Being as to constitute the creature grasp of the unity of Supremacy. Creature realization of these three factors equals Havona comprehension of Trinity reality and endows the pilgrims of time with the ability eventually to penetrate the Trinity, to discover the three infinite persons of Deity. (188.7) 16:3.19 The inability of the Havona pilgrims fully to find God the Supreme is compensated by the Seventh Master Spirit, whose triune nature in such a peculiar manner is revelatory of the spirit person of the Supreme. During the present universe age of the noncontactability of the person of the Supreme, Master Spirit Number Seven functions in the place of the God of ascendant creatures in the matter of personal relationships. He is the one high spirit being that all ascenders are certain to recognize and somewhat comprehend when they reach the centers of glory. (189.1) 16:3.20 This Master Spirit is always in liaison with the Reflective Spirits of Uversa, the headquarters of the seventh superuniverse, our own segment of creation. His administration of Orvonton discloses the marvelous symmetry of the co-ordinate blending of the divine natures of Father, Son, and Spirit. 4. Attributes and Functions of the Master Spirits (189.2) 16:4.1 The Seven Master Spirits are the full representation of the Infinite Spirit to the evolutionary universes. They represent the Third Source and Center in the relationships of energy, mind, and spirit. While they function as the co-ordinating heads of the universal administrative control of the Conjoint Actor, do not forget that they have their origin in the creative acts of the Paradise Deities. It is literally true that these Seven Spirits are the personalized physical power, cosmic mind, and spiritual presence of the triune Deity, “the Seven Spirits of God sent forth to all the universe.” (189.3) 16:4.2 The Master Spirits are unique in that they function on all universe levels of reality excepting the absolute. They are, therefore, efficient and perfect supervisors of all phases of administrative affairs on all levels of superuniverse activities. It is difficult for the mortal mind to understand very much about the Master Spirits because their work is so highly specialized yet all-embracing, so exceptionally material and at the same time so exquisitely spiritual. These versatile creators of the cosmic mind are the ancestors of the Universe Power Directors and are, themselves, supreme directors of the vast and far-flung spirit-creature creation. (189.4) 16:4.3 The Seven Master Spirits are the creators of the Universe Power Directors and their associates, entities who are indispensable to the organization, control, and regulation of the physical energies of the grand universe. And these same Master Spirits very materially assist the Creator Sons in the work of shaping and organizing the local universes. (189.5) 16:4.4 We are unable to trace any personal connection between the cosmic-energy work of the Master Spirits and the force functions of the Unqualified Absolute. The energy manifestations under the jurisdiction of the Master Spirits are all directed from the periphery of Paradise; they do not appear to be in any direct manner associated with the force phenomena identified with the nether surface of Paradise. (189.6) 16:4.5 Unquestionably, when we encounter the functional activities of the various Morontia Power Supervisors, we are face to face with certain of the unrevealed activities of the Master Spirits. Who, aside from these ancestors of both physical controllers and spirit ministers, could have contrived so to combine and associate material and spiritual energies as to produce a hitherto nonexistent phase of universe reality — morontia substance and morontia mind? (189.7) 16:4.6 Much of the reality of the spiritual worlds is of the morontia order, a phase of universe reality wholly unknown on Urantia. The goal of personality existence is spiritual, but the morontia creations always intervene, bridging the gulf between the material realms of mortal origin and the superuniverse spheres of advancing spiritual status. It is in this realm that the Master Spirits make their great contribution to the plan of man’s Paradise ascension. (190.1) 16:4.7 The Seven Master Spirits have personal representatives who function throughout the grand universe; but since a large majority of these subordinate beings are not directly concerned with the ascendant scheme of mortal progression in the path of Paradise perfection, little or nothing has been revealed about them. Much, very much, of the activity of the Seven Master Spirits remains hidden from human understanding because in no way does it directly pertain to your problem of Paradise ascent. (190.2) 16:4.8 It is highly probable, though we cannot offer definite proof, that the Master Spirit of Orvonton exerts a decided influence in the following spheres of activity: (190.3) 16:4.9 1. The life-initiation procedures of the local universe Life Carriers. (190.4) 16:4.10 2. The life activations of the adjutant mind-spirits bestowed upon the worlds by a local universe Creative Spirit. (190.5) 16:4.11 3. The fluctuations in energy manifestations exhibited by the linear-gravity-responding units of organized matter. (190.6) 16:4.12 4. The behavior of emergent energy when fully liberated from the grasp of the Unqualified Absolute, thus becoming responsive to the direct influence of linear gravity and to the manipulations of the Universe Power Directors and their associates. (190.7) 16:4.13 5. The bestowal of the ministry spirit of a local universe Creative Spirit, known on Urantia as the Holy Spirit. (190.8) 16:4.14 6. The subsequent bestowal of the spirit of the bestowal Sons, on Urantia called the Comforter or the Spirit of Truth. (190.9) 16:4.15 7. The reflectivity mechanism of the local universes and the superuniverse. Many features connected with this extraordinary phenomenon can hardly be reasonably explained or rationally understood without postulating the activity of the Master Spirits in association with the Conjoint Actor and the Supreme Being. (190.10) 16:4.16 Notwithstanding our failure adequately to comprehend the manifold workings of the Seven Master Spirits, we are confident there are two realms in the vast range of universe activities with which they have nothing whatever to do: the bestowal and ministry of the Thought Adjusters and the inscrutable functions of the Unqualified Absolute. 5. Relation to Creatures (190.11) 16:5.1 Each segment of the grand universe, each individual universe and world, enjoys the benefits of the united counsel and wisdom of all Seven Master Spirits but receives the personal touch and tinge of only one. And the personal nature of each Master Spirit entirely pervades and uniquely conditions his superuniverse. (190.12) 16:5.2 Through this personal influence of the Seven Master Spirits every creature of every order of intelligent beings, outside of Paradise and Havona, must bear the characteristic stamp of individuality indicative of the ancestral nature of some one of these Seven Paradise Spirits. As concerns the seven superuniverses, each native creature, man or angel, will forever bear this badge of natal identification. (191.1) 16:5.3 The Seven Master Spirits do not directly invade the material minds of the individual creatures on the evolutionary worlds of space. The mortals of Urantia do not experience the personal presence of the mind-spirit influence of the Master Spirit of Orvonton. If this Master Spirit does attain any sort of contact with the individual mortal mind during the earlier evolutionary ages of an inhabited world, it must occur through the ministry of the local universe Creative Spirit, the consort and associate of the Creator Son of God who presides over the destinies of each local creation. But this very Creative Mother Spirit is, in nature and character, quite like the Master Spirit of Orvonton. (191.2) 16:5.4 The physical stamp of a Master Spirit is a part of man’s material origin. The entire morontia career is lived under the continuing influence of this same Master Spirit. It is hardly strange that the subsequent spirit career of such an ascending mortal never fully eradicates the characteristic stamp of this same supervising Spirit. The impress of a Master Spirit is basic to the very existence of every pre-Havona stage of mortal ascension. (191.3) 16:5.5 The distinctive personality trends exhibited in the life experience of evolutionary mortals, which are characteristic in each superuniverse, and which are directly expressive of the nature of the dominating Master Spirit, are never fully effaced, not even after such ascenders are subjected to the long training and unifying discipline encountered on the one billion educational spheres of Havona. Even the subsequent intense Paradise culture does not suffice to eradicate the earmarks of superuniverse origin. Throughout all eternity an ascendant mortal will exhibit traits indicative of the presiding Spirit of his superuniverse of nativity. Even in the Corps of the Finality, when it is desired to arrive at or to portray a complete Trinity relationship to the evolutionary creation, always a group of seven finaliters is assembled, one from each superuniverse. 6. The Cosmic Mind (191.4) 16:6.1 The Master Spirits are the sevenfold source of the cosmic mind, the intellectual potential of the grand universe. This cosmic mind is a subabsolute manifestation of the mind of the Third Source and Center and, in certain ways, is functionally related to the mind of the evolving Supreme Being. (191.5) 16:6.2 On a world like Urantia we do not encounter the direct influence of the Seven Master Spirits in the affairs of the human races. You live under the immediate influence of the Creative Spirit of Nebadon. Nevertheless these same Master Spirits dominate the basic reactions of all creature mind because they are the actual sources of the intellectual and spiritual potentials which have been specialized in the local universes for function in the lives of those individuals who inhabit the evolutionary worlds of time and space. (191.6) 16:6.3 The fact of the cosmic mind explains the kinship of various types of human and superhuman minds. Not only are kindred spirits attracted to each other, but kindred minds are also very fraternal and inclined towards co-operation the one with the other. Human minds are sometimes observed to be running in channels of astonishing similarity and inexplicable agreement. (191.7) 16:6.4 There exists in all personality associations of the cosmic mind a quality which might be denominated the “reality response.” It is this universal cosmic endowment of will creatures which saves them from becoming helpless victims of the implied a priori assumptions of science, philosophy, and religion. This reality sensitivity of the cosmic mind responds to certain phases of reality just as energy-material responds to gravity. It would be still more correct to say that these supermaterial realities so respond to the mind of the cosmos. (192.1) 16:6.5 The cosmic mind unfailingly responds (recognizes response) on three levels of universe reality. These responses are self-evident to clear-reasoning and deep-thinking minds. These levels of reality are: (192.2) 16:6.6 1. Causation — the reality domain of the physical senses, the scientific realms of logical uniformity, the differentiation of the factual and the nonfactual, reflective conclusions based on cosmic response. This is the mathematical form of the cosmic discrimination. (192.3) 16:6.7 2. Duty — the reality domain of morals in the philosophic realm, the arena of reason, the recognition of relative right and wrong. This is the judicial form of the cosmic discrimination. (192.4) 16:6.8 3. Worship — the spiritual domain of the reality of religious experience, the personal realization of divine fellowship, the recognition of spirit values, the assurance of eternal survival, the ascent from the status of servants of God to the joy and liberty of the sons of God. This is the highest insight of the cosmic mind, the reverential and worshipful form of the cosmic discrimination. (192.5) 16:6.9 These scientific, moral, and spiritual insights, these cosmic responses, are innate in the cosmic mind, which endows all will creatures. The experience of living never fails to develop these three cosmic intuitions; they are constitutive in the self-consciousness of reflective thinking. But it is sad to record that so few persons on Urantia take delight in cultivating these qualities of courageous and independent cosmic thinking. (192.6) 16:6.10 In the local universe mind bestowals, these three insights of the cosmic mind constitute the a priori assumptions which make it possible for man to function as a rational and self-conscious personality in the realms of science, philosophy, and religion. Stated otherwise, the recognition of the reality of these three manifestations of the Infinite is by a cosmic technique of self-revelation. Matter-energy is recognized by the mathematical logic of the senses; mind-reason intuitively knows its moral duty; spirit-faith (worship) is the religion of the reality of spiritual experience. These three basic factors in reflective thinking may be unified and co-ordinated in personality development, or they may become disproportionate and virtually unrelated in their respective functions. But when they become unified, they produce a strong character consisting in the correlation of a factual science, a moral philosophy, and a genuine religious experience. And it is these three cosmic intuitions that give objective validity, reality, to man’s experience in and with things, meanings, and values. (192.7) 16:6.11 It is the purpose of education to develop and sharpen these innate endowments of the human mind; of civilization to express them; of life experience to realize them; of religion to ennoble them; and of personality to unify them. 7. Morals, Virtue, and Personality (192.8) 16:7.1 Intelligence alone cannot explain the moral nature. Morality, virtue, is indigenous to human personality. Moral intuition, the realization of duty, is a component of human mind endowment and is associated with the other inalienables of human nature: scientific curiosity and spiritual insight. Man’s mentality far transcends that of his animal cousins, but it is his moral and religious natures that especially distinguish him from the animal world. (193.1) 16:7.2 The selective response of an animal is limited to the motor level of behavior. The supposed insight of the higher animals is on a motor level and usually appears only after the experience of motor trial and error. Man is able to exercise scientific, moral, and spiritual insight prior to all exploration or experimentation. (193.2) 16:7.3 Only a personality can know what it is doing before it does it; only personalities possess insight in advance of experience. A personality can look before it leaps and can therefore learn from looking as well as from leaping. A nonpersonal animal ordinarily learns only by leaping. (193.3) 16:7.4 As a result of experience an animal becomes able to examine the different ways of attaining a goal and to select an approach based on accumulated experience. But a personality can also examine the goal itself and pass judgment on its worth-whileness, its value. Intelligence alone can discriminate as to the best means of attaining indiscriminate ends, but a moral being possesses an insight which enables him to discriminate between ends as well as between means. And a moral being in choosing virtue is nonetheless intelligent. He knows what he is doing, why he is doing it, where he is going, and how he will get there. (193.4) 16:7.5 When man fails to discriminate the ends of his mortal striving, he finds himself functioning on the animal level of existence. He has failed to avail himself of the superior advantages of that material acumen, moral discrimination, and spiritual insight which are an integral part of his cosmic-mind endowment as a personal being. (193.5) 16:7.6 Virtue is righteousness — conformity with the cosmos. To name virtues is not to define them, but to live them is to know them. Virtue is not mere knowledge nor yet wisdom but rather the reality of progressive experience in the attainment of ascending levels of cosmic achievement. In the day-by-day life of mortal man, virtue is realized by the consis

Faith Community Church
When You Lack Wisdom - Audio

Faith Community Church

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2010 47:21


Happy Fourth of July, everybody. Good morning (congregation: Good morning.). Havent we had some beautiful weather lately? As I think about Gods creation, I love how Paul says in Romans that the Heavens declare Gods glory, creation shows His handy work, and you can see Him in so many different ways, can I tell you my favorite family Fourth of July story? Will you allow me to do that? It started a few years ago when our kids were little and we decided to buy a dog. They thought we really needed a dog, so we hunted, looked, read, and we decided to buy a Boxer because it said Boxers were super dogs, and I was kind of partial to that. It said that the kids could absolutely maul them, and they wouldnt care; so we thought, Great! That sounds like what would be good for our family, so we bought a boxer. We appropriately named him Knockout. He really bonded with us, and we bonded with him. He was everything Boxers were advertised to be. He was playful and fun, the kids could maul him, and he didnt care. He was just one incredible dog. Then we started hearing stories that Boxers werent afraid of fire. I kind of put that on the back burner like the Loch Ness Monster and those types of things. I was like, Yeah, right. Then we had a friend that said her uncle had fallen asleep in bed while smoking. He started the bed on fire, and the dog had put the fire out. I was kinda like, Yeah, right. I thought that was interesting and then kind of put it out of my head until the first year we had the dog on the Fourth of July. Our youngest daughter at the time, Tara, was about two years old. She was really mature for her age, so we decided that it was a good time for her to have her first sparkler. We waited until about 9:30. It was nice and dark, and we went outside, lit a sparkler, and gave it to her. She was just, as advertised, mature. She was great; she was having a great time and was perfectly terrific with it. She was waving it all over, having fun, and then out of the corner of our eyes, we see this white and tan blur racing from across the yard. It happened so fast, we didnt even have time to react. You have to understand this: when Boxers attack, they dont just run up to you and bite you, but from about 10 or 12 feet away, they literally launch themselves through the air. Theyll turn their shoulders and try to knock you over. It happened so fast that all I could think was holy guacamole! Whats going on? Here comes this blur, and about 12 feet away from Tara, Knockout just launched himself through the air like Superdog. He literally had his paws out navigating. I was like, Wow! He ripped the sparkler out of her hand without ever touching her. He landed on the ground snarling, growling, shaking, roaring, and with sparks flying out of his mouth. I was like, He looked like the dog from Hell! It was unbelievable! He never hurt her, never touched her, but he was not about to let her get hurt. Of course that launched wonderful Fourth of July escapades after that. We started buying two or three of the big $20 and $30 fountains after that, and hed just go ballistic! Hed beat them with his paws, pick them up in his mouth, and then you had to watch out because hed be spinning around. Wed be jumping over lightning bolts full of flames, but it was incredible! We were down at my parents, and all of the family got together a couple years after that. We were telling our cousins about Knockout and his adventures. They were like, Yeah, right. We have to see this! So we went down to the gas station, and they didnt have any fireworks anymore; but we bought some smoke bombs. I thought, I dont know whats going to happen. This will be interesting. He attacked them. He picked the whole thing up in his mouth, closed his mouth on it, and there were plumes of smoke coming out of both sides of his mouth. I was sitting there going, Wow! Now youve seen it all-the first K-9 volcano! As I think about those things, I realized afterwards how wonderful it was. What a picture of Christ, how amazing it is, and how thankful I am for the freedom that we have-that that dog would have gone through fire and anything to protect our family and protect our kids. It makes me very thankful for our veterans and the freedoms we enjoy this country because people literally were willing to go through fire, give life and limb and health for the sake of our country. I didnt think about doing this before, but if youre a veteran-if youve served in the Armed Forces-would you mind standing? Anybody here like that? Can we give them a hand (congregation applauding)? Thank you very much. I know we enjoy many of the freedoms that we enjoy because of people like you that were willing to sacrifice a lot. I hope we never take that for granted. Most of all, I hope we never take Jesus Christ for granted who literally went through hell and faced eternal flames and eternal fire so we could find freedom. As we look into His Word today, just before you do, would you take about 10 seconds or so and ask God to please teach you something today. Would you do that? Just bow your head, close your eyes, or leave them open-I dont care, but take a few seconds and ask God to please teach you today. Father, I do thank You for the time to come and hear Your Word. I pray that You would teach us and guide us. May we go from this place better people and wiser, and may we grow in grace; and I thank You that we can pray because of Jesus Christ. Amen. Were in the second of a series on the Gospel According to Jim from the Book of James. Were going to look at James 1:5-8 (page 1196 of pew Bibles). Well look at the context in a bit; but right off the top, lets look at these words that James shares. Were going to talk about four different phrases and what they mean in our lives. First of all, he says, If any of you lacks wisdom, he or she should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. As you look at that Passage, think first of all about the opening phrase. It says, If anyone lacks wisdom, you should ask of God. I want you to notice the connection between two different thoughts. First of all, he says that if you lack wisdom, you should do what? Ask. What do we call asking God? Prayer. Notice the intimate connection between wisdom and prayer. Let me say it this way, folks: wise people pray. Foolish people dont. Plainly and simply, that's the way it is. Wise people go to God in prayer. If youre an entrepreneur, they tell you that the way to become wealthy is to hang out with millionaires if you want to become a millionaire. If youre a millionaire and you want to become a billionaire, who do you hang out with? Billionaires-because those people dont think like we do. They think differently, and you learn to think like they do. The same thing with God; if you want to think like He does and you want to change your life and your ways, hang out with somebody who knows way more than you do. Humility is the first step of wisdom. A wise person hears. Jesus started the beatitudes with blessed are the poor in Spirit. That attitude of humility that says I dont know everything is the opening gambit of learning and growth in the knowledge and understanding of wisdom. Lets look at Proverbs 4 (page 628 of pew Bibles). Solomon hammers on this point. He says if you want wisdom, then youd better learn how to pray when he says, Listen, my sons, to a fathers instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. When I was a boy in my fathers house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding; Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. Other Passages say that you will find wisdom when you cry out for her and ask for her. Friends, thats the challenge for all of us. Wise people pray. Wise couples pray. In two days, my wife and I are going to celebrate our 31st anniversary, which is a miracle in and of itself. Shes a terrific lady. How shes put up with me all these years, I have no idea; but she did, and Ill say that one of the huge reasons were together is that right there: prayer. The second thing I would say is that I have come to conclude after that many years of marriage that Satan fights couples over the area of prayer more than any single other thing in their marriage. Satan hates when couples pray together, and he will do anything and everything to keep couples from praying together. Why? Because he knows that thats where wisdom is gained. He knows thats where difficulties are overcome. That's where unity of mind happens, and he will try every strategy-everything under the sun-to keep couples from praying. He does the same thing with churches. Wise churches pray. I was chuckled because coming to a typical service in America, we feature other spiritual disciplines. There are Gods Word, prayer and praise. What does the typical church service feature most of those three? Preaching and praise. Which gets left out most of the time? Prayer. Yet, prayer is the only thing-its the single thing of which Jesus said, My house shall be called a house of… Prayer. Why? Why does Satan fight that? Because thats where all the power is. Thats where real wisdom is. Thats where real unity happens. Every revival in the history of Christianity for 2,000 years has been a revival not of preaching and not of praise but of…? Prayer. Incredible things happen when Gods people ban together to pray. Going back to couples, God says this, If two or three of you shall agree or harmonize concerning anything, it will be done for them. Wise people pray. Its interesting that the two wisest people who ever walked the face of the earth-Solomon and Jesus Christ-were people of…? Prayer. How did Solomon begin his reign? He began it by offering thousands upon thousands of sacrifices to God and leading his people in a national time of prayer. Open up the Book of 1 Kings and Chronicles, and look at Solomons prayer. See how long that prayer takes. Its a long prayer. Its interesting that at the beginning of his ministry, God appears to Solomon. The first thing God says to Solomon is…? Ask. Its the proverbial win the lottery. Its the proverbial genie in the lamp. You find the magic lamp, and you get three wishes. Thats fictionalized, but this really happened. God says to Solomon, You can have anything you want, and Solomon says, Give me wisdom. I love his phrasing. He says, Lord, Im like a little kid. I dont know how to go out or come in. In our vernacular wed say, I dont know how to get in out of the rain. Solomon says, Thats me. I dont know how to get in out of the rain, so give me a large and understanding heart. Gods like, Bravo! I love that! Thats awesome! Good answer! Interestingly, that Passage we read in Proverbs 4, where did Solomon learn to ask for wisdom? From his dad. His dad told him over and over, Get wisdom. Get understanding. Wisdom is supreme! Sell everything you have to get wisdom! David drilled that into his son. So God comes to Solomon and said, You can have anything you want. Solomon said, Ill take wisdom, please. Jesus, to begin His ministry, went off for 40 days of fasting and prayer. In the Book, it was recorded that He came out of that time of prayer and fasting full of power and of the Spirit of God. The Book of Revelation gives us a picture of what the Spirit of God entails. It talks about the Sevenfold Spirit of God, and you say, What is that? Well, the Book of Isaiah gives us a hint. Lets look at Isaiah 11:1-2 (page 686). Isaiah says, A shoot or a branch will come up from the stump of Jesse… Hes talking about the Messiah. …from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. This Spirit of God is what will characterize the Messiah. Notice what it says. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him-the Spirit of wisdom and understanding… Did you check that? The first mark of being touched or changed by the Spirit of God is a spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and of power, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. When God comes into our hearts and lives and changes us, He gives us a new spirit of wisdom and a new spirit of understanding. When I was growing up, my father drilled into us, You ought to do one thing every time you open up the Word of God, and thats pray and ask God to teach you something. Why? He would always quote Corinthians, Because the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. They are foolishness to him, and they can only be discerned spiritually. If I were to ask for a raise of hands, how many of you-maybe you can or not, whatever- before you came to Christ would open up this Book and say, Huh? It was like reading Greek or Aramaic or Hebrew, and you werent a Hebrew or Greek scholar. You were reading it, and you were like, This doesnt make any sense to me! How many of you experienced that before you came to Christ. Then something amazing happened. You seen your need for Christ. You trust Him to pay for your sins. You say, God, I want You in my life, and you open up this Book-after God puts His Spirit in your heart-and all of the sudden, guess what? Its alive. It comes to life, and all of the sudden, stuff that you could never get before, Oh, that makes perfect sense! I get it! No matter how many times you read it-you could read the same Passage of the same section of Scripture 100 times-and every time you read it, its always new. Its always fresh. It always challenges you in ways that you never seen before. There are some Passages I read a 100, 200, or 300 times, and Im like, Man, how come I never saw that before? Its new! Thats what the Spirit of God does. He continually gives you understanding and light. Jesus at 12 years old was in the Temple doing what? Asking questions. Thats the mark of Gods children. As we look at this Passage, and later on when it says, A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways, I always think of little kids with their parents. How many of you have children or grandchildren that love to ask the three-letter word, Why? Now how many of you growing up were that little kid that liked to ask the question, Why? Now, heres the thing: you know that you can ask that in one of two ways, right? There are some kids that ask why because theyre rebels. They really dont want to do what you say. Theyre not asking why because they want a long and mutually-understanding explanation of all the various facsimiles of reasons for which you should conduct your manner which is appropriate for civilized people. Thats not why theyre asking why. Theyre asking why because they dont want to do what you say. On the other hand, there are those children who are genuinely inquisitive, and they push the limits of what we know and learn because theyre always asking why. They dont buy the standard party line. Maybe theres a better explanation, or maybe theres a better way of doing things. Those people are incredibly creative and incredibly inventive. We need those types of people, and Gods not afraid of those types of people. The more I walk with God, [the more] I am just amazed at how incredibly creative the Spirit of God is. The ways He opens wisdom and understanding and teaches you to do things in ways youve never thought of before is unbelievable. Friends, Gods not afraid of those types of whys. Its in that context talking about the double-minded man, this coming to God and asking why and seeking for wisdom that we have to make sure we are the good kind of child asking why, receiving the Kingdom of Heaven as a little child, and not the rebellious child who says, WHY!?!?! Thats the challenge. God assures us-and interestingly again-that Jesus was that type of person. The first thing we see about Jesus in the Gospels and at 12 years of age is Him in the Temple doing what? Asking questions. He wants to know, so Hes hanging out with the wisest people in the country asking questions, picking their brains. Thats smart; in a multitude of counselors, there is wisdom, right? Its why we need to hang out with God. He knows a lot more than I do. Like Solomon, when I was growing up, Id read that Passage about Solomon saying, Im a little kid. I dont know how to come in out of the rain, and I was going, Well, if Solomon was a little kid, Im an idiot. I dont know anything. For years, that was my prayer, God, Im a moron. Please teach me something because I dont know diddly. Then whats amazing is you actually have to learn quite a bit to realize that you dont know anything. The more I know, the more I realize the distance between God and me is just unbelievable. He knows so much more than I could ever possibly imagine, and there is so much more to learn in the world than I could ever hope or think of. To walk around thinking that youre pretty smart is absolute stupidity. So to come to God with that seeking attitude is true wisdom. Friends, as we look at the context, thats wisdom in general. The second thing I would say is not only in general should we seek wisdom, but specifically in a specific situation, we need to seek wisdom-that is, as you look at the context, trials, difficulties, and troubles. Verses 5-8 of James are built on the first four verses where he says, Count it all joy when you fall into various trials and testings, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, so asking for wisdom is set in the context of going through hard things. That's the challenge, isnt it? Thats when your faith gets tested; thats when your genuine hunger for wisdom gets tested. Thats what Gods trying to do in our lives, bring us to Him to ask, like the genuinely-seeking child, Why? I dont understand these things. Please teach me why I have a friend who doesnt live here, doesnt live anywhere close to here; he lives in the deep, deep South. Hes been through a lot of difficulties in his life in the last year. Weve been emailing a lot back and forth, so he shared those and I tried to encourage him. At one point, I finally said, So, what do you think Gods trying to teach you through all these things? He claims to be a Christian, and he said, I dont think Gods trying to teach me anything. I think bad stuff just happens to people. I didnt say it to him, but I thought, Buddy, youre going to be in kindergarten a long time because God allows things into our lives and brings things into our lives to teach us lessons to help us grow. Gods a good teacher. If you dont get the lesson the first time, whats He going to do? Hes going to repeat it. Isaiah says, Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little, Godll keep taking you back to school. Hell make you repeat that class till you finally get the lesson, so what is the mark of wisdom? Is it to say, Okay, God, please teach me the first time? If youre going through difficult things, your attitude ought to be, God, please dont let me waste this opportunity. Right? Thats the first thing. Its interesting that God is not afraid of you asking why when you go through difficult things. Two of my favorite people in the Bible-David and later on, Jesus-both share the same exact thought and the same words. In Psalm 22, David-you talk about trials-gets anointed king at a very young age, possibly as a young teenager. He may have been as young as 13 or 14 years of age. Everything was going according to plan. He was the youngest in the family. He was hauled out of his lowly position and honored in front of all his brothers. He went out to battle, beat Goliath, and became a national hero. He had the number one song in all of Israel written about him. He became the kings personal musician. He became the kings personal bodyguard. He became the commander-in-chief of the army. He was a national hero; he had it going on. It couldnt get any better than him getting to marry the princess. Wow! Then, guess what? He proceeded to lose it all. He lost his new house; he lost his new wife; he lost his position as the kings personal bodyguard; he lost his position as commander-in-chief; he lost his position as the national musician; and he fled and spent years running for his life. He viewed himself as a flea bouncing around in the wilderness from place to place, never staying one place very long because death was always a heartbeat away. In the middle of all of that, David cried out those words that most of us still know in Psalm 22, My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Dont focus on the last part; just focus on my God, my God, why… Why? Friends, its not wrong as a child of God to ask why. Thats not a matter of doubt. Wise people of real fate ask why. The answers may not always be immediate, but you can bank on it-God must have a reason. I may not get it; I may not see it right away, but there is a reason. A connection with Jesus echoes those same exact words. Many scholars believe that He probably quoted all of Psalm 22 on the cross; as He hung there suspended between Heaven and earth dying for my sins and your sins, what words come out of His mouth? My God, My God, why… Again, we usually quote the rest of that, but I just want you to stop at that phrase right there: My God, My God, why… Its interesting-the Book of Hebrews specifically says about our Messiah-God incarnate, God in the flesh-that even though He was a Son, He learned obedience. He learned obedience through the things that He suffered. Friends, anybody can obey God when its easy. Anybody can be thankful when its raining gold, theyre in wonderful situations, and in health, wealth, and happiness. Anybody can praise God and bless God. Like Job of Old, when everything we have is taken away, and instead of blaspheming God, we praise God while everybody else mocks us-those points when your Dad in Heaven looks down and says, That's my kid! See him down there. Theres nobody like him! Look at all the heartache hes going through. Look at all the pain. Look at all the trials, all the suffering. Still, he believes in Me. Still hes trusting Me, that's faith. Thats wisdom, and God honors His children who do that kind of thing. God writes books about them, and He says He wont forget any of your tears. Thats genuine wisdom. My challenge, folks, is in those situations, genuinely come to God and ask Him, God, what are You trying to teach me? What do I need to learn? My second challenge-as we think about genuine wisdom-is that there may be specific reasons. I think of the word SIP. I want to talk about three reasons here. First of all, there may be sin. Sometimes we dont ask why because we dont like answers, right? It may be that there is sin in our lives. It may be that were going through adversity probably because were disobeying the Word of God. Thats quite a possibility. As we face adversity, maybe some of us never entertain that idea. The letter I-maybe its ignorance. Maybe its not open sin or rebellion against God; you just dont know any better. Youve never heard. That's a possibility as well. The letter P-it may be just pruning. Maybe its nothing youve done wrong. This is why I get little irked at some of the health, wealth, and happiness gospel people because if you go through a major illness, lose your job, lose your home, or a loved one dies, Well, its Gods judgment on you for a wicked life. Hogwash and that wonderful English word, Balderdash! It may just be pruning. God knows that pruning produces fruit in your life, growth, and hard things yield wonderful fruit later on. It may be that reason. Friends, in that light as you try to seek for discretion and understanding about those reasons, I would really challenge you to dig into the Book of Proverbs. Ive come to believe-after being through the Bible many, many times-that specific sections of the Bible teach us specific things and help develop specific gifts. In the Book of Proverbs, it says specifically that it helps us grow in wisdom. Thats the whole reason it was written. As you look at our culture, I want to take just a brief second to talk about some of the major themes that exist in the Book of Proverbs that our culture could really deal with. Friends, if you look around the world, sometimes we hear the words, There is no common sense anymore, right? The reality is that common sense is only a step removed from spiritual sense. When you chuck God and His wisdom, common sense goes out the window as well not too far down the road. Look at some of the common themes. How many of you have ever lamented the fact that there isnt much respect, isnt much honor for authority, not many courteous people anymore? Articles about courtesy get written all the time. People are becoming more and more rude, more and more discourteous. There is no respect. Youve seen the stories of 50 years ago in our American schools when the worst problems in schools were chewing gum in class and running in the halls. Now we have to have metal detectors. Is it any wonder what we chucked out of school a long time ago? Prayer. What soon followed? Lack of common sense. Im not knocking [our schools]. I love all our teachers and the good people that teach. That's not where Im going. Im saying when we throw God out of the picture and His wisdom, common sense soon follows. As you think about that theme of honor and respect for authority, God says in Proverbs 1:7, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. You look at the sexual mess that our country has embraced. We sell everything from car washes, cars, toothpaste, to furnisher polish with sex. Sex is a wonderful, terrific, beautiful thing given by God in the context of marriage. The Book of Proverbs will tell you to embrace and love your wife, and he will be very picturesque about that; but he will tell you the incredible dangers of sexual promiscuity and that it will destroy people, destroy cultures, and destroy individuals. Sexual promiscuity is the path to destruction and hell. We need a dose of that in our culture. Proverbs is replete. Its just stock-piled full of financial information about how to handle your money. Im so thankful that my parents absolutely drilled into me from a young age the borrower is the slave of the lender. Im not saying that that is sin. Sometimes awful things happen to people. They go into debt, and while Im not saying its sin, I am saying-and God is saying-its true that if youre in debt, guess what? Somebody owns you; youre a slave. Now you look at our country. Do you think were a nation of free people when we are trillions and trillions and trillions of dollars in debt? I dont care what political party youre from. The reality is both parties for 50 or 60 years have voted to spend more, spend more, spend more, spend more, spend more than we take in. The Word of God says you cant do that; you are going to pay the piper. I always think its incredibly fascinating that God told the Israelites, You should not get a king because if you get a king, do you know how much you will have to pay in taxes? Ten percent. Paying 10 percent of your income in taxes will make you a slave. We havent passed that threshold in America, have we? In fact, do you know what youre literally saying when you give God 10 percent of your income or the tithe? What youre literally saying is God, you own me. You own me and everything I have. That's why God asks us for at least 10 percent of what He gives. Thats our way of saying, Youre the boss, and Im not. Its interesting that in the world empire Egypt, at the time, when Joseph took over after seven years of famine and saved the nation, the landowners, the farmers, and the middle-class merchants of Josephs day sold themselves into slavery to Pharaoh. They sold their lives, their cattle, their lands and everything they had. They said, Oh, Pharaoh, you saved our lives. Pharaoh said, Fine, youll be my slaves forever. Do you know what the Egyptians considered slavery? Paying 20 percent of their income in taxes. The Egyptians considered that slavery. So we think of the Fourth of July, and Im not advocating rebellion, Im just saying, Look how far weve come. Our fathers rebelled against England. What was the straw that broke the camels back? It was a two-cent stamp tax. Now, I know that two cents then was different than two cents now, but think about that. You stand on principles and say, You have no right as free men to violate us over two cents. I could go on and on. My favorite, as we talk about these issues in Proverbs-and I really challenge you to get into that Book-is Gods judgment on a nation. I heard a generation of preachers that talked about the wickedness of America and how God was going to judge it like Sodom and Gomorrah, fire and brimstone from Heaven. In the Book of Proverbs, one of the most obscure Passages, but one of my absolute favorites in the Book of Proverbs tells us-do you know what the judgment for wickedness in a nation is? This will blow your minds, and its really in the Bible. The judgment for a nations wickedness is bigger and bigger bureaucracy. Thats in the Bible. How come we dont know thats in the Bible? Gods mark of judgment on a nation when they turn their back on Him is they get more and more and more and bigger and bigger and bigger government. We have ceased to reach out our hands to the God in Heaven and bow our knees and say, Give us this day our daily bread. Instead we bow our knees and reach up our hands to Uncle Sam and say, Please save us, and give us this day our daily bread. Give us cradle-to-grave security. Right? I dont care what party youre from. As we talk about wisdom, the last thing-one of the other key things in Proverbs-is also one of my favorite things as a counselor. You hear so often in psychology circles, Oh, I just need to vent. How many of you have heard people say that? Maybe youve said that yourself. Oh, I just need to vent. We get sold this lie out of the pit of hell that if we dont vent, were going to get all eaten up inside. Did you know that Proverbs says, A fool, a fool, gives vent to all his feelings? Wise people hold it in. Huh? Didnt know that was in the Bible. That doesnt mean you dont deal with unforgiveness, bitterness, and all those things of the heart issues, but how many of you have seen people destroy families, destroy relationships, because theyre venting all the time. If somebody is mad, boy they just have to let someone know about it, I have to give you a piece of my mind! Friends, we reap so much hurt and so much pain because we ignore the everyday wisdom of the Word of God. Im going to give you a few minutes here of meditation, so Im going to ask Nathan Heider to play the saxophone. Hes going to college on a saxophone scholarship. I asked him if he would stand in the back and play a very mellow, meditative song. Im going to give you an opportunity to bow your heard or look up at the ceiling and pray. Ask God to give you wisdom. You can pray together. You can pray by yourself. If youre going through difficulties, maybe ask God why youre going through what youre going through. Take a chance to thumb through the Book of Proverbs, and maybe just read a few verses and meditate on Gods wisdom; so as Nathan plays, why dont you take a few minutes of meditation and prayer. Amen. Thank you very much, Nathan. I really appreciate that. I could listen to that for a long time. A couple more thoughts as we wind down very quickly. Look at the next phrase. It says he gives generously without finding fault. It will be given. How many times as parents or grandparents-even if your kids are asking good things-are you sometimes worn out? Sometimes its like, Oh, just please leave me alone. Dont ask me one more thing. The amazing thing about God-does He ever get tired of you asking why if you have the right attitude? The answer is no. You could come to Him 1,000 times, and He never gets tired of your questions. That should encourage us. Hes incredibly generous. As you think about that, God doesnt stop with His generosity at just a bare answer to the question. Solomon asked God for wisdom. God was just giddy with, I get to answer this! He said, Okay, Solomon, since you asked for wisdom, Ill give you that. Not only will I give you wisdom, Ill make you the wisest person that ever lived. Thats unbelievable. Then he says, Because you didnt ask for all of this other stuff-you didnt ask for a long life, wealth, or the lives of your enemies, or any of that-Ill give you all of that too. Isnt God amazing? And His Son, His Son seeks true wisdom. He seeks to honor His father, and what does He get in return? God gives Him way more than wisdom. He gives Him the throne of the entire universe. All of His enemies become His footstool. He is King of kings, Lord of lords, and will remain that way forever because God is incredibly generous and loves to give. When he asked, James said, We must believe and not doubt because he who doubts is like the wave of a sea blown and tossed by the wind. The challenge is to ask why with the right attitude. Friends, it doesnt mean that we dont realize hurt or anything like that. There is hurt; there is pain, but faith-as opposed to doubt-faith says, I know this hurts, and its painful, but there must be a reason. It doesnt say, Oh, yippie-kai-yay! Im going through pain. Im going through… That's not what faith is. Its just that in the middle of all of that, in our heartache and pain, we say, Okay, God, I dont get it now, but I know that Youre good, and I know that Youre generous; and there must be a reason for what Im going through. Faith says that God is good and generous even in the middle of that. Thats the greatest lesson of all. In the last phrase, it says, That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord for hes a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let me finish with this thought: Friends, God is a good parent. What does it mean that Hes a good parent? That means He doesnt give in to temper tantrums. Youve all seen it in the supermarket checkout lines, right? The harried mom with the kid that goes by the candy aisle or the candy racks and screams, I want that! I want that! The mom says no, and the kid screams louder. Mom says no, and the kid screams more and throws a temper tantrum. The mom says no 14 times but finally on the 15th time because the kid has trained the mom well, they realize theyre going to get what they want because theyve thrown a big enough tantrum. Heres my question to you: Is God like that? Is God going to give in? No. You can scream 20, 25, 30, 40, a million times, [and still] God will say, Forget it. God says, Dont think that that person will receive anything from the Lord. If you ask with that demanding I want my own way! Im going to get what I want regardless, Gods going to tell you no; or He might just give it to you with all the consequences because Gods a good parent. So if God tells you no, if God puts you on hold, there must be a reason. Faith says that God is good even in the middle of that. As we close, as opposed to the person of doubt who is double-minded and unstable in all his ways, let me say this: this is Faith Community Church. Youre here worshipping this morning because youre people of faith. Im convinced, like Paul says of his friends, that you are full of goodness, able also to admonish each other. God says that you as believers in Christ have the mind of Christ. That same spirit from Isaiah, God says He put that in you. When you trusted Christ, He gave you a spirit of wisdom, a spirit of counsel, a spirit of understanding; and as you seek God, that spirit grows. As you seek God, you can lay hold on that more and more. Thats really who you are. God says you have a sound mind. He hasnt given you a spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. God says, Greater is the spirit of wisdom that is in you than the spirit of folly that is in the world. Thats who you really are. Why can you pursue wisdom? Why can you open up this book and gain truth? Because you have been changed. You have been reborn. You have the mind of Christ. You can embrace truth. You can embrace hope. You can embrace the wisdom of God because thats who you are. You are not unstable in all your ways. You have built your lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ, that solid rock, so that you yourselves have become-as Peter said, You are living rocks. The more you seek His wisdom and walk with Him in prayer, in His Word, you become-instead of unstable people-more and more absolutely rock solid people. God says He is doing that work in you by His Spirit this very minute in ways that you cannot even comprehend. He says He is at work in you more powerfully, making you more stable, more solid, and wiser than you could ever comprehend. Believe it, and as you do, you will live in wisdom. Youre growing in wisdom; youll seek God, and your life will be truly free. Father, thank You so much for Your blessing. Thank You for this wonderful day and the hope that we have in Christ. We pray that You would bless each one of us who are Your people. Thank You for their love, their faith, and their attention. Thank You that we are living rocks in Jesus Christ. Thank you for His incredible example. Help each one of us to seek wisdom and pursue You with all our hearts. I thank You that we can pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Joshua Sermons – Covenant United Reformed Church
Joshua's Covenant Renewal (Joshua 23:1-16)

Joshua Sermons – Covenant United Reformed Church

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2009


After Christ’s ascension there is the promise of the outpouring of the Spirit. When Luke recounts this in Luke 24 there is the promise of the Spirit that will be poured out. In Acts, Luke moves to the outpouring of the Spirit. This Spirit does not merely fall upon the apostles, but upon men from […] The post Joshua's Covenant Renewal (Joshua 23:1-16) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.