Podcasts about until god

June 12, 2025Today's Reading: Genesis 11:1-9Daily Lectionary: Numbers 24:1-25; Luke 23:1-25“Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.” (Genesis 11:9)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Everybody wants a perfect little life. We all have a picture of it. This is how it needs to be so I can be content, happy, whole, and safe. Everybody wants the Tower of Babel. Those people were on to something. Look, there is nothing they couldn't do. Until God showed up and kicked over their sandcastle. We've been trying to rebuild the thing ever since. Every campaign promise and every daydream – unity – progress – greatness – utopia. We still want Babel. Because we think, “Here is peace. Here is where good happens, where God would be.” Then, your own little Tower of Babel crumbles behind your unfulfilled dreams, your candidates are not living up to promises, and your home life turns upside down. So we sit down here in the mess, depressed, hopeless, because all our plans of building a tower to heaven fell apart. Here's the thing. Heaven isn't just “up”. Which is good. If heaven is just “up,” then we're always going to be just short of it. If you have to build up, there's no hope at the bottom. You see it in how amazing your lives are here compared to how many others, and yet how miserable you are. Here's why God muddied up our language. Here's why He won't just give you your daydreams of a perfect life. It's not enough. There's always more to climb, and heaven isn't just up. He loves you too much to want you to spend your whole life with hope just out of reach. He didn't want you to think that a perfect life is the only place good things can happen. He isn't the kind of God who waits for us to figure out how to come up to Him. He comes down to us. Even us sinners. Us selfish, willing to climb over our neighbor in pursuit of our tower. Us idolaters, who find more hope in a new home than a living God. Us coveters, who ignore our lives as they play out in front of us, who keep lists of things we want to buy. For everyone who builds and ends up shy of heaven. For everyone who finds out the hard way sin never actually builds up but only tears down. For me, for you, Christ descended. To die. To rise. To save. It means there's hope at the bottom. It means God won't stay away from the mess. Even on your worst day, Jesus can't be uncrucified. His promise is still true. It is finished. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O Savior, rend the heavens wide; Come down, come down with mighty stride; Unlock the gates, the doors break down; Unbar the way to heaven's crown. (LSB 355:1)- Rev. Harrison Goodman, Higher Things Executive Director of Mission and Theology.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

Troy Gramling was a successful college and professional overseas basketball player set to become a Coach and Educator. Until God brought a small opportunity their way that had life-changing impact.Troy and his wife volunteered to teach a class for the young people in the small church they attended. Through this experience, God worked on their hearts and showed them a deeper calling for their lives.As Troy and his wife took risks and offered what seemingly little they had to offer, God opened doors for them to walk in the purpose they were created for.Troy now pastors a large church and wrote the book "Potential." Troy loves to help teach and inspire people to not give up on their God-given destiny. No matter where you might be in life, Troy wants to encourage you and reassure you that God can do more with you than you think, if you just take those first steps of what He's opening up before you. Just remember not to give up at the times you get discouraged.TROY'S BOOK: POTENTIAL The Uncontainable Power of God Within YouAMAZON: https://a.co/d/jiYyqrPBARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/potential-troy-gramling/1144254702WEBSITE: TroyGramling.comCONTACT: Troy@TroyGramling.com

CHIMDI M. OHAHUNA|COMMANDING THE YEAR 2025| RESTORATION Series - DAY 24: EMBRACING THE PRESENT FOR A PROMISING FUTURE Welcome to Day 24 of our Restoration Series. Today, we focus on Psalm 126:4 which implores the LORD to "Return our Exiles/Captivity." This plea acknowledges that being in exile indicates a previous state of well-being that now feels lost. When God addresses our current state, He also deals with both the past and the future, emphasizing that He isn't concerned with the "good old days" but with the latter rain, former rain, and the glory of His latter house.   God wants us to remain present, preparing for a better future rather than reminiscing. Living in exile often means that the past seems better than the present. However, we are called to engage effectively in the present because God has a promising tomorrow for us. Restoration comes when we give today to God, by so doing, making tomorrow better than yesterday.   The miraculous power of God is more than enough to handle our future. Keeping today in our own hands may result in no change, but offering it to God brings supernatural transformation. Until God's Word touches our current circumstances, they remain unchanged. The way we present our present mess to God shapes our future.   While God's revelation ensures a certain future, human motivation can be uncertain. God's vision for us is global, encompassing the entire earth, rather than confined to a specific location. Continuously moving in search of material things, instead of seeking God and living in Him, can lead to dislocation.   We are encouraged not to live in the fantasy of the past or maintain the status quo but to surrender our today to God. Exile, in a figurative sense, can also mean a previous state of prosperity now lost. If God has given us the present, it's because He has a future for us. Captivity presents an opportunity to channel, create, and decide the future. By giving today to God, we shape a better tomorrow.   Join us as we explore these themes and pray for the grace to offer our present to God, trusting Him to mold our future. Discover the importance of living in the present with faith, understanding that God's vision is far-reaching and His restoration is comprehensive.   Listen to this inspiring teaching on embracing today with hope and anticipation of God's restorative power, ensuring a brighter and more fulfilling tomorrow.   LORD, HELP US TO WISELY GIVE OUR TODAY TO YOU AND TRUST YOU FOR A BETTER TOMORROW. Grace to you! Jesus is Lord.   --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gracelife-comi/support

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT)   Bruce Springsteen had a “Hungry Heart.” Billy Ray Cyrus had an “Achy Breaky Heart.” Toni Braxton sang “Un-Break My Heart,” and the Bee Gees sang “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” which is a good question if you have an “achy breaky heart.” Of course, Celine Dion reminds us that the heart will go on, even if it's hungry, achy breaky, or broken.   You can probably think of dozens of other songs that have the word heart in their titles. The heart holds a special place in our culture—especially pop culture—because it represents our deepest emotions. Romantics believe that our emotions are the purest essence of who we are. Your body can be tempted. Your mind can be deceived. But your heart will never lead you astray. Or so says the plot of every romantic comedy to come out of Hollywood. So the only way to find true happiness and ultimate fulfillment in life is to (say it with me) follow your heart.   But in Jeremiah 17:9, God says, “Not so fast.” There's nothing particularly noble or pure about the human heart. In fact, you'd have a hard time finding anything more deceitful or wicked. The heart is selfish. It wants what it wants, regardless of the consequences or the pain it causes others.   It doesn't have to be that way. In Ezekiel 36:26, God tells the people of Israel, “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (NLT). This spiritual heart transplant changes everything. You develop a tender, responsive heart by filling your mind with God's Word, meditating on it, obeying it, and letting it change you from the inside. When your heart becomes a conduit for God's wisdom and love, it can be trusted. And it can be useful.   David wrote, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires” (Psalm 37:4 NLT). Taking delight in the Lord means recognizing that His ways are best. The result is a desire to make sure His will is done. When you align your life with God's will, your heart changes. It becomes more like God's. And when your prayers sync with what God wants for you, God gives you the desires of your heart.   Until God changes your heart, it will lead you astray if you try to follow it. It will deceive you into believing that it can guide you to genuine happiness and fulfillment. In reality, only God can deliver those things. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saturday, 7 September 2024   And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” Matthew 3:14   “And John, he thoroughly hindered Him, saying, ‘I, I have need by You to be immersed, and You, You come unto me?'” (CG).   The previous verse noted that Jesus came from Galilee upon the Jordan to be immersed by John. Now, John's surprised reaction to this is noted, beginning with, “And John, he thoroughly hinders Him.”   The word is found only here in the New Testament, diakóluó. It is derived from dia, through, and kóluó, to hinder. Thus, it signifies to thoroughly hinder. John was completely adamant that this was the wrong thing to do. The verb, being imperfect, gives the sense of something continuing in the past rather than an event.   As such, John realized that Jesus' life was already one of living properly before the Lord. This doesn't mean that he knew Jesus was the Messiah. John 1 dispels that notion –   “And John bore witness, saying, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.'” John 1:32-34   Rather, at this point, it might be like an associate pastor calling for people in the church to come forward and return their lives wholly to the Lord. When he does this, the lead pastor comes forward. The associate pastor might then say, “How can this be? I have observed him, and he is the epitome of piety.” That is seen in the next words where he was “saying, ‘I, I have need by You to be immersed.'”   John recognized Jesus' life as one that was lived in a godly and upright manner. Being cousins, he probably saw this many times at annual festivals or other times when the extended family gathered. Because of this, he understood that Jesus had a greater right to immerse him than he had to immerse Jesus. And yet, he continues with, “and You, You come unto me?”   John, despite being the prophet of the Lord, realized his unworthiness. He was just a man, born of Adam and thus with sin. Within this great body of humanity, one can recognize greater or lesser piety and righteousness in others. When we see someone obviously more attuned to God and His ways, we do not have to consider them as the Messiah. Rather, we understand that the person's life is one that is simply closer to God than ours is.   Such an understanding concerning Jesus by John fully explains the seeming conflict between this account and that of John. It was not until Jesus is actually baptized that John will realize why his cousin was such a godly person all along.   Life application: Paul says in Romans 3 –   “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” 13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18   It has been noted in previous commentaries that the terms “good,” “righteous,” etc. are applied to people in the New Testament. Paul cites the psalms, specifically Psalm 14 and Psalm 53, where David applies those words to a person who says that there is no God. It cannot be an all-encompassing statement concerning every person because it says this in 2 Samuel 18 –   “Then the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, ‘There is another man, running alone!' And the king said, ‘He also brings news.' 27 So the watchman said, ‘I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.' And the king said, ‘He is a good man, and comes with good news.'” 2 Samuel 18:26, 27   Therefore, it would be contradictory for David to say this and then make an all-encompassing statement about everyone in the psalms. And such, he did not do. His words about there being none good must be taken in the context of the surrounding thoughts. Likewise, Paul did not rip the words of David out of their context to make an all-encompassing thought either.   Instead, words are used to convey meaning. Words such as good, righteous, just, etc. are used comparatively in Scripture. Ultimately, there is none “good” in relation to God. However, in comparison to others, we can and do make value judgments based on goodness, even if our standard of judging is biased or skewed.   John saw Jesus and knew that He was more righteous than he. Until God revealed to Him why this was so, he was just making a comparative analysis of his life in relation to that of his cousin. However, once he baptized Jesus, he came to realize the full scope of the goodness of who Jesus truly is.   For each of us, we must decide who we will trust to restore us to God. If we are trusting in ourselves and the things we do, we will never find that restoration. But when we behold and receive the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, our restoration will be realized. Be sure to choose wisely. Choose Jesus. He is truly the epitome of good because He is the God/Man.   Lord God Almighty, when we see the world around us, we observe people who each have their own flaws and failings. We may recognize goodness in them, but there is always something lacking because we are all sons of Adam, born of fallen fathers. But when we behold Jesus, we behold the Son of God. He alone is perfectly good in His being. May we not fail to come to Him for our reconciliation and restoration. Thank You, O God, for Jesus! Amen.

There was No King. No balance. No order. No government. It was mayhem. It was apostasy. It was weird worship. It was occultic seance The doctrine of devils. Offering babies to molech Fake miracles from baal-zebub of Ekron It was apathy. Towards God and His prophetic destiny for His people. It was anger about a God who was too far Powerlessness against the destructive forces of their day. It was revenge. It was me first. It was consume without replenishing. Bribery, Corruption. It was chaos. Until God found himself a King. After His own heart.

I know you're all wondering what this last part of our series would be talking about, and if I'm honest it took me a while to hear God's voice on it.  I kept feeling as if we were going to talk about many different things.  Until God told me it would be Faith because faith is the thing that will get us out of all of our biggest roadblocks, especially fear.  Like I say, " Faith is the Crypitinite to fear". don't you agree? Join me today as we talk stories about our faith, something so seemingly simple yet difficult to hold on to in those seasons of fear. The Flow of show *this is a three-part series your listening to part 3 of 3 Main: Faith The foundation of our faith comes from our secret place with God"Nothing tests your faith more than nothing" It tasks faith all the timeYaweh Yireh (God will provide)ScripturesHebrews 11:1:(AMP) Now Faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality- Faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses] Romans 1:5: (MSG) Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. Romans 1:16-17 (AMP); I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [ from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the jew first and also to the Greek.  For in the gospel the righteousness pf God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, "the Just and upright shall live by faith." [Hab 2:4]Matthew 6:30 (NLT): 'And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 'QuotesChristine Cane: "Nothing test your faith like nothing" https://youtu.be/xRA7uQRpzdU?si=bWMQQQ7t9GyyXzWecheck it outChristine Cane (YouTube): Allow yourself to grow development takes time.  https://youtu.be/xRA7uQRpzdU?si=wyQSfI72b8rN4pNUChristine Cane (YouTube): Trusting Gods process, allowing God to grow your capacity. https://youtu.be/yuA3f1JmKg0?si=fzSb78vsP7fRxN87 Mahalo for joining me today! If you enjoy the show hit the follow button to keep updated with all new episode releases. Also, leave a comment or review and tell me how much you enjoy listening, I appreciate them! Find me on Instagram @faithinbetween or @uikumuhoneconnect with me on Facebook @Uilani Kumuhone I would love to connect with you! If you would like to be a guest on the show email me uilanikumuhone@gmail.com I would love to have you on and talk about how God is working in your life. supporting biblical resources You Version bible website:https://www.bible.com/ Topical bible verse search: https://www.openbible.info/topics/ As always thank you for being here with me on Faith In Between, My name is Uilani Kumhone and I will connect with you on the next one. Bye!!

Missionaries sell everything they own, move to Cameroon, learn a new language, and eat odd foods. Alternatively, Missionaries root themselves in their hometowns, pray audaciously, build relationships with others in the routines of daily life, and regularly initiate gospel conversations with those who don't yet follow Jesus. Until God calls you to the former, only one good choice remains.

While Ellie Hiller was raised in a beautiful home of faith and memorized Scripture, she wondered if her faith should be so much in her head. Something was missing. Until God converted her heart. When Ellie's husband became Catholic and they lost their shared non-denominational practice, Ellie struggled. She armored herself in defensiveness and even listened to Matt Fradd's podcast “Pints with Aquinas,” just so she could gain intellectual ammunition to defend her non-denominational viewpoints.  Only God changed her. Ellie was touched by Saint Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, the Sacraments and physicality of the Catholic faith. Listen to this joy-filled podcast and allow God to help you move out of your head and into your heart, too.

(Not With The Spirit & His Fruit, in the Context indefatigable Grace & Forgiveness of God)Galatians 5:22-24 → 6:1-10I) Some ways the Fruit of the Spirit is manifested through us to othersa) Gentle loving counsel to the sinner, showing genuine concern towards restoration. 6:1b) Sharing burdens, the central law of Christ 6:2c) Taking Responsibility for our actions, both good and bad: humbly 6:3d) Don't negatively compete, especially regarding the gifts of God (humbly do your gift) 6:5e) Generosity Now and leadership in all areas: when we show proper respect to them wehonor God. 6:5(b)i) See also verses 7-8 “Sowing and reaping”1) (See Psalm 126 for O.T. illustration, especially verses 5-6)II) During Continuous Difficult Situations, Doing Good to All Becomes Weakened, because weare human. It seems to be the first to go! Verses 9 & 10.During extended times of difficulties it becomes hard not to become cynical and wearyof doing good, when bad continues all around us: unabated and not understood.Examples of Jesus experiences of human weakening:- His continued frustrations with His chosen disciples, note Matthew 17:17 (read)- At Gethsemane, Matthew 26: 39; Luke 22:42- “Father if you are willing, take this cup(the cross) from me... (sounds like thewords of a weary prophet)- Yet not my will but yours be done(said while he was tired beyond belief)- Until God's intervention in Verse 43: The strengthening angel.- He then went back to awaken his emotionally exhausted or “weary”Apostles; verse 45-46III) When we experience similar weakenings, It's hard to do good to all.Especially when we try to spend all our time “licking our wounds”We need strengthening angels to help carry our loads. This picture illustrates the helping powerof the Spirit, most necessary in Jesus and our lives.Note Paul's prophetic word in 1 Corinthians 12:9-11; especially verse 9And even if at times we fail to continue in doing good, God's forgiveness and powerfulgrace can help us to recover.Remember the behaviors expected by the fruit of the Spirit, is very dependent on theSpirit's power and faithfulness. They are the fruit of the Spirit not only of our own efforts.Amen

WORKERS RETREAT THEME: THE DUTIES OF A KINGDOM WORKER WITH A CLEAN HEART. TEXT: PSALM 51:10 INTRODUCTION ~ As long as you are in church we are Priests to our God. ~ For whatever sacrifice you do, It is a blessing to you only if you do it with a clean heart. ~ Until God opens your eyes of understanding you can never know your mandate from God. WHAT IS A KINGDOM WORKER? A kingdom worker is a born again Christian or a believer commissioned to a mandate or the mantle of great commission. ✓ Every call comes with a mandate. ~ Mandate differs from person to person. It is given specially to a person. Mandate from God can be an apostle in the church, carry out administrative duties, singing in the choir e.t.c. ~ Mandate is a specific instruction given to you when HE calls you ~ Whereas commission is a general gift just as the Disciples of Christ were given the "GREAT COMMISSION". ~ When you are working on your mandate with a clean heart, you are working towards your mantle because mantle is the gift given to all believers. ✓ Mantle is the spirit working behind your mandate. ~ As a worker, avoid destroying other workers with your mouth allow them to function with the unction God has given to them. DUTIES OF A PRIEST ~ As a priest, you must be a carrier of his presence ~ Also, you must stand before the LORD. ~ Ministering to the LORD is necessary because when you minister to the LORD, the LORD gives you what to minister to the people ( ACT 13:2). ~ As a priest( Worker), you must learn to bless your fellow workers. ~ As a priest you must be a custodian of knowledge. ~ You must function in the ministry of Reconciliation. i.e you must ✓ lead one to Christ. ✓ preach the word of God to everyone. ✓ point out every offense committed by your fellow worker. ~ As a priest you are to be an intercessor. ~ A priest should be offering sacrifice.

Want to watch your business start to accelerate? It's really not that hard. It's not about learning more or trying harder. It's about the FOUNDATION you are building on! I will share how some old wounds were keeping me stuck in a busy, striving, "just try harder" (then burnout) phase that just kept repeating itself - UNTIL - God showed me the TRUTH about whose I am, and who I really am and THEN I started building on THAT truth! #gamechanger And it's right here for you too! Visit gailroot.com to book a strategy call with me or to learn more about my upcoming VIP event - don't miss it! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kdcwithgailroot/message

Anchor Scripture(s): Psalm 42:1-8 NIV | Man is designed to be God-tropic. The only way we can survive in this world is to make God the object of our desire. Until God is the beginning of everything we do, there is no assurance of completion. This episode explores the heart as the instrument for the pursuit of God (Jeremiah 29:13-14). We must guide our heart with all diligence and ruggedness. God bless you. Amen!hearts

Anchor Scripture(s): Psalm 63:1-8 NIV | Man is designed to be God-tropic. The only way we can survive in this world is to make God the object of our desire. Until God is the beginning of everything we do, there is no assurance of completion. This episode explores the doctrine of prevenient grace - the grace that comes before any human decision or endeavour (John 6:44 AMP). This is exemplified through the life of Moses in Exodus chapters 3 and 33. Furthermore, we must be willing to give time, which is the secret to knowing God. God bless you. Amen!

You have . . . crowned [human beings] with glory and honor. You have made them rulers over the works of your hands. . . . — Psalm 8:5-6 A few years ago, the prison church I serve spent 16 weeks reading the Bible books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings. It was mostly a depressing experience as the story turned from bad to worse. That's when it struck me that the Old Testament is a long meditation on the subject of kingship. The first Old Testament story (Genesis 1) assigns to human beings a royal responsibility over God's created world. The next story (Genesis 2) pictures that responsibility as the careful tending of a garden. In the stories that follow, human beings quickly lose interest in serving God. Instead they want to become gods themselves. From there it's all misery and ruin. Until God takes things in hand and begins a long, even tortured process of putting things right. God sets out to establish his kingdom among the family of Abraham. God himself will be the King. But soon enough the people of that kingdom lose confidence in their divine King. They want the kind of king everyone else has. So that's what they get. And as we can see in the books of Samuel and Kings, it's not a pretty picture. No wonder a hunger develops for an ideal king and an ideal kingdom. But that's a kingdom only God can establish. Jesus, you are the ideal King. You are God's answer to the world's aching need. You are the one who will make everything right. All glory belongs to you! Amen.

In today's episode of The Conversation, Adam sits down with Olympic Gold Medalist and 400m hurdle World Record holder, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Sydney entered the track & field world's spotlight when she qualified for the Rio Olympics at only 16 years old, an accomplishment that was fueled heavily by fear.Sydney and Adam discuss the hurdles we face in life.For Sydney the obstacles have included perfectionism, anxiety and constant feelings about her identity and whether she measures up.Sydney shares so candidly about her identity being tied up in whether she won or lost…. Until God transformed her life, helped her conquer her fears and she found her true identity in Him.Specifically if fear, perfectionism, & anxiety is a part of your story, don't miss this conversation.Watch Sydney earn a spot in the Rio Olympics at age 16: youtube.com/watch?v=cIDvMLwX2N4 Pre-order a copy of Sydney's book “Far Beyond Gold” hereGet the 12 Ways to Jumpstart Your Faith resource for free at adamweber.com/jumpstart To learn more about Embrace Church, visit iamembrace.com Thanks to our amazing partners on this episode: Simple & Vern EideVern Eide Motorcars is a growing employee-owned company that truly strives to “Deliver Dreams and Transform Lives”. Vern Eide offers sales, service, and financing of automotive, motorcycle, and power sports lines, including Acura, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Honda, Hyundai and Mitsubishi brands. Whether you live locally or across the country, visit verneide.comSimple provides an easy, secure way to make giving super user-friendly. If you are a church or lead a faith based nonprofit, you have to look into working with Simple. You won't regret it! For more info, visit simpledonation.comSign up for The Crew: adamweber.com/thecrewThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3258948/advertisement

Nehemiah was doing well in his high position in the court of a Persian king, then he heard bad news from Jerusalem, 900 miles away. Their problem wasn't his problem. Until God burdens his heart. When's the last time your heart broke for the things that break God's great heart?

Nehemiah was doing well in his high position in the court of a Persian king, then he heard bad news from Jerusalem, 900 miles away. Their problem wasn't his problem. Until God burdens his heart. When's the last time your heart broke for the things that break God's great heart?

Catherine Cooper didn't realize she was hiding. Until God showed her. Since then, she has been on a mission to help others allow God to free them from hiding in shame and secrecy. Learn more on her page, and check out her book, "It's Time Out for Hiding." https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCatherineCooperBe in touch!Email: uppcbiblejazz@gmail.comInstagram: @biblejazzSubscribe to Bible Jazz on Apple!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uppc-podcast/id1450663729?mt=2Follow on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YLbRFDsJbqGEAkMuJ1E5MListen on Stitcher:https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/university-place-presbyterian-church/bible-jazz?refid=stprGoogle Play:https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Izwv3a4pnmvqy54czy3tew5x5fyAnd at www.UPPC.orgMusic:Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-sambaLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseHoney Bee by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100755&Search=SearchLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseAvant Jazz by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3395-avant-jazzLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license"Sidewalk Shade" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Catherine Cooper didn't realize she was hiding. Until God showed her. Since then, she has been on a mission to help others allow God to free them from hiding in shame and secrecy. Learn more on her page, and check out her book, "It's Time Out for Hiding." https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCatherineCooperBe in touch!Email: uppcbiblejazz@gmail.comInstagram: @biblejazzSubscribe to Bible Jazz on Apple!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uppc-podcast/id1450663729?mt=2Follow on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YLbRFDsJbqGEAkMuJ1E5MListen on Stitcher:https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/university-place-presbyterian-church/bible-jazz?refid=stprGoogle Play:https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Izwv3a4pnmvqy54czy3tew5x5fyAnd at www.UPPC.orgMusic:Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-sambaLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseHoney Bee by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100755&Search=SearchLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseAvant Jazz by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3395-avant-jazzLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license"Sidewalk Shade" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Rev. Jesse Brattrud is a missionary who is called to serve in Brazil. He and his family left Two Rivers in October 2019 to begin deputation. They were raising funds to provide them with support as they served as missionaries in Brazil. Five months after they started their deputation tour, Covid-19 struck. They have settled in Arkansas and are awaiting further instructions from the LORD. Until God opens the door for them to resume their deputation, they continue to serve where they have been planted. May God bless you as you engage in worship. Please feel free to leave feedback/comments to let us know you joined in worship. If you’d like to contribute to the ongoing ministry of Two Rivers Community Church of the Nazarene please use this link: paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/64291

Romans 7:7-12The Law Revealed what Sin ConcealedRev. Erik Veerman7/16/2023Our sermon text this morning is Romans 7:7-12. You can find that on page 1121 in the Pew Bible. One of the things that we've seen in Romans 6 and 7 is a series of questions with answers. This is one of the apostle Paul's literary techniques. He asks a question about an important matter of faith and practice, and then he explains the answer. Verse 7 has a new question followed by an explanation.And just like last week, he's continuing to focus on God's law. His goal is to explain the relationship between the Christian and God's law. Needless to say, that's important for all of us. If we misunderstand the purpose of God's law, we can either think it saves us (so we work hard to obey) or we can think the law has no more value to us (so we disregard it). But neither is the right answer.Last week, we learned that the Christian is no longer bound by the law… specifically, Jesus met the requirements of the law for us, perfectly obeying, and he bore the penalty of the law for us. Instead of being bound to the law, we belong to Christ. We're no longer captive to the law, but are now filled with God's Spirit.That's where we ended last week. STANDReading of Romans 7:7-12.PrayerThe largest pendulum in the world is located in Paris. It's called the Foucault pendulum and is about 220 feet tall. It's named after the French physicist Leon Foucault, who installed it in 1851. All day long, it swings back and forth. As the earth rotates, it changes direction.We are kind of like pendulums. Aren't we? When it comes to different beliefs, no matter the category, we sometimes swing from one extreme to another. When we learn something new, sometimes we realize that there are problems with our old perspectives of something. But instead of coming to a balanced view, we swing all the way to the other side. This especially happens in groups. There's a social theory called Group Polarization. Group discussions tend to result in extreme positions. It's caused by social dynamics and pressures to conform. It can lead to large swings of collective opinion within social groups.The apostle Paul is worried about pendulum swings. Or maybe we call them overcorrections. In chapter 5, he wrote “where sin increased, grace abounded.” Paul believed that but was worried that his readers would take it to the extreme. “Well, then, let's sin more!” So, in chapter 6, he dealt directly with that concern. “Should we continue to sin that grace may about? By no means!” Don't go there! Don't swing too far!In chapter 7, Paul is worried about another pendulum swing. This time, he's worried that they will completely disregard God's law. You see, up to this point, Paul's discussion about the law has been largely negative. The law leads to condemnation which leads to death. Back in chapter 2, he wrote, “All who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.” Or think of earlier in chapter 6… “we are not under law but under grace.” Or last week's verses, we are no longer bound by the law.Now, if the apostle Paul had ended his discussion of the law in chapter 7 verse 6, how do you think they would respond? I think some of them would swing like a pendulum to the opposite extreme. Some of them, especially the Jewish Christians in Rome, but also some Gentile Christians had been steeped in the law. We get the sense that some of his readers overemphasized the law. Paul's been trying to correct that. But he doesn't want them to overcorrect. “Paul, I get it now! This whole time, I've been elevating the law. But now, as you say, I am free of the law. It was the problem! I see clearly now, thank you, Paul. The law is no longer important. We can throw it all away.” Do you see how they could have come to that conclusion? Paul had to be really clear of what he was saying and what he was not saying. Why? Because, when it comes to God's law, our tendency is one of two extremes. Either legalism, which is strict adherence to the law thinking we still need to earn God's favor. OR antinomianism. That's a big word. It means anti-law… disregarding God's law believing it has no purpose. But neither is the answer. That's part of the message of chapter 7. The first 6 verses were addressing the tendency toward legalism. And verses 7-12 are addressing the opposite extreme, antinomianism. The apostle Paul deals with the second extreme, disregarding God's law. These verses explain the relationship of God's law to our sin.I say that because that is the main question. Is the law sin? By no means! Again, there's that really clear response. Heaven forbid we think that.I think you can understand the possible confusion. Part of the message has been that the law brings condemnation and death. Someone could think, therefore, that the law must be the problem. After all, the law seems to be the first thing in the progression to condemnation and death. But the law is not the problem. No. Rather sin is the problem. It's our sin, our rebellion against God, that deserves the condemnation. The law's nature is, in fact, the opposite of sin. As it says down in verse 12, the “law is holy.” And he adds, the commandment is “holy and righteous and good.” He's referring to a specific commandment, and we're going to get back there.And because it is God's law, any and all sin is condemned by it. The law does the condemning. Sin is what deserves to be condemned.Think of a courtroom setting. Suppose a man is on trial for murderer. The law states that someone found guilty of murder will be punished in some severe way. And let's say that this guy on trial is found guilty. The evidence was overwhelming. The jury therefore convicts him. And the judge in the trial sentences him to life in prison. Is the law is the reason the guy is serving a life sentence? No, the law is just the standard. The reason for his life sentence is his action.You see, the law of God is not sin. It is not evil or unjust. Rather, the law displays the very nature of our holy God. The law is good and right. Through the law we can know of God's righteousness. We are made aware of God's very nature as pure and true. God's law reveals his character as perfectly just and entirely good.Instead of dismissing the law as the problem, we should uphold the law. We should see it as God's perfect standard for righteousness - the standard which points us to God, himself.For the Christian, the law doesn't go away! It's still there for our blessing and edification and guidance, we're just no longer condemned by it.So, we can rejoice with the Psalmist in Psalm 19, as we did this morning, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; …the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.”The law is beautiful - it reveals the splendor of God's holiness. We can delight in the law because it shows us God and his goodness. As we talked about last week, in response to being freed from the law's condemnation, we can seek to honor God through it, not as a means to salvation but in response to his salvation. So, we seek to know the law, and meditate on it, and uphold it, and delight in it.The law is not sin. It's not the problem.But that brings us to an important question. Since God's law is not sin, since the very nature of God's law is in contrast to sin, well then, how do God's law and our sin relate? interact?Really, the heart of these verses answer that. You can think of the beginning of verse 7 and verse 12 as brackets. The law is not sin. In fact, the law is holy, and righteous and good. And the middle section helps us to know the interplay between the law and sin.And there are three things. Three ways that the law relates to sin.•            First, the law reveals sin. That's verse 7•            Second, the law stirs up more sin – that's verses 8 and 11•            And third, God uses his law to bring conviction of our sin and lead us to Christ. That's verse 9 and 10.The law reveals sin, stirs up sin, and is used to bring conviction of sin.Reveals SinIf the nature of God's law is holy, and righteous, and good (as verse 12 says), then one of the things it will do is reveal that which is unholy and unrighteous and not good. The law is the perfect standard and therefore it will illuminate everything that does not conform to its standard. It reveals our sin. Again, it is not sin, but rather reveals our sin. If you blame the law as the problem, it's kind of like you are shooting the messenger. The law is the messenger that is revealing the problem.You can see that role of revealing our sin right there in verse 7. Paul writes, “Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin.” And he gives an example. “For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.'”Just to be sure, even though he uses one of the 10 commandments, he's not saying that the law came into existence when the 10 commandments were given. No. He's already said in earlier chapters that the law is written on the hearts of all.But what the commandments do is reveal the extent of sin. They illuminate the atrociousness of our sin. The expose the breadth of our sin and the nature of our sin. The law is like a big light shining on your sinful heart.The law reveals sin.Stirs up more sinBut second, the law often stirs up more sin! And that's where Paul goes next.That's captured in verses 9 and 11. In fact, the first few words are almost exactly the same. Verse 9 says, “But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness.” Verse 11 extends that to include the deception of sin. In other words, when our sinful hearts are confronted with the law of God – we want to rebel even more. That is the deception of sin. Your sin wants you to sin more.And that's true! Let me try to illustrate this. Kids, suppose it's raining outside and suppose your yard is full of mud puddles and you love playing in the mud. Let's say you ask your mom to go out… but your mom says, “sure, you can go out and play, but don't jump in the mud puddles.” When you hear that, doesn't it make you want to jump in the puddles even more? There's a stirring up of sin in you. Now, all you want to do is jump in the mud puddles. And also, you're not happy with your mom telling you what you can't do.Do you see how sin can be heightened by the law? Paul said something similar up in verse 5. Our “sinful passions were aroused by the law.” Also, This is not something new in the Bible. Let's go back to the Garden of Eden. Adam was told not to eat of the forbidden fruit. But God's command to not eat made the forbidden fruit all the more attractive. Satan seized the opportunity to deceive them.You see, commands can make you want to do the very thing that you are not supposed to do.So, first, the law reveals sin. Second, the law stirs our hearts to more sin.Conviction of SinAnd the third one is that God uses his law to bring conviction of sin. The unbeliever is made aware of his sin and condemnation, which leads him to Christ. There's an application for believers as well. But I'm saying unbeliever because in these middle verses, Paul is talking about his life before coming to Christ.Notice these verses are full of personal reference. I counted 8 uses of the word “I” or “me.”Now, let me take a little tangent.Some scholars don't think that Paul is talking about himself and his personal history. Rather, they believe he is speaking on behalf of humanity in general (like putting himself in Adam's shoes) or speaking on behalf of Israel in particular (back when they received the 10 commandments). And let me say, it is possible to use first person pronouns but speak as a representative of a group. And these Bible scholars make some great points. I'd be happy to have a side conversation about it.However, I want to argue that Paul is referring to himself. That he's conveying how God revealed his sin, and his struggle, and how his eyes were opened to the condemnation that the law revealed which his sin deserved. One of the reasons that I believe Paul is writing about himself is how personal he is. All through his letters, he expresses love to his recipients. In different places, he shares his testimony, the burdens that he's carried, what he's endured, grief and joys. Sometimes we think of the apostle Paul as this aloof, heady guy, but his letters are saturated with relationships and personal situations. This section is no different.But the other reason I believe Paul is talking about his own story is who he was before his conversion.Paul had been a pharisee. The pharisees were the ones who were totally self-righteous. The law was their salvation – so they thought. They even created more laws to help them obey God's law. It was all external and hypocritical. They believed that they could keep God's law. In fact, Paul was the epitome of a Pharisee. Elsewhere he described his old resume - all that he had done, who he had studied under, what he knew. At the time in his life, before turning to Christ, he thought all of it was his ticket to heaven.With that in mind, look back at the second half of verse 7. “For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.'” Now, think about this. “You shall not covet” is the tenth commandment. And this commandment is very different than the others, especially if you are a pharisee. Think about the other commandments, Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Keep the sabbath. Do not take the Lord's name in vain, etc. A pharisee would think “I can do those things.” Because all a pharisee is thinking about is the external. He has no sense that anger is murder, that lustful thoughts are adultery. But a pharisee can't escape the tenth commandment. Why? Because that commandment's very nature is internal. “Do not covet.” Covet is wanting something in your heart that is not yours. The apostle Paul's heart was exposed. He realized that he was breaking the tenth commandment all over the place. And he wanted to break it more.Now look at verse 10, “The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.” As a pharisee, he had thought that the commandments led to life. But when he fell under that heavy conviction of his sin when his sin was revealed, then he realized he was a law breaker. He could do nothing about it. He was condemned. Instead of the promise of life, the law proved to be death. Not because the law was the problem. No. His sin was exposed. He had been blinded by his sin. Deceived by his sin. He had no sense of his sin until he felt the weight of conviction. Until God opened up his heart and revealed his sin through the law. Until that, he didn't know his sin.That understanding also helps to explain the end of verse 8. It says, “For apart from the law, sin lies dead.” Let me put that slightly differently. “For apart from the conviction of the law, we're blind to our sin.” In that sense sin was dead in us. We didn't realize our sin.Verse 9, then, applies that understanding in Paul's former life. He says, “I was once alive apart from the law.” In other words, even though he was a Pharisee and knew the law, he was not under the conviction of the law. IN that sense, he felt alive, even though he was dead. Next it says, “but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.” When Paul realized he was breaking the tenth commandment, then “sin came alive.” Sin had always there, but it was now exposed. He fell under the conviction of the law. And then he realized he was actually dead. Spiritually dead.Again, I believe Paul is writing from the perspective of his old self. He thought he was alive because he didn't see his sin. But when sin came alive, as the law revealed, he realized he was actually dead. That's how the Holy Spirit uses the law in an unbeliever. God reveals sin and the condemnation of sin, and therefore the need of a savior. That's what conviction of sin is. God revealed to Paul the death he deserved, and then turned him to Christ.And I should say, part of that is similar for the believer in Christ. God uses his law to bring conviction of our sin. The difference is, the believer is no longer condemned. The conviction of sin is instead, God working his sanctifying grace in the Christians life… as we are conformed more and more to the image of Christ.ConclusionLet me try to briefly summarize all of this and close. The law is not sin. Quite the opposite. It is holy. Because it is holy, the law reveals sin. In fact, the deceptive nature of our sin does not like the law and the law can stirs up more sin (the law doesn't do that, our sin reacting to the law does that). But in all of it, God uses his law to bring conviction of our sin, either turning our hearts to Christ for the first time or returning our hearts to him.In all of it, the law is good. That's why Paul ends he way he does. Think of all the ways that God's law is good.•            It is good because it is pure and holy and righteous in and of itself.•            God's law is good because it points us to God who is pure and holy and righteous•            It is good because God uses it to reveal our sin and bring conviction of sin•            It is good because it revealed our need of salvation and therefore pointed us to Christ•            And finally, it is good because it directs us to godliness and righteousness in himSo instead of swinging like a pendulum to an antinomian, anti-law belief, see the law as good in all those ways. Love his law, because you love him.

Until God commands it, it shall not stand.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: The Work Beneath Your WorkDevotional: 4 of 4 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:28-33)I began this series by asking you two questions:What is the work beneath your work? How does the gospel free you from that work? We've already explored two of the most common answers to that first question: performance and avoidance. Today, we look at one final work beneath our work: fear.This may be the most universal of all that we've explored. Entrepreneurs overwork themselves for fear that if they “don't put in the work,” they won't be able to provide for their families and their teams. Employees overwork for fear of losing their income and health insurance.Now, some of this fear is healthy. 1 Timothy 5:8 says that “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”But fear is terribly unhealthy and sinful if it controls you. If it plagues your thoughts. If it leads you to overwork or not faithfully “stand in for God,” and say hard things when they need to be said to your boss or customers.How can we be freed from fear—from this work beneath our work? The same way we are freed from performance and avoidance: the person and character of Jesus Christ.In today's passage, Jesus promised his followers that if we “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” he will meet our every need. Why can you trust this promise when your job is on the line? Because God provided for your ultimate need of spiritual redemption even when it cost him the life of his Son. If God kept that promise, surely he will keep his promise to provide you with food and clothing. If the work beneath your work is fear, let that truth free you today. But maybe the work beneath your work isn't fear, avoidance, or performance. Maybe it's something else that I don't know.But here's what I do know: Until God's glory and the good of others is the predominant motivation for your work, you will never be satisfied. You will never be able to truly rest. You will never find sustainable fuel for the good works God has called you to do.So do the hard work of identifying the work beneath your work. And meditate on the gospel of Jesus Christ that frees you to work solely for his glory, the good of others, and your joy.

Looking for something more in this middle season of life?  Lie awake at night wondering what God wants you to do –and how to hear His voice clearly? I see you, Sister -- we're in the messy middle! Hey, I'm Angie!  Repurposed by God in midlife as mentor, missionary, and practical theologian.  I was busy chasing all the things, when one day I woke up in the middle – and it didn't look at all like I expected!  I realized my faith was too flimsy to handle all the STUFF “midlife” was throwing at me!  And I wanted to serve God with my gifts-- but I just couldn't get any traction! Until God pulled me out of the mess and put my feet on the path to a life of peace and renewed purpose—here, in the middle!  In this podcast, you'll discover the next steps God has for YOU in this season, new ways to go deeper than ever before with Jesus, and biblical tools to walk this journey with MORE of everything God wants for you!  I pray this blesses you!   Grace & peace, Angie  Let's Talk:  angie@realizeministry.org  

James was highly suspicious of the church. Until God used his daughters, and a kids discipleship program called Awana, to open his eyes to the gospel of Jesus Christ in a brand new way.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor Bill: [0:00] Hello and welcome to season 4 episode 3 of The Berean Manifesto; Faith, Hope, and Love for the Modern Christian I'm Pastor Bill and I'm joined as always by Pastor Newms. Pastor Newms: [0:15] Hola. Pastor Bill: [0:17] How are you senior Pastor Newms?  Took a nap and it made you happy. Pastor Newms: [0:34] I did, I took a nap had some weird dreams though. Pastor Bill: [0:38] Does a nap that made you happy, is it thereby defined as a nappy?  You took a nappy. Pastor Newms: [0:46] No, a nappy is something you put on a baby's butt. Pastor Bill: [0:51] Ah it's also a certain classification of dirty greasy hair. Pastor Newms: [0:58] That's spelled differently. Pastor Bill: [1:00] How is it?  How is that spelt? Pastor Newms: [1:02] I don't know, but I know it's spelled differently. Pastor Bill: [1:04] Okay okay well that's neither here nor there I don't know I don't know. Pastor Newms: [1:10] I don't know, I don't even have any hair. Pastor Bill: [1:15] Well you have, you got some you got the beard. Pastor Newms: [1:18] That's not the same kind of hair. Pastor Bill: [1:18] And you've got the chest hair. Pastor Newms: [1:22] I have no chest hair you can't prove it. Pastor Bill: [1:25] And you've got the back here. Pastor Newms: [1:27] You can't prove that either. Pastor Bill: [1:29] But not as much as there was this guy that I was in the internship with at Teen Mania. You know in that first when you first get there, you're you sleep out in the Quonset Huts like the long you know just long dome-tinted room with bunk beds. You're all using these communal showers one shower for the men one shower for the women this dude is so hairy on his chest and back that he looked like he was wearing a sweater vest, he even had it cut into a v in the front and then he had a cross shaved into the back. Pastor Newms: [2:12] That's a look - okay. Pastor Bill: [2:17] But that was crazy like he could be shirtless and from a distance, you'd swear he had a sweater vest on because it did the whole around here by the arms and then he had it a v-neck cut into the front of it, to make it look like a V, what's up Sarafina you gonna join us tonight, a v cut in the front there it was crazy good guy great guy really yeah it was weird, yeah, so how was your week Pastor Newms? Pastor Newms: [2:54] My week was. Pastor Bill: [2:57] My way. Pastor Newms: [2:59] It was. Pastor Bill: [3:01] My week was a very week. Pastor Newms: [3:05] It was pretty good I um… Was you know, busy at work.  It's the end of the year and my job tends to get a little crazy towards the end of the year so. Pastor Bill: [3:18] Yeah I was editing the transcript this week and you were saying you guys actually got busier in December which is the antithesis of how it goes. Pastor Newms: [3:28] Antithesis to. Pastor Bill: [3:30] In medical Tech. Pastor Newms: [3:32] Every tech company I've ever worked at except for this one, but that's okay. You know, everyone has a different business model. We try to get a lot of stuff done at the end of the year and at the first of the year too. Bring more clients on right at the beginning and end and that is the business model they have chosen and that is all I will say about that, but yes. Pastor Bill: [4:00] What trips me up in the nonprofit sector was always ending the year in August. Pastor Newms: [4:12] The fiscal year. Pastor Bill: [4:13] Yeah the fiscal year, is like it always just messes with my mind, ending the fiscal year in August and it not corresponding with the daily calendar and oh man. Wal Mart, right and then didn't they did the week's Week 1 week 2 week and you had to know, as a merchandising supervisor, you had to know what week you were in. Pastor Newms: [4:45] You did and it did not correspond to the calendar. Pastor Bill: [4:48] And it did not correspond to the calendar and you if you look at the calendar you went okay what week of the year is it that did not correspond with what merchandise week, it is in the numbers, you had to know and then you had to know what end caps were set for that week and the next week and what you could put together and then sometimes they would just leave you big holes in your department in electronics and they were like, “Just fill it with something…” and you're like, I have a hard enough time getting my general manager to approve orders on the things that are actually supposed to be there, that Walmart says they're supposed to be there I'm not going to get him to order me extra stuff for an empty spot, on my floor, that's not gonna so. Pastor Newms: [5:37] Well let's be honest you were at probably the worst Walmart that I've ever seen. Pastor Bill: [5:44] That's what I hear but it's the only WalMart I've ever worked at. So I don't really have anything to compare it to so. Pastor Newms: [5:51] Oh yeah Biggs stated the Nissan year starts in April because they follow the Japanese year not the calendar year also. Pastor Bill: [6:04] We'll see at least that makes sense. Like that's the cultural calendar from where the company exists there's some logic to that. Pastor Newms: [6:14] It does make more sense than some others will the fiscal year. Pastor Bill: [6:18] And just making up your own calendar. Pastor Newms: [6:21] The fiscal year for retail makes sense too because you want to capture what money you lose to returns in January from Christmas. So that way you actually know what your fiscal year is or if you don't do that, what happens is the first month of your year is - and you, terrible for the year starting off and it hurts because you're years starting - and you spend the rest of the year trying to catch up as opposed to technically that revenue was captured in December and then lost in January. So it's it, that's the reason they do it and it makes sense from a. The way they fiscally are doing it so that way because it is technically lost from the Christmas sales so because of that it balances out so it works pretty well. My week's been pretty good, we also did today the church we visited. This is the third time we visited them, we actually took the girls and they have a full one of their ministries is a theater company. Not like, oh we have drama we do or not you know, hey, we have no but they actually have like a theater where they sell tickets throughout the year and it's a full production and tryouts and it's a full thing, box you know they have the you can order the whole years' worth of stuff and go to all of them and they were doing Christmas Carol for Christmas which is logical. So they put on, for morning service they put on their Christmas Carol and then, so we got to see that for free. what other people had to pay for it that always makes me feel special love free things and then they had a church-wide Christmas party thing afterwards, where there was like everyone brought desserts and so there was a huge dessert bar and, just people just lots of people just people. Pastor Bill: [8:36] People being people in. Pastor Newms: [8:37] And so we sat with the co-worker that Tina has that is her friend. During that so that was good and just overall you know trying to, figure everything out there it's pretty cool place I think but still, you know checking it out. But yeah, so that was kind of cool and then last night we did our first night of our family celebration of Yule which was fun. You should be getting a picture of that from your present. So that's good we'll be doing that for the next eleven nights, until the solstice for Sez in his celebration as well. So that's good. The fire pit was a success, the one I ordered worked very well. We enjoyed it and everyone, most of the family, enjoys the Yule cake that I made. It's a cranberry-based cake so if you don't like cranberries, it's hard to enjoy a cranberry cake if you don't like cranberries like myself but. Pastor Bill: [10:09] I like cranberry, sauce. Pastor Newms: [10:11] No, so this is actually a, it's an old recipe that it's also called Christmas cake sometimes of course because you know dear people love to borrow things from other. Pastor Bill: [10:23] Appropriate. Pastor Newms: [10:24] Yeah we'll use that word. Pastor Bill: [10:27] That's what it is. Its appropriation. Pastor Newms: [10:28] It is it's also theft but that's okay that's what appropriation is, theft of culture. Pastor Bill: [10:34] Appropriation is theft. Pastor Newms: [10:36] Yeah. Pastor Bill: [10:37] It's different there's appreciation which is, taking something and going hey this is a Yule cake, and we're going to enjoy it at Christmas, that's appreciation, then there's appropriation where you go, hey there's your cakes really good but I'm gonna change the name and pretend like it doesn't have some historical meaning attached to it. Pastor Newms: [11:21] Three eggs and then, cranberries and so it's super simple it's nice and crumbly and traditionally you kind of leave it out. You don't like put it in the fridge or put it in the and by the end of Yule it gets a little harder and so it's almost like a bar by the end. The one I made is not going to last to the end of Yule I've already planned on buying more ingredients and making another because I wanted the Cranberries to be semi-fresh so I don't want to or buy them. Pastor Bill: [11:57] Isn't part of the point for it to last and become a hardy you know through that you can continue to eat in the cold. Pastor Newms: [12:06] That is the point of it, but Groggy is here this weekend which means. Pastor Bill: [12:13] It's not going to last. Pastor Newms: [12:13] 7 people in the house. Last night, and even cutting them in like 1 by 1 squares a 13 by 9 only has so many squares in it so, I'm pretty sure it ain't going. Pastor Bill: [12:32] I would imagine the 13 by 9 only has 13 squares across and 9 squares. Pastor Newms: [12:38] That's if I actually measured and did inch squares which you know me, I didn't measure, and they are bigger than a one-by-one. Pastor Bill: [12:47] Those were two-inch squares easily. Pastor Newms: [12:51] If - because it was just knife carving knife you know. But it was good, fire and stuff which is fun I like fire I've limited the amount of wood we bought. We only bought you know a little bit of wood for each night and we're not doing the, belief that the fire has to burn the whole time or it's bad luck because well one, it doesn't you know the sun isn't not going to come back if the fire goes out says, it was like I was like do we need to keep this fire going and we tend it throughout the day and he's like no like okay cool I'll do it if we need to like if that's part of your not belief system but part of the traditions that you do. Pastor Bill: [13:48] He was like I aint sitting out here and tending that fire. Pastor Newms: [13:52] Relax and keep the fire going. We'll just light logs each night and like all right cool so that's kind of what we're doing and that's good it's been a good week how was your week? Pastor Bill: [14:08] It was life, just you know walking the dog every day multiple times it probably like at least every hour. Pastor Newms: [14:16] How's that doing for your health? Pastor Bill: [14:20] I don't know I haven't noticed the difference yet. Pastor Newms: [14:22] I mean like are your knees hurting a lot more are you are you doing okay doing that often? Pastor Bill: [14:28] I mean as long as I sit down for a little bit after doing it each time, I'm fine. I mean I've just got to sit down and let my back recoup. Pastor Newms: [14:36] I wasn't thinking that the standpoint that some people would take of oh you're walking. You don't ever walk normally, you've obviously lost 190 pounds but doing it now I wasn't going that route I meant just. Pastor Bill: [14:46] Actually, and I haven't lost a pound. It doesn't do anything for my weight you know. Pastor Newms: [14:57] Because life's not magical. Pastor Bill: [15:00] That's right life's not magical, and getting a dog at the end of October and walking it every hour except for while you were asleep for a month does not equal weight loss. Pastor Newms: [15:14] Well to be fair if anything it would it could mark weight gain because you're using muscles you normally don't. Pastor Bill: [15:24] Building up those muscles. Pastor Newms: [15:25] Right and that's the worst part about weight is everyone's like most people measure by pounds and they're like, I'm so fat alright I've gotten fatter so I started working out you're like no no you haven't I can see that you look different, I can't tell real well because cameras you know but and I don't see all of you but there's that aspect of, if you do that then obviously you've lost weight if I do like this I look skinny but you know it just doesn't work that way none of us have that good of a tour so we're just pushing fat up so the, but I know there are people that get upset and they're like how I'm gained weight when I started working out you're like yeah but have you measured, and that's the other thing is looking at it from that standpoint. How do your clothes fit? How do your you know? Those types of things are important also not just, poundage because poundage is not how you measure that especially. Pastor Bill: [16:31] That's another guy over there this week. Pastor Newms: [16:50] But I just meant your pain levels, not your. Pastor Bill: [16:51] No my panels are manageable, it's all right my bad there's been a few times where I've been limping the dog out but you know those aren't all the time. Anyway yeah, I mean other than you know you see I got this Christmas tie up. Pastor Newms: [17:19] I do you see your Christmas tie. Pastor Bill: [17:22] I've got this Christmas tree over here that I've added to my office Shelf ah. Pastor Newms: [17:27] I am, I don't think I have anything Christmas. Pastor Bill: [17:41] Put this in your stuff. Pastor Newms: [17:43] We do have two Christmas trees this year. One that has no ornaments and isn't plugged in because I forgot that we, found a Christmas tree towards the end of last year middle of last year when we ordered it. I forgot I just remembered the fact that we didn't have one, and so we were doing something we were out there for the wedding, and Walmart the one over on Cheek Sparger had just put out their Christmas trees. So I found a six-foot black one and bought it and then brought it home and Tina's like, you know we already have one and I was like yeah of course I do, which I had forgotten a little bit oh okay I now do you want to be on camera or no just hand, okay I now have a black Christmas tree. Pastor Bill: [18:46] That's not 6 foot that's um. Pastor Newms: [18:48] That's this one's not 6ft does that work could not be seen that can't be seen and used to be over here we'll put it right here for Here We Go. Pastor Bill: [19:01] Then I just put it right in front of the camera like. Pastor Newms: [19:03] Right in front of the camera okay. Pastor Bill: [19:06] Just sitting right in front there you go. Pastor Newms: [19:07] So I have a Christmas tree now it's a wonderful Christmas tree and it's. Pastor Bill: [19:14] Move it over Happy Halloween, nice. Pastor Newms: [19:14] It's definitely a Christmas tree and nothing else other than a Christmas tree all right. Pastor Bill: [19:22] Don't just move it over to the right, come on man move it to the right up hiding behind the tree okay is that right okay move it to the left then, hold it nope too far little bit more in a little bit more into the camera a little bit more little bit right there oh Pastor Newms. Pastor Newms: [19:47] You want me to okay there's a second one I could technically bring it and put it right in front of the Saints but. Pastor Bill: [19:54] It doesn't even look real it looks like you've added an image a PNG image into the shot, not a real tree. Pastor Newms: [20:07] It looks purply because the red light right there, there's a red light right there, and there's a red light right there. That's the reflection of the red light that's over there and there's red lights right here but yeah so. Pastor Bill: [20:28] All right so Biggs on Twitch asks what kind of dog did you get. My dog is a pit lab, it seems American Pit Bull and Chocolate Lab. I love her, she's great. She's a little stinker though sometimes she plays a little too hard with the kids, but she's just a baby. Pastor Newms: [20:55] Labs have that issue, I've never owned a pit, but well Kaiju has just a little bit but it's not much she's mainly lab but, never had a full mix and Kaiju doesn't understand that she's 65 pounds, she thinks that she is 10 pounds and she gets jealous Shyla will lay right here on your shoulder when you're sitting in a chair, and she puts her back she puts her front up here and then you're supposed to hold her butt and then and then she just cuddles just like a cat, yeah just like a 10-pound 12-pound cat you know no big deal she claws the whole way up but that's okay you know she's special and if you try to remove her, by shoulder meat but. Pastor Bill: [21:49] Really at the claws then. Pastor Newms: [21:50] Yeah you really get too close if that's the case but then she'll start whining and then try to climb up in the chair with you, and I'm not talking like you know big fluffy lazy boys I'm talking just like chair, you know we've got these swirly, these swivel chairs that are like you know the only the backs only go like, this tall on your back you know. She'll try to pick her up and you're holding her and then she gets right here and she's like I could do it and the tails just, you know smacking you over and over again because she's happy and you're just like oh my gosh you got to get down. But yeah she so I can do it too just dad look, and it doesn't it doesn't work here like no no baby you can't it hurts you got to get down because she has no idea. Pastor Bill: [22:44] But I is baby. Pastor Newms: [22:46] Yeah so yeah dogs are fun. Pastor Bill: [22:56] All right so now it's time for. Getting To Know The Pastors. Pastor Newms: [23:02] See this is the problem, I think we do enough of this in the opening that we don't have to do these cards, and yet you say we have to do these cards. Let's just see… if you were to create just create not go to but create. Pastor Bill: [23:17] Okay I'm creating something. Pastor Newms: [23:19] The ultimate vacation destination. Where would it be located and what would it be like? Now here's my question if I can create the ultimate vacation spot right I would assume that I can also create the means to get there. Pastor Bill: [23:55] I mean you own the place you could technically live there. Pastor Newms: [23:59] No, I mean like if I'm granted a wish of the ultimate vacation spot by definition, if you were the Jinn doing this you'd have to then create the ability to get people their back or wouldn't be the ultimate vacation spot because no one could go there, okay cool alright go ahead. Pastor Bill: [24:23] It sounds like you've put more thought into this than I have what you what do you what do you brewing over there. Pastor Newms: [24:34] Under the Sea. The domed like Atlantis style amusement park under the sea. Pastor Bill: [24:42] There's that one hotel that only has one room. Pastor Newms: [24:47] And they. Pastor Bill: [24:48] And it is a submerged room. Pastor Newms: [24:54] That's what I'm thinking Atlantis Style, like domed sea creatures all around you hopefully, the meg is not real, and you know we're good to go. Pastor Bill: [25:10] The meg is not real. Pastor Newms: [25:12] Don't start cuz I got someone in this house that believes the meg is 100% real and so no man don't start this conversation we will lose it. Pastor Bill: [25:23] Dude I can't swim in swimming pools if they're too deep because of my fear of deep-water animals so, I understand the fear. Pastor Newms: [25:40] I won't swim in the ocean, and I won't swim in lakes. Catfish get too big and there are other things other than catfish that can just crawl up from other places and there goes your foot you had a foot you got a foot. Pastor Bill: [25:56] Zaydiee, were doing Get To Know The Pastor's. The card was, if you could create a destination is what are you talking about. Pastor Newms: [26:02] Oh Zaydiee knows what we're talking about. Zaydiee knows what we're talking about. Pastor Bill: [26:11] Or she asking what are you talking about who believes the meg is she's just so guy you've been naughty better now you gotta expose somebody. Pastor Newms: [26:17] Nah I'm good. Pastor Bill: [26:20] Who in your house believes the meg is real? Pastor Newms: [26:22] The megalodon is real. Its knowledge. Pastor Bill: [26:26] It's you isn't it? You're the one that believes the meg is real, isn't it? Pastor Newms: [26:30] We have proof that the Meg was real. Pastor Bill: [26:34] Once. We don't have proof that there are any more. Pastor Newms: [26:38] We don't have proof there's not. Pastor Bill: [26:40] It's true there are depths of the ocean we've never been to. Pastor Newms: [26:45] That's why I believe Nessie is real too. Some of Tina's favorite movies are The Meg and, she loves them and I'm like no that's real, there's those fall right into my I don't do ghost movies and I don't like zombies, see she believes they still exist as well. Pastor Bill: [27:14] So we watched The Meg, and you know there's some jump scares in that movie and if I remember if I'm remembering correctly Roxanne you know I was just unaffected by it Roxanne was like isn't this scary to you? I was like no, because I would never be caught dead in that underwater enclosure so it's not realistic I would never be in that situation so that is not scary to me because I wouldn't go in. I would be firm on the land. Pastor Newms: [27:48] What if your wife and kids had gone and now they're trapped would you go to save them. Pastor Bill: [27:57] What good would it do to have me die too? What purpose would that serve? Pastor Newms: [28:05] Hmm, mmm, man Rox hun, Bat-Brains you gotta come fix your man. Pastor Bill: [28:21] I said so much every other day the kids asked me some question if blah blah blah blah blah would you come would you save me so if I got kidnapped, would you pull a Liam Neeson and come and save me and I was like I don't have those skills. And Roxanne showed me this dirty-look and I was like, what? I don't. I couldn't save them. Well would you at least pay the ransom dad? With what would I pay the ransom with. Pastor Newms: [28:59] Oh, Shea family, y'all are dead if anything happens to y'all. Just so you know, Pastor Bill cannot help you. Pastor Bill: [29:08] I cannot help you, I do not have the skills of Liam Neeson. I do not have the money of Bruce Wayne. I am unhelpful in a kidnap situation in any way. Well, you aren't either I mean come on honestly. Pastor Newms: [29:28] No but I thought I would. Pastor Bill: [29:30] If your kid was kidnapped there's nothing you could do about it but call the police and sit on your hands and wait for something to happen. Pastor Newms: [29:37] I honestly don't think I could. No, I would have to at least try. Pastor Bill: [29:48] You'd want to try. Pastor Newms: [29:49] I'd have to call in some favors. I have to find some numbers from old books but, doo-doo-doo doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo doo-doo-doo-doo-doo. Pastor Bill: [30:05] I have a very specific set of historically documented skills. And they don't handle kidnapping. You call me for other things. You don't call me for kidnapping, you call me for other things. Pastor Newms: [30:22] That is true. Pastor Bill: [30:23] Kidnapping is not on that list. Pastor Newms: [30:24] Kidnappings is not on your list. I'd have to make some phone calls, but I would try hmm it's been 20 years. Pastor Bill: [30:33] Alright so my place. Pastor Newms: [30:35] Aha. Pastor Bill: [30:37] So I really when that question comes up my brain automatically remembered the day in Panama that we spent on the beach. it was the Gulf of Mexico really, but it was on the beach in Panama. White Sands, lots of shade where you didn't have to be in the sun if you didn't want to, the water was crystal clear all the way down, and so you know, and it wasn't that deep you could go swimming you know. You could see what was going on and so my brain automatically goes, well I should create something like that. Nice little water area where you're technically outside but you don't have to be in the sun if you don't want to. Nice big canopy where you know if you want to be in the sun go over there, if you don't want to be in the sun you come over here, and you can swim if you want and there's snorkeling if that's your thing and just hanging out. That'd be my place. Pastor Newms: [31:48] I see. Pastor Bill: [31:50] And at one point okay so the water was like super warm crystal clear, super warm, and then it started raining, and the rain was like super cold but it wasn't too heavy and the water that you were in was super warm and so it's like this awesome mix of just, being submerged in warm water while this cold rain fell on your head and it's beautiful scenery, and yeah it was great. Pastor Newms: [32:19] I'm going to take your word for it. Pastor Bill: [32:24] By far one of the best, what did we call those days when you're on a missions trip and you went off? Excursion, best excursion day of all of my missions trips, it beats bamboo rafting down the river and then swimming at the base of a waterfall in Thailand hands down. Although that might have had something to do with the leeches, that we then had to pull off of ourselves when we were done swimming. Anyway, so yeah that's my thing, and riding elephants was fun, except don't sit on the neck unless you've won more than just blue jeans because those little hairs on elephant necks are tough, and they will poke right through your blue jeans. That is a prickly ride down a mountain, stay where you're at. Pastor Newms: [33:37] Yeah yeah. Pastor Bill: [33:42] All right all right. Pastor Newms: [33:43] Here I do say there is somewhere I want to go I want to take the girls because I haven't yet, there's a lost sea here in this area and it's you basically go down. Well it's called the lost sea because when they found it they were like oh this was lost to time you know blah blah blah, but you go down into it, and it's an underground system of caves that they've you know been taking people through for who knows how many years. So because of that you know, it's built up nice and its still very much, do do do do do do. Glass bottom boat, and you go on this sea, like you know it's an underground lake. It's gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous and like during the prohibition time there was a bar down there. Today its carved, like they've carved stairs into the rock and you can't actually use the stairs because they're too dangerous or not because it's too dangerous but the funny thing is when your lower. This is a funny story when you're lower you don't feel the effects of alcohol as much because of the way the, something about the air and something about them and so then as you go up the stairs you feel the effects this is what they tell you at least I don't know if this is true might be you feel the effects of the alcohol more as you get into. You know miss you get back up and so some people would open the door and then like, the wind would come in and they'd fall back down the stairs and so it was actually a hazard, to drink down there. But you know, it was the prohibition, so people did it anyway. It's called The Lost Sea. Pastor Bill: [35:48] did they carry the pieces down and build the boat on the Lost Sea? Or did they somehow transport the boat whole into the hole? It feels as perplexing as seeing those pirate ships in a bottle like. Okay. Pastor Newms: [36:24] It's a pontoon boat Biggs says, I don't know if that answers the question. Pastor Bill: [36:29] They might have just carried it down there then. Pastor Newms: [36:33] I mean it's not a huge for anyone who wants the information there you go. Pastor Bill: [36:45] TheLostSea.com. Pastor Newms: [36:47] But it's. Pastor Bill: [36:48] Ready to take an unforgettable adventure? Take a boat ride underground. You've never seen, heard, or done anything like this before. Pastor Newms: [36:56] How do you see what I did you click the. Pastor Bill: [36:56] Listed in the Guinness Book of Records your lost the adventure begins with a guided tour of the caverns this includes a three-quarter mile round trip walk on a wide sloping pathways, while touring that's all I got. You were like, “How are you, how are you reading what I.” what did you think about that. Pastor Newms: [37:19] Because I was like, wait did you click the link to stop clicking links man you're not I'm the one who does random stuff while we're doing this you're the one who tries to stay focused. What's wrong? Pastor Bill: [37:34] I accidentally turned on the movie I was watching earlier. And so suddenly the movie Bohemian Rhapsody at 50 minutes in started playing over my head buds and I was like, what is that where's that music what's going on. It was over on this screen behind my notes I didn't see it I just because I tapped my ear. Pastor Newms: [38:01] Oh yeah, the boats aren't that big, you basic they're just like seat CC and then like foot room and it's glass and so they probably it's nice I like it. Pastor Bill: [38:17] So season 4 episode 1. Picked up Genesis chapter 1 and verses 1 and 2. And then and that was called in the beginning and then episode 2 which we called also in the beginning, we did John chapter 1 verses 1 through 4. You can get rid of the tree if you'd like, you don't have to leave the Christmas tree there it's fine. All right, now tonight in episode 3 the title is turn up the house lights. And we are looking at Genesis chapter 1 versus 3 and four so let's read. Pastor Newms: [39:17] So can I take a guess what we're talking about. Pastor Bill: [39:21] We're talking about Genesis chapter 1 verses 3 and 4. Pastor Newms: [39:24] Does it have to do with light - based on the title? Pastor Bill: [39:28] Based off the title of tonight's episode you would probably be a good. Pastor Newms: [39:34] Yay I guessed it. Pastor Bill: [39:39] All right you want to put in the chat Genesis chapter 1 verses 3 and 4 there. Actually, we're not going to get all the way through verse four. We're going to do the first half of verse 4. Then God said let there be light and there was light God saw the light was good and that's only half of verse 4 because that's as far as we're going to get, not actually going to get into the and God separated the light from the darkness okay. Because we're not going to get that far we've only got 14 minutes. Pastor Newms: [40:23] Well I mean I'm sorry the conversation was lively. Pastor Bill: [40:29] The conversation was lively. Pastor Newms: [40:32] I'm bad at following times you know this. Pastor Bill: [40:34] (Singing to the tune of “Let it Snow”) The weather outside is frightening but the conversation is lively. Pastor Newms: [40:43] Please just go, no I mean in that song There's a great thing because there's some mixed historical, things about what that song could mean and someone did a spoof where the girls doing the same exact parts, but the guys like no you need to go well. Pastor Bill: [41:07] That's a different song but yeah. Pastor Newms: [41:08] Is it. Pastor Bill: [41:10] Hey you're talking to your thinking about “Baby It's Cold Outside”. Pastor Newms: [41:12] Oh I was. Pastor Bill: [41:13] Totally different song, yeah the song you're talking about was featured on. Pastor Newms: [41:18] My brain I'm sorry. Pastor Bill: [41:21] That Christmas movie on Netflix. I can't remember the name of it but it's got that, the comedian the Asian comedian has the glasses what his name is. He's done a few Netflix special comedy specials can't remember his name anyway that's not that's neither here nor there. Pastor Newms: [41:46] Is Grayson praying for us to stop and be focused or. Pastor Bill: [41:49] Grayson is praying for our mental sanity he's like oh dear Lord help them, Lord. Pastor Newms: [41:57] What is it what is he praying for exactly? Pastor Bill: [42:00] So Genesis 1 chapter 3 in our translations it says then God said let there be light and there was light okay now when we go to, the Strong's to find out what words are actually they're right we find out that there's one, two, three, four, five, six words. There's only six words here okay, and the words using the same translation the words are “God said be light; be light” are the words. There is no “then” there is no “let there” and there is no “and.” It's just God said be light be light. So, there's a lot of context that has to be thrown in to make a sentence like and God said let there be light and there was light. The problem with contexts when you're talking about something like Genesis chapter one is you have no context. The only way to add words to what's being said, is to make them up is to go well in the future, because we see what happens in the future, we think that what they're saying here is this, and we backwards paste our expectation onto earlier scriptures. And say well we're going to translate this way because of what we read later and what we find out later, but when we break it down and we look at just the words that are there to try to get this deeper understanding and this deeper look at what's going on. Once again, we don't necessarily find the translation to be wrong, but we do find the translation to be shallow. And we don't find it to be bad, but we do find it to be more leaning in a poetic form. So it's crafting this poetic idea that they're trying to communicate, but it's coming across without any of its depth and it's supposed to flow like poetry so it's not hitting all of that those markers of substance that we want, when we're reading the Bible so let's look at the words that are actually there, the first word is God but the God there is that same word for God that we've been seeing so far, in verses 1 and 2 which is Elohim I've got my e-sword up here on the right-hand side of the screen, you can kind of see some of it if you're watching the video, the word there's Elohim it's H430 which is that plural of God which is God's or Divine beings we talked about last week. This definitely included Jesus, because John told us, in the beginning, was the word we also saw that the commentaries really preferred either plan promise provision or motive, instead of translating as word. And then the motive becomes. Human. He is Jesus. So Jesus was there in the beginning, it's part of this plural but it doesn't negate other beings being a part of the creation as well. We apply that understanding to the text like I said because of what we learned later. Now in its original form Genesis chapter one wasn't even, like we said in episode one of season 4 it wasn't a Jewish text it's not a Christian text it's not an Abrahamic text. It's actually a chapter they borrowed when they were in captivity in Babylon, so the meanings of these words could very well have intended by its original writers, to include a whole Pantheon of beings when it said Elohim and it meaning you know a Pantheon of Gods. God said for the Gods, I said now the said there is well it's aw-mar' H559 if you're following along in a Strongs Thesaurus. It is to say and it's used with great latitude it is answer a point of ouch bid boast self call certify challenge charge, um Man commandment commune there's a lot of words there I'm not going to read all of those because it's a pretty lengthy list of things that you can, technically use this word to mean because of that great latitude but you get the idea here of what that word is said. Okay, then we get to the next word, which is be. Now be is haw-yaw' H1961 and that is to exist be or become come to pass always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary. Yeah, it's not a passive word, it's not a side word it is a main word. My words are failing. Pastor Newms: [48:28] I'm like what were you trying to say. Pastor Bill: [48:31] It's a main word all right, exist and then the next word is light which is ore is the pronunciation there, H216 which comes from H215 and it is illumination for concretely luminary, every sense of the meaning of the word luminary including lightning happiness Etc. It can be bright clear day like lightning morning sun, but even there. Light in this actual in this context right because we have two verses before this is our only actual context. In the context of those two verses and what we broke them down and saw what they meant and how deep they were and what this scene is that we've with it has been painted for us, light is an over simplification of the translation of the word ore. Just like saying darkness in verse 2 which is the word kho-shek' was an over simplification of that word because that word kho-shek', is the word darkness, they translated as Darkness or the dark that one's H2822 from verse 2 which is this chapter one but when we looked at it we saw that it meant that means darkness - figuratively misery destruction death ignorant sorrow wickedness darkness night of security, it doesn't just mean dark is in the absence of visible light that word is so much more than that and to just translate it as darkness as is an over simplification, of the message. They're just like light is an oversimplification of this the concept of what's happening here, is so much deeper than we can really wrap into finite words to try to explain what's going on. But basically, there's always void in this darkness and there's you know the Earth is there and the spirit of God is moving or we said warring could be it was a very aggressive word, on the face of the deep against the darkness against misery and sorrow and all these things. There was no way for life to exist that spark of life wasn't anywhere in the universe. And last week when we were going in John chapter 1 we got to that verse 4 and we were talking about the all of my commentaries agree that the light, was you know the motive was the light in the light was the life of men. That light they were talking about was sentience that it was the spark of life that it was what separates life from not life and that allowed human beings to then, take that step up to awareness of your surroundings and wanting to better ourselves the basic things that are sentience and enlightenment. So then we go back to Genesis and we look at well, were oversimplifying all these words so this light that may have been the word that was used but the meaning behind this word. Is spark of existence is the ability of life, is happiness, is brightness, is joy this all these things, are all tied up right in this work. And so when we look at this verse again and we take everything that we saw in Genesis chapter 1 verse 1 and verse 2 and then we go to verse 3 we no longer see, God said let there be light we get this mental image of God, greeting an old friend named light as if light already exists. So it's this concept of if Newms called me and we hadn't talked in a few days, and it wasn't weird for him to call me because normally he just text, but if it wasn't for him to call me and we hadn't talked in a few days when I picked up the phone I would say, “Newms!” And I would greet my old friend as if he existed right there with me this is the concept were reading about in Genesis 1:3, God said, “Light!” Greeting light as if it existed, happiness joy life the existence of Life the spark of life greeted it as if it existed, called out to something that didn't exist as if it did exist and he was very familiar with it. And then light existed, that's the concept that we're looking at in verse 3. Does that make sense? Pastor Newms: [54:14] Yeah, it's not just like flip the switch thing it's the way it is still making something exists, but it is definitely in a different, feeling then what is sometimes conveyed, to people it is. Pastor Bill: [54:38] And you get a lot of questions at this point. How did light exist if the sun didn't exist yet? How does this work? Why? Well , it's because we're not actually talking about. Pastor Newms: [54:49] Lights. Pastor Bill: [54:50] The light that you are perceiving with your eyes. We're talking about happiness and life and joy and, this is the word that we've translated as light it's not actually light rays from a light source that's not what's being created here. So then we get to the next verse see we're already out of time and I've probably got 15 more minutes in me. Pastor Newms: [55:12] Let's be honest I might have elongated the beginning, so it's okay. Pastor Bill: [55:19] So I'm going to go for 15 more minutes and then what we'll call it okay. So we get to verse 4 and we're using the same word for God. Remember we're only going to do the first half of verse 4. We got the same word that's just this multiple word were talking about this plural God, and then we get to the word saw okay. And this word That We're translating as saw (surprise-surprise) is an oversimplification. The word saw is actually a compound of two separate words or rather it's the usage of two separate words raw-aw' and ayth. Raw-aw' is H7200 and ayth is H853 those are those numbers if you want to go look those up. Now, H7200 is to see, literally or figuratively it's used in numerous applications direct and implied transitively in transitively and causative lie, it is advised yourself appear approved behold considered discern make to enjoy have experienced gaze take heed. It's all the things that you would think of for seeing. Yeah, it is saw that word ayth, however. Is in the demonstrative sense of entity properly self, but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition even or namely as such unrepresented in English well, I'm here to tell you how to represent that in English. You ready okay. Raw-aw' ayth is to look within yourself. So the gods or God looked within themself. It looked within themself and what they found there they found the light. It looked within themself found the light that they had just created. And judging it against themself saw that it was good okay? So God looked inside of himself and given everything that God was, God is, God always will be, judge the light against that. And based off of what God saw inside of himself he declared that it was good. The that there kee H3588. Nothing deep about that word it's just prepositional prefect's its, it indicates casual relationships of all kinds. It's the word that and the word good is tobe, it's H2896, it's good as an adjective in the widest sense use likewise as a noun both in the masculine and the Feminine singular and the plural, good a good or good thing a good man or woman good goods or good things good men or women also an adverb well beautiful best better Bountiful cheerful at ease, fair word be in favor fine glad good, deed, deedlier deadliest deadly deed - Deeds, graciously joyful kindly kindness like if like it's best loving Mary most Pleasant, please have pledged your precious Prosperity ready sweet wealth welfare bewell be favored, good means. In all the sense of good right. It doesn't mean good for something it doesn't mean, taste good it doesn't mean oh yeah that's good but it's not best it doesn't mean you know oh I'm good but I'm not well it doesn't mean you know it's not these modern ways that we use the word good, by good, he was in Eternal fate, that this thing in the widest sense of the definition. Was beautiful best better Bountiful cheerful it's this all-encompassing word of that is a good thing always, God looked within himself and he compared the light to what he saw inside of himself that it was good, remember that light is life that light is that spark of creation that light is, is all the things that would come to be enlightenment it is all the things that would come to be tensions it is all the things that, cause the universe to spin and causes gravity to work and causes you know everything to be, moving and growing and changing and that, without that light, everything just sat stagnant in death and Decay and misery. Darkness there was no moving forward there was no spark there was no change there was no sentience there was no existence. There was just cold dark rocks and primordial ooze. Until God greeted light as an old friend, causing light or causing life to exist spark of life to exist compared life to himself and went yeah life is good. Genesis chapter 1 verses 3 through the first half of verse 4. See what we relegate to elementary school we relegate toSunday school and we relegate to a quippy poem, written in archaic version of English that we've been tried to dumb down and translate down and transliterate into the easiest version to read, it's really some of the heaviest stuff in the Bible it's so deep and so existential. It blows my mind every time I go back and start to study it again. How deep the pictures that are being painted actually are in Genesis chapter 1. Pastor Newms, you have anything you want to add to that? Pastor Newms: [1:03:36] No it's exactly like you said we so often look upon, you know these topics and we glaze over them based on, the English that used to be glazed over them based on what we've been taught and you know it's probably some of the most read parts of the Bible. Pastor Bill: [1:04:02] Second to John 3:16 but yeah. Pastor Newms: [1:04:04] Yeah because and the reason I say this is every year, probably Millions but at least thousands of Christians start a reading plan start with Genesis and then fail somewhere around you know either the Minor Prophets or, you know Numbers cuz some people don't and so. Pastor Bill: [1:04:29] If you're reading the whole Bible in the course of the Year Kudos that's great but you might as well be reading the phone book I mean. Pastor Newms: [1:04:39] Well. Pastor Bill: [1:04:40] Once you're actively studying what are you reading, if you're just reading it to read it and you're not listening to Holy Spirit and you're not pacing yourself. Pastor Newms: [1:04:50] There you go. Pastor Bill: [1:04:51] Right because if you're trying to read it in a year you're reading three chapters a day at least. Pastor Newms: [1:04:57] You are but. Pastor Bill: [1:04:59] Unless you're sitting down and taking all day to read those three chapters you're probably missing a lot. Pastor Newms: [1:05:07] There are some of us that read, and comprehend differently everyone learns differently the spirit speaks to everyone differently so there are people who do get, out of a daily Bible reading like that they do because they take the time to listen to the holy spirit so there is. Pastor Bill: [1:05:27] But it's I would say probably one percent of people that are doing yearly Bible readings are those people. Pastor Newms: [1:05:34] I don't know if it's quite that low but it is lower than what people anticipate the key though is the listening, and a lot of people there are some people who do the reading and don't do the listening, and those are normally the people who will not make it through because you're not going to get anything out of, large portions I never make it through because I forget it exists because. Pastor Bill: [1:06:07] I never make it through because they're like Read Genesis chapters 1 through 3 today and I'm like I get through the first five verses of Genesis and I'm done for the day and I'm like I'm so far behind by the end of the first week, but I'm like I can't even catch up at this point. I can't even catch up. Pastor Newms: [1:06:28] No I understand but I'm just saying there are so because of that this is some of the you know most read parts of the Bible because if you pick up a book you start at the beginning and that's what everyone does and so, it's interesting how much people will miss if they just blow through it, don't think on it don't apply the, the studying aspect and just blow through reading it because all I know the Judges I know Genesis is easy I've been taught Genesis since I was little like that's an easy story I know it just like put, do you understand the meanings behind the heavy words that are used not just, you know yes this happened. Pastor Bill: [1:07:24] And if you try to translate Genesis with all that weight behind it, they would probably be 10 times longer you know if you really tried to explain in the full concept of what actually is there. Now you don't think so. Pastor Newms: [1:07:45] Because I mean, you get into farther parts of Genesis and there's even weightier stuff that would take you know there's this some of its real big so I do. Pastor Bill: [1:08:04] Honestly honestly I don't even think, I don't even think Genesis is a good place to start if you're a new Christian or if you're just like, I'm gonna start reading the Bible I don't think Genesis is a good place to start anyway like we said like the first ten chapters of Genesis, they're not Christian text or not Abrahamic text or not Jewish texts there straight history, from the viewpoints of other cultures, that then someone in the Jewish realm said that seems like truth to me we're going to include that. I used to really start in Genesis and then as Jesus makes references. Pastor Newms: [1:08:54] You said Genesis as you should start in Genesis I know that's not what you meant. Pastor Bill: [1:08:59] You should start in Math maybe not Matthew. I would think I would start in mark. Pastor Newms: [1:09:08] You would a lot of people say start in John. Pastor Bill: [1:09:12] Mark was the first one next you write the Gospel his gospel and then. Pastor Newms: [1:09:15] No I understand why you would say. Pastor Bill: [1:09:17] Matthew and Luke both had a copy of Mark when they were writing there's and then you know John is good, but even John is a little deep for starting I think it would be better started Marks you get the overview of the story and then we John so you get the deeper behind the story, and then move on beyond there and honestly only go back to the Old Testament, when the New Testament references it. And then when you're done with the New Testament if you like you know what I want to go do a deep study about you know what all this stuff is and the origins of it didn't go back to the Old Testament. And read through it because the New Testament when they quote the Old Testament they're very clear that they're quoting the Old Testament and you can easily go back and go okay well where's this quoting and if you don't understand it. It's all cross-referenced Every Bible you're ever going to get it's going to have cross-references so that you can go back and understand what you know why they're saying it this way why they do it that way. The only time you should be in the Old Testament is when you intend to study you shouldn't just be there to read. That's my take on it. Pastor Newms: [1:10:44] Yeah I. Pastor Bill: [1:10:45] You may disagree that's and that's okay. Pastor Newms: [1:10:46] We do on this one and that's okay the eye I like both as far as, if you are a new Christian I agree with you wholeheartedly please, he's starting the New Testament because you're going to get caught up in some stuff and not until you understand the grace of the New Testament you can get caught up in some Old Testament stuff that's going to flip you but. Pastor Bill: [1:11:12] Yeah for goodness sakes First and Second Kings are just lists of ways that people are screwed up and need a savior like, that's all first and second Kings are and Judges. Judges is the same way. Pastor Newms: [1:11:27] Yeah so I mean it's definitely the old. Pastor Bill: [1:11:30] List of example after example after example after example after example of why we need a savior and you're sitting here reading these awful things, and thinking is this cool it's just okay that things that they're doing and it's like no it's not. That's the whole point of that book. Pastor Newms: [1:11:49] Yeah the whole point of the first half is “no” and so. I do think once you have settled there is time to there is a time to reflect on the whole thing. Pastor Bill: [1:12:04] But see that's the thing is the reflect not just read but actually take it in. Let me add on a qualifier then casual. Do not casually read the Old Testament. Pastor Newms: [1:12:36] Right. Pastor Bill: [1:12:38] That's my qualifier because most people casually read. Pastor Newms: [1:12:43] That's true I'll give you that one I'll give you. Pastor Bill: [1:12:47] Should never be casually reading. Pastor Newms: [1:12:49] I don't think I'm able to casually read I don't think that's why I have so many books behind me. Pastor Bill: [1:12:57] You can casually read the book of Acts you can, you literally have there's no hidden secrets in the book of Acts it is literally God did this miracle for the church then God did this thing through the church and then God did this thing too. And if they're not excited about God moving on the Earth, then you can casually read it. Now myself Acts doesn't particularly excite me, it just doesn't. I get it God moves God does things I believe it, it's cool, other people read acts and they get all excited about it and that's fine for them that's cool but you can technically casually read it you don't have to do a whole bunch of study to take any information there. The Old Testament is not written that way. All right well that's what we have for tonight I hope you guys enjoyed it. The Berean Manifesto comes out every Wednesday at 7 p.m. as a podcast wherever you get your podcasts. If you've enjoyed this episode, it's helped you or you think it might help someone else. Please like, share, follow - all the things on social media and where are you get your podcasts. That really helps expand our reach and then forward a link to someone you know might benefit from this episode or one of the other episodes that we've done. We do recorded these episodes live on video on Sunday nights at 6:30 p.m. Central Standard Time, you can go to our web site www.ekk.house, and see which Twitch, which Facebook, and which YouTube you can go to watch us live and also participate in the chat while we're recording, and we can interact with you if you have questions or you have comments or you just want to send a pray hands symbol because you think we've lost our minds and you're praying for our mental sanity, that's fine too thank you Grayson for that emoji earlier, I think that is all we have for tonight right. Pastor Newms: [1:15:11] That is all we have I think. Pastor Bill: [1:15:15] So happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Christmas, Saturnalia. Whatever you're celebrating this time of year it's fine, I'm going to say Merry Christmas because I celebrate Christmas, I don't say that because I expect you to celebrate Christmas. I say that because while I'm celebrating, I hope, that you were having a bright and merry time in that time. However you celebrate it. Love you guys hope you have a great week. Pastor Newms: Stay safe out there. Pastor Bill: [1:15:54] And until next time.

I know a couple that had neighbours from. Hell for years they had to put up with their bad behaviour. Until God had enough. And gave them peace on everyside neighbours on both side of them had to move for different reasons. And both houses were empty for a good while. Now God has given them their dream house. 1kings5verse4. But know the Lord my God has given me rest on every side so there is neither adversary no evil occurrent amen. And he does he gives us peace from intense activity we just have to trust and believe in his word to be a doer not only a hearer of his word. Thank you for listening our God is faithful never failing. Godbless you all amen

For Chad Norris, coping with anxiety and depression meant prescription meds ruled his world. Until God spoke.To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.lightsource.com/donate/885/29 To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1489/29

For Chad Norris, coping with anxiety and depression meant prescription meds ruled his world. Until God spoke. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.lightsource.com/donate/885/29

The “Seasons” in our lives “Embrace the seasons of life, for it is just that….. a season” I would like to share with you church, an experience or encounter I had with God, at around 1:45pm, some time ago. And the Lord spoke so clearly to my heart, and I was so excited, that I even woke my wife and told her about what God revealed to me! I actually wrote it down the next morning, because I knew that I had to share this someday, so here it is…. God spoke to me in such a quiet, gentle tone of voice …. Saying, “As there are seasons in nature, and as they come to an end and a new season starts, so is the season that you're in right now, about to end. I will pour out rain on your dry and parched land and your pastures will be green …. And you will eat of the fat of the land again!” But that's not all (everybody) So I pretty much knew what I was about to share with you all, and then last week Sunday, Pastor George prophesized over the congregation, quoting: Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) – “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.” As I listened to Pastor George, I realised that God mentioned the beginning of a new season, through the prophet Isaiah! “I'm about to do a new thing” meaning that you're currently in a situation, a season, that is about to change, amen! Vs. 18 “Forget the former things and do not dwell on the old.” “For I am about to do something new!” So, I have it on high authority today, that God is about to change your seasons, if you'll allow Him to! But that's not all. Pastor Kobus Massyn then came up to preach the Word, speaking from the Book of Ruth! He also mentioned the season in Naomi's life, where she left the land of Judah in abundance, with a husband, two sons and two daughter in laws, only to return in a season of emptiness. Ruth 1:20 – “Do not call me Naomi (sweetness, pleasant) but call me Mara (bitterness) for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me!” What more confirmation could I ask for, church? In one night two men spoke about the seasons in life. Please turn you Bibles to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV) – There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. There is indeed a time for anything, a season for every activity under the heavens! I am 100% sure that every human being on planet earth, is in a season right now… every single one in this service or those watching online! You're in a season, Amen? Some or many of us are enjoying the “summer season” right now, all is well, with long lazy days of warm sun and carefree days…. Others are in “Spring” with all its awesome colours, flowers blooming, and you have a sense of rebirth and renewal. Many other people are in their “Autumn” season... You're beginning  to notice the shorter days of sunlight, a colder breeze at night… while others are smack-bang in the dead of winter!! (Anybody?) But please realise church that seasons represents different times or experiences in our lives… we will experience joy, laughter, and happiness, but also sorrow and grief, loss, and pain! Yes, it is so! Realise today church, that it takes different seasons in our lives, for God to mould us and make us what He wants us to be, amen? But unlike the only 4 natural seasons, we will face many in our lives! Today I can mention so many Bible characters, who went from summer, autumn, winter and spring, who endured their seasons, but never gave up on life! James 1:12 (NIV) – Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. This Scripture reminds me so much of Job (anybody?) Job was in his “summer season”, he had plenty, he prospered in everything… there was no one like him in the land. Job 1:1-3 (NIV) – In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2He had seven sons and three daughters, 3and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. Until God gave Satan permission to test Job. Job went from a place of abundance, to a place of misery and grief. From luxury to an ash-heap, scraping his boils, even cursing the day he was born! But in all of this (seasons) Job did not sin against God! WOW Well, maybe you're like Job right now, having lost everything that was precious to you, and people around you are actually surprised that you're still standing... well church, Job realised that the same God who brought him to it, will also bring him through it, amen! Job realised that every setback, is just a setup for a comeback, and so should we, church! “And the Lord restored to Job twice as much as he had before.” This promise is for somebody here today… God will restore to you twice as much as what you had before! Can I just say: that being faithful like Job means that we will endure challenges along the way… we will encounter sad, bad and negative events and emotions… but if we patiently wait upon the Lord, we will see His salvation in every situation, amen church? I have a strong sense in my heart, that there are people here today present, and you feel like you're stuck in winter all your life, your life is like a typical Cape Town winter's day. Your seasons are just not changing; well Maybe it's a result of sinful habits, or offenses that was never dealt with, never confessed, never left at the foot of the cross. Unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin! Can I just say church, family & friends, that the longer you hold onto your hurt, pain and disappointment, the longer you will be stuck in that season. Let go and let God! For the feeling of negativity will infect your walk with God, but happy are those who find joy in every season of their lives! Conquerors endures! But just as God turned Job, Naomi, Ruth, Joseph, David and so many other lives around, so we can't expect Him to move us from one season to the next, with expectation of what He is about to do in us and through us. Embrace your seasons, church … for there is a reason for every season in your life. (Yes it is so!) Amen? Conclude: By saying to you all, “However long the night, or season, dawn will break, seasons will change, if we remain faithful to God and His purpose for our lives, amen? Come let us pray!

Thank you for supporting this ministry, I lovingly refer to as "The Little Green Pasture." Click here: PayPal: http://paypal.me/JoanStahl Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/joaniestahl **Contact Email: jsfieldnotes@gmail.com **Send Donations To: Joanie Stahl - P.O. Box 1386 - 205 Avenida Del Mar - San Clemente, Ca. 92674 **Subscribe to me on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-534183 **Subscribe to me on Bitchute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/YOjK... **"Becoming A Prayer Warrior" - Margaret Alberici - Email Margaret for your FREE COPY: margaretalberici77@gmail.com There are many believers who once blazed in joyful fires in the Lord. They were glad when someone said, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." They "dwelt in the secret of the Most High, and abided in the shadow of the Almighty." But something happened. They slowly departed from the living God. There are many reasons why this happens. Many times it is because they have been tempted into sin that led them down a path of greater sins. Others slowly ebbed away because they were hurt by a church leader, and "were wounded in the house of their friends." They now abide in the shadows of sad leper-like despair. They look from a distance to see the Kingdom of Jesus like "a city set upon a hill" from where they journeyed away from unto a land of shadows. They long to go back, but feel that they have gone too far. That there is no acceptance. They know in the word that there is always forgiveness but count themselves a special case of disappointment to Jesus, and therefore cannot bring themselves to return to Him. Like Rachel who "refused to be comforted." King Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings of all. He was a murderer, and shed more blood than anyone before him. He was a wicked idolater and deeply involved in the occult. Until God warned him and he would not listen or repent. Then God had him carried away into horrible Assyrian captivity. There he cried out to God in prayer who heard him, and forgave him, and returned him to his throne. The first thing Manasseh did was build a wall and fortified his cities. He built an altar and offered peace and thank offerings to God out of deep, humble gratitude. He died in peace, and that prayer in the low dungeon is now recorded for all eternity..."the prayer that he prayed." " Leave the broken, irreversible past in God's hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him." ~Oswald Chambers --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/joanie-stahl/support

Robin Kirby Gatto holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work and Juris Doctorate. She has many published teaching books and is a best-selling author. Today Robin shares her personal story of deliverance from many strongholds.    God has moved Robin into sharing His Truths on Freedom through Wisdom and the Power of His Word. Please join us today as Robin shares about this powerful word of DELIVERANCE coming alive in her life through Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior and the Word of God. Part One of Two.   *****   Kimberly Hobbs   Welcome to Empowering Lives with Purpose. And I'm your host, Kimberly Hobbs. I am the founder of Women World Leaders. We are so grateful that you've joined us today on empowering lives with purpose. And that is our hope today ladies that we get to empower you and encourage you to walk and that beautiful purpose that God has just for you. And one of our guests today that is wanting to just pour in some encouragement to you is our guest Robin Kirby Gatto. Welcome, Robin. Robin Kirby Gatto   Thank you. I am super excited, and I cannot wait to see what the Spirit of the Lord does. Kimberly, God bless you. Kimberly Hobbs   Oh, God bless you. Ladies. Today we are in for a great topic. Today we're talking about deliverance. And there are so many things as we think about our lives, whether God has delivered you from something already, something that has held you captive or shackled. That feeling of not being free. While today we want to talk about what that freedom feels like. And we want all of us to be able to be able to experience that true freedom that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord. So that's what we're going to talk about in our podcast today. And ladies, God tells us in His Word, that every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many color tapestries of God's grace. That's First Peter 410. So we've all received different gifts. And today's guest today Robin is so amazing, and I just being able to get to know her as a woman of God. God truly has entrusted her with beautiful gifts. And I believe as she starts to speak, you're gonna hear about what God has entrusted her with. So we believe each of you have a purpose, ladies. And it's our hope today that through listening to this podcast, you're going to hear a little bit about what your purpose might be. Ask God for that right now as we begin this podcast today, I want to share a little bit about who Robin Kirby Gatto is before we get going. She is a prolific author with a Bachelor and Master's degree in social work, and a juris doctorate. She has been in full time ministry since February 2011, where God in large the curtains of her habitations, he lengthened her steaks, and he sent her out, not by man, but by him, God sent her out. She has written many teaching books, which include two series of Gods firewall School of the prophets, and God's firewall, healing of the soul, as well as fictional series of the ancient language seekers. Her latest book, mindfulness of the mind of Christ shows the Christian how to walk out their deliverance by the consecration of the body through the word of truth that sets them free. The word of truth, we hear that ladies, that's God's word, is the word of truth. Robin has been married to rich Gatto since 2001, and has two sons, and a daughter and grace and two grandchildren. That's beautiful. You've got your surroundings of love. She's from Birmingham, Alabama, and has taught and preached in other nations including the Philippines and Nicaragua. Robin loves to minister wherever God calls her. And prior to finding her calling, Robin has had a pretty tumultuous life. Right, Robin, we got to share and talk about that a little bit. Until God delivered her ladies. Robin, can you take a few minutes and share with us some of the trials and struggles you went through prior to the time that God brought his power through his word into your life? Robin Kirby Gatto   Yes, and thank you for that intro. Kimberly, I am so blessed to be here and I'm super excited. Because I know that God has a plan and there's such a power in the testimony. There is a yoke destroying anointing, and I know that this is for someone out there specifically that's watching the day and said So, early on, God drew me to himself. When I was six years old, he would wake me up on Sunday mornings while everybody else was asleep. And he would tell me to get up and get that little handmade dress my grandmother made all the way to the floor. And he would say, go across the street and go to the church. And I sat on the third P on the inside, so I could see the pasture. And the only way that I can describe it, Kimberly is it was like this Amber, honey gold was coming down on this pasture. And my mouth was like this. And I just took in every word that this pastor preached, and taught in that particular service in every service thereafter. And so I asked them what to do. And they led me to get a Sunday school. And church was part of an escape for me, I actually have a brother that's a year older. And we were latchkey kids back in the late 60s, and 70s, early 70s. And he had met massive anger issues massive. And so I was there every day, all through school, all the way through high school dealing with that anger that he had, and I was the recipient of that anger every single day. And so charge was an escape for me and so many avenues. And I love the Lord, my family started going to church, my family started the Lord. But at the same time, nobody really wanted to deal with these anger issues. Because I was the only person that had to see them, mainly, while we were latchkey kids. And so one thing led to another, and I served the Lord through elementary served the Lord through middle school, I would get teased, or we get persecuted in high school in middle school, because I just really loved the Lord. And I would date a couple of guys. And because I wanted to protect my purity, they ended up leaving me with young ladies that would give them their desires and what they wanted. And so my senior year of high school, I just kind of went into rebellion. I was just so mad at God. And I was thinking, God, I'm doing all these things, right. And all of these bad things keep happening. And I just wanted to flat out rebel again, I was also very much in a protected zone by my parents, which is good. And so when I went to college, I just went party animal crazy, and that rebellion. And of course, I didn't do well in my first semester of college, because I hardly attended any classes. And the next thing I do is I find myself back home. And I go to a local junior college, and I get connected to the wrong man. And my mother warns me and she's a Baptist, but she has such a gift to discerning of spirits. And she warns me she said, Robin, he is demon possessed, do not marry him. But I was in rebellion. I was just angry with God angry with my parents, and that there was this undercurrent of anger is all I can tell you, and so on marry this man. And the next thing I know is he ends up being this drug dealer and he was actually from a narc pulling me aside on the road, right before I had a way of escape from that marriage. The narc told me that he was number two in the state of Mississippi on the entire narc list that he was number two in the state. And he warns me and God will always send you warnings. And he will, he will provide a written submission on web scape. And so, this man after we got married against obesity severely, He locked the door with deadbolt locks. He starts the and he beat me he would put guns to my head knives to mouth right. And so it was very intense. And I had been a cheerleader. I was overall girl I was class favorite. You would have never known this was me. But that undercurrent of anger I believe towards my brother. Growing up with constant, being the recipient of that anger and just having to tolerate it. It just really took me down a place that I didn't want to go. And after nine months of being married to this man and he was demon possessed. After nine months, God provided a way of escape and a ram in the bush and at 2pm to 8am in the morning. I was able to get the key out of his pocket because he kept it in his pocket. And I was able to grab that key and just hightail it up the street. And with him running behind me, I knew I was dead. And at this point I was about 82 pounds, I had been so starved and so beaten. And God had a policeman right at the top of that street. And I was able to leave that marriage. But the damage that that did to my self esteem was beyond measure. And it took over just a decade to be able to see it in a room without my stomach and knots and having panic attacks. Well, shortly after that, three years later, I married a doctor, a pre med student, and helped him get through med school. And at the same time was getting my bachelor's in social work. And my internship at the Baptist children's village with severe Lee hurt children. My supervisor called me in for what I thought was just going to be a regular meeting. And it wasn't just a regular meeting, she was confronting the fact that I was abused. And there I found out I disassociated. And it was at that point that God began to work on my person. Kimberly Hobbs   Wow. Wow. Wow. And he did. He did. And you went through that marriage as well. And you were telling me about how you went from not only? Well, there were some struggles within? Which Yes, you out of that marriage? Yes. into a place where alcoholism started taking over talk about that a little bit, you got into this unbelievably sad, depressed state, because you felt that you were making mistake after mistake is despite the time that you were learning all of this worldly knowledge that got you had your bachelor's, and then you got your masters. And then the things were happening in your life talk about that really quick? Robin Kirby Gatto   Yes. In fact, I married the doctor, I put him through medical school after going through residency, and it was my turn to go back and get my master's in social work. And I thought things were great. But how, how many times does God give you something in your network, that you just know that something's going to happen, and that you don't see yourself somewhere where someone else would see you. And so God showed me that I was not going to leave the house that I was in, and the doctor and I put a contract on my dream home. I put them through medical school, it was time for us to get our margerine home. And the next thing I know is I'm standing at that house with his family. And they asked me Are you excited about this house and I said, I don't see myself here. I don't see myself here. And Holy Spirit was speaking to me. And it was shortly after that, that I found out who was actually trying to move me out of the home with the two boys of one and six year old boys. Because he was having an affair, Kimberly and I had no clue. But God protected me and our house never sold. And he kept me in this house. And at that time, I was serving God, I was hungry, I would. I didn't have the power of Holy Spirit. I was hungry and thirsty for righteousness. But I did not know the power. I hadn't tasted the power at that time. And then the next thing I know is I'm a single mom, trying to pursue God, I've been going to church, I've been taking my voice to church, I'm always there. And the next thing on a thing shift. And I just happened to go to the divorce recovery group with two ladies. And it's in the church. But these two ladies were drinking wine. And all it took was one night with those ladies at their house. And I just drunk a sip of wine. And the next thing I know is it became my medication for my pain. Because I kept looking for my painting counselors to be resolved for my pain and friends to be resolved. And I kept looking to people to help me with my pain. But there was only one that could help me with my pain. Instead, God began to transition me and show me areas of my soul that were in such captivity. And this was right before I married my husband rich. I had actually been engaged. I was a single mother four and a half years, and I went into alcoholism. medomak medicated my pain through alcoholism. That was my medication. Antidepressants didn't work. So my only anti really depressant and which made me more depressed was alcohol. And so it was the most horrific thing that I could have ever done. But God knew that my lineage the family generations had alcoholism in it. And I didn't know that alcoholism was in my family, and that it just came up in my members. And it just became this Strong call that I could not find my way out of. And I began by the Holy Spirit, God began to speak to me, he brought me back to the simple place of the Word, and the power of the word, John 832, you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. And God began to say, Robin, you are not a drunk, and I said, Hello, God, I'm drinking. He said, but were in my word, does it say your job. He said, You are the righteousness of Christ Jesus, you are seated in heavenly places, I have a plan to give you a hope and a future and not to harm me. And the gift of faith was deposited in me. And God began to speak to me. And he said, Robin, I want you to start speaking this word. Now this is as I'm still an alcoholic, I'm still in bondage. And then I meet my soon to be husband and I marry in 2001. Rich, who doesn't want anything to do with alcohol? Who doesn't want anything to do with someone in bondage, but God drew this man to me. And he watched this entire transformation, as the Holy Spirit's stirred me up in the day, to where I would just speak the word and only the word. And he would even mention sometimes will Robin, you just drank the night before? I said, but I'm not an alcoholic. Nowhere in the Word of God. Does it say that I'm an alcoholic, and Jesus wasn't a drunk. And so if Jesus wasn't a drawl, and nowhere in the war, does it say I got just started this day. And I just spoke it. And on Resurrection Sunday, 2001, my husband and was a 2002, Resurrection Sunday, my husband's there. I feel the power of Holy Spirit, and it is offertory that you're passing the offering around, wanting that offertory Tom, and my heart is beating 100 miles an hour. And I look down at my heart and I'm thinking what is going on with me. And that amber color honey that I saw was a six year old girl. It came on matar person. And I heard God say stand Oh, and a call see Mullins, my Redeemer lives was playing. And I stood up. And the power board came on me. And I'm shaking, and my mind is going what is going on with my body. And my knees are weak, and my husband stands behind me. And the power of God came on me and in one moment just broke chains off on 2002 Resurrection Day. Kimberly Hobbs   Amen. Amen. And you know, ladies are hearing that and sometimes we hear stories in various different ways. But that's the power of the Lord. He is a limitless God that can do the most amazing things in our life. And he delivered you that day. And John a 32, you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. That's the scripture you use. And God used his word of truth as you were sitting there in church, and it's permeating you and he was preparing you. And he was doing a mighty work in you. And that day you were delivered, chains broke off. And you were free. You were delivered from alcoholism. you repented you taught you were talking to me about this Robin and ladies, this gets good. This woman is full of the wisdom of God because He has just poured into her. You had a heart change as you checked out that that sin and you repented that enslaved you and you were delivered that day. Then I said were you delivered from everything Robin, you know, and you started to tell me, you started getting deliverances from different things coming up in your life like the rage of anger. Can you talk about this with? Robin Kirby Gatto   Yes. And just to let you know, I've not shared much ever publicly or even privately except for my husband, about my brother. So a lot of people don't know that. But for some reason, Kimberly, there's someone that needs to hear this because you have lived this. And so I had the resurrection, Sendai. 2002 And just a few months later, and Holy Spirit accelerated me on the Isaiah 35 Eight Highway of Holiness. And God was Redeeming the time because he knew his schedule. I didn't know God's schedule. He knew his schedule. And so he was catching me up. And he put me on that as a 358 highway of holiness where there's no unclean thing. There's no beast, and he just started giving me this hunger and thirst for the word. And I just read the Word and the power of God was just bringing truth and joy just accelerating it in my members to where I could just know the power, the truth. And so God began to speak with me just a few months after the alcoholism that he said, Robin, you have got issues. And so I thought, this deliverance was all new to me. I've never say this. I've just grown up this Baptist girl. All I know is I love the Lord. And so all of this was very new to me. And so a few months later, after the alcoholism, deliverance, on, on the phone was rich a year he lives in, he lives in Connecticut, New York, working out his contract, he worked for non West corporate, which I really love because I like my wish. And I was down here at Alabama steel. So a year of our marriage, he was up there working, I was down here. And so my insecurity, I was jealous at the moment, and there was no reason to be jealous, but there was just insecurities. And it was just time. And so this anger came up in my person. And it just started rising up and God did some supernatural work in that deliverance. And he showed me he said Robin recant of your of the anger towards your brother. He said, You have been angry with him all of this time, repent of anything towards your parents. And that that was the lynch pin. Because if you would have asked, you know, the way that I am right now, I'm doubly that's how I've always been, okay, this is, this is my personality. My personality hasn't changed. It's just been amplified. Okay. So as Robin Kirby Gatto, steroids, after the Lord brings freedom. And so I if you would have told me I had raged, I would have told you, you are crazy. Because I didn't know as they are, but because of the supernatural encounter. And God had me on the floor. And it was like this big thumb on my back and my knees are under my belly, and my arms are out, like in prayer position. And I heard repent, and I began to repent. And it felt like chains broke off of me. And it felt like I was lifted up Kimberly and I could run a mess. That's what I tell everybody after every single one of these deliverances it feels like I was running on air, like the root word, Give us this day, our daily bread elrow It means to lift dog. And that's what happens when you get freedom, Kimberly Hobbs   freedom. Same time, that's the freedom and I have to just share the scripture really quick that God gave me Romans 612 to 14 says do not let sin control the way you live. Do not give into sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were but now you have new life. That's you. I mean, like that's why you're like lifted up on the air because you are so excited of the freedom that God gives. Yes. So use your whole body is an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the Freedom of God's grace. And now you're living in grace Robin. And this is so exciting because God delivered you from your fear of even going into full time ministry. But he had to break away all those chains that were holding you down, right? Because you've had all those things you needed to be delivered from his deliverance through the power of His Word. Yes, that's how we find our deliverance. We read the word it convicts our heart, we go to God and repentance and he delivers. So Robin now here you are he's given you and wait. I've just got to say let loose Robin, and to share what God has taught you about deliverance, and to just share with us. Robin Kirby Gatto   Praise God. Well, God began to take the ministry and the first thing I did was go to the Philippines when I was in full time ministry. And over there he said, Robin, I want you to start doing God's bible school the prophets which is nothing but the Navy Seals of discipleship. It is the word, the word the word, just like the old day school the prophets with Elijah and Samuel, because the only people that could do the word and study the Word and have it in there around amongst them. Were the priest or the school, the prophets, those that hung around this prophets. And so God said, Robin, I will do the study the word study the word just like law school, just like you studied every one of those subjects. And God began to bring the wisdom through law school to be able to know those subject matters. He said, I want you to go in every direction in your life, and it is about the word. And as First Corinthians two says, Holy Spirit combines different scriptures, and Holy Spirit shows us things that are fenced in and hidden by the mind of God, the Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and gives us that through the mind of Christ. And so, in those writings, I just began to bring in not my favorite subjects, it was what I resisted in it was the sciences, it was physiology, it was biology was chemistry, it was anatomy, it was astronomy, because God had me unpack the word, Romans 120, says, The God of the invisible shows himself through the visible nature he created. And he just began showing me himself through a flower or through a tree, through a through hit the galaxy, and I just was like, Oh, my goodness, this is absolutely, obviously my own fantastical place. And the next thing I know is I tell everybody, I'm VODs Jerry Rice, for those of y'all who are older out there, he's a wide receiver. And so he would say, Robin study this, and it was like I was going long on fake. And he would just give me subject matter to study with his word. And it would just blow my mind because it would bring understanding to my members. And that is where faith comes. It comes in understanding the word and hearing the Word and understanding the word. And so God began to have me teach the sciences, which were my weakest subject in school, I even though I got honors, and I graduated with honors in all of my schooling, and even college, it was still my weakest subject. I was not a fan of science. But God just gave me his grace. And he brought things together. And I've been doing that for about a decade, over a decade, Kimberly, and everything came together. And God didn't shed me. He said, Robin, the new book you're gonna write is mindfulness, the mind of Christ. And I said, Glory to God. I cannot write to write that book, hallelujah, Holy Spirit. And he said, and I'm going to show you how you were delivered at the receptor level of your body, to show you what printing looks like, and why you had the supernatural encounters. And I delivered to you and I was like, well, glory to God, it is about Tom because he wants to give us wisdom. If we ask, he wants to give us Kimberly Hobbs   James 1:5. Robin Kirby Gatto   Yep. And said these this whole decade as I was teaching all the different sciences, and even some doctors were some of the students at our schools would go to the doctor with a loved one like a parent, they would say, are you in nursing school? And she would say, No, I'm not in nursing school. But I'm in another school, I just happened in a, an ad, getting detailed anatomy of the heart, the anatomy of the lungs, the anatomy of the brain. I mean, it was just it amplifies when you take it and couple it with Scripture. And so God said, which is one of my favorite scriptures, Romans 12, one and two, he says in Romans 12, one, that we are to consecrate the body as holy as until gone, which is it's reasonable or reasonable worship to God or reasonable service. And then after that, it says, Romans 12, two, that we're not to be conformed to this world, but the world to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, to prove what is the acceptable of God, what is good and pleasing in His sight, by the Spirit of the Lord. And so, about two years ago, God began to speak to me about the mind and body connection, because every time I'd get delivered, my mind would say, what is going on? In this body, and the power of God would come on me by the Spirit of the Lord, because Romans 317 says, Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And so God began to show me that the body has its own language, which is the nations and the mind has its own language, which is thoughts, but it's mainly what is my condition? Am I good? Am I okay? Am I happy? Am I satisfied? Am I bad? The mind is always that's what order to take thoughts captive, and where not to let it get into the body. Because when it gets into the body, it becomes an experienced adult and every single one of our deliverances Kimberly, we're not from the brain down to the body. Just like in law school, having been in social work, and switched to law school, which there are many social workers who do that, but it's a whole different way to study. It's a whole different school. It's Socratic method. It's totally different and they Give me these textbooks that really don't have the answers in the textbooks. So you have to buy study aids to go along with the textbooks. And so it was just difficult for me to grasp law. But I just kept putting my members and when I say members I'm talking about, I allowed my mind to be present. But I wasn't trying to grab it by my mind, I was just allowing my entire presence to be in for that material. And after a month, Holy Spirit would bring me the spirit of understanding, and start connecting the dots. And it would just all of a sudden just come out just so incredible. And I would understand the law completely. And that is how it is with every subject matter of science. And I will be studying such high levels of science that I keep arguing with God, please God, don't let me study this. And then all of a sudden, the spirit of understanding connects everything, and I totally understand what's going on. And so he began to show me he said, Robin, your body has the language of emotion. And your mind has the language of thoughts, he said, but those two connect in the spirit realm and the language of fruit, and your fruit is seen in the spirit realm. And God began to have me and it's all this is all in mindfulness, the mind of Christ. And I write three chapters on the language of fruit and about the mind body connection. And God said, Robin, where does it say in my word to consecrate your mind first, he said, so many people are trying to get free from the mind down to the body, and the body is not consecrated, and they're not going to get free. He said, All you did is you put your entire person in front of the word, and you just kept reading the Word, and you weren't trying to understand it, you're trying to make anything out of it, you just did it on eBay. And as I was committed, I do it like a 401 K plan, you put so much in, and the company puts them at gym, but God puts above that, right, and he wants to know your commitment. And then his return is the power of Holy Spirit. And so God began to bring understanding about the concentration of the body at the receptor level, where particularly memories are stored in the body, not in neurons, but at this particular receptor, called the G protein coupled receptor, which scientists have articulated, is responsible for our behavior, and for our perception. And so we don't realize that we're perceiving through our emotions, and that your emotions are literally neuro peptides hitting this receptor, unpacking memories, and what God did in that first marriage without abuser. And even through the anger of my brother, as he brought in Exodus 1019, where he sins Holy Spirit, He sends a strong west wind to remove all the locusts, and cast them into the Red Sea. And this is the foundation of John Deere ting to which is pruning and it is pruning these memories in your body, that are stored up that are behind your perception behind your behavior. And then God brought in greater understanding as even as I mentioned to you the other day, as we see natural supplements that he says in His word like Isaiah 714 and 15, with a prophecy of a manual, where those natural supplements of a bitter thing, and honey, that sweet thing, and these two tastes, but it's happened to hit this receptor in your body. And I seen and heard praise reports left and right, where people with nicotine addiction, smoking three packs a day for years, they start doing the consecration of the body, and they start doing this bittersweet taste test that I talked about with scripture, and they're seeing deliverance. And so it's about seeing because unclean spirits what God showed me attached to the body, and they attached to the receptor, they're not going to attach to Holy. They're not attached to the clean. They're going to attach to the unclean, and the unclean, are those memories that are stored in the body. Oh, is that not powerful? Kimberly Hobbs   It is so powerful, so powerful. Like ladies, gee, I hope and pray that you are getting there. And I knew there was going to be so much here, but even like, it's crazy. So we're going to this is part one ladies. And I'm just encouraging you to tune into next week when we have part two where Robin will finish this because there is so much here. And this is so powerful. And there's so many of us that are holding on to these addictions, these things that are controlling us. And it's all going back to like Robin said, you know, like with, well, again, biblically, we got to go back to what God's Word says. And that's where we're gonna get the freedom. So she's gonna expound on this a little bit more next week. But we have to cut here. And I just want to thank you, but she is going to completely empower you next week at the end with those words, but let us just thank God for what you have brought to us today and sharing your story, Robin. And ladies, if you're feeling the Holy Spirit moving, and you've got to tune in next week, please do so because she's gonna bring it home with all of what God has given her. This was this woman is full of Godly wisdom. She's got all of the book smarts, as you know, by her degrees and everything God has given her but now you get a chance to hear the Godly wisdom that he has poured in because she asked her James one, five, if any of us lack wisdom, let us ask God and he'll give it to us generously to any of us who asked. So tune in next week and we're going to hear a little bit about that. Ladies, I pray you are blessed today from what you've received so far. And from his heart to yours. We are women, world leaders. All content is copyrighted and cannot be used without express written consent. Thank you ladies and Thank you Robin. We are so happy to have you. Have a great day.    

Several years ago my life began a downward spiral that I thought would never stop. It was like I was in quick sand and every decision I made seemed to make things worse. Until God intervened and changed everything. If that is how you are feeling, this episode is for you. King David felt the same way and in Psalm 25 he gives us the answer. How to stop the downward spiral and get back to a place of purpose and joy in life. All the principles are discussed in this episode.

Several years ago my life began a downward spiral that I thought would never stop. It was like I was in quick sand and every decision I made seemed to make things worse. Until God intervened and changed everything. If that is how you are feeling, this episode is for you. King David felt the same way and in Psalm 25 he gives us the answer. How to stop the downward spiral and get back to a place of purpose and joy in life. All the principles are discussed in this episode.

Several years ago my life began a downward spiral that I thought would never stop. It was like I was in quick sand and every decision I made seemed to make things worse. Until God intervened and changed everything. If that is how you are feeling, this episode is for you. King David felt the same way and in Psalm 25 he gives us the answer. How to stop the downward spiral and get back to a place of purpose and joy in life. All the principles are discussed in this episode.

Several years ago my life began a downward spiral that I thought would never stop. It was like I was in quick sand and every decision I made seemed to make things worse. Until God intervened and changed everything. If that is how you are feeling, this episode is for you. King David felt the same way and in Psalm 25 he gives us the answer. How to stop the downward spiral and get back to a place of purpose and joy in life. All the principles are discussed in this episode.

WHAT WITCHCRAFT IS HITTING YOU WITH: Is getting hotter, more pressure early. Partially because of having to deal with immature Christians praying witchcraft prayers against one another caused by blanket spells against unity.  So they are misinterpreting the attacks where the enemy is making them think are coming from other believers when in reality these are spells released across the U.S. to cause disunity/strife trying to get our house to fall. And if you think about things logically- and are operating in love, you firstly1)      Should have more than your fair share of things to do instead of causing issues for other brothers/sisters in the Lord, and if you don't then you need deliverance for arrogance/tail bearing/stirring up strife. But then again, some church people are so messed up they are lost as a goose in a hailstorm.  THESE- are the tares that we are battling in this hour. 2)      The Occult- we are dealing with VERY high level sorcerers who have the equivalent of the magicians in Moses's day where they came and laid their staffs (false authority) down besides Moses's staff.  Until God had Moses staff eat their up because Gods authority will always be higher than any other.  But they are using Elemental Magic with the Water, fire, earth and air elements to CREATE demonic weather patterns around us. How to Break it off:  Erase/cancel all taglocks between their evil altars (from the inside out), NULLIFY all their ingredients on those altars(herbs, earth, all things from the evil kingdoms of water, fire, earth and air), and then NULLIFY ALL MAGIC used with it with I Cor 1:19, Gen 7:23.  They are using weather warfare around us to distract/intimidate and bully.  The devil is coming at your mandates/vision and your ability to hear/discern.  BREAK these weapons off your gates daily and put restraining orders on them so that you can move easily into the new!  Support the show (https://paypal.me/TameYourBrainO?locale.x=en_US)

Until God calls you home, make this day count!

I want to share a story with you ? a true story ? of a man who found himself drowning in the ocean. And he swam against the tide so hard, it almost killed him. Until God whispered something in his ear. It's the thing that saved his life. Join Berni Dymet as he takes a look at faith - from a Different Perspective. Support the show: https://christianityworks.com/channels/adp/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I love using my time with you each week to share some of the things that I learn. I know that by God working in me, I need to be sharing it with you so you can hopefully be learning some things too! Sometimes learning isn't fun. Sometimes it's frustrating. And honestly, sometimes I don't want to learn. I'd rather sit and wallow in my misery.That's how my day started out. I'd gone to bed frustrated and annoyed and I woke up ready to journal and vent my frustrations to God. Why wan't He helping? What wasn't He listening? Woe is me and my horrible life. Well, that's how I'd PLANNED on starting my day . . . Until God spoke and said, “I don't think so, Adrianne. Not today.” He opened my eyes to a story found in Luke 17:11-19, and my day and perspective completely changed.Today I also share about a social media post that got people talking and finally, I am so excited to announce that we are only WEEKS away from the Mother and Son Study on What the Bible Says About Masculinity being released!! I'm also learning that everything is in God's timing…NOT in Adrianne's. I think we can apply this to so many areas of our lives! But when God calls us to do something, He WILL get it done.I pray today's episode will encourage your heart as you navigate the toughest job you'll ever love. Motherhood.Love always,AdrianneEmail adriannejtaylor@yahoo.com if you'd like to be added to my email list!Find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/adrianne.m.taylorInstagram @adrianne_joyfulThe Relentless Boymom websitehttps://adriannejoytay.wixsite.com/therelentlessboymom

Paul writes, ‘From now on, we regard no one according to the flesh…anyone…in Christ…is a new creation; old things have passed away…all things have become new' (vv. 16-17 NKJV). Here is an important spiritual principle. When you're trying to help a believer who is battling adversity, addiction, or physical affliction, speak life to their regenerated spirit. Speak to the part of them that's capable of rising up in faith and responding to God's Word: ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God' (Romans 10:17 KJV). How does faith come? By hearing what God thinks, says, and can do. Until God has been heard, the last word hasn't been spoken. God instructed Ezekiel to stand in a valley full of dead bones and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life' (Ezekiel 37:5 NIV). And guess what? It happened! Ezekiel said, ‘As I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together' (v. 7 NIV). Now let's be clear; you can't hold on to a loved one when God in His sovereign wisdom decides it's time to take them home to heaven, which Paul describes as ‘far better' (Philippians 1:23). But until that happens, speak God's Word to their regenerated spirit. Faith doesn't deny the reality of the circumstances, but it refuses to be intimidated, limited, or ruled by them. ‘Spirit can be known only by spirit' (1 Corinthians 2:14 MSG), so when someone is a redeemed child of God, don't speak to their human intellect – speak life to their spirit.

Welcome to Head to Heart Podcast. I'm your host, Jenny Marcum. This bi-weekly podcast is designed to be a safe space to admit what we truly believe in our hearts. We all know the difference between just having Biblical knowledge floating around in our heads & actually believing that it's true. Until God's Truth makes it's way into our hearts, nothing changes. We'll be doing a mix of solo episodes & interviews with friends who have experienced the freedom that comes when head knowledge becomes heart knowledge. We'll talk about overcoming lies in our relationships, mental health struggles, and the way we see ourselves. Jesus said to His disciples in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal & kill & destroy; I have come that they may have life & have it to the full.” How can we experience this full life if we're not taking God at His word? The Truth will set you free so that you can walk every day in the freedom God desires for you. It's time to let go of the pressures, insecurities, and burdens. That's not yours to carry. Thanks for joining us.

Moses was asking 'Who am i that i should go to Pharoah?' Until God opened his eyes and showed him how that He had been made a god over Pharoah. If you don't see what God has made you to be , you cannot seize what God has laid up for you. god's are still dying like mere men because of lack of knowledge. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/firefortoday/support

Sherrie Kapala is a Christian Life Coach and the Author of The Seeker's Method for weight loss. Sherrie USED to struggle with depression, anxiety because of her weight loss resistance. UNTIL GOD. As she deepened her faith, God stepped her out of the bondage of excess weight which kept her oppressed. She has documented her weight loss journey and designed a Christian Weight Loss Program that guides women through a journey to stop the struggle of both weight loss and depression that can often accompany the weight loss struggle. Now, she personally leads women through The Seeker's Method 3 times a year and helps them to "Seek God instead of a number on a scale!" ​ Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube as @CoachKapala or stop by http://sherriekapala.com/?fbclid=IwAR0mnQ4z788ukJ4kntRClY7uXcDq2F3GcEhiZ5rTGSb_O4FqyBcTbzI1Xn4 (SherrieKapala.com) for more details.

"A friend is someone who walks in when the whole world walks out.” Let's take a day to think about friendship. Who would be there for you if the whole world walked out on you? Think about it… I realize that when I ask this question you might have 3 possible responses. You have multiple people that would be there at a moments notice to help you through whatever you could ever go through. You're confident in their support for you. You may be able to think of one person who would be there for you If the the worst happened, there wouldn't be anyone left. If that is you… I am so sorry. That is a horrible place to be… to be in the place where you are suffering the brunt of your relationships that didn't last. The ones that fell apart… I don't think any of us make it our primary goal in life to experience this type. Of profound loneliness. I don't know what the reason is… or the narrative you have created in your head but let me share some truths with you that I hope will bring hope and healing to the lonely space in you today. Un-Forgiveness blocks new Friendships - We have all experienced a friendship in which the other party wronged us… at least in our perception. It could be they didn't show up to the party that meant a lot to you… It could be they lied to you… it could be they stole something from you. Whatever the case - until you forgive that person for hurting you (forgiveness does not mean you have to be friends again…) you lose capacity to create bonds with new people. So forgive. Choose to stop dwelling on how they wronged you. Unforgiven-ness will hold you back. Friendship is an opportunity for you to Give Love - So often we wish we had someone close who is willing to show us love and grace and compassion… to communicate… to initiate fun, create memories… Here is an idea if you are feeing lonely. What if you became the friend you wish you had to someone close to you? Until God is your friend, you will make your friends your God While I do believe we are wired for friendship… It first starts with becoming friends with God. Did you know you can be friends with God himself? Here is the truth. No human can meet every one of the needs you have. It's possible you are trying to get humans to meet the needs that only God can meet. Learn to Forgive - Give first - Start with God! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-ilich/message

THANKSGIVING SERVICE 29.08.21 Topic: Thank At Your Will. Objective: To know the importance of knowing and submitting to the will of God as a lifestyle in the attitude of thanksgiving. Key Notes: Scripture Texts: Leviticus 22:29; Romans 12:1-2 Spiritual hunger is a result of staying away of from studying and meditating on the word of God. A believer who is hungry experiences fear, lack of love and incessant fall into temptations. God ONLY appeals to Man; not force, manipulate,or threaten Man to follow Him or do His biding. God desires for Man to thank at his own will. Which is only possible when man's will aligns with the will of God. The scripture in Romans 12 reveals that, the only way our giving to God can be pleasing and done in a proper way is when we know the will of God, submit and align our will to His. The will of God is good for man, acceptable (that is, pleasurable to God and acceptable by man) and perfect for God. Every time God presents His will to man and is accepted by man, man's will becomes intertwined with his will. This makes man thank God for His will at his his own will. Therefore, the more you submit to the will of God; the more you align to His will and the will of God becomes the will you now operate with. Until God's will becomes your will, you cannot praise as a lifestyle. in essence, those who thank God at their own will have their will dead and actually operating in/and with the will of God reigning in them. The ability to have the will of God entails pains. The sacrifice of praise endears The Father's heart towards a man; it is therefore important to die daily to your will and be more alive to accept the will of God. What is therefore the sacrifice of thanksgiving? It is ones will that has been sacrificed for God's will. It is refusing ones will and allowing God's will to reign, irrespective of the pain/cost. Listen now for full teaching. JESUS IS LORD! Kindly follow our Facebook page for more words of blessing and encouragement:@ChimdiOhahunaofficial --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/chimdi-ohahuna/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/chimdi-ohahuna/support

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (Romans 11:25-26) 43 Until God is finished with the Gentiles, Israel was blinded. They went off into sin and to transgressions against God, because God blinded their eyes, that we might be grafted in. You get it? [Congregation says, “Amen.”—Ed.] 26th verse now. And so all Israel shall be saved:… 44 God blinded them purposely for you and I. They cannot see, because God blinded them. And all Israel, true Israel, shall be saved. What did the Angel say? Glory! “To finish the transgression of Israel! I've come to tell you that there will come a time when Israel's transgression will be finished.” God will cut off that wild branch, and graft into that, back, that real branch again. 45 Oh, sometimes it makes my heart jump, see them poor, miserable people cut off out yonder, not knowing where they're going; and think that God, in His mercy, did that so I could be saved. Blinded their eyes from their own Messiah, shut their ears up that they could not hear Him; yet, looked right at His miracles, and looked right at His miracles and things that He was doing. 46 Matthew, I believe, the 12th chapter, or 8th or 12th chapter, said, “Though Jesus had done so many miracles, yet they could not believe.” Because, God said, “They got eyes and they can't see, and ears and they can't hear; unless they would see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and I would convert them.” But, so that we could have a chance, He pulled the curtain down over His Own children's eyes, turned His own children away from the table, and turned them off to leanness of Spirit, that He might find…that we might have a chance to live, giving us Life. 26th verse, again. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 47 Yes, He will come to Mount Zion, one of these days. Upon the Mount of Olives, they'll recognize Him, and all Israel will know it's Him. The Gentiles will be finished then. That branch that's been grafted in, God will take from it the fruit that's been gathered. And that wild branch will be… 61-0730E - "The Sixfold Purpose Of Gabriel's Visit To Daniel" Rev. William Marrion Branham ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Order your own copy of the Family Altar at http://store.bibleway.org Appreciate what we do? Consider supporting us: https://anchor.fm/ten-thousand-worlds/support --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ten-thousand-worlds/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ten-thousand-worlds/support

Until God returns for His Church, there will always be people searching for the truth. Senior Pastor Russ Cordle demonstrates how we need to cast our nets far and wide in order to reach those seeking more of God in their lives. The Water Where The Fish Are Pastor Russ Cordle Jul 11, 2021, 10:00 AM

If I told you NOW how long your weight loss journey would take, would that help? What if I told you that you could lose weight, gain life and be transformed by God at the same time, but that could only happen when you seek Him fervently; would that help your resolve to NOT quit? If you're anything like me, I was a CONSTANT PERPETUAL QUITTER. I thought that throwing money at weight loss was weight loss. Until God! The minute he SNAPPED me out of my weight loss coma and awakened me to the LIFE I was meant to live as a Christian WITH FRUIT in her life, which was a result of being A REAL BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN who received nourishment from God; not just food. Who received and responded to guidance from The Holy Spirit; not just my feelings and cravings. If this little overview resonates with you; hit play on today's episode.

"Until God calls you away, you are to bloom where you are planted."  - Jason Romano In this episode, long-time ESPN Producer & Senior Manager, Jason Romano, joins our host Josh Livingston to discuss finding your identity. None of us have all of the answers and are a work in progress, but this episode hits home the fact that your identity is not found in what you do, but who you are. For Jason, that is a child of God! JOIN THE CONVERSATION   Find us wherever you are: @findpurehope or /findpurehope and use #aworldfree, or visit: purehope.net/aworldfreepodcast     SUPPORT If this message and mission is meaningful to you, consider supporting the ministry of pureHOPE: purehope.net/give     CONTENT We will explore mature themes from a biblically-rooted perspective. Please listen with discretion and determine what is age-appropriate for the young listeners in your life.   For more information, visit purehope.net.   Download our FREE pureHOPE App today!     

How can we truly know who God is if we haven't truly learned who we are? We're more than sinners, we're fallen creatures who because of our fall, the earth itself fell and it is all awaiting a transformation -- which won't come UNTIL God restores us again. That there is more than 10 commandments. This means there's more to those sins that were written on those stones. The commandment says, "Love God with all your heart"... Have you accomplished that? "Love your wife"... Have you accomplished that?... "Be holy as God is holy"... How's that working out for you? And to add insult to injury, you can't get there from here! And that's what grace is all about -- we have to put on "an alien righteousness" in order to get there. "Put on Christ". But that's positional, not practical just as "We're seating with Christ in the Heavenlies". Therefore, the purge of US has to be a life-walk and our sanctification progressive. ONLY WHEN He comes back will we be perfected - until then we are to desire to be walking in that perfecting to which we have been called. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/trunews365/message

In this lesson, Brother Singh demonstrates that God demands heart knowledge, not head knowledge, from His people. To understand life in Christ, we first need to understand death. Every human being inherited eternal spiritual death because of sin entering the world through Adam & Eve. Eve. Until God quickens us, by the Holy Spirit, we are—dead men walking—physically alive but spiritually dead to the possibility of attaining eternal life. Jesus said, "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will" (John 5:21). The Father quickens us from being spiritually dead; the Son will quicken the dead in Christ from the graves through resurrection at his return.

In the beginning according to Genesis the spirit of God was over the surface of the earth but there was still darkness on the earth. Until God spoke light. The spirit of God can still be around your life but certain will still be dark around you. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/drgabriella/message

In Episode #38, we welcome Church Planter & Pastor, Cody Byrne to hear the story of how he discovered the wrong he was born to make right. After rising up in leadership at a prominent mega church in America, Cody had all the opportunities that many young leaders dream of. A big ministry. Amazing team. Growing opportunity. Lives being changed. Steady salary. Everything was perfect. Until God tapped his shoulder and asked him to leave it all to plant a Church in Australia. Find out how Cody realized God was asking him to move his family across the globe and how you too can learn to discern the call of God in your own life.

Please, subscribe, in your preferred app, to partake in freshly released anointed prayers and receive Spiritual insight. Blessing the name of the most high God for he is worthy of all praise. Understanding on this morning that God‘s power supersedes anything that we could ever do. Acknowledging on this morning that we are workers in the Vineyard on the behalf of the kingdom of God. Until God breathes on his situation what we have done means nothing at all. Petitioning the throne of grace to give comfort to the mothers who are grieving the loss of their children on this day. Asking God to drive away every tear and give comfort in their hearts and peace in their minds. Asking God to stand up and declare victory on The behalf of these mothers who are yet still hurting on the inside with loss. Petitioning the throne of grace to cover our children and keep them protected so that the promise of the Lord that is over their lives will not fall to the ground. Petitioning the throne of grace to watch over our parents and keep them, protect them and shield them so that they will be able to enjoy the rest of their days. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ravenia/message

Growing up with an abusive father led John Ward to believe at an early age that his life had little worth. There was no escape from the abuse — mental, physical, and emotional — that he endured. Ultimately, he’d seek that escape at every turn in life after dropping out of high school at age 16 to pop pills, fight and steal with his friends.    One particularly bad fight led John to military school in exchange for the jail time he was facing. There, he started to feel the first glimmer of self-worth he’d ever known in life, but still left the military feeling embittered by its lack of accountability for those in power. After that, it was back to a self-destructive lifestyle, one marked by violence, cocaine addiction, and membership in an outlaw motorcycle gang.    “I was a victim. I was a victim no matter what the circumstance. I had no self-worth… And what that does to somebody, not feeling worthy, is it will lead you into places you never would have expected yourself to be in.”    One of those places, John was horrified to discover, was repeating the cycle of his own father’s hostility with his wife, their daughter, and his step-children. Still, saddled as he was by drug addiction and little will to live, John couldn’t find the motivation to change his life. Until God reentered it unexpectedly.    In this episode of True North Man, Paul and John talk about the power of finding self-worth through God and breaking free of the cycles of your past.    What You’ll Learn: How the idea he’d never be good enough became a poison that nearly ruined John’s life What’s helped him maintain his sobriety for five years How John and his wife, through the church and marital counseling, changed their family dynamic to one of love and mercy  And much more!   Favorite Quote: “Life isn’t guaranteed to be easy. But with God on your side, struggles don’t seem like so much of a struggle. Your problems aren’t so big. There’s nothing insurmountable.”  — John Ward   How To Get Involved: Discover all that Paul Beam has to offer at www.true-north-ministries.com    Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Paul next. 

Sunday 7th March A beautiful Sunday to you in the name of Jesus. We thank God for today, it's the first Sunday in the month of March and a good time to attend church service. I encourage you to make time to fellowship with other believers to worship God be it online or in person, it has great benefits. The Bible says that we should not forsake the assembly of others. All this week we have been talking about the fact that every life and I mean every single life is a testimony; regardless of what you are going through, what you have gone through and your current circumstance, God has designed your life to be a testimony. In God's mind, you are a testimony of God's faithfulness, love, power, and His grace. We said earlier that God's responsibility is to design our life before we appear on earth, our responsibility is to discover His design for our life and build it into reality here and now. We cannot leave our responsibility of building to Him. Pains and frustrations always follow when leave the responsibility for our destiny entirely to God. It is a partnership. God has his part as the designer, and we have our part as the builder. Saint Augustine said that “Without God we cannot and without us, God will not”. What he meant is that without God we can do nothing, we are helpless. Without God, all our attempts in life will not bring the true fulfilment we desire. Also, without us, God will not do anything. God will not do anything without engaging some human partnership. Yes, He is almighty and can do anything He wants to do, but He has chosen to limiting Himself to do nothing on earth without human participation. So, God need you to build out on earth what he has settled in heaven. Hebrew 8 vs 5 (NLT) says, 5 They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.” When God asked Moses to build the tabernacle for His worship, He showed Moses the original design. He showed him the blueprint and everything that should be contained in the tabernacle. God told Moses that what He has showed him was a copy of the original tabernacle in heaven. What Moses built on earth was a design of the original in heaven. Do you know that your life started in heaven? Until God finishes a thing in heaven, he doesn't start it on earth. Your life had been designed and completed in heaven and It was good, precious, and wonderful, if not you would not be here on earth. To build God's design of your life on earth, you must commit to walk with God, stay with Him in prayer, in the word and depend absolutely on the Holy Spirit. I pray for you in the name of Jesus that this month you will begin to live in the reality of that which God has made you to be before time began in the name of Jesus. May the power of the Holy Spirit, the wisdom of God and the grace of God enable you to walk boldly into the reality of your destiny and will see it fulfilled in Jesus' name. God bless you. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Colossians 1:19-22 Ezekiel 37:1-14God reconciles man to God – He is the only one who can do this but why does he need to? Can we reconcile ourselves to God? The problem as always is our sinful nature and that we are sinners and God is Holy – the two cannot mix and so the "sin problem" has to be dealt with before we can be reconciled to God.Reconcile – To make things compatible with each other that are incompatible!This is what Jesus does and he is the only one who can do it!1 Timothy 2:5John 14:16The way to God is through Jesus and Jesus only – The Colossian Church had listened to false teaching that said it was Jesus plus other things and Paul wants to remind them that it’s Jesus plus nothing or it isn’t really Jesus at all? Universal faith? – all roads lead to God in the end – Not True – Only Jesus leads us to God and anything else diminishes what Jesus did by going to the cross and dying for us. If all roads lead to God why did Jesus need to die at all?Romans 5:1Jesus had to save us and bring peace to our relationship with God by Jesus blood on the cross – the great sacrifice for our sinsWhat is our position before this?v21 – You were far away from God – You were his enemies separated by your evil thoughts and actions (Sin)BUT NOW – he has reconciled you to himself through Christ Jesus and you now stand Holy and blameless.Ephesians 2:1 – You were dead in your trespasses and sins and separated from God without hope.v4 : How does God make us alive through Christ when we are dead? He breathes the life giving spirit into our souls and makes us alive to Christ – If you are dead you need a miracle and you need the breath of life breathed into you –Just the same as we read in Ezekiel 37 – The bodies are complete but they have no breath in them – Until God comes and breathes LIFE into themv14 : This is what God does when we become a Christian – death to life by the living power of God’s breath – Remember he is creator God and has been since the beginning of time – It’s what he has always done Genesis 1:7 : Jesus in his Ministry breathed life into Lazarus when he had been dead for 4 days and Martha said it was too late. Even Martha didn’t realise that Jesus had power over death and the tomb and that all was not lost – the breath of God raised Lazarus from the dead because his breath brings life!John 11:25 : Jesus died and was laid in the tomb for three days. The life giving breath of God was breathed into him and he was raised from the dead – because God’s breath brings life – as soon as he met the disciples after he was raised from the dead he breathes life into them.John 20:21 : The Hebrew word for this breath is RUACH – it’s a wind, a life force that sustains all living things – human beings included. This living breath is the same today. God wants to breathe his life into you and you will never be the same again. No one is too far away – no one is so dead they cannot be saved – nothing is impossible with God!Song – Zach Williams – RattleSince when has impossible stopped you , He can restore anything he wants toQuestions:1. Does the passage from Ezekiel 37 help us understand the power of God and the power of his breath? Think also of Genesis?2. The picture of us being dead and then being made alive by Jesus Christ is very powerful – do you understand that is what happened to you when you became a Christian – How does that make you feel?3. We all have people in our minds that we think are nearly saved and those that we think are a million miles away! Pray for those who you think are impossible because nothing is impossible with God. Don’t give up praying!4. In preparing this talk I just wanted to worship God for his life giving power and that he has breathed life into my soul – let us worship together and thank him for his amazing love – Read Ephesians 2:4-10 – that will help!

Because my baby died, I didn’t hear his cry. Until God fixed it!! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/yolanda-randolph/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/yolanda-randolph/support

Because my baby died, I didn't hear his cry. Until God fixed it!! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/yolanda-randolph/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/yolanda-randolph/support

GOSPEL POWER | FEBRUARY 22, 2021 MONDAY | THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER, APOSTLE Gospel: MT: 16:13-19 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” REFLECTION Throughout the ages, the Church has withstood attempts to stamp it out, to tarnish its reputation and to discredit and malign especially its leaders. Today, there are even those who claim that the Church is outdated and irrelevant in our complex and ever-changing world. But the Church lives on and has never ceased to carry out its mission amidst the storms that batter it. Today's Gospel attests that the Church's continuing existence is backed by a divine promise. Until God's plan is fully accomplished, the Church will stand firmly on its rock-foundation, Peter, to whom God has revealed Jesus' true identity — “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It is the mission of the Church to make known this divine revelation, so that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:10-11). PRAYER Lord Jesus, we trust in your promise, for you are the embodiment of God's faithfulness. Amen.

It's amazing how on the one hand, we head into Christmas wanting it to be full of peace and rest – yet so often, there's turmoil … what's going on.   The Mother of All Wars I don't know what your December generally looks like, but for a lot of people it's rush, rush, rush, getting things done at work, its presents, its parties, it's getting ready to have a bit of a break, its anticipation and for some people its despair. And into that special time that we call Christmas - no matter where we live, it seems to be a special time. December tends to be a month of preoccupation with other things, with something, and so often we get to Christmas and we're exhausted and the whole Christmas experience can be empty and hallow. Sometimes it doesn't live up to the expectation – to all the hype. "Why did I do that?" Have you ever felt that? You go into Christmas and you look back on that busy month that we've just been through and you think, "my goodness!", there's this turmoil where there should be peace; there's an unrest. Sometimes you can feel so far away from the "peace and the goodwill to all men" thing, that's supposed to be happening at Christmas time. Because peace is what Christmas is all about. Christmas, as we are going to see over the next few weeks on the programme, is God's declaration of peace with us. Peace from what? Peace from all the turmoil; peace from all the war; peace from the mother of all wars because until and unless we come to know Jesus Christ, there's a war happening between us and God. Maybe your have never thought of it that way but at Christmas we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace. Everybody's life has a sense of turmoil sometimes and our lives can feel like a war zone. We need peace so over these coming four weeks – this week and the next three weeks on the programme "Christianityworks", we are going to be working our way through a teaching series that I've called, "Peace beyond all understanding". Today we are going to start and say, “Well, peace from what?” We need to look at this war between God and humanity. Not God's initiative but our initiative – our rebellion. If you have a Bible, I'd ask you to grab it and open it up to the Old Testament, to the Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel is, in a sense, a strange book. It's a book of God's judgement against His people. The situation is that Israel, they did the whole, "get out of Egypt, go through the Red Sea, forty years in the desert with Moses then they made it into the Promised Land and they had some judges overseeing the Nation of Israel and then they had three Kings and then the Nation of Israel split in two. Israel, the ten tribes to the north, Judah and Benjamin the two tribes to the south in Jerusalem and it all went down hill from there." Centuries went on and God's people rebelled against Him, even though He had a covenant with them; even though He promised them this land that He'd given them; the land of the Canaanites, and yet they still rebelled against Him. So God's judgement fell on Judah and Benjamin and Israel and they were exiled – the temple was destroyed. It was about five eighty six, five eighty seven BC. The temple was destroyed, Jerusalem was raised to the ground, many, many were killed and those that were left were exiled as slaves in Babylon. And the Book of Ezekiel was written just a few years into that exile. It is written to the exiles to explain God's judgement. You can imagine! Israel was saying, “Hang on, aren't we God's people? Didn't we have the temple? Wasn't God present in the temple? And all of a sudden now we have been defeated by the Babylonians. The temple is destroyed, there's no more sacrifice, how do we get our sin forgiven? Where's our God? Is Babylon stronger and more mighty than our God?” And so the Book of Ezekiel, Ezekiel was one of God's prophets who was called to explain God's judgement to His people - to those that were left, to those who lived. And so we are going to go to chapter 5, beginning at verse 5 and just have a bit of a read. The first twenty-four chapters of the Book of Ezekiel are God's judgement against His chosen people. We're going to read just a small part of that. This is what the Lord God says: This is Jerusalem, I've set her in the centre of the nations with countries all around her. But she has rebelled against my ordinances and my statutes, becoming more wicked than the nations and the countries all around her, rejecting my ordinances and not following my statutes. Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Because you are more turbulent than all the nations around you and you have not followed my statutes or kept my ordinances, but you have acted according to the ordinances of the nations that are all around you, therefore thus, says the Lord your God: “I myself am coming against you. I will execute judgements among you in the sight of all the nations and because of all your abominations, I will do to you what I have never yet done and the like of which I will never do again. Surely parents will eat their children in your midst and surely children will eat their parents and I will execute judgments on you and any of you who survive I will scatter to every wind. Therefore, as I live, says the Lord God: “Surely, because you have defiled my sanctuary with your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will cut you down. My eye will not spare and I will have no pity. One third of you shall die of pestilence or be consumed by famine among you. One third shall fall by the sword around you and one third I will scatter to every wind and will unsheathe the sword after them. My anger shall spend itself and I will vent my fury on them and satisfy myself and they shall know that I, the Lord God, have spoken in my jealousy when I spend my fury on them.” Well, doesn't sound like a message leading into Christmas does it? But we need to understand what's going on here before we can really understand Christmas. We like to ignore some Scriptures but this is about a God who is angry with His people. If we want to understand our own turmoil – that sense that something is not quite right – we need to understand the war between us and God that was occasioned by our own rebellion. Dad, God, Father, is a Dad of love but like every other father, sometimes enough is enough and sometimes rebellion leads to punishment – that's God – that's as much God as the loving, gentle, Father God. And when we rebel we break His wonderful plan – the plan of God, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” And as you read through these judgments in the first twenty-four chapters of Ezekiel, God doesn't hold back His punishment. He punishes His people to get this rebellion sorted out and until we get our rebellion sorted out, we are at war with God and our lives are going to be in turmoil. You might say, “But, me, how? I'm not that bad a person.” We are going to answer that question next.   Gallery of Horrors We are looking at how God's anger is kindled against His people when they rebel against Him. Ezekiel, the whole book – or much of the book is about God's judgment against the people of Israel because for centuries they worshipped other gods; for centuries they did things that God said don't do and Ezekiel is a prophet that speaks God's punishment and judgment to God's chosen people. And the key accusation against them is: "you haven't followed my statutes or kept my ordinances but you have actually acted on the ordinances of nations that are all around you so instead of looking like my people, you just look like the rest of the world." Ain't that the truth? Isn't that so easy to do? You start off believing in God – wonderful, passionate – and little by little we compromise. The light dims, the salt looses its flavour and it ends up, so we don't look any different to any one else! Maybe we are keeping up appearances, but on the inside, in our hearts, our thoughts, are a gallery of horrors. We think no one sees and yet we wonder why there's turmoil. God's people rebel against God, there's going to be war and there's going to be turmoil and there's not going to be peace. It's interesting! If you have your Bible open at Ezekiel chapter 5, flick on a couple of pages, just to chapter 8 verse 12. Ezekiel here is talking judgment on the elders, the leaders of Israel. Have a listen: Then God said to me: “Man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of images, for they say: “The Lord doesn't see us, the Lord has for forsaken us.” God said to me: “You will see still greater abominations that they are committing. The room of images! Isn't that a wonderful picture? The innermost part, the part of us that we think no one sees. Imagine being in a large are gallery, where the lights are dim, you have a sense of paintings hanging up on the wall, but we can't quite see what those paintings are until someone turns on the light. Until God shines His light on our room of images and we look around and discover we're in a gallery of horrors. A picture of us snarling at someone, of us scheming, of hatred, of dishonesty, of sexual immorality – a gallery we would never want anyone else to see, but in that dark place, God sees and He calls those things "sin". They are our rebellion against God. God has the most wonderful plan for us – “I will be your God and you will be my people,” God is a God of such great blessing, yet we like Israel, rebel against Him. We go our own ways; we think that no one notices and we wonder why there's turmoil, why there's no peace and on top of that, we kid ourselves. While all this is going on in Israel and more, there were actually false prophets wandering around saying: “No, that's alright, everything's ok!” Have a look in chapter 13 verse 10 of Ezekiel: Because in truth these false prophets have misled God's people, saying, "peace", when there was no peace, and because when the people build the wall, these prophets smear whitewash on it. We can think, "well, I can look ok on the outside, I can cover myself with whitewash and nobody will know." Adultery? No problem! Divorce your wife or your husband because it's no longer convenient? That's just a lifestyle choice. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die. There are no consequences. No one will notice but God does and He tolerates it to a point, but ultimately there is judgment because sin is sin, rebellion is rebellion. And not only does it ruin our life right here and right now, it robs us of eternal life, and you know there's not a thing we can do about our sin. Look at the history of Israel. Look at the prophets that God sent to Israel – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi. He sent so many prophets and what was the message that each of the prophets gave to God's people? You have forsaken your God. Either come back or God will execute His judgment on you. And they did come back for a while but they kept drifting away again. The name "Israel" means "struggles with God", just like us; they couldn't do anything about it. What's the answer, what's the solution?   The Scene is Set When we're talking about the fact that when we rebel against God, we've declared war on God, and we all have – we all fall short of the glory of God – we've all sinned, we've all rebelled. And there's a thing about wars, have you noticed, they seem to go on and on and on and on? Look at Northern Ireland, look at the Middle East – it's been going on for thousands of years. Terrorism and the war on terror, each side does something and escalates against the other side and let me ask you, where will that end – with a dirty bomb – with a nuclear attack in the middle of a city? And the response of the west, how many villages can it bomb? God doesn't want to have a war with us, but when we rebel against Him; when we turn our backs on His love, on His goodness, we have declared war against our God. And the cry of God down through the ages hasn't been, "make war", the cry of God to you and me, here and now, is, "I want to be your God, will you be my people?" It's in our nature to rebel. One of the first words a child ever learns is "no". Remember the kids how they go through "terrible twos" and it's all about them rebelling. God is a wonderful Dad, just open the window, stick your head out and look at creation – look at the magnificent planet and universe that He has created for you and for me. Then He puts us right in the middle of that, He wants to bless us and we rebel. Adam and Eve did it, Israel did it, you and I have done it. That's the key problem of humanity. And God comes along and puts a stake in the sand and puts a flag on it and says, “Enough is enough! I'm going to declare peace, I'm going to send my Son, Jesus Christ,” and that's what we celebrate at Christmas. That's what we are going to look at over the next few weeks on the programme. But today, today as I was preparing for this programme and praying, I just felt God calling me to speak a warning into your life. Our rebellion, our sin is an act of war against God. We can try and whitewash ourselves on the outside, but God sees straight through that and to tell you the truth, as we look in the mirror we can see straight through that. My prayer for you right now, is that you would ask God to shine His light into your gallery of horrors, just as I have with mine and say, “Lord, let me see myself clearly. I just lay my heart open before you, Lord God and ask you to shine your light into my gallery; into my room of images. Father, show me the ones that you would remove. Show me where I have a root of bitterness; show me where I have dishonesty; show me, Father God, where I have sinned. Shine the light of your Son into my life and make me whole.” You know the old story that, before an alcoholic can have his or her alcoholism treated, first and foremost, they have to admit that they are an alcoholic, and for some people, sadly, that never happens and the drink destroys them. The same is true with other forms of sin – bitterness, un-forgiveness, hatred, dishonesty, sexual immorality ... the list goes on. Everybody struggles with something and sometimes we just want to hang onto that garbage and hang onto that rubbish and pretend like it doesn't matter. It does, because God is a holy God and in His eyes, which see all things, from whom nothing is hidden, He knows our sin and He sees our sin and the cry of His heart is to be our God and for us to be His people and the only way that we can do that is by accepting Jesus Christ. I don't just mean with our heads, I mean with our lives, in our hearts, in our souls, in our spirits, at every level, saying: “Lord God, I lay my life down before you and I accept Jesus as my Lord. I believe that He came to this planet just for me, to make me whole. Not just to bring forgiveness but to make me whole." It hurts sometimes to admit our sin. It hurts to confront our sin. It's so easy to blame someone else; it's so easy to blame the hurts from the past. You know, I didn't have a good father, so I'm insecure so now I'll be difficult to my wife and family or to my husband and family. Are we going to live like that? Are we going to blame other people? Or are we going to go to God and say: “God, you know something, I've just looked at what you have written here in Ezekiel, I see what you have preserved for me down through the centuries to read and God, I know you are a holy God. I know God that you love me but you detest my sin." Are we going to place our faith in Jesus by confronting and admitting our sin before God and are we going to let Him take it away? You know, it hurts to let go sometimes, but will you do that anyway? Will you hear His cry today? I will be your God and you will be my people. God has a plan for our lives, for your life and for my life and it is a peace beyond all understanding, in Christ Jesus. That's the peace that we are going to explore over the next few weeks. But today we have to admit our rebellion and confront our sin and open it up before God and say: “God, I'm not going to try and whitewash any more. Christmas is coming, I'm about to celebrate when you sent your Son Jesus onto this planet for me and leading up to that time. Lord, I want to get my heart so right with you. I know that it may take some time, Lord, to sort things out but I'm going to lay them at your feet anyway. I want your peace, your peace Father God, which surpasses all understanding and I know that there is only one way to achieve that peace. There is only one path, there is only one door; there is only one gate and that is your Son, Jesus Christ.” Are we are going to get real with God? I really pray that today you have been convicted by the Holy Spirit of anything that is holding you back from the most wonderful relationship with your God. Anything that's holding you back from tasting for yourself, day after day, from now through all eternity, the peace of God that comes only from Jesus Christ – a peace that passes all understanding.

Until God changes this, He will use this.Watch the full service at https://nlnc.org/messages/now-what-now.Bible App Notes bit.ly/NowWhatNowSeries adapted from North Point Community Church.

TOPIC: ARE YOU ALIGNED? -Alignment is yielding to what God wants you to do. -In waiting on God, you must kill your flesh. -Speaking in tongues is not a proof of Alignment. -Until God is centered in your heart, you cannot go forward.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Pt.8 Love, Grace & Healing Sunday, September 20, 2020 Ephesians 2:1-10 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” It is mind blowing to me how something so absolutely amazing as The Grace of God can be resisted with such passion by the very ones it was extended to. There are few things that ignite debate and draw lines in the sand like Grace. When you think about it it makes sense though because Grace draws a line in the sand between The Father and religion! Weather we are talking about forgiveness of sin, healing, provision, restoration, etc… In order to truly live in the fullness of what Jesus accomplished according to the will of The Father, WE MUST UNDERSTAND, BELIEVE AND RECEIVE THE GRACE OF GOD IN OUR LIFE! We have a hard time receiving Grace because we have been taught by society that we have to work to be valued, accepted, and approved. Our nation was built upon hard work and independence. In the Kingdom of God we are not valued, accepted or approved because of our works, but because of the Love of God! We don’t work to become valued, accepted, and approved, we work because we are valued, accepted, and approved! There is a huge difference. Love is the motivation, Grace is the action. You could say it this way; love is the noun (person/place/thing), Grace is the verb (action). From The Fathers perspective, He IS Love and the resulting action of Love is Grace toward the object of that Love! Grace is Gods response to us. Faith is our response to His Grace! Our faith is not in our faith. Our faith must be rooted completely in the Love of God and the Grace of God! Grace is the atmosphere created by love that makes faith the only reasonable response. When we start talking about Grace without fail there are those who say, “Well, you better not focus too much on Grace or you will have people living in sin!” Or “You’re just giving people a license to sin!”, “God doesn’t just wink at sin! He takes sin serious!”… He takes sin so serous the He paid the highest price to redeem us from the dominion of sin! Grace doesn’t overlook sin, it empowers righteousness by paying the price to set you free from the dominion of sin. Thereby, giving you the freedom to resist sin! Some people need a theology of an angry God to justify their anger against sinners. Some people need a works based salvation to justify their works mentality driven by a need that be recognized. The Love and Grace of God must be the foundation upon which our belief system is built. Love and Grace led to the finished work of Christ which is where we find our VICTORY! Salvation, which includes healing, is a gift from God. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “gift” as “something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation” Titus 2:11 says, For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.. Salvation has been provided for all… Grace has appeared to all men, but not all men have appealed to grace! Without faith, God’s grace is wasted, and without grace, faith is powerless. Faith in God’s grace has to be released to receive what God has provided through Christ! Jesus hasn’t saved, healed, delivered, or prospered a single person in the last 2,000 years! What God provided by grace 2,000 years ago now becomes a reality when mixed with faith. Healing is a product of grace, not a result of works. Our faith, not our works, positions us to receive all that God wants us to have. Then the question becomes “How do I get healed?”. That question is usually followed by: “I have been praying, reading my Bible, going to church, and paying my tithes, yet I’m still…. In that question and explanation lies the root of the problem: They have fallen into the trap of linking God’s response to their performance. WE ARE saved, SOZO’d by GRACE…. We are not saved by works, we are saved unto works! There is a vast difference between being saved by good works and being saved unto good works. Good works do not gain us salvation, but they do affirm that salvation has been received into our lives. Good works cannot produce a new nature, but a new nature should produce good works We have been taught that we must obey the law to be right with God, but this is a religious teaching that contradicts His Word. Our trust in the finished works of Jesus allows us to take possession of what He already did. Our healing—both physically and emotionally—is already done. By definition, one aspect of the word grace means unmerited, unearned, undeserved favor. That means grace has nothing to do with you. Grace existed before you ever came to be. Grace is God’s part. A simple definition of Faith is a positive response to what God has already provided by grace. In other words, faith is your positive response to God’s grace. Faith appropriates what God has already provided for you. Could it be that we’ve been a little off in the “faith” camp? Maybe it’s not that faith moves God, but that faith moves what God has done and made available into your situation. Without faith, God's grace is wasted, & without grace, faith is powerless. A few weeks ago Kelly touched on something so profound that I think many of us missed it. We have been taught that healing is a process, but if healing is part of what Jesus paid for, it is a finished truth, accomplished and made available by Grace! Healing then, is not the process. The process is renewing my mind to the it can appropriate by faith what has been made available by Grace! Whatever we focus our attention on is what will dominate our thoughts (Proverbs 23:7). If our thoughts are dominated by the things of this world then we are going to get worldly results in our lives. We need to focus on God to get godly results.” The problem is most believers won’t let the word get in the way of what they believe! We must make a decision to believe in Jesus’ finished works concerning our healing. When we get a bad doctor’s diagnosis, we need to go to the Bible and study every Scripture concerning our healing. We have a choice as to who we trust with our healing. Until God’s will is known, faith will not work. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8). It is God’s will for us to be healed, but His will does not automatically come to pass. We must first choose to respond positively to what is available to us. Luke 5:12-13 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and [a]implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. The leper questioned if it was God’s will to heal him and Jesus answered that question emphatically! We look to the standard!

If you are like me, you would love to know how to quit quitting. For so long quitting was the only thing I was getting good at. And it was because it was what I practiced every single day. Until God!

Christianity was birthed in an environment of racial tension that was even more complex than our own. If unity in Jesus was possible in the first century, there’s still hope for the Church today! Series: UNCERTAIN: Discovering Who We are Through Difficult Times, Speaker: Pastor Don Dodge, Scripture: Acts 10:15, Acts 10:20, Acts 10:27-28, Psalm 139:23-24, Acts 10:34-35, Acts 10:28, Video: https://www.facebook.com/avalonchurch/videos/2664655110477146/, Sermon page: https://www.avalonchurch.org/sermons/uncertain-protecting-the-image-part-10/, Sermon Notes: 2020-05-31_10_uncertain-part-10_sermon-notes.pdf, Discussion Questions: 2020-05-31_10_uncertain-part-10_discussion-questions.pdf, Notes: INTRO Today we’re going to talk about the results of Pentecost. But before I jump in today, I need to give a little perspective. I grew up in a police officer’s family. My Dad was a cop in Miami for 9 years, and retired from the Lakeland Police Department. My grandfather was the police chief in Miramar Florida. I love police men and women. I’m grateful for all they do to protect us. I respect them. I don’t idolize them, their normal people. But my inclination is to trust them. I don’t worry about my daughter’s safety If she’s pulled over by a police officer. Any conversation about it would likely begin with advice about making sure you pull of the road so you don’t block traffic. Maybe, “Smile. Be nice.” The expectation is, No matter what happens, you’re safe. That’s the experience I grew up with. That is not everyone’s experience. We (tension) – perspective Earlier this week, I watched a young, black pastor share his story. In college, a group of his friends, white and black, went for a drive. The white friend was driving. They were pulled over. The driver respectfully challenged the officer’s reason for pulling them over. The exchange was brief… and cordial. He was given the ticket and they left. For the black pastor, This was eye-opening. He was shocked at the freedom white people felt to question a police officer. As a black man, he never felt that freedom. Never. In fact, he was taught never to reach for his wallet. …To always ask for permission first, …or invite the officer to get it. He was taught to look down, And never look a police officer in the eyes. Years later, he was pulled over  for speeding in a white neighborhood. He knew he was doing 27 in a 30, Because he knew he was in a white neighborhood, And that there was an officer behind him. He explained this, And was quickly told to get out of the car, …Because he looked drunk. He got out and quietly explained he was a pastor visiting a family in his church. A Bible was on the front seat. After a very long minute of looking him over, The pastor was allowed to leave. This pastor was scared. That’s not been my experience. And then, this week, There was a story of a black man who, while birdwatching, Asked a woman to leash her dog, …Which was the law. And she called 911 saying her life was threatened. And then, that picture of George Floyd With the officer’s knee on his neck …for 9 minutes. I first saw the picture next to Colin Kapernaek’s Where he was kneeling during the national anthem. It said that if Kapernaek’s non-violent protest gets you more upset than a cuffed man with another man’s knee on his neck. …There is a problem. I saw that picture before I knew Mr. Floyd had died. I was wrecked. This is not okay. This is not just a race issue. It’s an image of God issue. God When Jesus began his ministry, He invited very diverse people to follow him. There was Simon the Zealot who urged for violent rebellion against anything Roman. There was Matthew the tax-collecting traitor A Jew who sold out for Rome. Both invited to follow Jesus as one family. Imagine those fireside chats! After the resurrection, when Christianity was born, Wealthy Pharisees joined the poor Jews they used to oppress, As one united family in Jesus. And as the story of Jesus’ resurrection exploded around the Roman Empire, …the racial and cultural division was off the charts. The Jews believed they were chosen by God, …Which made them better than anyone else. The Gentiles hated the Jews for being so prejudice and judgmental. And there were slaves …who were, well, rejected by everyone. And then there were women, they were granted no rights whatsoever. And finally, there were the Roman citizens. They were the ones in power. They controlled the system. They tilted everything in their favor. And this is an oversimplification. The issues were very complex. And suddenly, all these groups Found themselves worshiping Jesus together. As one family. And through much struggle, And many NT letters, They made it work. Which gives us hope! Because Jesus is bigger what divided them. But the struggle lasted a long time. Think about Peter; He walked with Jesus for 3 years. He watched Jesus offer to go to a Roman soldier’s house, …and heal a family member. He had long conversations with a woman, ..even a Samaritan woman, …and even stayed in her village for days. He ministered to the poor, …children, …and prostitutes, …and beggars, …and those with special needs. And Peter was there through it all. Yet, 15 years after the resurrection, he still struggled. The book of Acts tells us about Peter having a vision while he was praying. God told him to eat food that wasn’t kosher, …that wasn’t allowed in the Law of Moses. At first, Peter wouldn’t do it, Until God told him 15 “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” –Acts 10 (NLT) And that’s when Peter heard a knock at the door. A Gentile, A Roman centurion named Cornelius, would like to see him. A Roman Oppressor. The worst of the worst. But the Holy Spirit said to Peter, 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.” –Acts 10:20 (NLT) They want to hear about Jesus So after about a day’s walk, Peter met Cornelius outside his house. 27 So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled. –Acts 10:27 (NLT) Now remember, This was not allowed in the Jewish religion. Gentiles were inferior. Dirty. You can see it in Peter’s reaction. He had never been in a Gentile’s home.   Before the vision, he would never go into a Gentile’s home. I imagine Peter standing at the door, Wondering if he should have asked God for some I.D. when he had that vision, And Cornelius, he’s excited. He’s invited everyone he knows. Friends, family, Anyone intrigued about the Jewish man who rose from the dead. And listen to what Peter says, …Like, out loud. Filter off. You know, saying what you’re thinking before thinking about what you’re saying? So Peter says, 28 Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you...—Acts 10:28 (NLT) This is how he starts. Hi, everyone. As you know, I shouldn’t be here. We Jews don’t go into houses of Gentile people. Can you imagine if a white man said this When invited into the home of a black family? That’s how bad it was. The division was palpable. You could feel it in the air. But look at the rest of the verse. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. –Acts 10:28 (NLT) Think about what Peter is saying, Up until this moment, I considered all of you impure and unclean. But God has shown me I shouldn’t call you that anymore. And I imagine them thinking, Well, thank you? I feel so much better now. I imagine them wondering… So, God told you that? Do you believe it? You’ve spent your entire life looking down on us and judging us. Do you believe we are no unclean and unworthy? It’s the way Peter was raised. Judgment and resentment, …They were his default. For the rest of his life, …he would constantly have to test his default way of thinking, to the ways of God’s Kingdom. But here is where there is hope. And let me change the emphasized words. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. –Acts 10:28 (NLT) But God has shown me. God has opened my eyes and now I see… differently. How I grew up, What I was taught, The disappointment that I might cause, …this doesn’t have to define me, …Because God is changing me. And God has shown me that we are all made in the image of God. God revealed to Peter his prejudice and intolerance. God exposed Peter’s bent towards injustice. And in allegiance to his King, Peter submitted to what God revealed. And because he did, And Because Paul did, And because James did, The Gentiles were soon welcomed into the family of Jesus …AS EQUALS. That is what made it possible for us today. The Church is made of Jews and Gentiles, Blacks and whites and Hispanics and Asians, Men and women, Singles and marrieds, Rich and poor, Liars, cheaters, Adulterers, and addicts, Forgiven sinners now deemed saints Living as one people in Jesus. Many different parts unified in one purpose… God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. God’s love on earth as it is in heaven, Life and freedom and wholeness on earth as it is in heaven. America has a race issue. So does the church. America has a problem judging people. So does the church. But as the church, As Jesus’ family, we have incredible hope. Because we know it changed once. And God can do it again. This is not a black and white issue. This is a human issue. It’s an image of God issue. You (Application. So What?) We must protect the image. We must bestow dignity on all people. All people reflect the image of God. You know, if anyone hurts my girls, I will come to their rescue. You see, you cannot mistreat my children and be okay with me. In the same way, we cannot mistreat others, God’s children, and be okay with our Father in heaven. We must defend those who are different from us. We must stand in the gap when we see injustice. We must never demean or reject those who believe differently, …or vote differently, …or live differently. Jesus’ invitation is offered to all. As his family, we welcome all to the journey. So how do we do that? What does love require of us? Look at that powerful verse again, But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. –Acts 10:28 (NLT) Seeing people as God sees them, …it requires a work of God in us. As Peter prayed, God spoke to him. And Peter chose the hard road of humility, Conceding that he was wrong, That the way he was brought up, …was not God’s way. Peter’s heart-change wasn’t easy, And it wasn’t quick, But God transformed him. And God transformed the church under his leadership. When we foster our relationship with God, he speaks. So we seek God, …knowing that as he changes us, …he will bring an end to the patterns of racism and prejudice in our lives. So we ask God to reveal any damaging ways in us. …Opening our eyes and our hearts to love those who are different. To stand up for the marginalized. To meet needs without prejudice. Martin Luther King Jr. said, I am convinced that men hate each other because they fear each other. They fear each other because they don't know each other… Martin Luther King, Jr. It’s when we get to know people, …That we begin to understand how different their experience is from ours. It’s when we spend time with people That we appreciate the complexities of their situation. We become humble. And we become intentional. Reaching out to neighbors and coworkers who are different from us. Asking questions about what they care about And sharing meals together. I pray you will begin to ask God to expose what’s in your heart. prejudices. I want to encourage you to pray 2 verses every day this week. 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. –Psalm 139 (NIV) Pray, open my eyes, Lord. Help me spot any prejudice or judgment towards others. Help me see the way you do. Instead of justifying it, Give me the courage to eradicate any prejudice from my heart. God created a beautiful and messy and diverse church before. I believe he can do it again. Let’s pray. 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” -Acts 10:34-35 (NIV)

Aloha everyone,I am so excited to bring you my official first episode in my new series Poetry&Podcasting. This poem that I wrote is a special one dedicated to my husband. I wrote it for our 10 year anniversary of our partnership. Ten years ago on April 25th we became a couple and eventually years later, husband and wife. This year I wanted to give him something special and couldn't figure out what to do. Until God spoke to my heart and eventually lead me to write this amazing piece, sparking a whole new passion and love for spoken word and my husband. I hope you enjoy it and if you like it leave me a comment and let me know.. Mahalo, Uilani Kumuhone

The metaphysical theater's Anchor FM podcast episode is written today by j.o.h.n.t.v.r.z.com so so so you, Me telling you my story of why I cannot change the why I tell you of? Is me admitting to you, the seeming external world is in control over me. I am creating my own experience by my own perception, yet the outward appearance is never that of the actual truth, but the appearance is my personalities, insecurity covering actual truth. It's false light posing as the authority. This worldly form and experience is not the purpose, but through that personality, we think we are, we have the opportunity to discover by means of the seemingly imperfect, mortal self, our divine origin, which is consisting entirely of immortal awareness without physical form, at least physical mortal form. This awareness you are, is singular, though interestingly enough, it is also the cause and substance of all seeming individuals. It is a singular awareness that creates human awareness who feeling themselves separate from the omnipotent whole, believe themselves, individuals. We feel that we are "cast out" from our first estate. From the garden sent out into the valley of the shadow of death as one who can die. It is this "belief" we all hold as true, that I currently focus attention on, to find out if I can be aware again, through the individual perspective I find myself within. To be aware of that original wholeness, indeed attention on silence, nothing or meditation is the practice of being aware of a single absolute. A quiet still knowing that the greatest worldly minds must always reject. The embrace of the truth destroys the precious, long caressed belief in the carnal minds' highest held faith. A faith in itself, Science is the idiot stepchild of God's heart. An ignorance searching among every effect for cause, the blind leading the blind by their own educated darkness, not yet called of God. They move under compulsion they do not understand to fulfill the word of God. It is written by a greater hand than earthbound misfits are able to have as their own. Until God's voice is in them. The eye not yet one, the darkness in them is great indeed. Each and everyone will be called of God to return. I attended fiercely a way not known by this world, to know God so closely that he is more myself than this creature of memory I thought I was. Living God within me and further be born as God in man here on earth as the Holy Scriptures say. God asks me to boldly test, seize, and live by the one law. Yet it is not necessary to believe in me or these transient textual symbols that can also be projected by their audio counterparts into your understanding. It is only by faith that we know God's love and it's highest reward, which is only the greatest understanding of ourselves. I am being as God is Being now. That I need not know and explain everything is my own choice, a choice this Science of my own world that fiercely disagrees with my blind faith. I have no desire to know my own subconscious workings which is merely a human complication of imagination. This is our self-discovery prompted by this God within us to remembering, or becoming aware of our true center or unknown greatest self. All are made of and my imagination, no matter the great complexities you may have within your life, God remains as he was yesterday, today and tomorrow. He remains steadfast the same so that one day you may rise up out of the endless rut you have tread through eternities. Transcended past the mortal vessel into the bright burning heart of God, I am. You are just as I am. J.o.h.n.t.v.r.z.com has written the metaphysical theater's podcast episode today just to gently diaper to your heart of hearts beyond these physical words We are One. The metaphysical Theater podcast broadcasted worldwide by the excellently performing podcasting app, free in the Google Play Store. This is possible by Anchor FM podcast application for Android or I-phone, in the again free Google Play

When God can change the way you see yourself, it changes you. Until God changes the way you see yourself, nothing much is going to happen in your life. Join Pastor Rick for this message about when life makes no sense.

Finish your whining and start winning. When you live in comfort you do not know what is discomfort. Until God puts you in a situation, until God removes the blessing. Quit your whining or God will take the blessing that you should have been grateful about in the first place. Satan will trick you by taking you down with him and stealing that crown that you have earned. Read more at https://realbiblebelievers.com

Until God open the door, praise Him in the hallway

Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Luke 18:22-23 Imagine hearing these 2,000 year old words today, directed at yourself. The rich young ruler Jesus was speaking to went away sad, because he was unwilling to give up his earthly possessions. But in this episode, you’ll hear the captivating story of a man who was willing. Charles Mully worked from absolute rags to riches, only to give it all away. Charles’ early childhood in Kenya consisted of severe abuse, utter abandonment, begging, and near suicide as a teen. All of these hardships set the stage and prepared his heart for the future work in store for him. In the meantime, Charles was living the life as he evolved into a prominent businessman and acquired much wealth. His was the epitome of a financial success story. Until God spoke, calling him away from a life of personal wealth and prosperity and towards one focused entirely on selfless, unconditional love. Charles and his wife and children answered that call, selling everything and ceasing to work for pay in order to give themselves wholly to rescuing children off the streets. Charles had been convicted several years earlier after turning several hungry children away, feeling burdened yet empowered to help those out of the same lifestyle he had once suffered in as a child. He provided them with food and clothing, but soon realized it wasn’t enough. They needed a home. His home. The first day, the Mullys brought home 3 children— the beginning of Mully Children’s Family. Today, almost 30 years later, MCF has ministered to around 1500 children. Through MCF kids receive education, rehabilitation, spiritual nourishment, reintegration, a family, a home, and most importantly, love that knows no boundaries. Listen in to witness the amazing journey of Charles and MCF, and also to learn how you can get involved in MCF or in taking action for kids in your own community. Visit mullychildrensfamily.org for more information. Connect with hosts Bob & Kelsey on Instagram: Bob www.instagram.com/waliszrs Kelsey www.instagram.com/captkelseyhawaii And, check out this podcast’s sponsor, Moi Moi Market, at moimoimarket.com, your one stop shop for products of purpose.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions Proverbs 11:31 If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner! What's Really Amazing Is... By Daniel Castor Do you like to watch movies? I am certainly no movie buff but I do enjoy watching a great story unfold. All great stories have hero’s and villains. And every good director knows that the good guy is always suppose to win. The good guy may struggle, he may have hardships, he may get knocked down and have to fight his way through all sorts of obstacles but in the end things always get better. But this is not so for the villain. By far my favorite part of any good movie is when the bad guy gets what’s coming to him. He finally gets caught. His times finally up. At last his plans are made know. Or better yet, the good guy catches up with him and beats the living tar out of him before he is thrown in the slammer. Well God is the best story teller of all and many times we see similar things happen in his story. We see blessings for the righteous man and trouble for the wicked man. We see this played out In the book of Esther with Haman and Mordecai. The evil Haman is bound and determined to completely eradicate God’s people. The crafty coward comes up with a plan to destroy the Jews by edict of the king. But that’s not all, he will also publicity hang the righteous Mordecai in front of his house on his homemade gallows. It would seem as if the wicked Haman’s plan is. Going great... It would seem as if he has all but won... Until God himself flips the scrips on Haman. The king learns of his devious plan, and Haman is sentenced to be hung on his own gallows while Mordecai is given a position of great power. Quite often in Gods story we see such things. Blessing for the righteous and trouble for the wicked. That shouldn’t really be that surprising to us because God is completely just and fair. What is surprising however, what is completely amazing is when God decided to give wicked people what the don’t deserve grace! Such is the glorious reality of the Gospel. Where by the power of God’s grace, the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and Faith in his name , God transforms wicked men into righteous men so he can do them good instead of harm. I’d you want to know more about how this glorious transformation takes place go read Ephesians 2:1-10

Abram and Sarai were frustrated. God had made great promises to them, that had not yet come to past. The promise of God was long in coming. There was no indication of any movement on God’s part in at least ten years. Sarai suggests that Hagar could fulfill that promise of a child that had not yet provided. In their frustration, Abram and Sarai tried to help God fulfill His promise. How often do we create something in our frustration, problems for time to come? Often the problems resulting from acting in these frustrations affect more than just us. The bible says Sarai gave Hagar to Abram, but then came to despise her. Sarai treated Hagar harshly. How are we treating people harshly out of our frustration? How often do our frustrations drive our actions to hurt people? We do not understand God’s plans. We question God in His timing. Abram and Sarai were getting older. They could not understand how God could bring the promised child to them in their advanced age. They began to believe that it was never going to happen. When God’s timing is slow in coming, we become frustrated because He is not working things out in the way that we thought He would. This is a challenge to our faith. We get frustrated withGod’s pace. When that happens, something happens to our faith. Fear begins to replace faith. When we let frustration stay too long, it is not long until our faith is pushed out and fear comes rushing in. Fear is to faith as water is to fire: it will put it out. Fear and faith cannot reside in the same household. Abram and Sarai had let fear replace the faith they had in God’s plan. We do not always understand God’s plan, but we do not need to understand it. We simply have to trust Him that He will work it out in His time. What happens when we become frustrated? We become more aware of what is not working. God had made many promises to Abram. Most of those promises were coming to pass in his life. But the point of chapter 16 is one promise: “I will make you a great nation.” Because God was slow in delivering one promise, Abram and Sarai became frustrated When we become frustrated with God, we lose focus on what is working. We need to take a look at what is working in life and not focus on what is not. God had blessed Abram and Sarai greatly, but all they could focus on was one thing. They did not see that God was providing all of the other things He promised. That should have been evidence enough that He would provide the one thing they were missing. Sarai had become so focused on what she couldn’t do, that she failed to realize that His promises are yea and amen. Frustration will steal our praise and replace it with complaining. What are we doing the most of in life: complaining or praising? Look at what God has already done. Until God brings the promise to pass, trust HIm. We need to get our eyes off of what it not right in life and concentrate on what is right. Until God delivers on HIs promise, do not give in to frustration.

Episode 10 Notes: Things That Make Churchplanters Cry “Not all tears are evil.” -JRR Tolkien Sometimes tears spiritually mature you. When your heart breaks for what breaks the heart of God, you are becoming more like Jesus. We need to be authentic and transparent with our heart and hurt. We must keep soft hearts when we churchplant. Churchplanting will either make your heart cynical or soft. “Until God breaks your heart for the people who don’t know God, you won’t reach people. God will never use you to reach a people, until He breaks your heart for a people.” -Andy Wood We cannot reach a people we despise. Through Christ we can see the lies that people around us have believed and how it is destroying their lives. God loved the people in your city long before you got there, and He sent you to show His love for them. It can be overwhelming when you see the depth and darkness of the brokenness in our cities. You don’t understand the pain of a people, until you live with them in community. The needs of your city are too vast — you are inadequate to meet them without supernatural help. Wrestling with our insecurities to start a church and trying to meet the needs of a community will bring you to heartbreak. Our weakness drives us to God where our strength is. All of our efforts fall short without God. When God reveals our inadequacies it is a divine revelation for our good. The worst suffering is seeing someone you love suffer. A whole family sacrifices to make a churchplant work. There are things that Jesus cannot teach us through joy, so He teaches us them through sorrow. “Sometimes God has a hard grace for us.” -Paul David Tripp Sometimes we weep because we are simply physically exhausted. Broken hearts drive our hands to action. 1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Tweet about us! Use the hashtag #flannel&beards Twitter and Instagram @beardsflannel Email us at flannelandbeards@gmail.com

Church, Nov 12, 2017: Joel talked about returning to his father and no longer judging him which previously prevented him seeing him as he really is. Most people resent their mothers. The sin is the anger, the judgment. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/tLNTI0HjKMc You should not hate. But if you must hate one person, it's best to hate your mother, as opposed to your father. Because you must love your father in order to return to God, and then you can love all people. You should love and honor both parents. Until God causes you to forgive, you cannot see. Then, Jesse asked, do you prefer profit or wages? One man Jesse came across online said that your life will not change until you change it. The government will not change your life. Jesse urges one man to forgive his mother so that he can be a man with his girlfriend or wife. Be honest but realize she can't help herself. Jesse also urges to move away from mothers and mothers-in-law, because they interfere with the marriage. (One Armenian man said he allowed his mother-in-law to live with them, because he thought it was the right thing to do; he says that the Bible says the man should leave, but not necessarily the wife. But he resented the situation, even though she didn't fight with him.) You should never cheat. If you feel like you have to cheat, you should end the relationship, to show you respect the woman, and it makes her trust men. But if you do cheat, you should not tell the woman. She will never forgive or trust you again. Many people disagree, and we discuss it. http://rebuildingtheman.com/church Jesse also mentioned The Hake Report with Joel and Esteban (Sundays 9am PT http://thehakereport.com).

Isaiah 43:1 “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” This topic is close to my heart of course because it’s something I have struggled with for quite a long time. A bit of a back story I grew up with somewhat of a normal childhood, whatever that is! I was the first granddaughter on both sides so as you could imagine I was just a little bit spoiled just a little. Everything was great i as enjoying life. Then when I was about 5 or so my mom noticed that something about me was a bit different. I couldn't get my words out normally or fluently as before. I had developed a severe stutter. Well, if you grew up in a Jamaican family like I did the the first kind of advice was “Shanda, tek yu time, slow dung” “Breath a likkle” the adults would give their own remedy and the kids would make fun. I can’t fault them they didn't know any better. But you can imagine how confusing this as for such a young child. It seemed like everyone was in my ear with advice yet nothing was working. The verbal bullying started taking a toll on me so i decided I was gonna cover this up somehow! That’s where fear came in and rearranged everything for me. I grew this terrible fear of talking to new people, words that began in B,C,S,R,L and K’s oh and I avoided the phone the plague! This thing had such a grip on me and in a way I was somewhat cool with it and being in the background. Until God came and used my husband to push me out my comfort zone. I went on a journey of accepting my identity In God and understanding that other peoples opinion of the way I spoke was really none of my business. I was learning to begin to see myself the way God did. He reminded me that he knew me when I was in my mother’s womb and that i was was fearfully and wonderfully made. Nothing was wrong with me. He anted to use me to show his Grace and mercy and his redemptive power. Don’t allow circumstances or anyone's opinions of you dictate who you are. You are Gods kid He loves you walk in that reality! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/lashanda-lewis/support

Download the MP3 of this message   August 11 & 12 , 2018 - Your enemies gather all around you, united in their desire to destroy you and your people. Outnumbered, outmanned and out-weaponed, any leader would make the wise and prudent decision to retreat. Until God says, “Hold your ground for the battle is Mine.” Would you stand firm, or would you turn back? This is the decision Jehoshaphat faced. It's a decision we all face.

“Have you considered my servant Job?” He was God’s guy and he had it all. Until God sent an Adversary into his life and he lost and lost and lost. How do we respond when we or a loved one suffers? This one’s about living the good life amidst the darkness.

Until God's story is complete and we are united to him again, we cry out "How long?" This is a prayer uttered out of the depths of our struggles, fears, and desperation. But it is not a prayer of anger. "How long?" is a personal, heartfelt prayer of hope--one of restoration and expectation. Dcn Scott Donis 12/10/2017

Did you know that the "P" in P. Curtis Brunk stands for Paul? Given that my namesake is Paul, the writer of much of the New Testament, you might think I would have an affinity for him. But, like most people, I found him to be demanding and doctrinaire, not really a people person. So while I was in awe of Him, he wasn't on my top 10 list of people to hang with. Until God showed me who Paul really is/was. Then I fell in love with him. And better, God opened an entirely new dimension to me. Experience it this Sunday!

Did you know that the "P" in P. Curtis Brunk stands for Paul? Given that my namesake is Paul, the writer of much of the New Testament, you might think I would have an affinity for him. But, like most people, I found him to be demanding and doctrinaire, not really a people person. So while I was in awe of Him, he wasn't on my top 10 list of people to hang with. Until God showed me who Paul really is/was. Then I fell in love with him. And better, God opened an entirely new dimension to me. Experience it this Sunday!

Did you know that the "P" in P. Curtis Brunk stands for Paul? Given that my namesake is Paul, the writer of much of the New Testament, you might think I would have an affinity for him. But, like most people, I found him to be demanding and doctrinaire, not really a people person. So while I was in awe of Him, he wasn't on my top 10 list of people to hang with. Until God showed me who Paul really is/was. Then I fell in love with him. And better, God opened an entirely new dimension to me. Experience it this Sunday!

Did you know that the "P" in P. Curtis Brunk stands for Paul? Given that my namesake is Paul, the writer of much of the New Testament, you might think I would have an affinity for him. But, like most people, I found him to be demanding and doctrinaire, not really a people person. So while I was in awe of Him, he wasn't on my top 10 list of people to hang with. Until God showed me who Paul really is/was. Then I fell in love with him. And better, God opened an entirely new dimension to me. Experience it this Sunday!

Did you know that the "P" in P. Curtis Brunk stands for Paul? Given that my namesake is Paul, the writer of much of the New Testament, you might think I would have an affinity for him. But, like most people, I found him to be demanding and doctrinaire, not really a people person. So while I was in awe of Him, he wasn't on my top 10 list of people to hang with. Until God showed me who Paul really is/was. Then I fell in love with him. And better, God opened an entirely new dimension to me. Experience it this Sunday!

A professor at a world-renowned American university regularly inquired at the beginning of his course, “If you could ask God one question, what would it be?” Students routinely answered that they’d ask for money or material things. But on one occasion a student responded, “I’d ask God, What’s the purpose of my life?” This was right after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. In the wake of cataclysmic events such as 9/11, horrific campus violence, huge earthquakes, killer hurricanes, devastating tsunamis, and unprecedented economic collapse, questions about life that lie deep down in us make their way to the surface. Eventually the trauma subsides, and life, as it must, goes on. We’re occupied with the usual college pursuits of studies, sports, a busy social life, and a plethora of campus activities. But in moments of quiet reflection, if we’re honest with ourselves, the big question haunts us—What is the meaning of my life? Students are attending college in an era of unprecedented social liberation, technological innovation, and instant access to information. The Internet and social media seem to make the world a smaller, more connected place. And yet true global peace eludes mankind as hostilities increase on nearly every continent. Continued economic upheaval, war, injustices, environmental dangers, and societal violence plague the modern world and make us wonder what it’s all about. The student who wanted to ask God about the purpose of his life isn’t alone in his perplexity. Where is the answer? America’s institutions of higher learning are known for advocating atheism, moral relativism, and a mind-boggling array of world philosophies. This atmosphere encourages students to search into everything but the Bible, which is routinely scorned as being outdated or fictional. Those who read it and believe its words are thought to be superstitious, ignorant, or intellectually weak. Yet it is the Bible that answers the ultimate question of life. It unlocks the mysteries of God, the universe, and our existence. The Bible shows us that God created us in a particular way—as vessels to contain Him and to express Him. Just as a glove is made in the shape of a hand with the sole purpose of containing the hand, we were made in the image of God with the sole purpose of containing and expressing Him. No wonder engaging in humanitarian work, adopting noble causes, or immersing ourselves in entertainment fails to fill the deep void in us. We weren’t created for these things. Instead of being fulfilled, we feel aimless, meaningless, and futile. Until God becomes our content, we are empty and purposeless. For God to be our content, He became a man, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was God Himself who lived a perfect, sinless life on this earth. He gave up His life for us by being crucified to redeem us and to wash us of all our sins. Not only so, He was raised from the dead, and in resurrection He became the life-giving Spirit. As the life-giving Spirit, He is everywhere and available to everyone, like the air. He will enter anyone who believes in Him. When He comes into us, He fills us with Himself as the unique content that we as vessels were created for. He and we are a perfect match. Our inner emptiness is filled. We become people whose lives are meaningful and purposeful, containing God and expressing God. This is the meaning of human life. Finding the meaning of our life begins with receiving the Lord Jesus. He is with you as you read this, desiring to come into you. You can receive Him by opening to Him in prayer right now: “Lord Jesus, thank You for making me as a vessel to contain You. Thank You for dying for me. Lord, forgive me of all my sins. I believe in You and I receive You. Lord Jesus, come into me. Thank You for filling me with Yourself. Amen.”

Mike and Arlene Armstrong were happy enough with his career path as a police officer. Until God changed everything and sent them to Central America. Now they see His faithfulness and minister to others.

Mike and Arlene Armstrong were happy enough with his career path as a police officer. Until God changed everything and sent them to Central America. Now they see His faithfulness and minister to others. - http://engagingmissions.com/107

This morning Reaching Out Radio is going to be sharing a word from our dear son in Christ Simon. Simon was lost and like a turtle in a shell hiding from the truth lost and alone. Until God led him to Evangelist Montell Fields and through obedience and the leading of the spirit Simon was saved and receved the free gift of his salvaton. He was like my spirirtual baby bird, he kept feeding and growing and now he has left the nest and is soaring like an eagle! I am so proud of him!! Ths is his testimony and a teaching God led him in "God is against Idolatry" he did an amzing job I was so blessed and proud of him I want to share it with you. He is studying to be a doctor in China going forth while he is there sharing the gospel what a privielege and honor to be his spirirtual mom, and the one God chose to lead him to salvation. Join me as he blesses us from the heart today!!

Reading Job 23 for Thursday, December 18th. Job replies that God is not answering his cries for help, but when He does listen, He will deliver him from his pain. Until God does take his life, he will persist while terrified of what may still be to come.

Were talking about taking off that protection and being all in today. When youre in football, there are times when you practice without your pads and helmet, and youre just going through the motions. There are other times when you say, Okay, its full contact. You put your helmet on; you put your pads on, and say, Were going to hit each other today. Were all in, and thats what were talking about today: being all in. We want to turn in our Bibles to Luke 9. While youre doing that, I want to remind you of a couple of things. We have GPS today after the 11 oclock service. If you need to plug into ministry here at Faith and have not already done so, that class will help you to do that. Lunch is provided. Whats going on in the ministry of Jesus right now is a very defining moment for them (the Disciples). Christ has announced and affirmed to the Apostles that He is the Son of the living God, that He is the Christ. He has begun to tell them some seemingly bad news: that He is going to be betrayed, that He is going to suffer, that Hes going to be crucified. Hell be buried, and then the third day, Hell rise again. They dont understand the full significance of that. They dont understand the theological significance of it. What Jesus begins to do now is send them out. Theyve been watching Him, listening to Him, following Him, but now its their turn to begin to do the things Hes done. Jesus is going to [take the] bubble wrap off and send them out unprotected into the world. Its all in. Its all or nothing right now. Its where the rubber meets the road in this Comfort Zone to the War Zone; thats what were talking about here. Lets take a look at Verse 57 [of Luke 9]. Were going to pick up where we left off (page 1027 of pew Bibles) from last week. Were going to encounter a series of three different men. Usually when you read this passage, these three men are presented in the light that they went AWOL, that they didnt follow through. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that. We simply dont know whom they were. We dont know what the outcome was. All three may very well have followed Christ. It could be that when He sends out the 72 in the next chapter, that these three men were a part of that 72. We simply dont know what their fate is. These verses are very much applicable to our lives and ministries today. As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, ‘I will follow You wherever You go. Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head. Ive heard people talk about that and say, That means Jesus was homeless. Well, thats not entirely true. When you read the Gospels, when Hes in Capernaum, He definitely had a headquarters there where He stayed. There were times when He stayed at Peters house; there were times when He stayed at the home of Mary and Martha; there were times, Im sure, when he was at His mothers home, so there were many times when He had a home. However, at this particular juncture-remember the Samaritans would not allow Him to stay in their villages because He was on His way to Jerusalem (He didnt have a home). We talked about that last week. They said, Were not going to let You stay here, so for that particular night, there was no lodging. Jesus, here, is giving him a realistic view of what its like to be a follower of His. Youve seen the miracles; youve seen the thousands of people fed. Youve seen the demonstrations of power; youve seen this dynamic ministry unfold in front of you, and you want to be a part of that. [Jesus says], You want to be a part of the adventure. What you need to know is that its not always roses. You need to know that sometimes there are sacrifices. Sometimes there are inconveniences, so you need to be aware. Its not all the glamour that it looks like. Tonight were sleeping under the stars. So Hes making him aware of the reality of what it means to follow Him. Its not always going to be an easy path. Sometimes we want to be engaged in certain ministries because we think, Oh, thats where its at. We forget that often times there is a lot of hard work and preparation that goes on underneath. I was watching American Idol, which is kind of a tradition of our family on Tuesday nights. The idols get advice from different stars. This time it was a group called Maroon 5. The lead singer was asked a question, What would you tell the idols to prepare them for their future? What bit of advice do you have? The lead singer said, Just be prepared to work. If you become a professional, just know it requires long hours, and its hard, hard work. People just see the lights, the fame and the glitter. Its hard work. Its rehearsals; its traveling; its different hotels every night. Youre away from home and family. Its hard. I was talking with somebody who was in an elected office recently; he was a friend of mine. He said, You know, sometimes people want to do what I do because they see that there is a certain amount of power; there is a certain amount of notoriety, but they dont see that this is a hard job. They dont see all the research and all the studying, all the preparation and the long hours, and the many different demands. Im sure that sometimes people see you preach on a Sunday and say, ‘I want to be a pastor because I want to do that. But how much of your week as a pastor is spent preaching? I said, A few hours a week. [He said], Its just the tip of the iceberg of what you do. So it is with me. So Jesus is saying, Look, be realistic. Understand the consequences and the potential sacrifice. This whole segment of the chapter is about what were going to call divine priorities, Jesus making sure our priorities are in the right place for life in ministry. Then He encounters a second man. He says, ‘Follow Me, but the man replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father. It seems like a reasonable request, doesnt it? Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God. He seems to be saying no to this mans request to bury his father. When you first read that, you go, Well, thats kind of mean. You would think Jesus would say, Well, sure, if your dad died, you better go bury your dad, and I understand, but thats really not whats happening here. Think about it: if this mans dad had just died, would he be out there with Jesus? Where would he be? Hed be with his family. He would be with his mom if she was still living; hed be with his siblings. Hed be with his family. What he is saying here to Jesus is, Listen, my father was up in years. What You are doing sounds important. It sounds good, but let me take care of my dad first. When my dad passes away, then Ill follow You, but right now Im concerned. I dont want to leave him. Hes getting older. His health isnt the greatest, and I just have to be around for him, but someday, Ill follow You. Remember Jesus is not going to be around much longer. He doesnt have many days left, so if hes going to follow Christ, its expedient that he does so now. In essence what this man did was he said, My family is a greater priority to me than the call You put on my life. Sometimes, when people talk about ministry and why they cant serve or why they cant fulfill their call, the excuses they give are really good ones. One of the best ones you hear is family. I cant tell you how many times Ive heard-I mean numerous, numerous times through the years-people who cant serve because of family obligations. Do you think Jesus buys that excuse here? Does Jesus go, Oh, its your family. I understand. Oh, forget about the call and purpose I have on your life. Your family, after all, has to be the number one priority in your life. Is that what Christ would teach? What did Christ say? Do you remember the teaching that is really misunderstood sometimes? Unless you hate mother, father, sister, brother, child more than Me, you cannot be My disciple. What was He saying there? Did He literally mean to hate? No. He meant that every other love we have should pale in our comparison to our love for Him, that He should be the number one priority in our lives. We met Pastor Lyon a few weeks ago when he gave our dedication for our new building. When his son, Curtis, was four years old, he developed a brain tumor. When Dr. Mano performed the surgery, he found that the brain tumor was malignant, and it was too large to remove. It would either kill him or make him a vegetable. They sewed him back up, and they said, The only thing you can do is wait. Im sorry there is nothing earthly speaking that we can do for your boy. [It was] devastating news! With each passing day, Curtis condition decreased. There were many nights when he was gasping for breath and looked like he would die right there. His parents began to take care of him, of course. It was an around-the-clock job, but what was interesting was Pastor Lyon never quit the ministry. He never stepped down from ministry. People would criticize him and say, Look, your son is dying. Why dont you step aside from your responsibilities or dont work so much. Go home and take care of your boy because you dont know how many days you have left with him. I want to tell you something. Nobody, not a board member, not a staff member, not a parishioner, not one person, would have judged or criticized him if he said, Listen, my little boy is dying right now, so I need to stop ministry. Do you know what Pastor Lyon would say to them, time and time again? Hed said, I take care of Gods business. Hell take care of my business. Seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. So while he ministered to his son, he continued to serve the Lord. Do you know what happened? God miraculously healed Curtis. Eventually with X-rays of his skull, all they found where the tumor used to be was fluid. The malignant tumor was completely dissolved and gone. I would just see pictures of Curtis with the bandage around his head. It looked like a big turban. Id hear the stories. He grew up to be one of my best friends. See, thats the principle here. Friends, families are wonderful. Families are ordained from God. Even something as wonderful as your family should not be an excuse for doing the Lords work and following His call. Jesus didnt buy it. He didnt say, Oh, your dad, sure hes more important than I. Then theres the third person who comes up [to Him.] He says, ‘I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family. Notice the pattern with man number two and man number three; First let me is in both stories. Me first. My priorities, my needs first. Jesus would say, Me first, then you. Jesus is going to correct them on their priorities. He says, Let me go and say good-bye to my family. It seems like a reasonable request. Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. Now, was Jesus saying, No, you cant say good-bye? Thats not what He was saying at all. He was simply letting the man know that if a result of meeting his family caused him to turn away from the call-have second thoughts about the call-he was not fit for service. Hes going to go back and say good-bye, but whats going to happen when he goes to say good-bye? Whats going to happen when he goes home and says, Mom, Dad, Im going to follow Jesus. When he tells his siblings, a spouse if he has one, children or his friends, Im leaving home, and Im going to follow this Jesus. I dont know where Im going to go. I dont know what Im going to do, but Im going to follow Him. How do you think that would go over back at home base? When I announced to my wife that we were moving to Janesville, and by the way, thats how poorly I did it, I did not do it the way you were supposed to do it. I remember I came home, and she was chopping onions or something. We had lived in Rockford our whole lives. I had a good job; we had a nice house; our daughter was in a nice school; our friends were there; our families were there. All we knew was there, and I said, Were going to go to Janesville and start a church. I think God wants us to start a church in Janesville. She stopped chopping those onions, turned and looked at me and said, Well, you have fun in Janesville because Im staying right here. (Congregation laughing). [She was] one quarter joking and three quarters serious. She began to tell me all of the advantages of staying there, and besides that all of our bills come with us. We had a house payment; we had a car payment. We had this and that. Before you think Im picking on her, I want you to know I was ten times more stubborn than she was. When God told me to go to Janesville, I said, No thank you, Sir. No thank you. No thank you, Sir. I am not going to do that. I was much worse than she was because she eventually, and it wasnt that long, said, If thats what you feel Gods plan is for us, Im in. Im all in. I went and told my mom; now I was a mamas boy when my mom was living. When I told her I was going to take her baby, which was me, she had me late in life and move to Wisconsin and take her grandbabies with me, how do you think that went over? Why would you do that? You love Pastor Lyon. You love your job. You have your new home. You have this and that. Why would you do that? I need you to stay here. I talked to my close friends who were in ministry with me at the church. I said, Im going to be leaving our team and moving to Wisconsin. How do you think that went in there? What did they say? Some of them got mad at me. They saw that as a betrayal. Whats wrong with us that you want to leave us? Why are you going to leave? We have a good thing going here. Why are you going? They were upset with me. These are people who loved me, but what was more, these were people who loved God. My heartstrings would be pulled on, and there would be a passing thought that would say, No, maybe I just need to stay here. Do you know what came to mind? This Scripture right here, Jesus is still teaching this Scripture. That verse would go through my head, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is worthy of the call. I said, You know what? I have to go. Thats what Hes talking about here. Hes not saying to the man, Dont go back and say good-bye. If you go back, and they convince you not to follow Me, be prepared. That could happen. Divine priorities: Gods call must come first. The second thing we want to talk about is in Verse 1-2 of Chapter 10. It says, After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others… It could have been these three among them. …and sent them out two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go. He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. This talks about divine partnership. Were not going to say a lot about this because in six weeks it will be World Missions weekend at Faith Community. Twice a year, we devote our weekend services to World Missions. We have a wonderful speaker; Todd Powers is going to be back ministering to us that last weekend in July. Right now he is serving the Lord in Myanmar, in the tragedy that is unfolding there. He is one of the few that got visas to go over there. He did a tremendous job last time he was with us. So Im going to have him preach from this text. This is where he is going to preach from, so Im not going to talk a lot about that. Im going to leave that for him to talk about. I do want to point out something here and that is what we think about personal evangelism. Usually, you think of it as something you do; its kind of all on you, right? You have to listen to the call; you have to go out; you have to share Christ; you have to bring them to faith. What this is really talking about here is not your being a one-man show, like the girl I read about in Texas this week. Did you read about Bonnie Richardson, the student in Texas? Shes a track and field athlete for her high school. She was the only student in her high school to qualify for the state meet, Division 1A in Texas. She went as the sole person for her school, her high school, and ended up winning the state title for her school as an individual. She threw the discus, high jump, long jump, 100, 200. She accumulated enough points as an individual to win the team trophy for her school. Thats never been done before; shes just an amazing athlete. Sometimes we think we have to be like Bonnie Richardson; we have to do it all. Jesus talks here about when we go out and share our faith, it is a partnership. We are partnering with each other, and were doing it as a community. Were doing it as a team. There is a dependency upon God to equip us and send us out. There is a notice on us to own that message, be obedient, and to proclaim it, and then have God follow through and bring the results. It is a divine partnership that we seek. More about that in six weeks. Verse 3, He says, Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Remember, this is Jesus army-out of the comfort zone into the war zone. Hes sending these people out into the world. Have you noticed the descriptive words? Some of you think of it as being warriors for God. Have you noticed the words Jesus used for the people He is sending out? He calls us lambs, sheep. He says were to be childlike. He calls us servants. [Its] not the mindset you would normally think of, right? Servants and sheep, be like these children. Youd think sometimes-the way believers attack non-believers-that Jesus said, I want you to go out and be wolves among sheep. Youd think Hed sent them out, Devour them! No, He says, Listen, I want you to go out, and youre going to be sheep among wolves. There are people out there who want to destroy you, who want to stop our mission. There are people out there with bad intent. They are evil people; theyre ravenous wolves. Because of their presence, I am sending you out to them. There is a line from a movie I want us to focus in on right now. This movie was recently out, and it is called I am Legend. It stars Will Smith, and its a future apocalyptic science-fiction movie in which all but a remnant of mankind has been wiped out. He has just discovered he is not the only person on the planet. There are some other people like him, and hes trying to find a cure because there are these people out there who have been transformed by this disease. I wont get into all of it. These people are relentless, and theyre trying to destroy him. At the same time, he is trying to find a cure for their condition. This is a dialogue he has, and there is a line in here I want to focus in on. Lets watch this short clip from I am Legend and then talk about it. Heres the line right here: The people who are wanting to make this world worse are not taking a day off. Its true now; it was true then. Jesus says, Im sending you out. This is about divine protection. There is an underlying implication that He is going to protect them. He doesnt say Im sending you out as sheep among wolves to be devoured or to be slaughtered. After all, what chance does a sheep have against a wolf? None, unless there were a shepherd who was greater than the wolf. He says, You dont need to fear the wolves because you have a shepherd who will be watching over you. Until God is finished with you, youre invincible. Until He has finished the work He has called you to do, youre invincible. There was a lady I read about this week. I had never heard of her before. Her name was Irene Sendler. She was a social worker in Poland in 1939. WWII, the Nazis came into the town. She knew what the fate of those children she was in charge of would be. In the course of her time there during WWII-from 1939-1943, she rescued 2,500 children-she and her little team of social workers she lead. [There were] 2,500 children! One of those children she rescued was quoted as saying, She not only rescued us, but she rescued our children and our grandchildren. She rescued generations of people because of her bravery. The Nazis were wolves. The Nazis never took a day off; the Nazis had evil intent. They were going to devour the innocent. They were going to take lives. In a few short years, they would round those people up and send them to death camps. Until that time came, she did her best to save those childrens lives one at a time, one at a time. In 1943, she was captured. She knew if she were ever found out, she could be tortured or killed because of what she was trying to do. During the Gestapo raid in 1943, she was rounded up, and she was tortured. She was tortured repeatedly. She had scars on her body for the torturing, this sweet little old lady. She said, But I kept silent because I would rather die than tell them about our mission. So the underground agency that was trying to liberate Jews bribed the Nazi soldiers. The Nazis-the moral giants they were-took the bribe and set her free. She spent the rest of her days trying to reunite those 2,500 children with any family members who might have still been alive. She tried to give them a life again. She took their names, wrote them down on paper, put them in a jar and she put it under a tree. When the war was over, she dug that up and spent the rest of her life continuing to minister to those kids. She died at the age of 98, just this week. Irene Sendler was a sheep among wolves. She never took a day off because they never took a day off. The mission was worth it. The cause was worth it. Jesus says, Look, I am sending you out there. I know how wicked they are, and I know the potential danger and threat, but understand this: Im going to protect you and watch over you. Pastor Sean and Heather, one of our pastors who left for Haiti, were asked repeatedly, How could you go to Haiti? How can you take your four little children to the poorest nation in the world, the voodoo capital of the world? [There is] a high crime rate in Haiti. How can you take your four children? Pastor Sean understood this principle. He would say to you, The safest place on the planet is in the center of the will of God. Until God is done with me, Im invincible. In January, their language training will be over, and January 09, they move to Haiti long-term. Its possibly for the rest of their lives because they feel thats where God wants them to be. Are there wolves in Haiti? Sure. There are shepherds there too. The shepherd is greater than the wolves, and He has a mission for them to reach the Haitian people. [Lets pick up at] Verse 4 where He says, ‘Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. Jesus is not telling them, Hey, be rude. Dont talk to people. Be rude. No, what Hes saying is there is expediency to your mission. I dont want you to be deterred or side-tracked. You have a job to do, and time is short. There are times when I go to exercise at the club, and I have time to kill. I can talk and chat, have a conversation. Maybe Ill talk with several people. Well stop our workout and talk sports, the weather or whatever. Well have a nice conversation. There are other times when I have like 20 minutes before I have to be out of there. Ive tried to stare straight ahead. I try not to get in conversations. If somebody wants to talk to me, they are going to have to talk to me while Im exercising because Im not going to stop. I have a mission to do here. Thats the mindset. Its not being rude; its more like you have a job to do. Notice He basically says, Just bring the clothes on your back. It wasnt the first time He told his followers that. Flip back one page to Chapter 9 where He sends out the 12. He told them in Verse 3, Take nothing for the journey-no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. The bag contained their provisions. Dont take provisions. The staff would ward off potential predators, like wolves. Dont take a staff; dont take extra shoes; dont take extra clothes; dont take food; dont take money. Wow! This is talking about divine provision. What do you think is going to happen? Were not there yet. We wont get there until next week, but what do you think happens when these 72 come back? Do they all die of starvation or dehydration? Are they chewed up by wolves? Do they get infections because their feet are not taken care of? What is going to happen to them? Do you know what? They are all going to find lodging; theyre all going to have their meals; their needs are going to be met. Jesus says, If you trust Me to send you out, trust Me to provide for you while youre doing what Ive called you to do. Heavens economy. There are a lot of us in the community that are worried about whats going to happen this summer. We know for a fact that GM is scaling back. We know were going to lose hundreds of jobs. We know were going to lose hundreds more jobs of subsidiaries who are dependent on GM. We know further that economically, that can trickle down on other businesses-less money for entertainment, less money for restaurants, less money all the way around. Yet, the demands are going up, and sometimes fear rises in the hearts even of believers. Let me ask you a question: Is your job your source, or is God your source? God is able to provide for you in ways that you cant even imagine, that you cant even conceive. You have to work; you have to look sometimes, but you have to keep in mind, if you belong to Him, you are under Heavens economy. Heavens economy never goes through recession, depression, inflation or any other shun you can think of. He says, Trust Me to meet your needs. So as we look back now in this passage, how are you doing here? What about in the areas of divine priorities? Are you finding good excuses like family to keep you from doing the best thing, which is fulfilling the call Hes placed on your life? Are you finding all kinds of reasons why you cant, or are you going forward in faith? If you go forward in faith, then the other three enter into the picture. Its a divine partnership with divine protection and divine provision. Like a child, I trust my heavenly Father to meet my needs. Were going to pick up there next week. Were going to find out what happens when these 72 go out. Some are going to receive their mission, their message. Others are going to reject theirs. Well talk about stubborn and unrepentant hearts next week as we wrap up From the Comfort Zone to the War Zone. I invite you to stand with me as we close in prayer this morning. We are going to pray, and after were done praying, if you have anything you would like to pray about, well have a team of people up here in the front who will be willing to pray with you. The first people I want to talk to are those who are here this morning and who have trusted Christ as your Lord and Savior-youve never prayed to receive Him and trust the care of your soul to Him. That needs to be Job #1 today. When we pray, I invite you to come forward today and pray with our volunteers in the front. They want to pray with you. They have a packet of materials they want to give you that will help you start a journey of your own, as God has called you to a journey too. They want to pray with you. Its not hard; its not painful. In fact, youll feel wonderful when youre through. Theyd like to lead you in prayer to receive Christ as your Lord and Savior. Secondly, if youre here and youre struggling with any of these areas and divine priorities, you need to get those right, make some different decisions. Maybe youve been dealing with some anxiety or fear because youve not been trusting in divine protection or provision. Maybe youve been trying to do it on your own, not entering into that divine partnership. They would like to pray with you about any of those concerns, so I invite you to just come forward. If youre here with somebody, they can wait a few minutes while you come up and allow somebody to pray with you and stand with you in faith. [Come forward] especially those this morning who have never started that journey. Let this be the moment; let this be the time when you start that journey today. Lets pray: Father, we thank You for this example that Youve given us. We dont know who these men were. We dont know what they ultimately decided to do, but for the purposes of Lukes Gospel, it wasnt important. What was important is that the message get there because His call is still going forward, and there are still people giving the same excuses. Youve said whoever puts their hand to the plow and turns back is not worthy of the call. My prayer is that we be found worthy today, that we would not look back. I pray for that one who has not yet started that journey, that they would come forward this morning and pray and receive You as their savior and as their Lord. Maybe theyre not trusting in baptism, not trusting in membership, not trusting in their goodness and their righteousness, but be trusting solely in the grace of God as its been revealed through Jesus Christ as their means of salvation and forgiveness. Then I also pray for those of us who have entered into that partnership as we encounter the wolves along the way. Lord, [I pray] that we would acknowledge You as our shepherd, that we need not fear the wolves that would devour. [We know] that those who have evil intent never take a day off, nor should we. Father, [I pray] that we come to the place as these Disciples [did]. Their trust was solely and completely in You, not in themselves, not in what theyd stacked up or saved up. They left with only the sandals on their feet and clothes on their backs, and You met their needs. We trust You to meet ours as well. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.