Podcasts about until god

(This podcast was previously published on May 21, 2022)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   Faith is one of my favorite subjects and one of the most wonderful, and simple.   Words, often instructions, which are given to us by God, are usually brought directly to our minds by HIS Holy Spirit.   The first time this happened to me was in approximately 1975.  I owned a small business in Dallas, Texas.  A woman filed a lawsuit against me.  I heard an instruction which I believed to be from God.  These words were brought to my mind by what I believed to be God, by HIS Holy Spirit:  "Don't testify."   As I obeyed this instruction, many unexpected things happened!   (I share this story on this Podcast.)   Our examples are Noah and Abraham.  And with both, it is the same, God speaks and they obeyed!   Until God speaks, we can't have faith in God.   For faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God!  Romans 10:17  

Topical Sermons / Speaker:Berry Kercheville Resurrection! Introduction: If you consider yourself a “believer,” the very foundation of the being a disciple of Christ is the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth after three days in the tomb. As Paul argued in 1 Corinthians 15, if there is no resurrection from the dead, then… Christ has not been raised If Christ has not been raised, then all of scripture is a lie. If Christ is not raised, then our teaching and our faith is worthless and we are still in our sins eternally lost. If Christ has not been raised, we are of all people most to be pitied. Of course, if Christ was raised and reigns as King, then…Instead of the believer being “most to be pitied,” the most to be pitied are those who refuse to believe and take advantage of the resurrection by obeying Jesus. However, the resurrection of Jesus poses a greater issue than just the fact that Jesus raised from the dead. We make a huge mistake if we simply celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus every first day of the week. Jesus and the apostles taught that the resurrection carries with it power that believers are to use in their daily lives.  Paul wrote that we are to comprehend “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:19-20).  God's Repeated Foreshadowing and Symbology By looking too narrowly at the evidence, here is what I mean. We must not simply examine the evidence for the resurrection of Christ, though that evidence should be examined carefully. There is evidence for the power of God in resurrection throughout scripture. Ephesians 2:4-5 “But  God, being  rich in mercy,  because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses,  made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Every person who is a disciple of Christ should be acutely aware that Jesus' resurrection was intended to bring about both a present and future resurrection. We should be able to see our present resurrection simply by comparing our lives prior to Christ to our present lives.  Therefore it is critical to be reminded that God's resurrection power has been evident long before Christ and long before our transformation. God has always been giving life to the dead.  Genesis 2:7 “then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Until God breathed into Adam the breath of life, Adam was nothing but dead molecules formed out of dirt. We live physically because of the power of God's Spirit breathing life into us. After the sin of the Garden and the pronouncement of the curse of death, God repeatedly illustrated his power and desire to raise us back to life.  Genesis 5 In the midst of 10 generations of, “and he died,” Enoch “walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”  When God chose Abraham and Sarah through whom the world would be blessed, God intentionally waited until both of them could not have a child before giving life to their dead bodies. Romans 4:17-19 “as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the deadness of Sarah's womb.”  We need to consider the great impact this has on us. If Abraham and Sarah do not have offspring, there is no Israel and there is no Christ and there is no us with hope and the world remain dead. Notice! God purposely did not leave our salvation in the hands of natural reproduction. The salvation of mankind is only in the hands of God and his power to give life to the dead.  To confirm, consider Romans 9:6-8: “But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.' This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.”   The implications of this are profound. It is the children of the promise that are counted as offspring. In other words, we are brought to life just as Isaac, not because of “works” or by anything we could have done, but by the power of the Spirit of God implanted in us through the resurrection of Christ.  Therefore, God has tied together the two greatest miracles/signs in the life of Jesus: the virgin birth and the resurrection of Jesus. Even the entrance of Jesus into this world would not be by natural procreation, but by the power of the Spirit of God overshadowing Mary. Now we can see the importance of salvation only coming through our lifelong “obedience of faith” in Jesus Christ (Romans 16:26), and no other way!  As Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You must be born from again.”  John 3:13 “…children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of he flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” Disciples Are Living Proof of the Resurrection Story  If disciples' lives do not demonstrate and reflect the resurrection, they are not disciples!  John 20:19 “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.'” This scene represents the condition and faith of the apostles prior to Jesus' appearance to them following his resurrection. The contrast is this scene as Peter and John all the Jewish leaders who condemned Jesus to death: Acts 4:10-13 “let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished.” What caused the change? Nothing but the bodily resurrection of Jesus.  But that was not the only change: Acts 8:3-4 “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” Note the affect that the resurrection had on disciples who were under the threat of imprisonment and death. No fear! Certainly they did not stay and get unlawfully arrested. But neither were they silent. Therefore, Jesus' foundational principle for our future resurrection is our willingness to give up our lives. Matthew 16:24-25 “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'”  Romans 6:3-8 “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”  2 Corinthians 5:14-17 “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”  Conclusion:  The above texts give us a clear picture of whether we have hope of a resurrection to life with the Lord.  First, we must be united with him in a death like his as we are buried with him in baptism into death. This is the beginning of our covenant relationship with him. Second, since we have died with him, we no longer live for ourselves but for him who died and was raised.  Finally, please beware that our future resurrection can be either good news or bad news. John 5:28-29 “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”  Berry Kercheville The post Resurrection! appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ.

Welcome to Day 2824 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2824 – Great Deeds, Strong Faith, Big God – Luke 5:12-26   Putnam Church Message – 02/22/2026 Luke's Account of the Good News - “Great Deeds, Strong Faith, Big God.”    Last week, we continued our study of the ministry of Jesus Christ with a message titled “What It's Like to Fish With Jesus,” where we learned that fishing with Jesus looks nothing like fishing alone. Today, we continue with the thirteenth message in Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ in a message titled “Great Deeds, Strong Faith, Big God.” Our Core verses for this week are Luke 5:12-26, found on page 1598 of your Pew Bibles. Follow along as I read. SCRIPTURE READING — Luke 5:12-26 (NIV)  Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy 12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[a] When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man 17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up and walk'? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” Opening Prayer Father, we come before You aware that our vision of You is often too small. We confess that we shrink You down to the size of our schedules, our worries, and our expectations. Enlarge our vision today. Open our eyes to see Your authority, Your compassion, and Your power to forgive. Give us strong faith in a big God. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. When God Gets Too Small And it happens so subtly. / Israel had done it. / The Pharisees had done it. Even sincere believers can do it. By the time of Tiberius Caesar, Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate, Annas, and Caiaphas, God had been reduced to a cosmic scorekeeper — tallying good deeds, deducting points for bad behavior, enforcing Sabbath rules, inspecting hand-washing rituals, policing technicalities. God had become predictable. / Manageable. / Containable. / Small. And then Jesus walked into their world — and suddenly God began growing again. Luke 5:12–26 is not merely about miracles. / It is about vision. / It is about authority. /It is about discovering that God is far bigger than we imagined. Today we see: • A great deed • Strong faith • A very big God And the question Luke leaves hanging over the entire scene is this: Will our vision of God expand… or will we shrink Him back down? Main Point One: A Big God Touches the Untouchable (Luke 5:12–16) Let's begin with the leper. Luke tells us: “In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy…” (Luke 5:12, NLT) Not a mild case. / Not a recent diagnosis. / “Advanced Case or Covered” — literally full of it. In the ancient world, leprosy was not just a medical condition. / It was social death. / It was religious exclusion. / It was isolation. Leviticus 13 required the leper to live outside the camp. / To cry out “Unclean!” / To avoid contact. |Imagine the loneliness. / Imagine the silence. / Imagine the years without touch. / He had likely not felt a human hand in years. And then he sees Jesus. And he falls on his face and says: “Lord, if You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean.” (12) Notice what he does not say. / He does not question Jesus' ability. / He questions His willingness. / Ability wasn't the problem. / Acceptance was. And perhaps that's where some of us live. / We don't doubt that God can. / We wonder if He will. / Or if He wants to. / Or if we are worth touching. And then Luke records something breathtaking. “Jesus reached out and touched him.” / He touched him!  / Jesus could have spoken the word from across the street. / He healed from miles away in John 4. / He commanded demons with a phrase. / But here — He touches. Why? Because the miracle was not only physical. / It was relational. / The leper didn't just need cleansing. / He needed restoration. / He needed to feel accepted. / And in that moment, God got bigger. / The Pharisees saw uncleanness. / Jesus saw a man. Ancient Perspective In Jewish thought, leprosy symbolized sin. / It was visible corruption. / Outward manifestation of inward decay. / When Miriam was struck with leprosy (Numbers 12), it was associated with rebellion. / When Naaman was cleansed (2 Kings 5), it was seen as divine mercy. Rabbinic tradition even said curing leprosy was as difficult as raising the dead. / In other words, this was beyond human ability. / Which is exactly where Jesus operates. Object Lesson — Hold up a glove. Without a hand inside, it is lifeless. / Shapeless. Useless. / But when a hand enters it — suddenly it moves, grasps, functions. The leper's life was like that glove. / Empty. / Isolated. / Untouchable. Until God entered his story. / The difference was not in the glove. / It was in the hand. Modern Analogy There are “lepers” today. / Not with skin disease. / But with stigma. / Addiction. Failure. / Public scandal. / Divorce. / Depression. / Bankruptcy. / Shame. Society and even some churches say: Keep your distance.  Jesus says:  Come here. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us: “We do not have a high priest who...

Kathleen Young was diagnosed with incurable cancer and given 11 months to live. Until God did this... 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?v=20251111

Kathleen Young was diagnosed with incurable cancer and given 11 months to live. Until God did this...Would you like prayer or for someone to pray with you, if so go to sidroth.org/prayer-requestTo help support us and the content you love go to sidroth.org/give

Kathleen Young was diagnosed with incurable cancer and given 11 months to live. Until God did this... To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.lightsource.com/donate/885/29

The Best For Last 1 On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus's mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding as well. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus's mother told him, "They don't have any wine." 4 "What has this concern of yours to do with me, woman?" Jesus asked. "My hour has not yet come." 5 "Do whatever he tells you," his mother told the servants. 6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained twenty or thirty gallons. 7 "Fill the jars with water," Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the headwaiter. And they did. 9 When the headwaiter tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom 10 and told him, "Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people are drunk, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now." 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.  John 2:1–11: [CSB] Because of how we have conducted ourselves... Because of how we have run things... Because of our inability to solve life's problems... Because of the sin that corrupts everything we do and have... We just end up...giving into it...yes, we just might as well do what everyone expects… the inferior… the poorest… junk… last... But that is not how God does things! Imagine this: In spite of what has happened in His creation...He works it out that it ALL turns out better...better than if nothing bad had happened at all! No, we cannot imagine this...as we still have that monkey on our backs...we still feel the guilt eating at our guts...we still wish that we DID NOT do the things we have done...we wish that we did not cause the harm and hurt that we have caused... We wish that history was different. But it is what it is. We have done what we have done. The consequences are what they are... Until God steps in. He alone could make it so that the VERY GOOD of creation, as He called it when it was finished at the end of the sixth day... He alone makes it so that it all becomes even BETTER than that...than what might have been...what could have been...in His doing of what God loves to do...in His New creation...in the new heavens and new earth that is to come... This with even better...and better off...humans living in it. How is this possible? God says it is, but only God can put all of our past...regrets...guilt...all of that which make this creation less now than it was...not very good anymore...not really good at all... This...all of this...He alone puts into His sea of forgetfulness. Only He can bring about brand new beginnings without THAT taint and its baggage from our past. Only He can keep making it so that the best is yet to come. Even if we have had things fixed. Even if we have tasted grace, forgiveness and mercy, we still have not seen anything close to what HE still has in store... A better yet...a good that He is besting in what we have already tasted...tried...experienced. Imagine it always getting better, rather than worse. Sadly, we can't really. We can only hope at these Words...and that is just what our hope is. We hope because HE says this is what He has done and will do for us. I mean what good is forgiveness if the person forgiven has his past rubbed in his face all the time? What good is mercy if the person is reminded all the time that the person who is merciful would rather bring punishment instead? What is Grace worth if grace is only stingily a little is given out--and even with that, more than a little is needed? What good is a life in heaven--an eternity remember--if we have our past sins, failures, embarrassments, and inadequacies haunting every minute and at every step? That would not be heaven, but just some of the same… But no!  This is not so! Not ever! No...instead... It will only get better. God will serve the next and better thing...after we have drunk freely... And then better again...and so on...into forever. This expression of God's favor is on His creation's most important and essential event: a wedding! This little event gives us a view into what He is like. What He is always like... No, go ahead… we can… do believe what we hear and see Him saying and doing.... This is what Epiphany is… and all about… what the Scriptures are for… are all about… like… If you remember how God brought the elders of Israel up onto His mountain in the desert with Moses.... What did they do there? They feasted! They ate and drank with God! That was Holy Communion going on--together...with the whole company of Heaven...with angels and archangels. That was a table laid out in the presence of enemies. That was with cups overflowing... That was grace overflowing... Despite who they were and what their past was. Despite what we are and did and do... He will welcome us...humble repentant sinners, though we be...beggars only... He will take us by the hand and lead us into His banqueting hall...all dressed up... As His children...a prince or princess...Holy Royalty... Brought up to the head of the table...to sit next to the King... Where the food and wine get ever better. Each course surpassing the one before it. This is what this story of the wedding feast a Cana is all about. This first public miracle was to show us...humanity...the world...and His church...just what kind of God He is. To show what He was about to begin...what He was about to bring about... To give us a glimpse into what it is like to be with Him...when He is about His Father's...now our Father's business. The feast has already been prepared. The feast is already made ready. You are invited. What we get even now comes from that same feast table. He brings the first course to us even here...in the presences of our and His enemies. Yes, even here our cup overflows.... Even if we don't...can't… see this. Even now, and each day that we live in Christ, it gets better. Nothing can take this away. He has already changed the bitter waters into a sweet vintage that has been aging from before the foundations of the universe had been laid down. He has prepared a place for you and for me. That is where He is leading us. That is where He is going to take us. Home for the holidays...home for the eternal Holy Day in the House of the Lord. And then it only gets better from there. Amen.

Confession and Prayer Confess faults to one another and pray for one another for healing. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person has great power. Elijah was a man with similar passions, prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain for three and a half years. He prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 1 Kings 18:41 Elijah told Ahab to eat and drink, for there was a sound of abundance of rain. Ahab went to eat and drink, and Elijah went to the top of Carmel. Elijah cast himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. He told his servant to look toward the sea. The servant looked and said there was nothing. Elijah told him to go again seven times. At the seventh time, the servant said there was a small cloud like a man’s hand rising out of the sea. Elijah told the servant to tell Ahab to prepare his chariot and go down, so the rain would not stop him. The heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. Faith Under Attack The apostle James believed a man could pray like a lion. Faith is under attack in these last days. The devil is trying to cause people to give up their cross. James believed that if people got right with God and each other, they could pray prayers that would have great effect. Looking for God to do something that will turn things upside down. Conditions for Effective Prayer Being right with God: Getting righteous. Turning loose from sin. Letting go of the things of this world. Being right with one another: Forgiving one another. Praying for one another. When in line with God, prayer can accomplish work. Introspection through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God should move one to pray and seek God. Effectual Fervent Prayer Effectual fervent prayer is for those who have sought God and one another, and are in line with both. They don’t have sin or trespasses, and have gotten clean with God and man. There is a place in prayer that becomes effectual fervent. The word “effectual” is one word in the original Greek, “energeo.” It is used 18 times in the King James Version. 12 of those times, it is translated as “work.” The King James translators identified the word by context. Need to be reminded that effectual fervent prayer is work. Need to pray better. God can strip away the blinders and show what one can’t see. Need to open hearts and become earnest before God, and see prayers make a difference. The choir needs reminded that there is more to God than what we think. We get complacent, pray little prayers, check off lists, and think God is satisfied. Until God has looked into the depths of the soul, and one becomes submissive and surrenders to the will of God and yields to the Holy Ghost, one is not praying yet. Energeo: Energized Prayer The Greek word for effectual is “energeo,” from which we get the English words “energy” or “energize.” Engage in energized prayer, built of hard work. Of the 18 times “energeo” is used in the King James Version, 12 times it is translated as “work” (75%). Prayer is not a side deal or something to play around with. Prayer should change you, make you humble and weak before God, make you want to carry a heavier load, love people more, and help sinners get saved and prodigals come home. The basic premise behind “energeo” is hard, passionate work. The flesh is contrary to prayer and will never enjoy it. Tell the flesh it doesn’t matter and focus on getting right with God. Prayer should be hard, passionate work. If we added up the minutes spent in prayer this week, would we be impressed? How many have really gotten into the place where hard, passionate prayer comes from us? Elijah: An Example of Effectual Fervent Prayer Elijah got to see extraordinary things within hours of each other. Don’t give up praying. Get to the hard work, passionate prayer that God is listening for. Consider it a worthy occupation to be a prayer warrior. Make sure to identify and define correctly what kind of prayer we’re trying to pray. Not just “Now I lay me down to sleep” prayer, but more like Peter’s prayer when he was drowning: “Lord, save me.” Be willing to do the hard work prayer, not just any prayer, but a prayer that reaches the portals of God. Hard work prayer is not very enticing to many. On days when you don’t feel like it, put your flesh behind you and try. Hard work prayer gets into the throne room of God. Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane understood hard work praying. His sweat became great drops of blood. He asked if there was any other way, but ultimately submitted to the Father’s will. Years ago, people would pray in barns during the day, giving up their time and flesh. Romans 12:1: Present your bodies as a living sacrifice to God, which is your reasonable service. Need hard work prayer. James gave liberty to pray personally. Elijah’s Humanity and Obedience James said Elijah was a righteous man, but also a man subject to like passions as we are. Elijah went through everything we’re going through and experienced the same temptations. He made a choice to stand for God and do the hard work of praying and staying honest before God. God blessed him for it. God had sustained Elijah for three and a half years. God gave Elijah liberty, and he stepped out of hiding. Elijah lived in Zarephath, Jezebel’s hometown, while she had the whole army hunting for him. Elijah told Obadiah to tell Ahab that he wanted to talk to him. Ahab blamed the drought on Elijah. Elijah told Ahab to gather all the people of Israel, the prophets of Baal, and the prophets of the groves to Mount Carmel. They had a contest to see whose God would answer by fire. God answered Elijah’s simple prayer with fire, consuming the sacrifice, the dust, the stones, and the water in the trenches. God answered by fire with a simple prayer. Elijah was obedient to God. If we’re going to see the power of God through hard work prayer, we’re going to have to be obedient servants. We need to be willing to do what God tells us to do, when he tells us to do it, and how he tells us to do it. Line up when we pray and say, “God, I prayed it. Now here I am. Send me. Use me for this work.” When you pray hard, you’ll find out there’s work for you in it. It’s not all on God; we have to be obedient. The problems they had were Jezebel and the adulterous hearts of the people. They had 850 false prophets corrupting the minds of the people. God dealt with it, and Elijah was obedient. Deliberate Faith and Diligence Elijah was deliberate. After one of the prophets was slain, Elijah told Ahab to get out of there because he heard the sound of abundance of rain. The fire had fallen, and people got right with God. Need some fire first to burn up the chaff and purge the dross from our souls. Need the power of God to come in. Won’t have revival until fire has come in through our soul and hard work praying has made us shine like new before God. The rain is the extra, what produces the fruits, but you won’t have rain until you’ve got fire. In Africa, they burn the old, dead grass to allow new growth to come after the rain. There was nothing growing through that messed up, useless grass that had no fire to it. Need some fire, even though it’s not comfortable. All 850 prophets had to be dealt with. Elijah went to the bottom of Carmel to be obedient to God. When he finished what God had assigned him, he told Ahab to leave. Elijah went back up the mountain because he believed. The same place that Elijah called fire down was where he went back to call for rain. There’s some consistency about where we choose to pray. Deliberately make a place to hard work pray. Hard work prayer becomes a part of our daily life. Elijah was tired after killing 850 people, but he went back up the mountain with faith. He told Ahab he heard rain, even though he didn’t physically hear it. He believed God because the fire had fallen. Elijah was diligent. He fell on his knees, put his face between his knees, and cried out to God. Between verses 42 and 43, there was some serious praying. The first time Elijah looked up, his servant was just standing there. Elijah told him to go look out over the ocean and tell him what he saw. The servant said he didn’t see anything. Been in hard work praying and not seeing anything. God knows when we’re frustrated, down, and the devil’s after us. Get serious about praying and talking with God Almighty. Hard work praying. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. This was the hard work part of the prayer. The first time he prayed, there was nothing. Weary of praying for certain things because you can’t see anything. When you think your prayer didn’t do any good, go back. Try again. Pray harder. Keep working at it. Dig in. Do the hard work praying. Believe God for it. If it’s as a grain of a mustard seed, if we just believe that he can do all things. Go back seven times. Each time, be doing what you’ve got to do, and that’s hard work prayer. Elijah put his face between his knees again and cried out to God. God sent the rain. Hard work praying is about not giving up, not giving in, and not believing the lies of the devil. God can do anything, and hard work prayer gets to his ears. It shocked the little fellow when he went that seven times. It wasn’t his faith that Elijah was dependent on, but that hard work praying and Elijah’s own faith in God. The servant came back and said he saw something about the size of a man’s hand rising up out of the sea. Elijah said that’s all he needed to know. God started to move. Personal Testimony Stripped naked in prayer this morning. Needed a word from God. Justin told a story about a man who had preached and evangelized for all of his life and then got called to be a pastor. He packed everything into his worn-out van and headed to the new pastorate. The transmission went out at the top of a hill, and he coasted to a car dealership at the bottom. Within two hours, men had unpacked his belongings and packed them into a new van that was just like the old one, but eight years newer. God said, “This is my church. I’ll fix it just like a car. Don’t you doubt it.” Asked God to speak to me. Quit worrying about this. It ain’t your church. It’s mine. Them ain’t your children, they’re mine. I’ll fix it. Needed to hear it again. Elijah told the servant to tell Ahab to get off the mountain because it was fixing to rain. The clouds rolled in, the sky turned black, and it rained. Commitment to Prayer We ain’t where we’re supposed to be prayer-wise. There’s another gear to prayer building. You’ve got to be stripped clean of the fire. Hard work praying will set in. It’ll come from your soul like a fountain. Your guts will pour out of you and lay at his feet. You’ll feel it. We can get closer to God with some hard praying. It’s going to take a commitment. You won’t accidentally get to this place. You’re going to have to really want it. When you get low, that’s when your heart gets nearest to it. It feels like ain’t nothing happening. It feels like it ain’t gonna happen. It’s the best time to pray. Allow God to step in and strip aside everything that’s keeping your heart from bursting open with all your care, worry, fear, and requests. Commit to hard work prayer. Effectual, fervent prayer. If Elijah could do it, James said, you can too. If Elijah seen the results of the fire and the rain, God is not a respecter of persons. He’ll bless you just like he blessed Elijah. Both fire and rain. Before we do anything else tonight, I want us to pray. If you ain’t got nobody else to pray for, please pray for me. Time’s running out on us. Our people ain’t saved. I want to get it right. I can’t do it. I ain’t got the power. I’m of little strength and little ability. I need God to help me. We need help tonight. We need revival. We need to see the fruit of rain. That all has to come from God.

Jackie Hill Perry asks, “Do you remember when you were blind? When the Word of God was preached to you and it didn't move you?” Until God gives us sight, we can't behold Him. This episode is all about God as the divine initiator of our salvation.

Episode Summary: Have you ever found yourself saying yes when you really wanted to say no? Or have you ever felt overwhelmed and exhausted because you were trying to meet everyone else’s expectations? If so, you are not alone. In recognition of National Stress Awareness Day, today, we’re going to explore how to move from overwhelmed to overjoyed by learning to say no without feeling guilty. We’ll dive into Scripture, explore research on overcommitment, and I’ll share five practical ways to set God-honoring boundaries. Quotables from the episode: Many of us, especially as women, have been taught that saying yes is the godly thing to do. We associate busyness with productivity, and productivity with worth. But the truth is, constantly saying yes can leave us drained, distracted, and distant from God’s best for us. For many years, I said “Yes” every time something was asked of me because I believed it was the godly response. Until God impressed upon my heart that he never told me to do that much, and had I sought him for wisdom, He would have readily guided my path! That was totally on me, but God was so gentle in getting my attention. Psychologists have long studied the effects of people-pleasing and overcommitment. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that chronic overcommitment leads to stress, anxiety, and even depression. Emotionally, people-pleasers often struggle with self-worth, believing their value is tied to what they do for others rather than who they are in Christ. Chronic Overcommitment and Overwhelm Chronic overcommitment and overwhelm can take a serious toll on physical health, leading to conditions such as: Adrenal Fatigue & Hormonal Imbalance – Constant stress can dysregulate cortisol levels, leading to exhaustion, brain fog, and difficulty managing emotions. Cardiovascular Issues – Chronic stress increases blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammation, raising the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Weakened Immune System – Prolonged stress suppresses immune function, making the body more susceptible to infections and slower to heal. Gastrointestinal Problems – Overwhelm can contribute to acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers, and digestive issues. Chronic Pain & Inflammation – Stress triggers inflammation, which can exacerbate conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, and migraines. Sleep Disorders – Overcommitment often leads to insomnia, poor sleep quality, and chronic fatigue. Weight Gain or Loss – Stress-related eating patterns can lead to unhealthy weight fluctuations, metabolic dysfunction, and insulin resistance. Muscle Tension & Headaches – Persistent stress can cause tight muscles, tension headaches, and even TMJ (jaw pain from clenching). Burnout & Mental Fog – Long-term overwhelm can impair cognitive function, reducing focus, memory, and decision-making ability. Autoimmune Disorders – Chronic stress has been linked to the development or worsening of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Managing stress through rest, boundaries, and self-care isn’t just about mental well-being; it’s essential for physical health. Jesus himself set boundaries. In Luke 5:16, we read, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” He didn’t heal every person or meet every need. He sought the Father’s will first. If Jesus set boundaries, then we should, too. Addressing the spiritual and scientific aspects of restoration To counteract the physical effects of chronic overcommitment and overwhelm, we must address both the spiritual and scientific aspects of restoration. Here’s how: Prioritizing Rest & Sabbath (Biblical & Scientific) Biblical Insight: God modeled rest in Genesis 2:2-3, and Jesus regularly withdrew to quiet places (Mark 6:31). Sabbath isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a command for our well-being (Exodus 20:8-10). Science: Rest lowers cortisol, improves immune function, and enhances brain health. Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and physical repair. Application: Schedule intentional rest. Guard your Sabbath. Ensure 7-9 hours of sleep. Setting Boundaries to Prevent Overcommitment Biblical Insight: Even Jesus set boundaries—He didn’t heal everyone at once and took time alone with the Father (Luke 5:16). Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts, which includes protecting our time and energy. Science: Chronic stress leads to burnout, weakened immunity, and heart disease. Learning to say “no” prevents emotional and physical depletion. Application: Use discernment in commitments. Before saying “yes,” ask: Does this align with God’s will? Is this sustainable? Engaging in Mind-Body Renewal Biblical Insight: Romans 12:2 encourages us to renew our minds. Philippians 4:8 tells us to focus on what is pure and lovely. Science: Practices like deep breathing, exercise, and gratitude shift the brain out of stress mode, improving mental clarity and resilience. Application: Try breath prayers (e.g., inhale “Be still,” exhale “and know that I am God”; inhale “I trust you, God,” exhale “in all things.”). Move daily to reduce inflammation and boost mood. Nourishing the Body & Mind Biblical Insight: Daniel chose healthy foods and was stronger than those indulging in excess (Daniel 1:12-15). Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Science: Whole foods reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar, and protect against stress-related illnesses. Application: Eat nutrient-dense foods, stay hydrated, and avoid excess caffeine or sugar that heightens stress responses. Seeking Community & Support Biblical Insight: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 teaches that two are better than one. We weren’t designed to carry burdens alone (Galatians 6:2). Science: Social connection lowers stress hormones, strengthens immunity, and increases resilience. Application: Surround yourself with godly counsel. Delegate. Accept help. Community is part of God’s design for our well-being. Releasing Control & Trusting God Biblical Insight: Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are weary… and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Trusting God’s sovereignty brings peace (Isaiah 26:3). Science: Chronic stress stems from feeling out of control. Releasing worries to God reduces anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and improves mental health. Application: Regularly surrender your burdens to God. Journal prayers. Meditate on Scriptures about His faithfulness. By aligning our lives with God’s rhythms and applying scientific wisdom, we can reduce overwhelm and prevent burnout and experience lasting peace. Practical Tips for How to Set Healthy, God-Honoring Boundaries Recognize that “No” is a Complete Sentence You don’t need to over-explain or justify your decision. Jesus simply said “yes” or “no” (Matthew 5:37). When we recognize that saying no is a way to honor God’s best for us, we can do so with confidence. Pray Before You Commit Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. ”Before saying yes to anything, take a moment to pray and ask, Is this God’s best for me in this season? Set Priorities Based on God’s Calling Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are created for good works that God prepared in advance for us. This means that we are not called to do everything—only what He has specifically prepared for us. Identify what God is calling you to do in this season and let that guide your commitments. Understand That Saying No Opens the Door for God’s Yes When we fill our schedules with obligations, we leave no room for the divine appointments God has for us. Saying no creates margin for God’s greater yes. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Practice Saying No with Grace and Love You can say no in a way that honors both God and the other person. Here are a few ways: “Thank you for thinking of me, but I can’t commit to that right now.” “I appreciate the opportunity, but I need to focus on what God has called me to in this season.” “I’d love to help another time, but my plate is full right now.” Encouraging Scripture to Empower You: Learning to say no without feeling guilty Galatians 1:10 – “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Matthew 11:28-30 – Jesus calls us to rest in Him, not to take on every burden. Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.” Sometimes, God’s best for us is rest. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” We must discern what is right for this season. Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Our commitments should be done with joy and purpose, not guilt. Scripture References: Luke 5:16 “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Galatians 1:10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus calls us to rest in Him, not to take on every burden. Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.” Sometimes, God’s best for us is rest. Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” We must discern what is right for this season. Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Our commitments should be done with joy and purpose, not guilt. Saying no is not a rejection of others—it is a way of saying yes to what God has planned for you. You don’t have to live overwhelmed and exhausted. You can move from overcommitted to overjoyed by setting God-honoring boundaries. I encourage you this week to pray over your commitments. Ask God to show you where you need to say no so you can say yes to His best. If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who needs encouragement in this area. And as always, if you need more hope-filled encouragement, visit my website DrMichelleB.com or connect with me on social media. If you know someone who routinely falls prey to people-pleasing, or is feeling overwhelmed, please consider sharing this episode with them to offer a biblically-based hope-filled perspective. Recommended Resources: Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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

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.

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

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.

"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

"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!     

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.

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.