Podcasts about whether god

Who is Godot? Whether God, objet a, or an abstraction from any object that is supposed to resolve dramatic suspense, it is clear that Vladimir and Estragon imagine him to be an agent of salvation (even if they can't remember exactly what it is that needs saving). Perhaps the name is meant to satirize any states of expectancy—aspirational, libidinal, political, or religious—insofar they seem to be a means to a kind of spiritual completion that is impossible. Except, arguably, in the imagination, including its refinements in the products of the arts. If Samuel Beckett is too cool to provide us with ordinary entertainment and edification, does he mean to bore us, berate us, or do nothing at all? Erin & Wes pass time by discussing “Waiting for Godot,” and whether frustrating expectations is sometimes better than either violating or gratifying them. Upcoming Episodes: The Mummy Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website

In this message, discover what it means to be God's workmanship as we explore Ephesians 2:1-10 and the loving work of our Heavenly Father. Whether God is adding new opportunities, removing what no longer belongs, or allowing seasons of pressure, every part of His work on you has a purpose: to shape you into the image of Christ. Through the pictures of the workbench, the chisel, and the potter's wheel, this sermon reminds us that the Father is still working. No season/time is wasted, and no life is beyond His hands. If you have been wondering what God is doing in your life, this message will encourage you to trust the Master Craftsman and the beautiful work He is creating.

Is it possible to use religion as an excuse for disobedience? In Episode 169 of the 2 Minute Disciple podcast, we meditate on Mark 7:9–13, where Jesus confronts the religious leaders for allowing human traditions to override God's command to honor father and mother. By declaring their resources “Corban,” they appeared deeply devoted to God while neglecting their responsibility to care for their parents. Jesus exposes a timeless temptation: using spiritual language, religious activity, or good intentions to avoid the clear commands of God. This contemplative devotional invites us to examine our own lives with honesty. Are there places where we've become skilled at justifying delayed obedience? Have busyness, tradition, or even ministry become reasons for avoiding what God has already made clear? Through guided prayer, reflective meditation, and a practical spiritual exercise, you'll be encouraged to close the gap between hearing God's Word and living it. Whether God is calling you to forgive, reconcile, honor someone, give generously, or take another step of obedience, this episode reminds us that true worship is expressed through faithful action. In this episode: • Mark 7:9–13 devotional reflection • Jesus confronts religious hypocrisy • Honoring father and mother • Human tradition versus God's commands • Christian meditation and contemplative prayer • Obedience over religious performance • Closing the gap between faith and action Slow down, listen, and let God's Word shape your obedience. Keywords Mark 7 9-13, honoring parents, honor your father and mother, Corban, human tradition, Mark 7 devotional, obedience to God, Christian meditation podcast, contemplative Christianity, Christian devotional podcast, religious hypocrisy, spiritual formation, Bible meditation, Christian discipleship, daily Christian encouragement, faith and obedience, Christian prayer podcast, biblical meditation, authentic Christianity, Gospel of Mark study, Christian spiritual growth, following Jesus, God's commands, Christian living, 2 Minute Disciple SEO Tags Mark 7, Mark 7:9-13, Honor Your Father and Mother, Corban, Human Tradition, Obedience, Christian Podcast, Bible Meditation, Christian Devotional, Contemplative Prayer, Gospel of Mark, Spiritual Formation, Christian Discipleship, Religious Hypocrisy, Authentic Faith, Christian Growth, Daily Devotional, Christian Meditation, Scripture Reflection, Following Jesus, Faith and Obedience, Christian Encouragement, Bible Study, Christian Living, 2 Minute DiscipleIs it possible to use religion as an excuse for disobedience? In Episode 169 of the 2 Minute Disciple podcast, we meditate on Mark 7:9–13, where Jesus confronts the religious leaders for allowing human traditions to override God's command to honor father and mother. By declaring their resources “Corban,” they appeared deeply devoted to God while neglecting their responsibility to care for their parents. Jesus exposes a timeless temptation: using spiritual language, religious activity, or good intentions to avoid the clear commands of God. This contemplative devotional invites us to examine our own lives with honesty. Are there places where we've become skilled at justifying delayed obedience? Have busyness, tradition, or even ministry become reasons for avoiding what God has already made clear? Through guided prayer, reflective meditation, and a practical spiritual exercise, you'll be encouraged to close the gap between hearing God's Word and living it. Whether God is calling you to forgive, reconcile, honor someone, give generously, or take another step of obedience, this episode reminds us that true worship is expressed through faithful action. In this episode: • Mark 7:9–13 devotional reflection • Jesus confronts religious hypocrisy • Honoring father and mother • Human tradition versus God's commands • Christian meditation and contemplative prayer • Obedience over religious performance • Closing the gap between faith and action Slow down, listen, and let God's Word shape your obedience. Keywords SEO Tags Mark 7, Mark 7:9-13, Honor Your Father and Mother, Corban, Human Tradition, Obedience, Christian Podcast, Bible Meditation, Christian Devotional, Contemplative Prayer, Gospel of Mark, Spiritual Formation, Christian Discipleship, Religious Hypocrisy, Authentic Faith, Christian Growth, Daily Devotional, Christian Meditation, Scripture Reflection, Following Jesus, Faith and Obedience, Christian Encouragement, Bible Study, Christian Living, 2 Minute Disciple

Out With the Old | Have you ever felt like you were slowly losing your faith? Maybe not because you wanted to walk away from God—but because disappointment, hurt, doubt, or religious pressure made faith feel exhausting instead of personal.In this message, we explore why Jesus didn't come to make religion better—He came to remove the barriers keeping people from a real relationship with Him. Looking at Jesus cleansing the Temple in Mark 11, we discover how religious systems, shame, performance, and fear can quietly disconnect people from God.If you've ever wondered:• Why church hurt affects your faith so deeply• Why religion can feel heavy instead of life-giving• Whether God is disappointed in you• If doubts and questions mean your faith is weak• Why Jesus challenged religious leaders so strongly• How to reconnect with God personally again…this message is for you.Jesus confronted the kind of religion that pushed people away from God instead of drawing them closer. He came to remove the pressure to perform, prove yourself, or pretend everything is fine. He came to offer something personal, freeing, and full of grace.Maybe the thing causing you to lose faith is actually something Jesus wants you to lose.This message kicks off our brand-new series, Losing Religion, where we'll discover the better way Jesus introduced—and why you don't have to walk away from faith to leave unhealthy religion behind.

Have you ever felt like you're drowning in the valley of your struggles, wondering if God sees your pain? In Psalms 23:5, Pastor Dave reveals a stunning truth: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." Right out of walking through the shadow of death, God doesn't just rescue you—He sets up a feast! The Hebrew word "prepare" means to arrange plates in rows, not just one blessing, but multiple provisions lined up for your breakthrough. Pastor Dave's passionate message reminds us that God doesn't wait for our enemies to leave; He blesses us right in their faces, moving obstacles out of our way or using them to prepare us for greater purpose. Whether God removes the mountain before you arrive or leaves it there to strengthen you, His anointing oil removes the ashes of your pain and fills your cup to overflowing—not just for you, but to bless others through you. Don't let another day pass believing your enemies have the final word. God is setting your table right now, and it's time to take your seat at His feast of favor and provision!Psalms 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meAll the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LordForever.

In this episode, Swamiji continues explaining Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 18, revealing the depth of true, selfless devotion.  He describes the highest state of love, where a devotee says, “O Lord, You are mine, I am Yours—no matter how You treat me.” Whether God shows affection, remains distant, or even appears harsh, the devotee's love does not decrease—it only keeps growing.  Swamiji explains that this is the real test of pure love. Unlike worldly love, which fades with changing circumstances, divine love remains steady even in adversity. It is not based on what we receive, but on complete surrender and belonging.  He also reveals a powerful secret: when we stop asking and start surrendering, God gives everything—even Himself. True devotion lies in giving, trusting, and accepting whatever comes as His grace.  This episode inspires us to rise beyond conditional devotion and embrace a love so deep that nothing can break it—a love where the soul firmly declares, “You are mine, forever.”  About Swami Mukundananda:  Swami Mukundananda is a renowned spiritual leader, Vedic scholar, Bhakti saint, best-selling author, and an international authority on mind management. He is the founder of JKYog, holds distinguished degrees from IIT and IIM, and is the senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. He has been sharing Vedic wisdom globally for decades. 

What does it look like to answer the call of God? In this message from Jeremiah 1, we're reminded that God knows us, sets us apart, equips us, and calls us to serve Him with obedience and faithfulness. Whether God is leading you to salvation, spiritual growth, or a specific assignment in ministry, the question is simple: will you say yes?

Whether God gives us miraculous deliverance or we walk through hardship, our hope is the same: Jesus has already secured the final victory. One day, when Christ returns, every promise will be fulfilled. Every tear will be wiped away. Every act of faith will be rewarded.Until that day, we live by faith.

If you've ever wondered, "Does God hate narcissists?" — especially in the context of a toxic or emotionally abusive Christian marriage — this video is for you. In today's podcast episode, we explore what the Bible actually says about narcissism, pride, oppression, and spiritual manipulation. Many Christian women trapped in marriages with a covert narcissistic husband struggle with confusion, guilt, and shame — especially when Scripture is used against them. But what does God truly say about narcissistic abuse? Does God defend the abuser? Does He expect you to endure emotional or spiritual harm in silence? In this episode, we unpack: What the Bible says about pride, oppression, and abusive behavior How narcissists twist Scripture to control their wives The difference between biblical submission and spiritual abuse Whether God supports staying in a toxic marriage How to discern truth from manipulation If you are a Christian woman dealing with a covert narcissist, emotional abuse, or spiritual manipulation in your marriage, this message will bring clarity and biblical truth. You are not crazy. You are not overreacting. And God is not blind to injustice.

“Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” (1 Samuel 30:24 NLT) In 1 Samuel 30, we find the story of David leading his men to victory in battle against Amalekite raiders who had plundered and burned the town of Ziklag. As David and the four hundred soldiers who had fought with him were returning home, those who had stayed behind to guard the camp and the supplies met them. Some of the troublemakers who had fought in the battle didn’t want to give any of the spoils of the battle to those who stayed by the camp. David said to the troublemakers, “Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment” (1 Samuel 30:24 NLT). Those who fought in the battle assumed that their role in God’s plan was more important than those who didn’t fight. David didn’t see it that way—and neither did God. And that principle still applies today to people who answer God’s call. Whether God has called you to serve Him in such a way that people see you or whether He has called you to serve Him by supporting others who are seen, God will bless you and reward you for your service. Maybe you feel as though your life isn’t really making a difference or that what you have to offer God doesn’t mean all that much. If so, you’ll be in for some surprises in Heaven, because what may not seem very valuable on earth will be of great value in Heaven. God’s Word leaves little doubt as to our worth in God’s eyes. The apostle Peter wrote, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9 NLT). We also have immeasurable value because we are God’s creation. The apostle Paul wrote, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). I read a story about a man who found an old, blue-and-white vase while he was cleaning his attic. He took it to an auction to sell it, thinking he would probably get twenty or thirty dollars from it, maybe one hundred dollars if he was lucky. To his utter amazement, the vase turned out to be an original fifteenth-century work of art from the Ming Dynasty. It sold for $324,000. What may not seem especially valuable now will prove to be extremely valuable later. Until then, we need to be faithful with what God has given us to do. Reflection question: What value does God see in your acts of faithfulness and service? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of All Rise, Abdu Murray and Derek Caldwell respond to one of the most painful and emotionally charged questions we've received from viewers: "Why do people die young?"  This question isn't theoretical. It's asked in hospital rooms, at gravesides, and in the grieving moments after sudden loss. It presses directly on the goodness of God, the reality of suffering, and whether faith can survive tragedy.  In today's episode, we explore:  Why the early death of young people strikes us as uniquely unjust  Whether God's goodness is compatible with allowing such loss  What Christianity does—and does not—claim about suffering and divine intervention  Why some common answers, even well-meaning ones, often make the problem worse rather than better  Rather than offering clichés or quick fixes, we slow down and take the question seriously—philosophically, theologically, and humanly—because some questions deserve more than platitudes.     

Welcome to ALIVE, our weekend Gospel preparation series.   In this reflection, Father Jonathan Meyer walks with us through Matthew 4:12–23, the Call of the Apostles, reminding us that God is not distant — He is actively calling each of us right now.   God calls us to prayer, to love, to repentance, to service, and sometimes to bold commitment. Too often we hesitate, overthink, or wait for the “perfect time.” But Jesus' invitation is simple: “Come after me.” And the response is just as simple — trust and follow.   Whether God is calling you to deeper faith, ministry, marriage, religious life, or to finally take that step you've been putting off, this reflection invites you to drop your nets and follow.  

This powerful message confronts anxiety head-on with a simple yet transformative approach: Stop, Breathe, and Pray. Drawing from personal experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder and crippling anxiety, we're reminded that our struggles don't make us less faithful—they make us human. The sermon beautifully distinguishes between fear (a clear and present danger) and anxiety (worry about what might happen), helping us understand what we're actually fighting. Central to this teaching is Philippians 4:6-7, which calls us to replace anxiety with thanksgiving and prayer, promising that God's peace will guard our hearts and minds. The profound insight here is that we thank God before making our requests—not after—because we trust His wise control over our lives. Whether God grants our request immediately, delays it, or redirects us entirely, He always gets it right. We're challenged to stop placing our trust in mere humans or our own strength (Jeremiah 17:5-7) and instead become like trees planted by the riverbank, with roots reaching deep into God's living water. The message acknowledges that medical help, therapy, and medication are valid tools—we're not less Christian for using them—but emphasizes that lasting peace comes from surrendering to Jesus, our ultimate source of comfort and hope.

To submit Qs for future Q&As (and get early access and other perks) consider joining our patreon here: www.patreon.com/anthonystongue In this episode, I sit down and respond to a wide range of questions from you all, touching on prayer, confession, mysticism, saints, suffering, hope, conversion, symbolism, and what it actually looks like to live a contemplative life in the middle of ordinary, busy days.Some of these questions are deeply theological.Some are personal.Some are tender and unresolved.All of them are honest.We talk about things like:Whether God can forgive sins outside the sacrament of confessionHow to discern God's will in painful, long-held prayersLay mystics and contemplation in ordinary lifeAnointing with oil, candles, and embodied spiritualityLetting go of past spiritual frameworks after conversionSaints, books, music, and the works that shaped me this yearAnd much moreThis is not meant to be consumed all at once.Feel free to pause, skip around, or come back later.Grab a drink. Sit with it. Let it unfold.Thank you for being here, and for trusting me with such thoughtful questions. I'm really grateful for this community.In Him, W.

Are you tired of feeling stuck, passive, and unsure how to step into the call of God on your life? In this Prophetic Spiritual Warfare teaching, Kathy DeGraw exposes the enemy's tactic of delay and equips you to activate your destiny, birth your vision, and stop wasting your God-given potential. Purchase Kathy's book Healed at Last – Overcome Sickness to Receive your Physical Healing on Amazon https://a.co/d/6a6mt8w or at: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/healed-at-last/ Purchase Anointing Oil with a prayer cloth that Kathy has personally mixed and prayed over on Kathy's Website or Amazon. Order anointing oil by Kathy on Amazon look for her brand here https://amzn.to/3PC6l3R or Kathy DeGraw Ministries https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/product-category/oils/ Training, Mentorship and Deliverance! Personal coaching, deliverance, ecourses, training for ministry, and mentorships! https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/training/# Too many believers are anointed, but neutralized by passivity, delay, and fear of the unknown. In this powerful message, Kathy DeGraw calls you out of spiritual stagnation and into your full kingdom destiny. Through real-life stories of launching products, getting books published, stepping into television and podcasting, and birthing ministry from her own living room, Kathy shows you how to partner with the Holy Spirit and the right mentorship to activate your calling and break passivity for good.   You'll discover why unused potential is not just unfortunate—it's disobedience that can open doors to procrastination, fear, and generational strongholds. Kathy challenges you to stop waiting for the perfect building, budget, or platform and start taking prophetic action with what you have in your hands right now. Whether God is stirring you to write a book, launch a podcast, start a business, or serve more deeply in your local church, this episode will ignite your faith, confront excuses, and give you practical steps to move from hearing to doing. It is time to rise up, get your boots on, and run hard after your God-given purpose. #propheticspiritualwarfare #activateyourcalling #breakpassivity #kathydegraw #kingdompurpose **Connect with Us** - Website: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathydegraw/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathydegraw/   Podcast - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and listen to Kathy's Podcast called Prophetic Spiritual Warfare, or on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/3mYPPkP28xqcTzdeoucJZu or Apple podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prophetic-spiritual-warfare/id1474710499   **Recommended Resources:** - Receive a free prayer pdf on Warfare Prayer Declarations at https://kathydegrawministries.org/declarations-download - Kathy's training, mentoring and ecourses on Spiritual Warfare, Deliverance and the Prophetic: https://training.kathydegrawministries.org/ - Healed At Last ~ Overcome Sickness and Receive your Physical Healing: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/healed-at-last/ - Mind Battles – Root Out Mental Triggers to Release Peace!: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/product/mind-battles-pre-order-available-january-2023/ -Kathy has several books available on Amazon or kathydegrawministries.org   **Support Kathy DeGraw Ministries:** - Give a one-time love offering or consider partnering with us for $15, $35, $75 or any amount! Every dollar helps us help others!  - Website: https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/donate/  - CashApp $KDMGLORY - Venmo @KD-Ministries - Paypal.me/KDeGrawMinistries or donate to email admin@degrawministries.org - Mail a check to: Kathy DeGraw Ministries ~ PO Box 65 ~ Grandville MI 49468  

Bishop Caggiano & Steve visited the campus of the school where Steve is known as “Coach”. They opened the floor to all the students of Cardinal Kung Academ so they could ask the Bishop whatever is on their minds and in their hearts. And we got some excellent questions, like:    …how can young people discern their vocations? …what is the Church's actual teaching about the death penalty? …do our pets go to Heaven? …what do you think is the most important thing we should be praying for right now? …what's the best way to make a taco?   And wait until you hear the rest of the questions! Definitely tune in to see Bishop Caggiano's wonderful conversation with these excellent high school students.   LINKS  email list: https://www.veritascatholic.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/veritascatholic/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/veritascatholic   Let Me Be Frank is made possible in large part due to listener support, if you'd like to help keep Let Me Be Frank and other Veritas Programs on the air, you can help support of Veritas at: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate    

Pastor Andy Cass Kids are naturally bold—honest, unfiltered, and fearless. Somewhere along the way, though, we lose that sense of daring faith. In Bold Go, Bold Stay, we're reminded that boldness isn't just about personality or volume; it's about posture—a Spirit-led conviction rooted in God's Word. Through Acts 17, we watch Paul and Silas live boldly and proclaim truth, even when it meant chaos, opposition, and risk. They went where God sent them, spoke what God gave them, and stood firm in the face of fear. Whether God calls you to go or stay, boldness begins with immediate obedience and continues with faithful endurance. Big Bold Idea: We're here today because someone before us loved and lived the Bible boldly — and was led by His Spirit. Supporting Scriptures: Acts 17:2–10; 2 Timothy 4:1–2; Ephesians 6:4; Luke 12:4; Romans 10:15–16 Notes: Five Words That Shape Boldness- Arrival – Bold is to Go. Boldness begins with a yes. It's immediate obedience — moving when God says “go,” not when you feel ready. Method – Bold is to Know. Know His Word, His Voice, and who you are in light of His truth. Boldness isn't recklessness — it's preparedness with purpose. Outcome – Bold is to Grow. What kind of fruit is your life producing? Boldness leads to growth in faith, character, and influence. Effect – Bold Won't Please Everyone. True boldness doesn't always draw applause. Sometimes it stirs opposition — but obedience matters more than approval. Departure – Bold Goes, Bold Stays. It takes courage to step out, and just as much courage to stay planted. Boldness is following the Spirit — whether He sends or settles you. Stay Connected: Give: https://theecho.churchcenter.com/giving Online Service: Sundays 9 AM (YouTube & Facebook Live) Connect: https://theecho.churchcenter.com/people/forms/113001 Instagram: @wearetheechochurch #EchoChurch #MadeToGarden #ChristianSermon #FaithGrowth #BibleTeaching

In this interview with Moreé Ervin, we're diving deep into what it really means to step out of your comfort zone and walk in obedience to God. Too often, comfort keeps us confined—stuck in what's familiar rather than stepping into what's faithful. In this podcast we learn that true growth, purpose, and transformation happen when we choose obedience over fear. Whether God is nudging you to start something new, leave something behind, or take a leap of faith, this conversation will remind you that His plans are always worth the risk. Go to https://voraathletics.co (https://voraathletics.co/) and use the promo code you receive during the podcast for 10% off of your purchase! This athletic line is one you can wear and know you're comfortable AND modest in every setting! Check out her podcast- Unlocking Gr8ness https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-gr8ness-with-more%C3%A9-ervin/id1760016254

When God Spoke to Me: A Journey of Personal Transformation Have you ever wondered what it feels like when God speaks to you? It's a profound experience that can lead to a Personal Transformation. Imagine walking down the street and suddenly feeling a sense of clarity and purpose. It's as if God spoke to me through a stranger, offering insights I never expected. What if I told you that God spoke to me in my head during moments of doubt? These experiences have shaped my life in ways I couldn't have imagined. It's not just about hearing a voice; it's about understanding the message and embracing the change it brings. The Power of Unexpected Encounters Sometimes, God spoke to me through another person, and it was in these moments that I found the guidance I needed. These encounters often come when we least expect them, offering a new perspective on our journey. It's amazing how a simple conversation can lead to a Personal Transformation. Listening to the Inner Voice There are times when God spoke to me in my head, providing comfort and direction. This inner voice can be a powerful tool for change, helping us navigate life's challenges. By tuning in, we can discover a path to Personal Transformation that aligns with our true purpose. Embracing Change and Growth Every time God spoke to me through a stranger, it was a reminder that growth often comes from unexpected places. For Ken Miller, God spoke to him as he started his third jail sentence. These moments of connection can inspire us to embrace change and pursue a life of meaning and fulfilment. It's about recognising the signs and taking action towards a Personal Transformation. In conclusion, the journey of Personal Transformation is deeply personal and unique to each individual. Whether God spoke to me through another person or God spoke to me in my head, these experiences have been pivotal in shaping my path. Embrace these moments, and let them guide you towards a life of purpose and fulfilment. Check social links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ken.miller.10420321 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenmiller1984/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenmiller84/ X - Twitter: https://x.com/millerkenneth20 ken@denalifsp.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dougbeitz/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dougbeitz/ Website: https://buymeacoffee.com/dougbeitz Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@IntuitiveConversationwithDoug Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6mQ258nugC3lyw3SpvYuoK?si=7cec409527d34438  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/intuitive-conversations-with-doug/id1593172364 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-beitz-472a4b338/

Welcome to episode 213 of Grasp the Bible. In this episode, we kick off our Fall series. Today, we talk about those times when God does not make sense.  Key takeaways:  The covenant God seems to be breaking covenant obligations.Habakkuk continuously cries, but God continuously doesn't respond. The prophet feels trapped in a cycle of unanswered prayer.If God sees everything and has power to stop evil, why does He merely observe without acting?God doesn't just rescue Habakkuk from low places; He elevates him to positions of spiritual authority and perspective that belong to Him.Habakkuk chooses joy before he sees any change in circumstances. Job 13:15 captures the tension between sovereign suffering and persistent faith. Job's statement isn't passive resignation—it's active, defiant trust. He's saying his relationship with God transcends even life and death. Whether God preserves or destroys him, God remains his God.Job understood something profound: his relationship with God wasn't based on what God did for him, but on who God is. This moves beyond transactional faith (serve God to get blessings) to transformational faith (serve God because He's worthy).Faith isn't blind optimism—it's confident trust based on God's proven character.·Choosing trust over understanding doesn't mean pretending everything is fine when it's not.  Trusting God means bringing your real emotions to Him, not hiding them from Him.Quotable:  God has already proven His love at a cross, and that love doesn't change based on your circumstances. Application:  Habakkuk shows us that faithful people can question God's methods while remaining committed to God's character.We don't live based on what we can see right now, but on what we know to be true about God's character and promises.How to pray when confused: Follow biblical models:Use the Psalms as prayer templates (especially Psalms of lament like 13, 22, 88)Be honest about your feelings while affirming God's characterAsk for wisdom (James 1:5) rather than demanding explanationsPray with others who can help bear your burdenI want to give you three specific steps to choose trust over understanding this week:First, write it down.  Write down one specific situation where you're demanding answers from God instead of trusting His character. Maybe it's a relationship, a health issue, a financial pressure, or a prodigal child. Please write it down.Second, declare it out loud. This week, I challenge you to speak Habakkuk's words over your situation. Stand in your kitchen, sit in your car, wherever you are, and say: 'Though _____ may not happen the way I want, though _____ may not change, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation.' Fill in those blanks with your specific situation. Third, share it with someone. Don't carry this burden alone. Before Sunday comes again, I want you to text, call, or meet with one person and say, 'I'm struggling to trust God with _____. Will you pray with me?' Connect with us:  Web site:  https://springbaptist.org  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus)  https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus)  Need us to pray for you? Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/    If you haven't already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider.

4. View of God. In Mormon thought, God has a physicalbody. According to Doctrine and Covenants, “The Father hasa body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Sonalso;” but “The Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh andbones, but is a personage of Spirit.”Whether God the Father is self-existent is unclear. There wasa long procession of gods and fathers leading up to ourHeavenly Father. Brigham Young once remarked, “How manyGods there are, I do not know. But there never was a timewhen there were not Gods and worlds.” What is clearer isthat the Mormon God is not a higher order or a differentspecies than man. God is a man with a body of flesh andbones like us.Mormons do not believe in the Trinity. They affirm the unityof three personages, but the unity is a relational unity inpurpose and mind, not a unity of essence. The threeseparate beings of the Godhead are three distinct Gods.5. View of Christ. Mormons believe Jesus is Redeemer,God, and Savior. He is endless and eternal, the only begottenson of the Father. Through Jesus, the Heavenly Father hasprovided a way for people to be like him and to live with himforever.But this familiar language does not mean the same thing toMormons as it does to Christians. Jesus was born of theFather just like all spirit children. God is his Father in thesame way he is Father to all. Whatever immortality orGodhood Jesus possesses, they are inherited attributes andpowers. He does not share the same eternal nature as theFather. Jesus may be divine, but his is a derivative divinity.Mormon theology teaches, in the words of Joseph Smith,that Jesus Christ is “God the Second, the Redeemer.”For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 8:00am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on 94.1 The Voice in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://941thevoice.com/podcasts/gospel-for-life/

3. View of man. According to Mormon theology, men andwomen are the spirit sons and daughters of God. We lived ina premortal spirit existence before birth. In this first estatewe grew and developed in preparation for the second estate.In this second estate we walk by faith. A veil of forgetfulnesshas been placed over our minds so we don't remember whatwe did and who we used to be in our premortal existence.Our purpose in this life is to grow and mature in a physicalbody to prepare us for our final eternal state.Mormons do not believe in human depravity. We are notimplicated in Adam's fall. We are basically good in our eternalnature, but prone to error in our mortal nature. The human isa being in conflict, but also a being with infinite potential.4. View of God. In Mormon thought, God has a physicalbody. According to Doctrine and Covenants, “The Father hasa body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Sonalso;” but “The Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh andbones, but is a personage of Spirit.”Whether God the Father is self-existent is unclear. There wasa long procession of gods and fathers leading up to ourHeavenly Father. Brigham Young once remarked, “How manyGods there are, I do not know. But there never was a timewhen there were not Gods and worlds.” What is clearer isthat the Mormon God is not a higher order or a differentspecies than man. God is a man with a body of flesh andbones like us.Mormons do not believe in the Trinity. They affirm the unityof three personages, but the unity is a relational unity inpurpose and mind, not a unity of essence. The threeseparate beings of the Godhead are three distinct Gods.For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 8:00am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on 94.1 The Voice in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://941thevoice.com/podcasts/gospel-for-life/

In this powerful episode, LaTunya Elise dives into the spiritual and symbolic meaning of mountains. What they're made of, why they form, and how faith has the power to move them. Blending biblical truth with natural insight, this message will help you see your obstacles differently and speak with authority to whatever has stood in your way. Whether God calls you to climb it or command it, this episode will stir your faith and shift your perspective.Send us a text and let us know what you think!Support the showShabbat Shalom

This week, Pastor Ralph Castillo continued our series in the Book of Acts, The Fifth Act, with an exploration of Acts 16 and the diverse group of people God welcomes into His unfolding story. As the Gospel spreads beyond Jerusalem, we meet Timothy, Lydia, a slave girl, and a Roman jailer. Each person came from a vastly different background, displaying the power and reach of God's redemptive work, and that the Holy Spirit guides, frees, and saves all kinds of people who say "yes" to His leading. Whether God is calling us to a consecrated life, to open our hearts to Him, to surrender sin, or to trust Him in difficult circumstances, every “yes” helps close the gap between what we read in Scripture and what we experience in our world today.

Today, we're really grateful to share a conversation with historian John Turner about the brand new biography he's just published: Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.John is a professor of Religious Studies and History at George Mason University. While  not a member of the the Latter-day Saint faith, he has had a particular fascination with the early history of Mormonism, and wrote an earlier biography of Brigham Young. Some of the interpretations and conclusions John draws in his book may differ from our own, but we found this new biography on Joseph to be meticulously researched and engagingly written.In this book, John doesn't aim to settle all debates between Joseph Smith's supporters and his detractors, but with more primary sources available than ever before, he hoped to provide a fuller picture of a figure who continues to shape who we are today. John says that while the question of “Whether God actually spoke to [Joseph] Smith is a matter of faith… there is no question about his prophetic self-conception.”We assume most listeners are familiar with the general contours of Joseph's life, so in this conversation we talked with John about some topics we felt needed more exploration: his family's early hardships and how they might have shaped his resilience as a spiritual leader; what the historical record tells us about the gold plates and Joseph's visions; and whether Joseph truly instigated and lived plural marriage.What struck us most was John's portrayal of Joseph's constant evolution—his willingness to revise, to explore, and to ask better questions. It made us wonder if Joseph's boldness and openness to change could serve as inspiration to us in today's church.We know that talking openly about Joseph—his humanity, his complexity, even his mistakes—can be challenging. But we hope this episode helps create more space for recognizing the humanity of our leaders, both past and present.

Trusting God with our family, finances, and future isn't easy…but it is necessary! We can't say we trust God and want Him to direct our lives and then not move an inch to obey. Whether God gives us an undeniable sign or not, we have to move; God cannot direct us if we're not actively obeying…simply put…He can't steer a parked car! In today's message, Pastor Gary will show you how simply acting upon the prompting of the Lord without sign after sign can bless your life and set God's will in motion!

In this episode, Gary shares about how to find courage to live for the Lord in the face of fear. Whether God is calling you into the unknown, or to stand firm against peer pressure, this message with strengthen you to be strong and courageous! "God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7).PURE ENCOURAGEMENT RESOURCES​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Stronghold Buster Worksheet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Take the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠30 Day Identity Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Start your Week with Monday Motivation​Bi-weekly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Need Soul Care?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join a Journey Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​More ⁠⁠Free Resources⁠⁠ at our Website

Rev. Hannah and Rev. Brittany are back again this week for Perspectives Pastors Podcast, continuing the multi-week conversation of Imago Dei – investigating what it means to be made in the image of God and celebrating the diversity of humankind. And this time, they’re discussing a rather divisive topic: political perspectives. This digital Bible study is inspired by Psalm 9:7-10. Join the discussion to hear these two female pastors’ views on: What the Bible says about politics. Whether God shows up in political situations. How Imago Dei applies to political structures and rule. The politicization and radicalization of compassion, justice, and other Biblical concepts. It’s a lot to digest. If you would like to examine these concepts with others, we invite you to head over to Patreon where you can connect with the First United Methodist Church of San Diego online community and unlock some additional inspiration. Or connect with our in-person Convergence group as you think about these questions posed by the clergywomen: How do you respond to the needs of the oppressed in times of trouble? How do you think God defines righteousness? What’s the difference between equity and equality? What is Patreon? Our online community has started to grow, so we’ve launched a Patreon channel! Located at Patreon.com/fumcsd, it’s a place where you can discuss the ideas from each episode, access some additional resources, and help support our digital ministry. When you become a free member, you’ll unlock the ability to discuss answers posed in each week’s podcast episode. There is also an option to unlock some extras by becoming a paid supporter at $5 or $10 per month.

Rev. Hannah and Rev. Brittany are back again this week for Perspectives Pastors Podcast, continuing the multi-week conversation of Imago Dei – investigating what it means to be made in the image of God and celebrating the diversity of humankind. And this time, they’re discussing a rather divisive topic: political perspectives. This digital Bible study is inspired by Psalm 9:7-10. Join the discussion to hear these two female pastors’ views on: What the Bible says about politics. Whether God shows up in political situations. How Imago Dei applies to political structures and rule. The politicization and radicalization of compassion, justice, and other Biblical concepts. It’s a lot to digest. If you would like to examine these concepts with others, we invite you to head over to Patreon where you can connect with the First United Methodist Church of San Diego online community and unlock some additional inspiration. Or connect with our in-person Convergence group as you think about these questions posed by the clergywomen: How do you respond to the needs of the oppressed in times of trouble? How do you think God defines righteousness? What’s the difference between equity and equality? What is Patreon? Our online community has started to grow, so we’ve launched a Patreon channel! Located at Patreon.com/fumcsd, it’s a place where you can discuss the ideas from each episode, access some additional resources, and help support our digital ministry. When you become a free member, you’ll unlock the ability to discuss answers posed in each week’s podcast episode. There is also an option to unlock some extras by becoming a paid supporter at $5 or $10 per month.

This week's topic comes from a listener in Blyth, ON who is curious to hear an explanation for and defense of the Reformed articulation of predestination and irresistible grace. In particular, she's interested to see how we would respond to the oft-repeated claim that "God wouldn't force people to love Him because He's a gentleman.” So by using the Scriptures and the Canons of Dort, we aim to do just that, laying out a case for how the Reformed view is deeply biblical, catholic, and pastoral, as well as how it best matches up with the experience of spiritual rebirth.    Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA. Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.

Here are the gutsy pro-life ads that interrupted The View, the World Series, and other programming during the presidential campaign. Whether God uses a donkey or Jonah, or anybody else, the prophetic word gets out for these empires that attempt a coup against the Almighty.  This program includes: 1. The World View in 5 Minutes with Adam McManus (Terrorist attack in New Orleans kills 10 and injures 35, Judge blocked Biden's pro-abortion regulations, China builds world's largest hydropower dam) 2. Generations with Kevin Swanson

Here are the gutsy pro-life ads that interrupted The View, the World Series, and other programming during the presidential campaign. Whether God uses a donkey or Jonah, or anybody else, the prophetic word gets out for these empires that attempt a coup against the Almighty. This program includes:1. The World View in 5 Minutes with Adam McManus (Terrorist attack in New Orleans kills 10 and injures 35, Judge blocked Biden's pro-abortion regulations, China builds world's largest hydropower dam)2. Generations with Kevin Swanson

We dive into the promise of God's faithfulness and renewal from Lamentations 3:22-23, exploring how His mercies are the foundation for fresh starts and restored hope.We'll focus on two powerful truths: • Restored Purpose – Purpose isn't a one-time act or a grand gesture; it's found in faithfulness to God's call in our everyday lives. • Restored Relationships – God's grace transforms broken connections and creates opportunities for healing and reconciliation.Whether God is making a path through the wilderness or a way through the waters, He provides exactly what we need for every season. This message will also invite you to embrace spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting, equipping you to step into 2025 with purpose and renewal.

First Part, Question 12, Articles 1, 11, 12 & 13; Article 1: Whether any created intellect can see the essence of God Article 11: Whether anyone in this life can see the essence of God Article 12: Whether God can be known in this life by natural reason Article 13: Whether by grace a higher knowledge of God can be obtained than by natural reason

First Part, Question 10, Articles 1 & 2 Article 1: What is Eternity? Article 2: Whether God is Eternal

First Part, Question 6, Articles 1 & 2 Article 1: Whether God is Good? Article 2: Whether God is the Supreme Good?

First Part, Question 2, Articles 1, 2 & 3.Article 1: Whether "God Exists" is self-evident; Article 2: Whether God's existence can be demonstrated; Article 3: Whether God exists

DEC. 3, 2024Faithfulness."Well done, good and faithful servant." Mt 25:23 NKJVJesus begins the parable of the talents with these words: "For the kingdom of heaven is like" (v. 14 NKJV). And one of the strongest points He makes is the importance of being faithful. Whether God gives you five talents, two talents, or one talent, the thing that matters to Him is your faithfulness. "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord'" (v. 21 NKJV). You will notice that He did not say, "Well done, popular servant," or "brilliant servant," but"faithful servant." Christ is talking about those who are often unnoticed but indispensable to His purposes. He is talking about those who blow no trumpets, wave no banners, and demand no applause. He is talking about those who show up day after day and use the talents God gives them, to do the job He has assigned to them. Unnoticed by men, but noticed and rewarded by God! "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (Heb 6:10 NKJV).These words describe those who shun the limelight and are happy to serve in the shadows. They describe those who not only start the race but run the race day after day, who don't stop until they reach the finish line. Others may not think that you make much of a difference, but God does. While others make much out of skill levels and success levels, God measures you by your faithfulness.Faithfulness Unnoticed by men, but noticed by GodShare This DevotionalSend us a textSupport the showChanging Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!

God's word is true! Whether God's word sounded ‘good' to the people (or not), His word is always true. We are to receive His word, believe it, and speak it…because the things God says, He means. Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/preach-the-word/id1449859151?mt=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aSveQvIs7SPHWB4UcmSUQ

God's Plan And Purpose For Evil (1) (Audio)  David Eells – 10/13/24  Many of God's people are having a problem forgiving their enemies in these days when we have seen so much evil. It is God's place to judge and recompense evil. Have you not read? Rom 9:21 Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? We've all been sinners from the same lump of clay But we got unmerited favor and they did not. The old saying is true: “There but for the grace of God go I.” So we got grace but they got justice. We must forgive to be forgiven. God is sovereign over all things; even those He draws unto Himself. Some think this not so, but let's see. Let's begin with a little foundation of God's sovereignty. We are shown in Rom.8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, [even] to them that are called according to [his] purpose.  Do we really believe that “all things” work together to bring to pass the good purpose of God for His called? Our reactions to life's circumstances are a good gauge of this. Knowing God's purpose in all things gives great peace. What purpose is Paul speaking of in the above verse? In the next verse we can see that he is talking about the purpose of bringing many sons into the image of Jesus Christ. (Rom.8:29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. God foreordained or pre-determined to bring His true children into the image of Jesus. This has been God's purpose since the creation of the world, even before man was created and fell.   All things serve God in order to manifest His sons. That is why God created this world. Some people who do not understand may see failure in God's plan. But when we study the sovereignty of God, we see there is no failure in God's system. Sovereignty means to exercise supreme and independent authority. Even sin, evil, and the fall will serve God's purpose. He is going to have sons to fellowship with throughout eternity. Toward this purpose, He is going to make all things work together for good. All things are not good, but all things work together for good. As I have said many times, “What does ‘all' leave out?” Applying this truth to our life takes thought.  God must be omnipotent (all-powerful) over all things to make this statement. He must also be omniscient (all-knowing) in order to make such all-encompassing statements in His Word. The Scriptures proclaim that God has sovereign control over all things that have anything to do with your life. He never falls off the throne and He never shares the throne with the devil. The authority that the devil has is according to God's design and laws. Everything serves God in the ongoing creation of sons and daughters. (Psa.119:91) They abide this day according to thine ordinances; For all things are thy servants. All things serve Him in this process, good and bad, to bring to pass His plan.   God never created anything that could thwart His plan, because God never makes mistakes. God even makes the evil to bring to pass His plan. Some will argue with that. Hopefully, you will change your mind as we examine the Scriptures. Evil is a tool of God's sovereignty to bring us to purity and maturity. Without the evil, there is no one to put us on the cross, to persecute us, and to cause temptations to rise up so that we might reject them and be cleansed. God has made everything, even the wicked for the day when His people will need chastening. (Pro.16:4) The Lord hath made everything for its own end (Some manuscripts say: for His own purpose.); Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.   The apostle Paul learned contentment. He understood that none could thwart God's good plan for him. Anxiety, fear, or impatience only comes because of our own nearsighted, immature understanding of God's master plan for us. You can imagine how valuable a great apostle and evangelist such as Paul was to the saints in his day. But, in this case, Paul was put in prison. (Php.1:12) Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the Gospel; (13) so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest; (14) and that most of the brethren in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the Word of God without fear.   Paul had an understanding that the devil was not the author of his imprisonment because of its value to God's kingdom. Everything is going to work together for the good, individually and corporately. Individually it was for Paul's good, and corporately it was for the brethren's good. The Gospel went out because Paul was in prison. It was from prison that Paul wrote much of the New Testament. The Word of God went more places and was spread much faster because Paul was in prison. People became bold to go out and preach the Gospel because he was in prison.   Sometimes we look at circumstances instead of the Word and think that the devil has been able to stop God's plan. God would have never made the devil if he had been someone who could stop His plan. Some may think that God did not make the devil, but rather a good angel that fell. Since God is all-knowing as the Scriptures say He is, He knew His angel would become the devil. He is also all-powerful to stop what He knew would happen, therefore, at least by omission, He is the creator of the devil. God says in (Isa.45:7) I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am the Lord, that doeth all these things. (Isa.54:16)… I have created the waster to destroy. (17) No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…   Since God created the evil waster, then obviously, He has authority to say that he cannot prosper against us. Evil cannot prosper for its own purpose, only God's good purpose. Do you suppose the three Hebrews wondered why the God to whom they had been so faithful had ordained the wicked to cast them into a fiery furnace? Those Hebrews found out this trial was to impress a heathen king with the power and saving grace of the God of Israel. He was impressed when God appeared to be walking with them through the fire and there was no harm to their bodies or clothes, only their ropes or bondage was burned off (Dan.3:25-27). God's purpose was to impress the heathen and to deliver them from bondage. This is a type or shadow of His purpose in our lives, too.  Everything that God is doing, He is doing according to the counsel of His own Will. There is not another completely free will in all of creation. If there were, this would be a dangerous place. A free will is a will that is able to do what it wants. Thank God that it is only His good free will, which “worketh all things after the counsel of his will,” that is in control.  I want to encourage you and show you how God is using the wicked and their evil works and His purposes for it. As we saw, He said in (Isa.45:7) I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am the Lord, that doeth all these things. What good reason could God possibly have in creating darkness and evil? Be patient, believe the Scriptures and receive a wonderful understanding of this. Let's examine how God exercises His Will over evil and to what extent.   In (Isa.10:5) Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation! In this verse, God calls the enemy of Israel His rod and staff to correct them. In Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd uses His rod and staff to comfort David. The rod and staff were tools of the shepherd. The Lord, our Shepherd, uses our enemies as tools to correct us and keep us in line. (Isa.10:6) I will send him against a profane nation (Israel or the Church), and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. (7) Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.   Notice that the Assyrians did not know they were sent by God to fulfill His plan. It was in their heart to take a spoil and a prey. Whenever God uses vessels of dishonor, they are just fulfilling their lusts. God worked in the Assyrians to will and to do of His good pleasure. We will see that God does this with all of His vessels of dishonor. He has purpose for the wicked in the earth, otherwise, He would have removed them long ago. After God fulfills that purpose, He will do away with them.   (Isa.10:12) Wherefore it shall come to pass, that, when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. (13) For he hath said, By the strength of my hand I have done it… Notice that the king of Assyria thought that he had done this by his own strength. As history and this verse prove, when God is finished using the wicked for His people, He will destroy them. From the beginning, God did not intend to immediately do away with the wicked but to use them to perfect His people.  He commanded the angels to let the tares grow together with the wheat until the end (Mat.13:30), and only then will He separate and destroy the wicked (Mat.13:41-42). He explained that if you gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them (Mat.13:29). If God took away the tares, the wheat would die for lack of chastening and object lessons.   (Isa.10:13) For he hath said, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom…The Assyrians believed that this victory was by their wisdom and strength, but God claimed to be using them as a tool. (15) Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? shall the saw magnify itself against him that wieldeth it? as if a rod should wield them that lift it up, [or] as if a staff should lift up [him that is] not wood. That is the way God sees this army, like a dumb tool. God wielded the axe, saw, rod, and staff and lifted it up to work on His creation. How ludicrous for men to take any credit. God is sovereign, and everything else is a tool to be used by Him in the chastening and perfecting of His saints.   We should know that God sends these tools to us to carve us into a vessel for His use and that we need to submit for our own sake. These tools are necessary until the saints are God's finished creation and then He will put them away. Meanwhile, we need not fear that the purpose of evil is prospering. (Isa.54:16)… I have created the waster to destroy. (17) No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper… How comforting it is to know that only God's purpose is prospering!   Even Satan is not put in his place until the end when the tempting and crucifying of the saints is over. (Rev.20:1) And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. (2) And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, (3) and cast him into the abyss, and shut [it], and sealed [it] over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.  One angel had no trouble chaining Satan and casting him into the pit. That was so easy that God could have done it a long time ago if He wanted to. According to the theology of most, God would have had to send an army of angels to get that “heavyweight.” After all, has he not been resisting God for over 6,000 years? Wrong! Notice that after 1,000 years God looses him again! Does that give you any idea about who loosed him the first time in the Garden of Eden? Does God loose Satan to do His Will, or to thwart His Will?   (Rev.20:7) And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, (8) and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (9) And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them. (10) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire…   (11) And I saw a great white throne… God loosed the devil to deceive all the evil nations, to make war on the saints. He did this so that He could rain down fire on the nations to destroy them, just in time for the great white throne judgment of the wicked. God did not even need the angels to destroy the devil and all of his children. He could have done this in the garden and saved us the trial, but it was not His plan!   Who cast the devil and his angels down to the earth to deceive the nations and to make war on the saints during the Tribulation period? (Rev.12:7) And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels [going forth] to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; (8) And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. (9) And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him. Then the devil in the beast made war with the saints.   (Rev.13:7) And it was given unto him (the beast) to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. If God was going to cast the devil and his angels down, why not cast them into the lake of fire? Instead, God restrained them to the earth where we are! God needed the hoards of evil to separate the tares from the wheat and to mature the saints. Notice, there “was given unto him” (the beast), both authority over the nations and authority to make war on the saints. God gave authority to the devil, who dwelt in the beast and gave authority to the beast, to try the saints and to crucify their flesh.   Back to (Isa.10:20) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and they that are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again lean upon him that smote them, but shall lean upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. People lean on the flesh and the world. We trust in America to defend and make us socially secure. The world has our love, respect, honor, and fear, all of which belongs only to God. God has a remedy for that. God brought the illicit lovers of Israel against her so that she would learn who the true enemies of her soul were. In this case, the Lord is showing us the same thing.   One of His remedies for us loving the things, people, and thinking of the world is that He is going to bring all that against us. (Mat.24:9) Ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name's sake. It is necessary that we be hated of all nations so that God's name is manifest in us. It is necessary that the world hate us to turn our heart away from the love of the world. God's people were too comfortable in Egypt so He turned the Egyptians' heart to hate His people (Psa.105:25). Then He saved them from the hand of him that hated them (Psa.106:10). First, God turned their heart against Israel, then, God delivered Israel out of their hand, and they were so grateful.   In (2Sa.7:14) I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men. God's purpose in creating sons is going to be fulfilled by using vessels of dishonor to chasten His sons for their sins. The rod is physical men, armies, and nations. God uses spiritual principalities and powers to motivate these vessels of dishonor. If I were to pick up a stick and hit my neighbor with it, you would accuse me of evil. On the other hand, if I take the same stick and go chasten my child because of willful disobedience, you should think that good (Pro.23:13-14). What is the difference? The same stick was used, but the purpose was opposite. To attribute evil to God for using evil shows a lack of understanding of His purpose or motive.   God is going to use evil to do good. God is good and all things that God does are good. We cannot limit God with self-righteous thinking. God is going to do a good work with evil. In fact, without evil, God cannot do this work. (1Ti.1:20) of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme. The word “blaspheme” here means “to speak evil against.” These men were speaking evil against either someone or the truth, and Paul, for God, turned them over to Satan so that they might be taught not to blaspheme. Satan teaches us much. In most cases, it is Satan and his demons that execute the curse on those that sin.   The curse was spoken and ordained by God in Deuteronomy 28 to motivate sinners to repent. Satan tempts us with lusts, but when we give in, he legally may administer the curse until we repent. When we get out from under the blood, Satan is waiting. It is not in Satan's mind to teach us anything or chasten us. That is God's purpose. Satan is full of lust, and hates mankind and wants to do evil against mankind. Satan does not wish to teach us, mature us, or bring us to an understanding of God but he still brings that to pass.   Jesus said, If a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand (Mar.3:24). Satan's kingdom is divided against itself because what he does to the people of God causes them to repent and mature. It is not just Satan, but everything around us that God is going to use to bring us to maturity. Satan, the leader over the vessels of dishonor, is very important to this process. Satan is in command over the wicked spirits and thus, wicked people. God is in command over Satan. The Scripture says, “All things work together for good.” According to this, what Satan does to us is for our good. Does Satan understand what he is doing? No, he does not understand.   According to the law of sowing and reaping, he has sown deceit, therefore he is deceived. He is out to take man's position of authority by tempting him to sin. Satan is also a created being. God did not create any being that was going to be able to thwart His Will. He created everything for the purpose of bringing His chosen into the image of Jesus Christ. There are several methods that God uses to move the wicked, Satan, and the demons. One is by the power of suggestion. He works in them to will and to do of His good pleasure. He also commands or gives permission to them.   We read in (1Co.5:5) to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. This man had his father's wife, probably what we would call a stepmother. Paul spoke to the elders in Corinth and determined to agree with them to turn this man over to Satan. Do you think that Satan is thinking about destroying people's fleshly nature to save their spirit? The flesh is Satan's ally and a manifestation of his very nature.  Paul is taking authority over the power of the enemy and using that power to chasten rebellious children of God. (Luk.10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy… (20) Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you… Jesus delegated authority over the power of enemy spirits to His disciples.   Disciples have a right by the Spirit of God to use their power or to forbid their power. (Mat.18:18) Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind (forbid) on earth shall be bound (forbidden) in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose (permit) on earth shall be loosed (permitted) in heaven. Disciples have authority to forbid or permit. With the guidance of God's Spirit, mature disciples can permit the devil's power for a good purpose, “that the spirit may be saved.” In this way, God exercises His sovereignty through His disciples.   When Jesus sent out His disciples to make disciples, He commanded them to pass on the same authority and commands that He had given them. (Mat.28:20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. If we are disciples (Greek: methetes, “learners and followers”) of Christ, we have the same commands. Jesus said that He would be with them to do this “even unto the end of the world.” Obviously, the original disciples did not live that long, therefore He is speaking to all disciples.   Today, ministries go from one extreme to the other. Either God's ministers are totally powerless in the face of rebellion or they exercise carnal dominion like the Pharisees. Just as a father and mother have authority in a family to chasten their children physically, the leadership in the Church has authority, because of the love of Jesus, over His children. This authority is not for the purpose of personal animosity, anger, or vengeance. It is because we do not want to see God's people come to the end of their lives having never repented of their sins and fall off into the pit. God's purpose has to be continually working in a person's life to bring them to maturity, to get them ready to face Him. In the above reference, Paul turned this man over to Satan in obedience to the Spirit, out of love. Some worry about the possibility of abuse here, but the curse that is causeless alighteth not (Pro.26:2).  We read in (Rom.8:7) Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. It is God's plan for Satan to administer chastening. It is Satan's lust to do what he is permitted, to destroy man. Satan has been given power over the flesh. Do you remember the serpent in the garden? He was cursed to crawl on his belly and to eat the dust of the earth. What is the dust of the earth? It is what our flesh was made from. Satan has been given authority to come against flesh. I am speaking not only of this body but also of the carnal desires and appetites that gratify self. Satan's job is to devour the old man, and he is very good at it. The benefit is the saving of the spiritual man.   God commonly turns us over to Satan for chastening when we walk in willful disobedience. In Matthew 18, we have a case of unforgiveness. (Mat.18:34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors (demons), till he should pay all that was due. (35) So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. This is a common thing. When we see ourselves delivered over to the curse, we should examine our conscience to see if there is cause to repent. I say “if,” because sometimes Satan is permitted to come against us to build our faith and to prove our authority over him. God uses a very bad devil to do a very good work in more ways than one.   It says in (2Pe.2:9) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment; (10) but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion… God takes credit for keeping the rebellious under judgment. Some live under judgment all their life because they “walk after the flesh.” If we do not understand the sovereignty of God, many times we are going to go through a lot more judgment. We need to recognize God's purpose in everything. He uses Satan, his demons, or the wicked people around us to chasten and bring us to repentance or to build our faith through trials.   Many only see the vessel; they do not see God behind the vessel whose purpose is being fulfilled. Satan would have us believe that the reason he comes against us is because we are good children of God. However, God would have us believe that when Satan comes against us it is because He loves us and chastens our corrupt nature and acts, or to give our faith a spiritual workout. If you only see Satan coming against you and not God, then you do not have any motivation to change. But, if you see God sending Satan against you, then you are motivated to change. (Joh.3:27) … A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.   (Heb.2:2)… Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. All you have to do is look at the recompense, and you can tell when something is a transgression. When we look at the recompense we can see if it is wrong. Is it wrong to recreationally indulge in hard liquor? Look at the recompense, deterioration of the body and spirit. Is it wrong to smoke? Look at the recompense, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, and other physical complications. People who are bitter, angry, and unforgiving are delivered over to cancer, arthritis, and other immune deficiencies.   Many with cancer or arthritis have kept up anger and bitterness in their lives. Anxiety and worry gives way to ulcers. You do not have to ask if it is sin; look at what it does to people. Even if you do not know a verse that tells you it is a sin, look at the fruit of it. Look at what comes against you because of it. God has ordained the entire curse system to come against those who transgress. Whether God is using the devil, his demons, wicked people around you, sickness, or any other part of the curse, He is doing it to bring us to repentance and fruit.   God will use evil spirits to humble us and bring about good fruit in us. Paul is a good example. He was caught up to the third heaven and received wonderful revelations that tempted him to be proud. (2Co.12:7) And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger (Greek: angelos, “angel”) of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. Paul says the thorn was an angel of Satan to buffet him. The word “buffet” means “to hit over and over.” You can see that this evil spirit was given to Paul to fulfill God's purpose of humbling him.   (2Co.12:8) Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for [my] power is made perfect in weakness… This angel of Satan was bringing about a humbling in Paul's life that God called grace. When Paul was in a position of personal weakness or inability to save himself, he got to see God's power to save. It should be the same with us. Earlier in the text, Paul lists what he calls weaknesses. He lists things such as shipwrecks, prisons, persecutions from enemies, and stripes. Not once does Paul mention sickness in the list. The point is that God uses evil angels to come against our lusts, to humble us, to chasten us, and to cause us to repent.   (2Co.12:8) Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it (the angel of Satan or demon) might depart from me. (9) And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee… God was saying that He would deliver Paul from the individual buffetings, but not from the angel of Satan. Paul said as much to Timothy. (2Ti.3:11) Persecutions, sufferings. What things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2Tim.4:18) The Lord will deliver me from every evil work… In this, we see the sovereignty of God in both bringing the chastening and supplying the deliverance.   We read in (2Th.1:4) So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure. God never does anything just for one purpose. (2Th.1:5) [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.   Sometimes God's method is to use an angel of Satan to bring us into persecution and affliction, which Paul said was a token of the judgment of God to get us ready for His kingdom. Most often, the demons are administering the curse to do that. All things, curses and blessings, are working together for our good. We have a covenant right to deliverance from the curse. (Gal. 3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us…   Now let's go to (Psa.78:43) How he set his signs in Egypt, And his wonders in the field of Zoan, (44) And turned their rivers into blood, And their streams, so that they could not drink. (45) He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; And frogs, which destroyed them. (46) He gave also their increase unto the caterpillar, And their labor unto the locust. (47) He destroyed their vines with hail, And their sycomore-trees with frost. (48) He gave over their cattle also to the hail, And their flocks to hot thunderbolts. (49) He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, Wrath, and indignation, and trouble, A band of angels of evil.   (50) He made a path for his anger; He spared not their soul from death, But gave their life over to the pestilence (51) And smote all the first-born in Egypt. Here we have God sending judgments, which He called “a band of angels of evil,” to chasten His people and destroy their enemies. When God sent all these judgments through “angels of evil,” they came against both the Egyptians and the Israelites in the beginning until His people were willing to come out of Egypt. Then God made a separation between Goshen and Egypt. The judgments then fell only on the Egyptians so that God's people would be set free. When we repent of living in Egypt, we do not have to live under the judgments. And (Exo.12:23) For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. Notice that the Lord passed over the Israelites' door with the destroyer and smote the Egyptians. The king angel of the abyss in Revelation 9:11 was Apollyon (in the Greek) or Abaddon (in the Hebrew), and both of these names mean “destroyer.”   These are just two of the many names for the devil. He was the king demon over death, but God had authority over him. The destroyer came through at midnight, exactly when God said he would. God's purpose was for him to destroy God's enemies and anyone who did not partake of the lamb. God told them to eat the lamb, and the destroyer would not smite them. That is how we come out from under the curse of sin and death. We must eat the lamb, Jesus Christ, the Word. By consuming and digesting the Word of God, we are delivered from the curse and manifest our sonship.   Sennacherib, king of the Assyrian Empire, had sent his vast army against Judah, but God promised them victory through Isaiah. (Isa.37:7) Behold, I will put a spirit in him, and he shall hear tidings, and shall return unto his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. God put a demon spirit in Sennacherib, who, hearing voices, was then afraid of being away from home. Many demon-possessed people hear voices. The demons want to destroy God's people. Sometimes they have no choice in what they do. God used this demon to take the king home where he fell by the sword of two of his sons (Isa.37:38).   Some ministers, who have not lived righteous lives and yet retain authority over God's people, have been demon-possessed. King Saul was just such a man. God called him and anointed him, but he rebelled. (1Sa.16:14) Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. If most people did not know this was in the Word, they would accuse me of heresy. We read here an evil spirit from the Lord troubling Saul because he would not obey. (15) And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. (16) Let our lord now command thy servants, that are before thee, to seek out a man who is a skilful player on the harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. Of course, they found David with his harp to comfort the king. Isn't that something? God sent an evil spirit to trouble Saul and then sent David with his harp to give him some relief from the torment. He works on us from both sides.   I ministered in an assembly once where I discerned that the pastor had demons. He was having problems with women, money, and honesty. He told me three times that God had spoken to him that he was Saul and I was David. I shared with him truths that would help him to overcome, but he was self-willed. I asked the Lord what to do about him because he was causing believers to stumble. God said, “Let the Philistines take him out.” The Philistines were the enemies of God's people who took Saul out. The enemies of God's people did take this man out, too. I ended up taking over the ministering there for a short time. It was Saul and David all over again. God worked on this man from both sides. In Deuteronomy 28, God says over and over that He would send the curse to the rebellious, and now we know that He sent Jesus to deliver from that curse.   We are constantly faced with a choice. God has put us here for our soul to make a decision between our flesh and our spirit. We are the highest creation of God and the lowest creation of God. We are between heaven and hell, between demons and the angels, between God and the devil. Every way we turn, there is a decision to be made. God planned it that way. He is saying to rebellious people, “The curse is in front of you; do not go. But if you do, it is your own fault, and you will pay a penalty.” At the same time He offers grace to make the right decision.   God raised up Gideon to conquer Israel's enemies. After this, Gideon would not accept a position of authority over Israel. In fact, he would not let his sons take a position of authority over Israel while he was alive (Jdg.8:23). Gideon had seventy-one sons, one of these by a concubine in Shechem. This son lusted after authority and wanted to be the next king over Israel. So he conspired with the men of Shechem to kill Gideon's seventy sons. All but Jotham were murdered. Jotham prophesied the following to the men of Shechem after they had executed the dastardly deed: (Jdg.9:20)… Let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.   God was pronouncing through Jotham a curse of division upon the guilty parties. (Jdg.9:22) And Abimelech was prince over Israel three years. (23) And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech: (24) that the violence done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid upon Abimelech their brother, who slew them, and upon the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to slay his brethren. God wanted to judge and destroy this evil alliance so He sent an evil spirit between them to divide and conquer. Both Abimelech and the men of Shechem were destroyed because of this one evil spirit. God used evil to judge the guilty and to deliver His people from their hand.   Once I was ministering in an assembly along with two other ministers. These two ministers were grieving me because they were continually patting each other on the back, even while they were agreeing to disagree with God's Word. When I went home one evening after witnessing them confirm one another's errors in front of the congregation, I felt that the Lord put in my heart to pray that He would send an evil spirit between these two ministers to break up this evil alliance. I was shocked. The next day, I found out that on the very evening of my prayer, those two had fallen out with one another to the degree that they had separated. God used that to separate this evil alliance between these two people.   God uses this method all through the Scriptures. Let me share another example. (Rev.16:14) For they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. Here demons gather the whole world to fight the battle of Armageddon. The same account in Zechariah says that God gathered the whole world to that battle. (Zec.14:2) For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle… (3) Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. So now we see that God will use the demons to gather the enemy army against His people just so that He can destroy them and save His people. Friend, can you see that if God [is] for us, who [is] against us? (Rom.8:31) On the other hand, if God is against us then who can be for us?   After gathering the nations to the battle, the Lord said that He would “fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle.” In 2 Chronicles 20:17, the Lord told Jehoshaphat, “Ye shall not need to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” He was going to fight this battle. His method of warfare is described in the following verses: (2Ch.20:22) And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, that were come against Judah; and they were smitten. (23) For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.  I used to think that they waited in ambush for one another. But as I looked at the Scripture more carefully, I discovered that God set liers-in-wait for the whole army so that they fell out with one another. The demon spirits who brought them there were waiting to assemble them so that they could ambush them with suspicion, greed, anger, fear, etc., and cause them to destroy one another. He divided three armies that came as one into three, and they killed off one another. Since God is paralleling this to the battle of Armageddon, He will cause a civil war in the midst of the end time beast kingdom, and they will divide into kings of the north, kings of the south (Dan.11:40), and kings of the East (Rev.16:12) to destroy one another and save God's people. God is in control of demons, therefore, He is also in control of their obedient servants, men. All this is for the purpose of bringing us to repentance and glorifying Himself in our eyes and the world's. This should be a word of encouragement to anyone.   Though God uses evil spirits to divide, He also uses us to forbid them when appropriate. God wants us to resist the devil, to not permit his lies or his accusing of the brethren. God expects us to be vigilant and to test the spirits at all times. The ability to test with discernment comes from the practice of seeking to be a vessel of honor and having our spiritual senses exercised by the Word to discern good and evil (Heb.5:13-14). It is a pity more of God's people do not hear from the Lord today.   Many falsely believe that the division of an assembly of Christians could not possibly be the Will of God. The assembly at Jerusalem was scattered by persecution in order to spread the Gospel. Israel rebelled from under the house of David leaving only Judah and Benjamin. King Rehoboam gathered his army to bring the rebels back into the fold, but the Lord through the prophet spoke to them. (1Ki.12:24) Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is of me… Other reasons for division could be because the assembly is too large to meet the needs of the individual or because the assembly is apostate and ruled by men, in which case, the people would not grow up in Christ.   God divided Babel because their unity was for the purpose of evil. Notice it was the tongue that divided them just as the denominations are divided now. God's purpose in division is always good but man's purpose is generally evil. Denominationalism is the tendency to divide into sects and is a work of the flesh according to the Word (Gal.5:20; 1Co.1:10-13; 1Co.3:1-8; 1Co.11:17-19; and so on.). Jesus prayed that His disciples would be one even as He and the Father are one (Joh.17:21-22). This can only happen when in the Tribulation the righteous give up their sects to be one flock with one Shepherd (Joh.10:16).   Now let's go to (Rom.9:17) For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth. (18) So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth. Here it is hard to escape the fact that God made Pharaoh stubborn in order to make Himself famous and powerful in the eyes of men. God knows that we need to perceive a great God and Savior. Those who ignorantly think they are defending God's reputation usually say that Pharaoh hardened his own heart first. (Exo.4:21) And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest back into Egypt, see that thou do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in thy hand: but I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go. (Exo.7:3) And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.   Five times in Exodus, God says that He hardened Pharaoh's heart before we are told that Pharaoh… hardened his heart (Exo.8:15). God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to set His people free. He then hardened Pharaoh's heart to refuse to set them free. To Israel this made their freedom naturally impossible. God gave to them what they perceived as hopeless in order to glorify Himself in their eyes. They needed to know that He could save them from anything in their coming wilderness trial. God and you are a majority in any situation.   If that was not enough, God hardened Pharaoh's heart again to cause him to follow the Israelites into the Red Sea to the Egyptians' destruction. (Exo.14:4) And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host… Unlike the movies, this is the only Pharaoh that they have found that died of drowning. All this was just to impress Israel with God's power to set free. They were going to need this in the trials to come.   Have you ever had some hardened heart in a position of power over you? Go to God, not Pharaoh. All Moses ever got from him was insolence. Have you considered your flesh? Does it seem more powerful than your ability to obey God? That was God's plan. He wants to show us His power to save from sin. (2Co.4:7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. God wants no competition from our own ability. He wants to prove the power of His grace through our faith in Him.  It says in (Pro.26:2) As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not. No curse can alight upon us unless there is a cause. Sin and corruption are the most likely cause. Only God's purpose is fulfilled in a curse. It says in (Num.23:8) How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? And how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? We are really wise if we are looking for the cause, and not looking at the curse, or looking at the devil. If we deal with the cause, we do not have to live with the curse.   The problem is people will not deal with the cause. They just live with the curse and try by man's methods to be delivered from it. If man, by his own methods, could deliver us from the curse that God sent to cause us to repent, man would be detrimental. What if we examine our conscience and do not see the cause? Then it is very possible that the cause is so that we renew our mind with the Word and fight the good fight of faith. Sometimes the Lord sends Satan against us so that we can whip him. Yes, God does that to prove to us that His Word is true and that we have authority over all the power of the enemy. God's ultimate purpose is to manifest His sovereignty through us.   God wants us to learn to fight a spiritual warfare. God gives us practice sometimes. When Satan comes against us through demons, wicked people, or circumstances, we should examine our conscience. If we do not find guilt because of willful disobedience, then we should exercise the authority that Jesus gave us against Satan, because we are going to win. In coming against Satan, we are also crucifying our old man because our old man is created in the image of Satan. When we fight with Satan, we fight with “self”. When we win against Satan, we win against “self”. That is another part of God's plan that is so perfect and so beautiful. Amen.   Let's go to (Lam.3:37) Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Can evil command something and it come to pass if the Lord has not commanded it? No! God is sovereign. Jesus said His words were not His but the Father's. We know this was true because they came to pass. By the grace of God, I have commanded healings, miracles, provisions and deliverances that have come to pass. Religious people have told me that my faith was presumptuous because we cannot know the Will of God. I have thought, “How ludicrous! Do I have power to do these things? God did them. I merely agreed with His Word.” The proof that I was in agreement with God is that they came to pass. If the devil commands something and it comes to pass, is it because he is more powerful than God? Not according to this verse. It is because God commanded it whether the devil knew it or not. (Lam.3:38) Out of the mouth of the Most High cometh there not evil and good?   Where does evil and good come from? God says that it comes out of the mouth of the Most High. Does that mean God is evil? No, it means we deserve or need the ministry of evil. (Lam.3:39) Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? We have been brainwashed to believe that man is basically good and deserving of good, so we are shocked when bad things happen to “good” people. (Mar.10:18) And Jesus said unto him… None is good save one, [even] God.  From God's mouth comes blessing and curse, good and evil. The evil here represents the hard things that happen to “good” people in order to turn them toward good and to stop them from continuing in sin. Any evil that comes against the life of those who “are called according to His purpose” is for good. We should always examine our conscience and the Word to find out if God is sending Satan against us because of the sin in us or the actions of sin that we do.   Arminianism is the erroneous belief that everyone has a free will. God is the only one who has a free will. We have a limited free will, limited by our ability, thinking, nature, body, and circumstances. If you have a free will, let's see if you can stop sinning. We cannot do just anything we would like to do. The only one the Bible credits with the ability to do everything He wishes is God (Eph.1:11) In whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained (predestined) according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will.  Like this verse, Calvinism teaches the sovereignty of God over election, predestination, evil, and everything. The only way that we can do what we want to do is to get God's Will in us. (Php.2:13) For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Then we can do what we want to do because we want what He wants, and what He wants He gets.   That is how the Son sets us free, by giving us a will to do His Will. While we have our own will, we will be at war with ourselves. (Gal.5:17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. We have God's Will in us, and we have our will in us. They are tugging away at each other. That is not freedom or a free will. This means that “ye may not do the things that ye would.”   We did not even have the freedom of will to come to God. (Joh.6:44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. That is not a free will. We choose not to come to God, unless He draws us. You may choose to sin, most do, but God will choose the time, place, and extent. (Pro.16:9) A man's heart deviseth his way; But the Lord directeth his steps. God directs the steps of His vessels of honor or dishonor. The only reason we make the choice in God's direction is because of grace. (Joh.15:16) Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit… Jesus first chose us and gave us the will to choose Him because of His unmerited favor. We bear fruit because of a gift of His Will in us.  The Lord brings spirits against us to chasten us and to cause us to repent, then after we overcome, He has total ability to make our enemies to be at peace with us. (Pro.16:7) When a man's ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. We see here that God has total control over our enemies and He can put peace in their heart toward us when we overcome. We should remember this when we are tempted to take care of our enemies ourselves. So we see, God uses our enemies when our ways do not please the Lord.   God created our enemies just for that purpose. (Pro.16:4) The Lord hath made everything for its own end (Some manuscripts say: for His own purpose.): Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Need I say that we should not argue with God? We see God's hand as sovereign in all of this. God can send the wicked to us, for a day of evil, because our ways do not please the Lord. When we overcome, God can give us total peace in the midst of our enemies. Whether they are wicked men or demon spirits, it does not make any difference.   Should we reason with our puny understanding that God would be wrong to make the wicked? He has an answer in (Rom.9:21) Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? (22) What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted (Greek: “to complete thoroughly”) unto destruction. Notice that they are vessels of dishonor and wrath, made to be destroyed. (2Pe.2:12) But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed…   In instances like this, we must repent and conform our reasoning to God's if we want truth. In God's opinion, and His is the only one that counts, the wicked are animals, made to be destroyed when they have served their purpose. (Pro.21:18) The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous [cometh] in the stead of the upright. A ransom is a price that must be paid for someone's freedom. The wicked are a price that God pays to create sons who are free from the bondage of corruption, so let us not waste their sacrifice.   When Joseph was revealed unto his brethren who came out of Canaan's land into Egypt, they were repenting to him because of the way that they had treated him. Joseph understood the cause for all the tribulation he had been through. (Gen.50:20) And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Joseph credited God for using evil to bring him into Egypt “to save much people alive.” The Israelites who came out of Canaan's land were starving to death. When they came to Egypt, Joseph, who was sent on ahead because of his ‘Judas' brothers, fed them. God used them to crucify Joseph and prepare him as a vessel of honor.   I remember once when I bought a used car from a heathen. We had agreed on a price and were to close the deal the next day. I had asked God for a better price. The next day, when I went to close the deal, he said he would sell it for the better price that I had only spoken about to the Lord. Only God could put in the heart of a lost used car salesman to suggest selling for a cheaper price after we had already agreed. I realized that God had put this in his heart even though it did not come naturally to him. God works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, so also them.   The Lord said to Peter in (Luk.22:31) Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: (32) but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren. Satan asked to sift Peter, but why would God give any heed to what he asks unless it is for our good? If Peter had been like most people, he would ask, “Lord, why did you give Satan permission to have me? Just say, ‘No, Satan, you cannot have him.'” But Jesus knew that was not God's Will.   God's purpose is for Satan to get what belongs to him in our lives. The purpose of sifting is to separate and remove what you want. He keeps what is his. The Lord said, “The evil one cometh but he hath nothing in me.” Jesus was pure; there was nothing in Him that belonged to Satan. Satan is sifting to get what belongs to him. God only wants what is left. God could have destroyed him back at the beginning of the world but God ordained Satan for His good purpose. When God is through doing His whole work upon the people of God, guess what He is going to do with Satan, the demons, the wicked, the false prophet and the beast, too? That is right, the lake of fire.   Jesus set the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left (Mat.25:33). That is exactly how God uses the righteous and the wicked, as His right hand and His left. His right hand is the vessels of honor, and His left hand is the vessels of dishonor. Satan is, in effect, one of God's hands to create His sons. Let me share a dream from a close spiritual brother. He saw a line of the saints coming before Jesus in heaven. At Jesus' left hand was Satan with an old-style cannon in front of him pointed at the first person in line. Satan with a lighter in his hand eagerly wanted to light the fuse on the cannon and blow them away. Jesus' left hand was in front of Satan stopping him. From that dream, you can see that when the Lord moves His left hand, Satan moves.   Here is a clear case of that. (Job.1:8) And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil. God brought Job to Satan's attention and bragged about him. That is just like waving a red flag in a bull's face. Satan did not want to hear that. In fact, Satan is trying to prove just the opposite to God. He is the accuser of the brethren. God inflicted Satan on Job by the power of suggestion. (9) Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? (10) Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.   Satan is admitting he did not have the power to get at Job because of God's hedge. The same is true of us. (11) But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. (12) And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. Satan suggests to God that He drop the hedge and put forth “His hand” against Job to try him. So why drop the hedge? It was not keeping God's hand out unless you see that the left hand of the Lord was Satan! God confirms this by using the terms “in thy power” and “thy hand.”   Satan was the one who brought the Sabeans, the fire of God, the Chaldeans and the great wind from the wilderness against Job and his family to try him. Look at what Job said about it in verse (21) And he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (22) In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. God says plainly here that Job was not sinning by attributing all this to Him. The Lord gave on the right hand, and the Lord took away on the left.   Some people would say that the Sabeans, Chaldeans, and the fire took everything away from Job. Some would look behind those and say that Satan did it. Then some would look a little further back and say that God did it. That is what Job did. That is what we have to do if we are to have the purpose of God fulfilled in our lives. We have to look all the way back and see God's purpose in our lives. Job did not stumble because he understood that. Anyone who sees only the vessel will stumble. If we see only an evil vessel, we will end up fighting and wrestling with flesh and blood. Even though Job was hurting, in his spirit he had rest because he saw God's purpose.   He goes on in (Job.2:3) And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity (God was rubbing Satan's nose in it.), although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. God appears to be using reverse psychology on Satan, letting him believe that he was moving God when it was the other way around. God was moved against Job, but Satan was the instrument.   It was God who pointed Job out to Satan in the first place in order to fulfill His own purpose. (4) And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. (5) But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face. (6) And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life. God always laid down the conditions of Satan's involvement even as he does today. (9) Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? renounce God, and die. (10) But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.  God wanted to make it plain to us, using two witnesses, that what Job was saying was correct. Shall we receive good at the hand of God and not evil? Job never gave credit to Satan. He never even gave credit to the Sabeans, Chaldeans, or the wind from the wilderness. Job only looked at the primary purpose of God.  Jesus, in teaching us to cooperate with God's purpose of crucifixion in our lives, said, “Resist not him that is evil,” speaking of men. However, we are commanded to, “Resist the devil,” speaking of evil spirits. We should never get caught up and wrestle with flesh and blood. Jesus would not. (Isa.53:7) He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. We are to wrestle with principalities and powers.   God wants us to see evil people as victims of Satan and the curse, vessels to be pitied. (Luk.23:34) And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do… God wants us to see through those vessels of evil and see Him. Jesus had peace because He knew all power comes from our sovereign God. (Joh.19:10) Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee? (11) Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above…  Eli rebuked his sons for their apostasy in (1Sa.2:24) Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress. (25)… Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord was minded to slay them. The purpose of the Lord is ultimate. Many will not repent because it is in the mind of the Lord to slay them for their evil. We could justly receive the same treatment, but God gave us grace. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God. Only God gives the gift of faith to believe and repent. We have to go to God; He grants faith and repentance. True understanding of salvation by unmerited grace causes us to fear God.   Some do not value the gift of God only to have it taken away and given to ones who do value it. The Jews lost out to the Gentiles. Let no one take thy crown (Rev.3:11). The self-righteous flirt with catastrophe. (1Co.4:7) For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? If we have anything more than our neighbor, it is a gift of God, not cause for pride. 

FAIR (LDS apologetics group) says that, “The idea that God may once have been a sinner is speculation. Many Latter-day Saints find the idea impossible, while others consider it a possibility.” (link) It goes on to ask, “Does it really matter all that much?” UCRC is hosting a dialog between Aaron Shafovaloff (evangelical; associate with … Continue reading LDS/Evangelical Dialog: Does it matter whether God sinned? →

Different Storms #RTTBROS #nightlight Anchored or Adrift: Obeying God's Voice in Every Storm "And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm." - Matthew 8:26 (KJV) "God told Noah to go into the boat. God told Peter to get out of the boat. Different storms require different levels of obedience." Life often feels like a series of storms, each one unique and challenging in its own way. As believers, we're called to navigate these turbulent waters with faith and obedience. But what does obedience look like when the storms of life are raging around us? Consider Noah and Peter, two men of faith faced with very different circumstances: 1. Noah's Obedience: Enter the Ark God commanded Noah to build an ark and enter it with his family and the animals. This act of obedience seemed foolish to others, but it saved Noah and his family from the flood. "And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation." - Genesis 7:1 (KJV) 2. Peter's Obedience: Step Out on the Water When Jesus called Peter to walk on water, obedience meant leaving the safety of the boat and stepping into the unknown. "And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus." - Matthew 14:29 (KJV) In both cases, obedience required trust in God's voice and a willingness to act, even when it seemed illogical or frightening. Reflection: 1. Are you facing a storm in your life right now? 2. What is God calling you to do? Is He asking you to enter a place of safety, or to step out in faith? 3. How can you cultivate a heart that's ready to obey, regardless of the nature of the storm? Prayer: Lord, grant me the wisdom to discern Your voice amidst life's storms. Give me the courage of Noah to enter the ark when You call me to safety, and the faith of Peter to step out onto the waters when You beckon me. Help me trust that Your commands are always for my good, even when I don't understand. In Jesus' name, Amen. Remember, our obedience isn't about perfectly predicting the outcome, but about trusting the One who commands the wind and waves. Whether God is calling you into the boat or out of it, know that He is with you in every storm. https://linktr.ee/rttbros Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros

And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. - Nehemiah 9:2   This Episode's Links and Timestamps: 00:00 – Scripture Reading 08:02 – Thoughts on the Reading 42:02 - Genesis 9 – Biblia.com 1:10:30 - I have three crucial observations for Christians from that debacle of an opening ceremony – Peter Heck, NTB 1:29:50 - Joy Behar: It's ‘Un-Christian' For Trump To Say God Was Watching Over Him – Virginia Kruta, DW 1:44:44 - Sen. Josh Hawley: "MOST of Trump's security detail working the event last Saturday were not even Secret Service. DHS assigned unprepared and inexperienced personnel." – Joel Abbott, NTB 1:56:12 - Primogeniture – Wikipedia 2:06:49 - Younger Son Preference in the Bible – ChatGPT 4o

And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.” - Nehemiah 7:3   This Episode's Links and Timestamps: 00:00 – Scripture Reading 07:58 – Thoughts on the Reading 24:39 - The media says healthcare has never been more unaffordable. It's long past time to repeal the reason why. – Peter Heck, NTB 44:34 - Psalm 127 – BibleHub.com 56:22 - Behind the Homeless Surge in California's High Desert – Beige Luciano-Adams, The Epoch Times 1:16:36 - Newsom Issues Executive Order To Remove Homeless Encampments Across California – Mairead Elordi, DW 1:22:08 - Watching Pierre Poilievre explain how to fix Canada's housing crisis is a breath of fresh air in clown world – Commodore Vanderbilt, NTB 1:40:09 – What the Bible Says About Houses – BibleGateway.com

In the First Century B.C., Roman historian Sallust said, “Prosperity tries the souls, even of the wise.”Most people would choose financial prosperity despite its temptations. But what if you're living with financial adversity? Today, we'll talk about how to be wise in good times and bad.The Temptations of Financial Success and AdversityWhen things are going well financially, it's tempting to take credit for your success, leading to sins like pride and greed. On the other hand, adversity brings its own set of temptations, such as self-pity, bitterness, and envy. Neither set of attitudes is godly.Christians are called to live with integrity, no matter our circumstances. But how do we consistently do that? According to the Bible, wisdom is the key to godly living in both good times and bad.Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Fearing the Lord means respecting and honoring His authority and obeying His commands. Understanding the consequences of breaking God's rules is the first step toward living wisely.Good parents know that children need boundaries for safety and healthy development. God has also set boundaries for His children that protect us spiritually and physically. When God says “no” to something, like stealing or dishonesty, those things hurt us by breaking relationships with others and the Lord.Because God loves us, He sets these boundaries for our lives. When we obey, we are safe and at peace. So, fearing the Lord isn't about being afraid; it's about learning to love and obey our Heavenly Father even more.The Benefits of WisdomWisdom begins with a healthy respect for God's authority. Whether struggling financially or experiencing prosperity, you can still live wisely by listening to God's words. Here are a few benefits of wisdom:Discernment: Proverbs 2:9 says the wise “…will understand what is right and just and fair.”Guidance: Proverbs 3:6 reminds us, “In all your ways acknowledge Him…and He will make your paths straight.”Blessing: Proverbs 3:13 says, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom.”Good Reputation: Proverbs 3:35 says, “The wise inherit honor.”Protection: Proverbs 16:6 says, “Through the fear of the Lord, a man avoids evil.”These benefits are available to you, no matter your financial state. Conversely, the Bible refers to those who do not honor God and live by His rules as “fools.” Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.' They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.” Fools suffer shame, disaster, distress, and troubles—outcomes we should strive to avoid in our finances and lives.Following a Path of Wisdom in Financial DecisionsSo, how can you follow a path of wisdom in your day-to-day financial decisions? Understand how God views money and possessions. The Bible tells us that God owns everything, and we are to be wise caretakers of whatever we have. He's not really concerned about your bank balance; what matters is where your heart is. Ask the Lord to change your heart so you can follow Him in this area.Being financially wise means living according to biblical principles. Practice integrity in all your dealings and consider others more important than yourself.Contentment is key to financial wisdom. When you invite God into your finances, trusting Him to lead you and provide what you need, you'll begin to understand 1 Timothy 6:6, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”What do your actions and attitudes about money reveal about you? Are you wise or foolish? If you're committed to Jesus and following the Lord with all your heart, it will show in your financial choices. Whether God has provided you with adversity or prosperity, you can be confident in His love and provision. Stay focused on what's really important—following Jesus.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I own a home, and it's just my name. I do have a will, but I'm concerned about these advertisements on TV about people being scammed out of their houses. I wondered if I should put my house in an LLC or a trust.I wanted to cash in some US Treasury Savings Bonds I bought in the 80s and 90s to take advantage of higher interest rates today. I wondered if there would be any problems with cashing them in to put the money into a one-year CD since it's paying 5% interest now.I wanted to understand why, when you get your first mortgage statement, they haven't taken the interest rate you were quoted—like 7%—but a much larger portion of your interest payment, like 60% rather than 7%. How do amortized loans work? Is the interest on the loan “front-loaded” in the early years of the loan?Resources Mentioned:Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

It's Wednesday, June 26th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark 37 physical attacks on Christians in Israel in 2023 The Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue released a report this month entitled, “Attacks on Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem.”  The report documented 33 attacks on church properties and 37 cases of physical attacks against Christians last year. The report noted, “While hostility towards the Christian presence has been a longstanding occurrence in some local communities, it has now escalated to a broader and more severe phenomenon.”  And the report quoted the Cardinal of Jerusalem, Pier Battista Pizzaballa, who said, “These people, [the attackers], feel they are protected … that the cultural and political atmosphere now can justify, or tolerate, actions against Christians.”    Liberian Methodist Bishop opposes American Methodist heresy Back in May, the United Methodist Church voted in favor of allowing those living sexually perverted lifestyles to be clergy. To its credit, the United Methodist Church in Liberia, Africa is opposing the decision. Liberian Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. released a statement this month.  He wrote, “The Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church will not conduct any weddings or ordinations of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals. The Liberia Annual Conference … is traditional in its interpretation of Holy Scripture and will continue its evangelistic outreach to all persons who live in darkness and do not know the redemptive grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.”  I Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” Franklin Graham champions religious liberty in Scotland FRANKLIN GRAHAM: “It is good to be in Glasgow.” Evangelist Franklin Graham preached to over 7,000 people in Glasgow, Scotland on Saturday. Listen to this clip from his sermon. GRAHAM: “Sin is a barrier. It's a wall. It blocks you from God. You see, God loves you, and He's willing to forgive our sins, but we have to come to Him, His way, and that's through the cross of Jesus Christ. You can hit the reset button. You've got a new start at life, but you have to make a choice.” Over 300 Scottish churches partnered with Graham for the event. One local pastor said, “We see depression, mental health problems, financial issues, we see it all. And it's not just our church, it's people all over Scotland. Nothing is going to help Scotland apart from Jesus.” One man in his 20s professed Jesus Christ as his Savior at the crusade. NEW CHRISTIAN: “I went up tonight because Franklin is so powerful in his Word. He said, ‘Get up out your seat.'  I had to get up out of my seat.  I had to get there. I didn't realize that there was going to be two to three thousand people behind me. It gives me anxiety, but I didn't care.  I'm going. I'm going to give it to the cross.” During the event, Graham announced the creation of the Billy Graham Defense Fund for protecting religious freedom in the U.K. He said the fund is designed to “encourage Christians across the U.K. to keep living out and sharing their faith freely and boldly.” Biden and Trump ready to rumble on CNN ANNOUNCER: “Let's get ready to rumble. Are you all ready for this?” President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are set to debate tomorrow night in Atlanta on CNN.  Ahead of the debate, both candidates released campaign updates. Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee raised over $140 million in May. Meanwhile, Biden's campaign and the Democratic National Committee raised $85 million. Trump's support was boosted by small dollar donations during his trial and conviction in May on charges of falsifying business records. Oklahoma Supreme Court rules religious charter school unconstitutional Oklahoma's state supreme court ruled on Tuesday that a religious charter school is unconstitutional. St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School was set to open this year. It would have been the first publicly-funded religious charter school in the country.  Alliance Defending Freedom is supporting the charter school. ADF Attorney Phil Sechler said, “The U.S. Constitution protects St. Isidore's freedom to operate according to its faith. … We are disappointed with the court's ruling that upholds discrimination against religion; we'll be considering all legal options, including appeal.” U.S. deficit $400 billion higher than predicted The U.S. Congressional Budget Office updated its federal budget deficit estimate on Tuesday.  The agency projects the U.S. deficit will be $400 billion higher this year than the agency projected in February. This projection follows spending packages for Ukraine and Israel, costs for reducing student loan debt, and increased Medicaid spending.  Take a look at the U.S. Debt Clock through a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. The agency also expects public debt will increase from 99% of the Gross Domestic Product this year to 122% by 2034. That would be the highest level on record. Anniversary of Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate's death Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate died on this day in history in AD 363. He suffered wounds during a conflict with Persian forces in what is modern-day Iraq. As his name suggests, Julian spent his life trying to bring back paganism to the Roman Empire. He took aim at many of the Christian reforms of Emperor Constantine.  However, referencing Christ in his dying words, Julian said, “Thou hast won, O Galilean.” The pagan emperor's last words aptly sum up the previous centuries of Christ's victory over paganism through His church.  Isaiah 9:7 says of Jesus, “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” What prompted a 10-year-old boy to give $10 to The Worldview I picked up the phone recently and talked to two  Worldview listeners, Kristina and her 10-year-old son Lukas in Olympia, Washington. Kristina, a homeschool mother of six children, explained how the family first became aware of The Worldview newscast. KRISTINA: “We started listening to it because we bought some Generations curriculum a few years ago, the history, and it was connected with that. I just love it! Because I want my children and myself to have a heart for what God's doing in the world. It helps our hearts to be bigger and focus on what God's focused on. I just appreciate the daily refocusing of our vision to be bigger. It gives us something to pray about.” She is especially grateful for the stories we share on the persecuted church. KRISTINA: “When we listen to the first story about Christians who are suffering for their faith, we just love the opportunity to uphold brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering for Christ and yet are remaining faithful. So, we uphold them in prayer and thank the Lord that we have these brothers and sisters and just pray that their ministry, whatever it is, and their influence would be expanded and the Gospel would go forth.” Lukas, her 10-year-old, echoed that sentiment. LUKAS: “It's just very informative about Christ moving in the world, stories of people following their faith, even if it gets them hospitalized.” McMANUS: “Have you and Daniel and your parents ever prayed for someone you heard about on the newscast?” LUKAS: “Every single time we listen to it.” McMANUS: “Oh, wow!” LUKAS: “When we hear about someone who's getting persecuted or has being threatened to get persecuted, we pray that God would save them in some way, or that they would not give up faith in God.” McMANUS: “What made you think about giving $10?” LUKAS: “It feels like God has really changed a lot in my life and felt like He was encouraging me to do that.” McMANUS: “Where did this money come from?” LUKAS: “Just money I accumulated from birthdays or other things.” McMANUS: “Is it just from gifts that you got the money from or did you work for any of the money?" LUKAS: “I guess I've helped my dad with some things to get some of it.” McMANUS: “What do you do for your dad?” LUKAS: “Usually just something useful to help him, like getting into places he can't reach when he's working.” McMANUS: (laughs) “That sounds like my kids. Oh, that's funny. Like cleaning the attic or the garage or a project like that where you're cleaning up something or what?" LUKAS: “Usually in the attic. I just have to pull some wires to where he can reach them.” McMANUS “What was your reaction when Lukas said he wanted to give $10 of his money to, to the newscast effort.” KRISTINA: “I was grateful that he listened to the nudge of the Holy Spirit. It was excited that his heart was turned toward that.” McMANUS: “Tell me about your decision to match it.” KRISTINA: “Well, I thought I would join him, that would honor his gift by doubling it. The Lord loves to multiply little things into much.” 8 Worldview listeners donated $3,050 And finally, toward our $84,000 final goal by 5:00pm central this Saturday, June 29th, 8 Worldview listeners stepped up to the plate to help fund our 6-member team for another fiscal year. Our thanks to Janet in Canton, Illinois who gave $50, Jeanne in Thomasville, North Carolina who gave $100, as well as Michael in Ritzville, Washington and Dan in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada—both of whom gave $200. And we're grateful to God for Lona in Billings, Montana who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300, Leland in Rapid City, South Dakota who gave $400, Isaac in Pleasantville, Tennessee who pledged $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600, and Members of SovereignGraceSingles.com who pledged $100/month for 12 months for a gift of $1,200. Those 8 donors gave $3,050.  Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (sound effect of drum roll) $61,055.16. (audience cheering) In order to hit our $84,000 goal, we still need to raise the sizable sum of $22,944.84 by 5:00pm Central on Saturday, June 29th. I'm getting a little nervous. If you've been waiting until the last minute to make a donation, that time has officially arrived. I would love to see 40 people step forward today and make a donation.  Whether God is prompting you to give $50, $500, or $5,000, we need everybody to do their part.  There are only three days left. Will you step up to the plate? Please go to TheWorldview.com, click on “Give,” select the dollar amount you'd like to donate, and click on the recurring monthly tab if that's your wish. Ask God what He wants you to give to this newscast that proclaims Jesus Christ as our standard for Truth. Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, June 26th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Blessings Follow Sanctification (2) (audio) David Eells 6/2/24   I'd like to continue talking about how God's going to provide these awesome blessings in His Word to a sanctified corporate body of His people. Let's look again in (Isa.61:2) To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; (3) to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness... The corporate body of the Man-child is who this appointing “unto them that mourn in Zion” is referring to and we can see the same thing spoken in Ezekiel.   (Eze.9:2) And behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lieth toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen... That linen is the same thing as the bridal garments worn by those who are invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, which represents the righteousness of the saints, their righteous acts. But who is this man in linen who was in the midst of the six men with their slaughter weapons? We know the six men represent the Beast because, if you go back to the previous chapter, you see, (Eze.8:1) And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month.... And then you read on down and you find this is the third “6,” which makes “666.” This is the Beast that's going to destroy the Harlot and in the midst of them is this man in linen, Who is Jesus the Man-child, both in His day and is in the Man-child in our day.   (Eze.9:2) And behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lieth toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side. And they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. (3) And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house: and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer's inkhorn by his side. (4) And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem.   (This is both the people of unregenerate Jerusalem and regenerate Jerusalem and we will see the difference between the two people here.), and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done in the midst thereof. There it is! Those who recognize the abominations that are being done in the midst of God's people, and are grieved over it are truly God's people. So who marks God's people? We can see the mark of the Beast is in the hand and the forehead.   (Rev.13:16) And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead; (17) and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six. And Exodus 13 talks about the mark of the Lord in the hand and the forehead. (Exo.13:9) And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt.   But then it's explained even better here: (Deu.11:18) Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul; and ye shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes (meaning on your forehead). The Israelites did this in the letter, literally. They wrote certain verses from the Word of God on parchment (Exodus 13:1-10, 11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21), which they put in little boxes called phylacteries. Then they tied them on their forehead and upon their hand. In type, it represents the Word of God manifested in your works and in your thoughts.   (Rom.12:2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (This is the Word of God in your mind.), that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. And so, who does this? Jesus does this! Jesus is the One Who marks His people with the Word. He's the Sower Who goes forth to sow the seed. He's the One Who marks His people and He's the One Who sanctifies them.   (Heb.1:3) Who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance.... Jesus is the image of God and the Greek word there for “image” is charakter, which is a tool for recreating itself. The character creates an eikon, or “likeness,” “representation,” “image.” And, of course, God uses Jesus to recreate Himself in our mind and works. Jesus is the One who marks His people with the mark of God. He does that by putting the Word of God in your forehead and in your hand. So Jesus went forth to mark those men who sighed and cried over the abominations that were done among the people, and then what did God do to the wicked? (Eze.9:5) And to the others he said in my hearing, Go ye through the city after him, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity;  (This is so clearly what the beast has done to those who have the mind and works of flesh that we know as the faction.) (6) slay utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin, and little children and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark (that's of God): and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the old men that were before the house. (7) And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and smote in the city. And this was among the people who were called the “people of God”! The Beast destroyed the Harlot who was among God's people and the only ones who were spared were the ones whom the man in linen with the ink horn had marked as righteous.   Once again, this is about to happen. The Man-child reformers have this same ministry to put the mark of God upon God's people. (Rev.14:1) And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. “Name” is “nature, character and authority.” They have the image of Jesus! Praise God for His mark!  And the body is sanctified of the leaven. Now when Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and came out of His wilderness, He preached, (Luk.4:18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, (19) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. (20) And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.   You'll recognize that as the first part of the Isaiah 61 anointing. (Isa.61:1) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (2) to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor  (And that's where Jesus stopped, but the verse continues.), and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn (Who are these people who mourn?); (Isa.61:3) to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion (So Zion, who is the Bride, is mourning.), to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Amen! Remember Isaiah 61 was fulfilled in Jesus' day when He was the Man-child and it will be fulfilled again in our day with the corporate Man-child of Revelation 12, which is the first-fruits corporate body in whom Jesus lives.   We know Zion is the Bride, the most beautiful of all the fair virgins of the Kingdom, because John saw the city of Zion, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven. (Rev.21:9) And there came one of the seven angels …, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb. (10) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.   Now we noticed in Ezekiel those people who mourned were the ones who escaped the Beast. (Eze.9:1) Then he cried in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause ye them that have charge over the city to draw near, every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. (2) And behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lieth toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand (representing the Beast); and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen (representing Jesus in the Man-child of our day), with a writer's inkhorn by his side. And they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. (3) And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house: and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer's inkhorn by his side.   (4) And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry (This is the Bride whom we saw are mourning.) over all the abominations that are done in the midst thereof. (5) And to the others he said in my hearing, Go ye through the city after him, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity; (6) slay utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin, and little children and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark: and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the old men that were before the house. (Who should have known better.) He marked the forehead of those righteous people who mourned over the sins that they saw done among God's people and, of course, they were the ones who escaped. He marked them with that writer's inkhorn on their forehead to identify them and it represents having the renewed mind of Christ by the Word of God. God uses the written Word to write upon our minds and upon our hearts. His very nature, character and authority. So we see once again that the Man-child's ministry is to raise up Zion, the Bride, as Jesus did.   Going back now to (Isa.61:4) And they (Zion, the Bride) shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations.... What is this talking about, the “old wastes”? Well, when God's people were taken into captivity, their Promised Land was destroyed; their cities, their houses and their crops were all destroyed. But the Bride has come out of Babylonish captivity and Babylonish religion. They have returned to their Promised Land and they have a job to do, just like Jesus, Who led the disciples in His day. When John the Baptist saw Jesus leading His disciples, he said, (Joh.3:29) He that hath the bride is the bridegroom.... The Bride that Jesus was raising up was the foundation of His new Kingdom. They went forth to bring God's people into all that God had for them and now that's going to happen in our day.   (Isa.61:4) And they shall build the old wastes (In other words, the Bride is going to restore that which the Beast has devoured and destroyed.), they shall raise up the former desolations (They're going to restore that which was taken away from them, taken away from their Promised Land.), and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. So this Bride is going to have a job to do for the rest of God's people, like Esther. Her job was to preserve and restore God's people. The Shulammite, the “perfect one” in the Song of Solomon, worked to prepare her little sister. The bride in Psalm 45 worked to bring the virgins before the king and we see the same parallel through the rest of the Scriptures.   The first of the waste cities they began to restore was Zion, which in type and shadow represents the Bride, the “heavenly Jerusalem” as Paul called it. (Heb.12:22) but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem… And the rest of the cities of Israel had to also be restored because not everybody is going to live in Zion! But notice that the rest of those cities are not as close to God as Zion, the Bride, who sits right next to the King. For example, when God's people came out of bondage to Babylon or Assyria, many of those people didn't go all the way back to Jerusalem. And today, spiritually speaking, not all of those who come out of bondage to the world, worldly religions, and so on, will go all the way to Zion. They are not going to come all the way to the Bride because many of them are content with less of God.   Zion had the Lord right in their midst. Their temple was in the midst of the city and they were very close to God. That's why Zion represented salvation and safety, because the presence of the Lord was there. You remember how the Israelites took the Ark of the Covenant with them and their enemies were conquered, and awesome miracles happened when they went through the wilderness or when they were protecting their cities, and so on. Well, it was the same with Zion because it was a place of protection, provision, safety, blessing and of holiness. Being inside the walls of Zion represented salvation from whatever difficulty you had, but some people were content to dwell in these other cities and so they restored them, too.   In the end times, there are people who are going to bear fruit 30-, 60- and 100-fold, and the Bride ultimately will represent the 100-fold as does their King David, a type of the Man-child. These are the people who are going to restore the cities that have been laid waste. Do you know that Christianity is the same way? Christianity is “the desolations of many generations.” What we had back there, 2000 years ago, we haven't had since. It was destroyed and God's people were taken into captivity to Babylonish religion, but that's all about to change. The Lord through the Man-child is going to raise up the Bride and She is going to begin to lay this foundation and restore their Promised Land. The benefits and blessings of our Land of Promise, and the way Christians are supposed to walk in the steps of Jesus, all these things are going to be restored.   (Isa.61:4) And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. We have another text that's so similar to this, it's almost a quote: (Isa.58:12) And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations.... The foundations have been destroyed for many generations. We're climbing up out of the Dark Ages now and what God gave to us was something He always wanted us to have and yet the wolves of Babylonish religion came in and divided the flock. The Church has been plundered for many generations.   (Isa.58:12) … and thou shalt be called The repairer of the breach.... The breach, of course, is the breach in the wall that allowed the enemy to come in and conquer. They will restore the wall which represents sanctification! It represents separation, not only your separation from the world, but separation from your enemy, from the Beast who is of the world. They will repair the breach so the enemy cannot come through to destroy you. (Isa.58:12) … and thou shalt be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. Praise God! They are going to restore the highway of holiness, the right “paths to dwell in.”   Back in (Isa.35:8) And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be for [the redeemed]: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err [therein]. (9) No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up thereon; they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there]: (10) and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.   You know, the “judgment seat,” or “bema seat judgment,” is literally the “footprint tribunal.” The Greek word there is bema and it means “a step, a pace.” And that's exactly what the judgment is: Do you walk in the steps of Jesus? (1Jn.2:6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. Keep that in mind as we read on. (Isa.58:13) If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and the holy of the Lord honorable; and shalt honor it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.... Wow! If we keep the Sabbath, we will be those who restore the old waste places and raise up the foundations of many generations, etc.   Are we talking about the Old Testament Sabbath? No! Colossians 2 tells us plainly that the Sabbath is “... a shadow of things to come....” It's not the very image; it's the shadow; it's a parable. And this parable points to walking by faith and ceasing from our own works. Read this part again: (Isa.58:13) If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and the holy of the Lord honorable; and shalt honor it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.... In other words, the Sabbath represents ceasing from your own works. It represents ceasing from the works of the flesh, works of self-justification and all those things. God paid the price for us to keep the Sabbath and, if we don't keep the Sabbath, what happens? We come under judgment!   “Sanctification” is “keeping the Sabbath.” Through sanctification, we will be able, by the grace of God, to restore everything that has been taken from us. (Heb.4:2) For indeed we have had good tidings (the Gospel) preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. So if you don't believe the Gospel, the good news of what the Lord has done for you, then you're not mixing faith with it and it's going to be useless. Remember, the Lord has already healed you, already delivered you from sin, already delivered you from the curse, already delivered you from demons! The Bible says it's already been done, finished, accomplished.   So when you believe, when you mix faith with the Gospel, the first thing you do is cease from your works. You stop trying to do it because God's already done it. (Heb.4:3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest (The “rest” is ceasing from your works.); even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. God's already done the work, and that's why we can rest! He doesn't need our help; He wants our faith. He wants us to believe we have received. Jesus said, (Mar.11:24) Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive (The literal translation there is past tense, “received.”) them, and ye shall have them. By faith we enter into this rest from our own works in order to see God's works.   (Heb.4:9) There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. This Sabbath rest is not speaking about a Saturday rest. This is the only place in the Bible that this particular Greek word translated as “sabbath” is used. The word is sabbatismos and it means “a continual rest.” The “rest” is ceasing from our works! It's ceasing from doing our own pleasure on God's holy day. When is God's holy day? Every day is God's holy day; this is a continual Sabbath. (Heb.4:9) There remaineth therefore a [sabbatismos] rest for the people of God. (10) For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.   The Lord wants us to rest from our works and that includes our religious works, too. In order to keep the Sabbath, we have to cease from any kind of work that comes through self. And, as we just read, those who keep the Sabbath are the people who will be restoring everything that has been taken away from God's people.   Continuing on in (Isa.58:14) Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will make thee to ride upon the high places of the earth; and I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father (In other words, you will have the heritage that your great forefathers had!): for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isa.59:1) Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear. What's the cure? It's keeping the sabbatismos! The cure is ceasing from our works! Our works are what God is calling “sin.” Doing your own will on His holy day is what God is calling “sin.”  We now must do His works as we are led by Him. Going back to (Isa.58:9) Then shalt thou call, and the Lord will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly. Do you know those who are judging other people, who are critical-minded, unforgiving and speaking about others behind their back? These people are “pointing the finger” and they don't have the authority of the Lord to do so. He said you have to take this “away from the midst of thee,” then He will answer you when you call upon Him.   (Isa.58:10) And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall thy light rise in darkness, and thine obscurity be as the noonday; (11) and the Lord will guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in dry places, and make strong thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Wow! All this is for the person who keeps the sabbatismos. They will be those who repair the breach and restore the paths to dwell in, etc.   This is the text that is very similar to what we just read: (Isa.61:4) And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. Joel's prophecy speaks of God's empowerment and discernment to do the works of God. (Joe.2:23) Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first [month] (or “in the beginning” or “at the first”). There is no word for “month” in the original text; that was added-in. At the very beginning of the move of God in our day, God is going to restore both the former rain and the latter rain anointings.   Three-and-a-half years into Jesus' ministry, Jesus took the “mantle” that was upon Him and in (Joh.20:21) Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (22) And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit. They received the former rain, or the first anointing, at the beginning of their solo ministry. And the power that's coming in our day is going to be far beyond what it was last time. (Joh.14:12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.   (Joe.2:24) And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. This great blessing is going to be poured out because of the power of God's Holy Spirit. He enables people to walk a holy walk; He empowers people. The Lord said, (Act.1:8) But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you.... This is the power to do the works of the Lord and power to live a holy life. And because of that comes: (Joe.2:24) …and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. (25) And I will restore to you the years (There it is! The “desolations of many generations” are going to be restored. A revival!) that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you.   (Joe.2:26) And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied (During the tribulation and with great lack all over the world, God's Bride will have His provision! That's exactly what we've been reading.), and shall praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame. Praise the Lord! You know, we need tribulation, persecution, and chastening to cause us to walk in the path. But if a people are walking holy before the Lord, by His grace and by His power, they don't need that, and God knows it. He knows how to make that separation and how to get people behind the broad walls of Zion.   Going back again to (Isa.61:4) And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. We have our own Book of Acts coming! God is going to restore many “generations. We're told of the generation of Jesus Christ: (Mat.1:1) The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. The word “generation” there is singular and it's actually the same word used further down for “birth.” (Mat.1:18) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise.... Now most people don't read the genealogy leading up to Jesus' birth. They might possibly read the names once or twice and after that they skip over them. But back when I was young in the Lord, we were reading this one day in our Bible study and we decided to start counting the names in the three paragraphs because verse 17 sparked our imagination.   It reads, (Mat.1:17) So all the generations from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the Christ fourteen generations. I thought, “Well, that's very interesting.” So we just started counting them and we thought we counted incorrectly, since we found 14, 14, and then only 13 generations. So we counted them again and we tried to be more careful because you can make a mistake counting some names twice.   Anyway, when you count each generation, you come up with 14, 14 and 13 every time, yet it states, (Mat.1:17) So all the generations from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the Christ fourteen generations. So we each scratched our head until we got the revelation, “Aha! He's talking about 14 generations unto the body of Christ! Praise God!” Notice it states, “the generation of Jesus Christ.” It couldn't have been unto Jesus Christ, physically, because that would have been only 13 generations “from the carrying away to Babylon.” But when you count His seed, about which the Bible speaks over and over, you come up to a total of 42 generations.   We are the body of Christ! We are a corporate body in whom the regenerated, born-again Spirit of Christ lives! This corporate body in whom, ultimately, the soul of Christ lives, in whom the nature, character, mind, will and emotions of Christ will be manifested. Also, “Christ” is the Greek word Christos which means “anointed.” Scripture speaks about us also being “Christed” or “anointed.” “Jesus Christ” means “Savior anointed” or “Christ Jesus” means “anointed Savior.” “Christ” was not His name; “Christ” was what He was. He was God's anointed King and God's anointed Savior.   And Scripture says the same thing about us: (2Co.1:20) For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us. (21) Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ (Christos), and anointed us.... That's the word, chrio, which is the verb of Christos. This is the same word translated “anointed” where Jesus said, (Luk.4:18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me.... When the Spirit of the Lord came upon Christ, that's what made Him the anointed. The Hebrew word mashiyach is translated “Messiah” and it means “anointed one,” so “Christ” and “Messiah” have the same meaning. It says, “He that establisheth us with you in Christ.”   We are all in this body called “Christ” and when you receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit, you truly do reflect what Jesus was because of the same Spirit God put upon Him. Then not only do you have the Spirit of Christ, but you have the Spirit of God. The Spirit of Christ, of course, is your born-again spirit and the Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit that He puts upon you. Those are two different manifestations of God upon you. (1Co.1:21) Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; (22) who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. This anointing is what makes you truly the body of Christos.   As a body, we should all be anointed. (Act.19:1) And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples: (2) and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given. (3) And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism. (4) And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus. (5) And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. (6) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.   I don't care what the religions say, they deny the Word of the Lord. When you get the Holy Spirit, you get the gifts of the Spirit, you get the power of God! Jesus said, (Joh.14:12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. Jesus didn't do one miracle until He was baptized in the Holy Spirit and, if you want to do what He did, and do what the disciples did, then you have to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, too. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit and He will do it. To receive the Holy Spirit is to be “sealed.” (2Co.1:22) who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. The Greek word there for “sealed” is sphragizo, which means “to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation.”   When Christos lives in you, that makes you the body of Christ. (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ (Christos); and it is no longer I that live, but Christ (Christos) living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. And Paul also said, (Gal.4:19) ... I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you. So you see, you can be a Christian and have a born-again Spirit, but not have Christos being formed in you, if you're not walking by faith. In this particular example, the Galatians were seeking to be justified by going back under the Law and Paul was rebuking them for that. Christos can't be formed in you unless you walk by faith.   Another Scripture about the body of Christ is (Eph.1:10) Unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up (The word translated there as “sum up” is anakephalaiomai and it means “to gather together in one” or “to present as a whole.”) all things in Christ (There is no Greek word “things” in the original manuscript, so it should read “to sum up all in Christ.” And “all” is “all of God's people”: “to sum up all of God's people in Christ.”), in the heavens, and upon the earth.... Whether God's people are in the heavens or upon the earth, they all need to be summed-up in Christ. Nobody gets the credit but God. Christ is the One Who does the works because we have to cease from our works in order to keep the Sabbath.  (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. You're just the body of Christ. He's the One doing the works and He gets all the credit. If they are the works of God and not the works of man, then Christ is doing the work through you and we can't take any credit for that. Can Christ in you walk a holy walk? Yes, He can! Can He cast out demons or raise the dead? Yes, He can! He can do all those things. The whole point is that we be a willing and yielded vessel through whom the Lord will, by His anointing, deal with this world. His plan from the very beginning was to do this.   So God wants (Eph.1:10 Numeric) ... to sum up all in Christ, those upon the heavens, and those upon the earth; in him, (11) in whom also we were made a heritage (In other words, your heritage, your inheritance, is only when you abide in Christ.), foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all after the counsel of his will; (12) that we be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in the Christ: (13) in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise. Wow! There it is again, another confirmation: you “were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise.” You were already in Him when you heard because (Eph.1:4) ... he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love.   You were “in Him” when you heard, you were “in Him” when you decided to accept it and it was His gift of faith that caused you to repent, turn to Him and accept His salvation. That was His work. And also, (Gal.3:28) There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one [man] in Christ (Christos) Jesus. (29) And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise. We are one in Christ; the word “man” was added-in. We are one in Christos, we are the anointed body. This is the generation that we're talking about here. This is the 42nd generation!   As a matter of fact, let me show you that in another place: (Isa.53:8) By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation (Again, that's one generation.), who [among them] considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke [was due]? We were the ones who incurred the debt because of our sin; He's the One Who paid it and bore our curse. (Isa.53:9) And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.   (10) Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief (Actually, the Hebrew there is “made Him sick.” God put our sickness upon Him.): when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin.... “Soul” and “life” are the same Hebrew word: nephesh. (Lev.17:11) For the life (or “soul”) of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life. He poured out His soul, His life, unto death, and notice what happened when He died, when He made His soul an offering for sin:  (Isa.53:10) Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed (The “seed” are those who are the seed of Abraham, those who are one in Christ.), he shall prolong his days (He prolonged His days in His seed. The Christos, the “anointed One” is in His people.), and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.   If you remember, Jesus was not the “hand”; Jesus was the “arm” of the Lord. (Isa.53:1) Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? So Jesus is the “arm,” but who's the “hand” here? The “hand” is His “seed” and the “seed” is His people. We are the hand of the Lord in the earth. He is the arm Who gives strength to the hand to do the work. (Isa.53:11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.   And also, (Psa.22:30) A seed shall serve him; It shall be told of the Lord unto the next generation. But the actual wording is “counted unto the Lord for His generation” or “generations”; it's correct either way. “A seed shall serve Him; It shall be counted unto the Lord for His generations.” They are the generation of the Lord; they are the 42nd generation. (Psa.22:31) They shall come and shall declare his righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done it. Notice that. They're going to share the Gospel “that He hath done it!” That's not an Old Testament message. That's a New Testament message “that He hath done it.” The 42nd generation is going to preach the Gospel! We can keep the Sabbath now because He's already done it. And it says in, (Psa.24:6) This is the generation of them that seek after him, That seek thy face, even Jacob. Oh, praise the Lord!   Here's another one: (Psa.102:12) But thou, O Lord, wilt abide forever; And thy memorial name unto all generations. (13) Thou wilt arise, and have mercy upon Zion.... We're just going into that time right now. God is about to arise and show His mercy upon Zion. You know, He's basically left the Church to go its own way for 2000 years. (Hos.6:1) Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. (2) After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him. (3) And let us know, let us follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.  In what way has He left? In the mighty power of God, in the things that we have lost, in the things that we've been robbed of for 2000 years, He has left us, but now He is about to return. He has always had a small witness but the anointing is coming and He is going to stand up and fight for His bride, His Zion! (Psa.102:13) Thou wilt arise, and have mercy upon Zion; For it is time to have pity upon her, Yea, the set time is come. Praise God! I believe this is a Word for us today, “the set time is come.” God is going to have mercy on His Bride and His Bride is going to bring His mercy and His grace to the Church. The Bride is going to bring His restoration of all the old waste places and the “paths to dwell in” to the Church.   (Psa.102:14) For thy servants take pleasure in her stones (The stones represent salvation; they represent separation. The stones of Zion's wall separated the saints from the beastly world.),And have pity upon her dust. We mourn the fact that we are so weak, so unable, so incapable. Yet in our weakness, God is made strong and God is about to prove that. He wants to show His glory and the way He can do that is with weak vessels.   (Psa.102:15) So the nations shall fear the name of the Lord, And all the kings of the earth thy glory. (16) For the Lord hath built up Zion; He hath appeared in his glory. Notice that! God is coming in His Zion! (17) He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute, And hath not despised their prayer. God's people are crying out to Him as never before, but not like they're going to, either. (18) This shall be written for the generation to come (This is for our generation, the 42nd generation.); And a people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. (19) For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did the Lord behold the earth; (20) To hear the sighing of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death....   Do you suppose that some people are going to escape death? I believe the Bride is going to escape death in Zion because the Beast cannot touch them, as Paul said. Let this sink in: (Heb.12:18) For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, (19) and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them;  (i.e. Don't let us hear the voice of God lest we die. You go talk to Him, Moses, and let us know.) (20) for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; (21) and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: (22) but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels, (23) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (24) and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel.   (Psa.102:21) That men may declare the name of the Lord in Zion.... And, literally, the name or nature of the Lord is “Zion.” (Jer.3:17) At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart. Jeremiah called God's people out of bondage in the north to repent and return to Zion. (Jer.3:14) Return, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am a husband unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.   And Jeremiah said that returning to Zion was returning to the name of the Lord, that is the nature, character and authority of the Lord. (Psa.102:21) That men may declare the name of the Lord in Zion, And his praise in Jerusalem; (22) When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. Yes, God is gathering a people out of all nations to serve Him.   Now the Bible says that Christ is, (1Pe.2:8) ... A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. So notice that whoever Peter is talking to is not a people who stumbled at the Word by being disobedient. (1Pe.2:9) But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.... “Holy” or hagios means “separate,” “sanctified.” A “saint” is “a holy one.” And “elect” here is eklektos, meaning “chosen.” It's translated “chosen” many times in the Scriptures. And the word “race” here is genos, or “generation.” Well, who is this “chosen generation” he's talking about? Peter is talking to all generations of Christians since the crucifixion of Christ and he says they are “a holy nation,” “a chosen generation.”   So this 42nd generation speaks of a body of Christ in whom Christ lives and this I think helps us understand Isaiah a little better when he speaks of this chosen people. (Isa.61:8) For I, the Lord, love justice, I hate robbery with iniquity; and I will give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. (9) And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed. (They are the separated seed that the Lord has blessed.) (10) I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation.   Jesus was God's great reformer. He came to raise up in the New Testament a spiritual fulfillment of what the Old Testament was in the parable of the letter. Jacob's 12 sons, the patriarchs, were the forefathers of His Old Testament people. Jesus raised up the 12 apostles, who were the forefathers of His New Covenant people. Those men came out of the Babylonish religion of their day and followed Jesus. And Jesus said that He was coming again, in a repetition of history, as a little baby born to a woman.   (Joh.16:21) A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world. (22) And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you.   We see this woman with man-child again in (Rev.12:5) And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. Speaking about a company of first-fruits in our day when, once again, reformers are going to be raised up to restore the Church.   Jesus spoke of His reformer ministry then and now in (Isa.61:4) And they shall build the old wastes.... In other words, that which had been destroyed of Christianity in Jesus' day and that which has been lost to us for 2000 years is now going to be restored again through the Man-child ministry of our day, just like it was when Jesus came and restored all things. (Isa.61:4) … they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. (5) And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks....   Now He's speaking here of Zion, the Bride who is that holy people whom Jesus raised up and whom the Man-child in our day is going to raise up. And he says of them, (5) And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers. Well, that's very interesting! Who are these strangers and foreigners? You're looking at the letter here in the Old Testament, but the translation in the New Testament is spiritual because it's for a spiritual people.   God has hidden things in a parable so that He can hide them from the wise and prudent. So who are these strangers and foreigners who do the physical work of labor for the elect? If we want to answer that question, we need to first find out who are the elect, the chosen people for the Kingdom of God in the New Testament. We know in the Old Testament the elect were a literal, physical people. But in the New Testament, Jesus came to raise up a spiritual people. Adam came to raise up a physical people, but the last Adam, Jesus was the spiritual Father of the born-again man.   So again, once we know who these elect are, we should be able to find out who it is that serves the elect. Let's start in (Gal.5:17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. The old man of flesh is totally contrary to the spirit man and is constantly making war on the spirit man, but who's the elect? The elect is the one who's going into God's Kingdom and we know, (1Co.15:50) … brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Flesh and blood is not the elect in the New Testament; the spiritual man is the elect in the New Testament. As a parable, the Israelite represented the spiritual man in the Old Testament. As a parable, the Canaanite or the Egyptian both represented the old man, but the Israelite represented the new man.   In the Old Testament, the Israelite was the one who was saved and was God's elect, according to the letter and according to the flesh, not according to the spirit man. (Rom.8:7) Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: (8) and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. The “mind of the flesh” rules the flesh. It's not part of God's Kingdom; it will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We've now identified who the elect are in the New Testament.   The born-again man, the spiritual man, is the elect and the carnal man is his mortal enemy. The Israelite had to put to death the carnal man who lived in the land in order to take over his house and, of course, we are the house and our carnal man, that Canaanite, that giant Goliath, needs to be put to death because he's the enemy of God.   What we're seeing in Isaiah 61 is another parable of sanctification. Sanctification is what happens when the born-again man is no longer in bondage to the old carnal man. While the Israelites were in Egypt, they were in bondage to the Egyptians, but at the Red Sea, the Egyptian was the old man who went down in the water and the Israelite was the new man who came up. Paul called the Red Sea experience a “baptism.” (1Co.10:1) For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) and did all eat the same spiritual food; (4) and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.   Baptism symbolizes the death of the old man, so now you know to whom the Israelites were in bondage. They were slaves to the carnal man and their Red Sea experience is a type and shadow of our salvation in the New Testament when we're baptized. When we come up out of the water, the old man is dead. (Rom.6:11) Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. And the new man is (Col.1:27) ... Christ in you, the hope of glory, because (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.   (Isa.61:5) And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers. What if you reversed this? Who is the “stranger” and the “foreigner”? It's the old man! It's the man who has no right to the Kingdom of God, the man who is not an Israelite, the man who is not a Christian. He's a member of the body of the Beast. “And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers” is talking about the old man serving you! The old man, who is dead to his former dominion over you, is now serving you! This life, this physical life, now serves you!   All the blessings that follow sanctification are because this happened. This is the restoration of the days of the apostles when they served God with a fervor and were holy, when they didn't give in to the flesh, but instead, like Paul, ruled over the flesh.   Paul said, (1Co.9:27) But I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. He buffeted his body; he brought it into subjection, lest he himself would be adokimos, or “reprobated.” He made his body serve him; he put it in bondage. Paul called himself “a bondservant of Jesus Christ”. So now it's no longer the spiritual man who's in bondage in Egypt; it's the carnal man who is in bondage in the Promised Land. This is the work of sanctification! We desire earnestly that this flesh would have no ability nor power of its own, but would simply be a vessel to carry the spiritual man and do the physical things to serve the spiritual man. In our Testament, in our Covenant, that's what this is talking about. (Joh.6:63) It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.   Back to (Isa.61:6) But ye shall be named the priests of the Lord; men shall call you the ministers of our God: ye shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. Notice that they will be the priests! And the priests offered sacrifices. They offered burnt-offerings, for instance, and God promised Moses that we would be a kingdom of priests, if we would keep His laws. (Exo.19:5) Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine: (6) and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.   In other words, God promised we would all be priests, we would all have sacrifices, we would all be offering burnt-offerings before the Lord. And those burnt offerings would be the Flesh! But who is the priest? The spiritual man is the priest. The carnal man is the offering; he's the beast that is burned up in the fiery trial. You see, in overcoming that old man, in crucifying the old man, we're all priests, and so the “strangers” will serve God's elect.   We can see this more clearly if we go back a few chapters in Isaiah 13. There we see that God's people are in bondage to Babylon and, you know, Babylon falls twice. The Lord showed me it falls spiritually and then it falls physically. (Rev.18:1) After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory. (2) And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons (Notice, he's not talking about the destruction; now he's talking about a spiritual fall of Babylon. The physical fall of Babylon comes a little later in this chapter.),and a hold (or a “prison”) of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird.   (Rev.18:4) And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. So now this is talking about the coming physical destruction of Babylon. Babylon can symbolize fallen DS America because Babylon was the “great eagle.” It can also be a spiritual revelation of apostate religion, which is called the “Harlot,” because it's receiving the seed of the world. Apostate religions are committing fornication with the world, instead of receiving the seed of their Husband, Who is the Lord. (Rev.18:5) For her sins have reached even unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. He's saying to come out so that you won't be destroyed with her. There is first the spiritual fall of Babylon into debauchery, into demon possession, into her churches being filled with demons instead of righteous people.   And then God says, “Now you come out of her so you don't partake of her destruction,” which is a physical fall. (Isa.13:19) And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans' pride, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. So there is a Babylon spiritually fallen and we have to spiritually come out of her. In our spirit man, in our spiritual life, we have to come out of her. You really can't leave worldwide Babylon physically because the whole world came from Babel. That's where the tongues were confounded and the people were spread out, and then God broke the continents up and separated the peoples by their languages. So you really can't leave larger Babylon, which is the whole world, but the day will come when Babylon will physically fall and by that time you need to be spiritually separated from her.   You're spiritually coming out of Babylon now, but there's coming a day when we are going to physically leave Babylon when the “ark” is going to lift off, so keep that in mind as we read this. (Isa.13:20) It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall shepherds make their flocks to lie down there. (21) But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there (In other words, the true shepherds and their flocks are no longer there.); and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and ostriches (An ostrich represents a very big bird in the world, but it can't overcome the world. It's earthbound, just like some very big “birds” who are in this world today. They can't overcome the world and they are unclean.) shall dwell there, and wild goats shall dance there. Goats are another symbol of apostate Christianity.   (Isa.13:22) And wolves (one more symbol) shall cry in their castles, and jackals in the pleasant palaces (Those castles and palaces are the apostate churches.): and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged. Here comes the physical fall and you better get out! (Isa.14:1) For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land.... When we come out of Babylon, we are to go to Zion. We are to go to our spiritual Promised Land where we can live as Christians, where we can live by what God told Joshua: (Jos.1:3) Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses. And then God gave the boundaries of the Promised Land.   The Word of God is our land. The Word of God is where we dwell and how we walk. God is going to give you every place you put underneath the soles of your feet. In other words, every promise in the Word of God on which you stand is your Promised Land that God is going to give to you. He raised up Jacob and the 12 patriarchs of the Old Testament, just as He raised up Jesus and the 12 patriarchs of the New Testament, and He's about to do the same thing again. He's about to raise up the Man-child and the 12 multiplied patriarchs, too, and set them in their own land. God's people are leaving Babylon and going back to their own land. God is going to restore the waste places, restore the cities, etc.   (Isa.14:1) For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the sojourner shall join himself with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. (2) And the peoples shall take them, and bring them to their place (What “peoples” took God's people to their Promised Land?); and the house of Israel shall possess them (That is, the house of Jacob shall possess the peoples that brought them to their place.) in the land of the Lord for servants and for handmaids.... Wow! You know, it is this physical man who brings us to our Promised Land, but then that man becomes the servant of the spiritual man.   When we are living upon our Promised Land, the Egyptian, or old man, is the servant and not the Israelite. The old man is simply a “vessel” for the spiritual man. The old man brings that spiritual man everywhere he goes, but the old man is no longer ruling. He's no longer the master; he's now the servant. When you go to your Promised Land, it means that old man is no longer ruling over you. You are ruling over him.   (Isa.14:2) … and they shall take them captive whose captives they were.... In Egypt, the Egyptian made captives of the Israelites, which means the man of flesh ruled over the spiritual man, and when that happens, we call it “sin.” (Rom.8:13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. If you walk after the flesh, you must die! Multitudes of people who call themselves Christians walk after the flesh; they are in bondage in Egypt. Serving the flesh is what caused the destruction of the Adamic race altogether. (Isa.14:2) … and they shall take them captive whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors. That's sanctification! There is a great blessing for this because now you can live in the Promised Land.   Now you can stand on the promises and the old man won't talk you out of them or cause you to walk in the flesh and lose your benefits. (Isa.14:3) And it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow.... So you enter into the “rest”! Remember, the “rest” is ceasing from your own works. You keep the New Testament spiritual sabbatismos, which means “a continual rest.” (Isa.14:3) And it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy trouble (There's no lack of trouble and persecution to sinners, but a person who is walking a holy walk is finally free.), and from the hard service wherein thou wast made to serve.   We've all been in bondage to sin and to the old man, and we've reaped the bad fruit of that, which is the curse! The curse is the fruit of serving the old man. What's the benefit of the old man serving the new man? It's just the opposite; it's the blessings and great benefits that the Lord spoke about in Deuteronomy 28 and that we're reading in Isaiah 60 and 61. It's been about 2000 years since God's people actually walked that way, but now the Lord is going to raise up a Man-child to walk in the steps of Jesus and bring about restoration.   Jesus raised up apostolic forefathers to go forth and raise up the Church, and the Man-child is going to do the same thing, except this time both the Man-child and those forefathers are going to be multiplied. Glory to God! (Isa.14:4) That thou shalt take up this parable against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! (5) The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers; (6) that smote the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke (He's broken the power of the rulers to rule over their slaves. He's broken the power of the old man over the spiritual man.), that ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained.  Glory to God! 

Whether God speaks from a verse of scripture in the Bible, or even through an incredible experience in the natural world, God has something to say. Of course when God speaks we need to be listening so that we don't miss His Word for us.