Podcasts about your spirit

SCRIPTURE- 1 Kings 19:11-12"Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD;* the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound."REFLECTION- LaurenMUSIC- Psalm 91 God My Fortress by Holy Blues (on YouTube)NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Mark 1:15"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”REFLECTION- Sr. CharleneMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Acts 3:19"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”REFLECTION- Mary EllynMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Every day brings choices — some small, some life-altering. In today's prayer and devotional, we remember that whether it’s navigating relationships, parenting, work, or personal growth, our need for God’s wisdom is constant. Wisdom is more than human intelligence or cleverness. It is discernment rooted in God’s will, applied through a humble heart that acknowledges His way is always better. Amanda Idleman reminds us that our natural instinct is to react emotionally or cling to control. But God’s wisdom invites us to pause, pray, and listen. His way looks beyond the moment and steers us toward goodness, mercy, and Spirit-led living. Seeking wisdom requires intentional rhythms — morning prayers, moments of worship, pauses in the middle of our busyness — that anchor us in His guidance. God promises that wisdom is His gift to those who ask (James 1:5). As we cultivate hearts that surrender and listen, we learn to discern His gentle nudges, recognize His peace, and walk confidently in His direction. Today's Bible Reading: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." – Proverbs 2:6 Key Takeaways Wisdom is God’s gift, rooted in discernment and alignment with His purposes. Our way is often reactive, but God’s way sees the bigger picture. Building daily rhythms of prayer and Scripture helps us hear His guidance. God’s wisdom shapes not just our choices but also our character and faithfulness. Let’s Pray Together Father, I need You to help me know Your way and find Your path. I need Your wisdom for today’s decisions. Show me how to pause and listen for Your Spirit before I rush ahead. Forgive me for relying on my own pride and control. Teach me to live humbly, trusting Your way is better. Thank You for being faithful to provide wisdom for every circumstance. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Calls to Action Begin each day by asking God for wisdom before making decisions. Create small “holy pauses” throughout your day to re-center on God’s direction. Share this episode with someone facing a difficult choice and remind them of Proverbs 2:6. Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily encouragement and prayer rooted in Scripture. Related Resources How Do We Define Someone Who Shows Wisdom? - Crosswalk.com 5 Ways to Pray for God’s Wisdom Every Day – BibleStudyTools.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

SCRIPTURE- 2 Corinthians 7:10"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”REFLECTION- JavierMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

* See notes below for full text of Seven Sorrows of the BVMSCRIPTURE- Luke 1:34"But Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be?'"REFLECTION- Sr. KathleenMUSIC- The Breach by Alexandra Streliski- Warmness by Alexei SurovykhPRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.THE SEVEN DOLORS (SORROWS) OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARYAccording to a form approved by Pope Pius VII (1815)V.  O God, come to my assistance;      R.  O Lord, make haste to help meV.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.           R.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.   (The Hail Mary is said after each verse.)1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God.     Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.      Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of of thy womb, Jesus.      Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety.     Hail Mary….3. The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the loss of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge.     Hail Mary….4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude.     Hail Mary….5. The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30)I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which your generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel.     Hail Mary….6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His Body was removed from the cross. Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding.     Hail Mary….7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42)I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom.     Hail Mary….Let Us Pray:   Let intercession be made for us, we beseech You, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the Hour of our death, before the throne of Your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose most holy soul

Galatians 5:16-26 NIV1. WHAT SELF-CONTROL REALLY MEANSGreek word: "enkrateia" = strength from within Not gritting teeth and trying harder Allowing God's power to control your life Illustration: You're the caboose, not the engine QUOTEABLE: "You don't need more willpower; you need more God-power."Not achieved through willpowerFruit that grows when connected to the SpiritIllustration: Apple tree - keep the tree healthy, fruit grows naturallyApplication: Stop manufacturing; start nurturing relationship with GodQUOTEABLE: "You can't manufacture fruit, but you can cultivate the tree."QUOTEABLE: "Self-control isn't just about controlling some things - it's about surrendering everything."GospelContext: Acts of flesh vs. fruit of the SpiritFlesh controls:Your appetites (sexual immorality, impurity)Your attitudes (hatred, discord, jealousy)Your actions (fits of rage, selfish ambition)Spirit-control touches:Physical - body and appetitesEmotional - feelings and reactionsRelational - words and responsesFinancial - spending and givingSpiritual - priorities and timeWhere do I most need God's self-control right now?""Self-control isn't just about controlling some things - it's about surrendering everything."Paradox: Control yourself by letting God control youRomans 6:16 - "slaves of the one you obey".Romans 6:15-18Two options: slave to impulses or slave to righteousnessThe secret: Spirit-control = true freedom"The way to control yourself is to let God control you.""When you're controlled by God's Spirit, you're more free than you've ever been."Honest confession: "God, I can't control this. I need help."Pride says: "I can handle this"Humility says: "I can't, but God can""The first step to self-control is admitting you're out of control."John 15:5 - "Apart from me you can do nothing"Stay connected through:Daily time in God's WordRegular prayer and worshipFellowship with believersObedience in small things"Self-control flows from staying connected to the Source of all control."Romans 12:2 - transformed by renewing mindsReplace lies with truth:Lie: "I can't help myself" Truth: Phil. 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ"Lie: "I'll never change" Truth: 2 Cor. 5:17 - "New creation has come"Lie: "Temptation is too strong" Truth: 1 Cor. 10:13 - God provides way of escape"You can't think wrong thoughts and live a right life.""Change your thinking, and you'll change your living."Self-control requires action empowered by SpiritPractical strategies:Avoid triggering situations when possibleReplace bad habits with God-honoring alternativesSurround yourself with encouraging peopleRemember every "no" to temptation = "yes" to God's best"Every 'no' to temptation is a 'yes' to God's best for your life."Self-control isn't passive - it's Spirit-powered action."A. God's Promise: Self-control will grow as you walk in Spirit. B. God's Purpose: Effectiveness in serving God and loving others C. Controlled life = focus on what matters (God's kingdom) D. "Self-control isn't just for your benefit - it's for your effectiveness." E. "A controlled life is a powerful life."A. Pick one area needing more self-control B. Don't try harder - surrender deeper C. Prayer: "God, I give You control. Fill me with Your Spirit" D. Remember: You don't need more willpower - you need more God-power"Instead of trying harder, surrender deeper." 2. THREE TRUTHS ABOUT BIBLICAL SELF-CONTROLA. Self-Control is a Gift, Not a GoalB. Self-Control Covers Every Area of LifeC. Self-Control is About God-Control3. FOUR PRACTICAL STEPS TO DEVELOP SELF-CONTROLA. Step 1: Admit Your Need (Humility)B. Step 2: Abide in Christ (Connection)C. Step 3: Apply God's Truth (Transformation)D. Step 4: Act in God's Power (Obedience)

On Sunday, Pastor Mike shared how he was asking a simple question: “Lord, how do I respond as a pastor to everything happening right now?” What followed was a clear word from the Lord that led him to Exodus 17—a moment where God's people were under pressure, under attack, and spiritually dry. In that passage, Moses lifted his hands toward heaven as the battle raged, and victory came when hands were lifted—not in striving, but in surrender. From that passage, Mike heard God say, “The time for striking rocks is over. The time for touching thrones has begun.” This message is an invitation to shift our posture. To stop reacting and start abiding. To respond not with outrage, but with trust. And to step into a rhythm of prayer that brings renewal, unity, and life. Below is a prayer guide you can use as you respond this week:Prayer Guide:1. Praise: Honoring God's Faithfulness and Outpouring of His SpiritHeavenly Father, we lift our hands to You in awe and gratitude. You are faithful, and Your Spirit continues to move in our lives and in our generation. We praise You for Your presence, Your provision, and Your power that sustains us.Pray for:• Thank God for His faithfulness in every season, acknowledging that nothing in heaven or earth can thwart His plans.• Praise God for the outpouring of His Spirit, awakening hearts to new hunger and deeper intimacy with Him.• Declare God's victory over every Amalek attack, trusting His authority to protect, restore, and advance His Kingdom.• Celebrate the ways God has revealed Himself in past battles, remembering His power and mercy.• Invite God's presence to fill every room, heart, and community, allowing His life to flow freely.2. Confession: Surrendering Striving, Distrust, and ConflictLord, we confess the times we have not abided in You, striving in our own strength, doubting Your provision, and wrestling with anger or contention toward others. We recognize where we have partnered with thoughts that oppose Your will and disrupt Your peace.Pray for:• Confess personal striving instead of resting in God's timing and authority.• Confess distrust, doubt, or anxiety that limits our faith and hinders intimacy with You.• Ask for forgiveness for anger, quarreling, or holding bitterness toward others.• Renounce any agreements with pride, ego, or grumbling.• Pray for healing, humility, and restored alignment with God, so we walk fully in His presence and purpose.3. Intercession: Lifted Hands for Each Other and Our Broken WorldFather, we lift our hands in intercession, covering one another's vulnerabilities, lifting the burdens of our families, communities, and the world. We declare Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.Pray for:• Pray for those around you, asking God to meet their deepest needs and protect their hearts.• Pray for comfort and hope in our relationships, families, communities, and country.• Ask God to pour out His presence in communities, awakening hunger for His presence and truth.• Pray for the defeat of the Amalek spirit and every force that seeks to steal joy, kill hope, or destroy destiny.• Declare healing, restoration, and unity, trusting God's authority and power to transform brokenness into new life.

Big Idea: God shapes us through hardship and obedience to become bold, gentle, and anchored in hope. Main Points: 1. Courage Grows in Doing Good 2. Hope Anchors Our Boldness 3. Suffering Can Glorify God Life Applications: - Embrace obedience even when it's uncomfortable. - Anchor your courage in the resurrection hope. - Trust God to use your suffering for His purpose. Prayer: God, help us become who You've designed us to be. Give us courage in trials, gentleness in witness, and trust in suffering. Shape us by Your Spirit into the image of Your Son. Amen. Benediction: May you become who God has called you to be—courageous, compassionate, and anchored in hope. Go with confidence and peace.

SCRIPTURE- Luke 13:3"No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”REFLECTION- JustinMUSIC- NOTES- Lyrics to "Will the Lord Remember Me" by Red Clay StraysWhen on the cross of Calvary, the Lord was crucifiedThe mob stood 'round Him and mocked HimYeah, they mocked Him until He diedTwo thieves were knelt beside Him to share the agonyBut one of them cried out to Him, "Oh, Lord, remember me"Will the Lord remember me when I am called to go?When I have crossed death's chilly seaWill He, His love there show?Oh, yes (oh, yes), He heard my feeble cry (ooh)From bondage set me free (set me free)And when I reach those Pearly Gates, He will remember meOh, will the Lord remember me when I am called to go?When I have crossed death's chilly seaWill He, His love still show?Oh, yes (oh, yes), He heard my feeble cry (ooh)From bondage set me free (set me free)And when I reach those Pearly Gates, He will remember me (ooh)PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Proverbs 4:11"I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”REFLECTION- CherylMUSIC- "We Have Been Told" Instrumental- "Gentle Reflections" InstrumentalNOTES- Click HERE for the article about St. Elizabeth Ann SetonPRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Isaiah 28:29"All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.”REFLECTION- JenMUSIC- "The Kingdom of God" Instrumental- "Let All the Earth Cry Out" (Psalm 66) by David Komel- "Es ist ein Ros Entsprungen" by Voces8NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Life today is overflowing with constant noise and endless responsibilities — from work demands to family schedules, to the never-ending stream of emails and notifications. It’s easy to feel stretched too thin, constantly pulled in competing directions. In today's devotional and prayer, Heidi Vegh reminds us that the key to balance isn’t found in managing every detail perfectly, but in surrendering our days to God. Matthew 6:33 calls us to seek first His Kingdom — to make God our priority before anything else. When we start our mornings with Him, we allow His Spirit to order our steps, giving us peace in the middle of chaos. Balance doesn’t mean doing everything; it means doing the right things, with God’s guidance. Sometimes His answer may be to rest instead of striving, to connect with a friend instead of checking one more task off the list. When we make room for holy interruptions, we find the kind of balance our souls truly crave. Today's Bible Reading: “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right attitude and character of God), and all these things will be given to you also.” – Matthew 6:33 (AMP) Key Takeaways Balance begins with priorities — seeking God first each day. Surrendering control allows God to redirect our days according to His will. The Holy Spirit provides gentle nudges and guidance when we feel overwhelmed. True balance comes not from doing it all, but from living aligned with God’s purposes. Let’s Pray Lord, life is busy and overwhelming, and I need balance. I surrender my plans, to-do lists, and ideals into Your hands. Guide me with Your Spirit, reminding me to start each day with You. Show me what to lay down, what to pick up, and how to create space for rest. Thank You for caring about every detail of my life and for promising to order my steps when I seek You first. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Calls to Action Start your morning tomorrow with a Scripture reading and prayer before touching your phone. Ask God throughout the day: “What’s the next right thing?” and trust His nudge. Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement to slow down and seek God first. Resources & Mentions 10 Ways to Find Balance in a Busy Life – Crosswalk.com 5 Tips for Creating Quiet Time with God in a Noisy World – Crosswalk.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

SCRIPTURE- 2 Chronicles 7:14"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”REFLECTION- SarahMUSIC- NOTES- Check out our Website Blog today for more on the Society of St. Vincent De Paul!PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Your Daily Prayer

SCRIPTURE- Isaiah 7:14"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel.”REFLECTION- Fr. CarlMUSIC- "Perfection" Instrumental- "Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above" by The Cathedral SingersNOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Morning Worship Sermon with Rev. Bud Hance Scripture reference 1 Kings 8:27 27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! Jeremiah 23:23 23 “Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord, “And not a God afar off? Acts 17:27-28 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.' Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Psalm 139:7-10 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.

SCRIPTURE- Proverbs 3:13"Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.”REFLECTION- GaryMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!Ephesians 5Believers are encouraged to imitate God by walking in love, just as Christ sacrificially loved and gave Himself for them. He warns against immorality, impurity, greed, and corrupt speech, reminding them that those who live in such ways have no inheritance in God's kingdom. Instead, they should live as children of light, producing goodness, righteousness, and truth. He calls them to be wise, making the most of their time and avoiding foolishness. Rather than being filled with worldly influences, they should be filled with the Spirit, worshiping God with gratitude. Paul also addresses relationships, instructing husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church and wives to submit to their husbands with respect. Marriage is a reflection of Christ's love for His church, demonstrating unity, sacrifice, and deep devotion. Imitating Jesus involves loving people. We demonstrate that love through how we treat others, as well as by helping holiness fill their lives. This is why we must not associate with immorality in body or speech. As children of light, we must bring the hope and holiness of Jesus into the world to expose sin and repel darkness. This entails walking wisely every day. We should seek to be filled with the Spirit and share His wonderful qualities among Christians and in all our relationships. Marriage is an incredible structure to demonstrate our allegiance to our Lord. Husbands should love as Christ loves the church. Wives should submit as the church does to Christ. Jesus must be honored in our homes. Precious Lord, help us to love others in the likeness of Christ's sacrificial love for us. Guide us to live as children of light, reflecting Your goodness, righteousness, and truth. Keep us from impurity, greed, and anything that draws us away from You. Teach us to use our time wisely, seeking to share Your wisdom in all we do. Fill us with Your Spirit, so our hearts overflow with worship and gratitude. Strengthen our relationships, teaching us to love, respect, and serve one another as Christ loves the church. May our lives and marriages glorify You in every way. Thought Questions: -       What is your responsibility among the darkness of this world? How do you shine the light of the gospel to others with both courage and love?  -       How do you “be careful how you walk”? What are some daily things you think and do to ensure you use your time wisely for God? -       What should marriage show people about Jesus? How is marriage just as much an evangelism tool as it is a blessing from our Lord?

SCRIPTURE- 1 Corinthians 3:18"Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.”REFLECTION- Fr. JasonMUSIC- "Deum Verum" by Psallentes- "Forgiven" (Psalm 32) by Sons of KorahNOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Faith for the Coming Wilderness (1) (audio) David Eells – 9/3/25 Father, You say in (Eph 2:8)  for by grace (unmerited favor) have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. 9  not of works, that no man should glory. Interpretation: By unearned favor God gives us His gift of faith to be what we should be. And He tells us that we don't have anything that we didn't receive from Him so how could we be proud of anything that we are able to do? With that in mind I ask     in the name of Jesus, you would let Your anointing be in our midst and to bless us all to have eyes to see and ears to hear. Give us all discernment from Your Spirit, Lord. We thank You that everything that You have done for us through Jesus Christ has all been accomplished at the cross, and we praise You for it, Father. We thank You, Lord, for using this unworthy vessel to share with the brethren a little bit more of the Word. Amen. I want to talk to you about the First-fruits and encourage you about how you can be part of that ministry. One major question that people have concerns the difference between those who will be in the First-fruits and those who will be in the in-gathering. In Exodus 23, the Bible speaks of two harvests. (Exo.23:14) Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. (15) The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep: seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, at the time appointed in the month Abib (for in it thou camest out from Egypt); and none shall appear before me empty: (We cannot bear fruit except by the unleavened bread of the pure Word. If we have done this the proof will be in the harvest.) (16) and the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which thou sowest in the field: and the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year, when thou gatherest in thy labors out of the field. The first-fruits are the first harvest and the rest are harvested at the end. The harvest is being brought into the Kingdom through the unleavened bread. We've learned that the First-fruits harvest is the Man-child ministry, and the ingathering harvest is those who are brought in later. Jesus was called the First-fruits who raised up His two witnesses who went out two by two to continue the harvest. (See Hidden Manna for the End Times, Chapter 7, “Maturity and Harvests,” which is available in PDF at ubm1. org), but what people want to know is, “How can I be in the First-fruits?” We'll find our answer if we examine the different types and shadows of the First-fruits. Two of the major types, of course, are Moses and Jesus. One thing we can see immediately from Moses and Jesus is that they went through a common experience, which prepared them to bring the people of God into the wilderness and teach them how to be overcomers. Moses went into the wilderness for 40 years (Act.7:30-34) and he overcame to lead the Israelites in the wilderness. Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days (Mat.4:1; Luk.4:2) and He overcame to teach the disciples. The number 40 represents “trial” or “tribulation,” so both Moses and Jesus overcame in their own trials. (Rev.2:26) And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations. (Rev.3:21) He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne. In other words, dominion is given to the people of God who overcome in their wilderness trials. So where is this “wilderness” and what does it entail? Well, the wilderness is everywhere there is a Christian. We're not looking for a literal, physical desert somewhere to go into, so don't be thinking that! (2Co.3:6) Who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Anywhere God's people are, there is a wilderness available to them. Why do I say “available”? That's because God's people are like Israel when they were in Egypt, and they don't necessarily want to go into that wilderness. In some cases, God even has to force them into that wilderness. Israel had to be forced into that wilderness by Pharaoh's army behind them and by God parting the Red Sea before them. But both Moses and Jesus each went out into their personal wilderness first; first they overcame their own temptations and trials before God used them to bring others there. The wilderness is a place where you are tempted and tried, and if you want to be used to bring others there, you first have to pass the test. Let me share with you some things the Lord has taught me about this wilderness. Not long after I became a Christian, by the Lord's grace and mercy, I started going out into the wilderness because I began getting the revelation of what it entailed and what it meant. To put it very simply, in the New Testament, a “wilderness” is any place and any trial in which you are believing and acting upon the Word of God. For instance, there is a mark of the Beast coming, and most Christians know that they won't be able to buy or sell with the world anymore, unless they take that mark. They will be put into a wilderness experience where they can't go back to Egypt, just like the Israelites out in the wilderness. The Israelites were tested to see if they were really going to believe in the promises of God, which was the only thing that would sustain them in their wilderness. We're coming to the same situation in our day. If you want to be like Moses, or if you want to be like Jesus, or if you want to be like Joseph, if you want to be like these different types and shadows of the First-fruits, you have to go out into your wilderness now. These men didn't wait for the crowd to go; they led them where they had already gone. I want to tell you quite frankly that if you are not living in the wilderness, you are not living as a believer. You are rebelling against the Word of God. If you are satisfied to go along with whatever the other religious people around you are doing, that won't put you in the First-fruits. You have to act upon what you see in the Word. Let me explain this wilderness to you a little bit more before I share a few testimonies. The Word of God says that our salvation has been accomplished. It's done. The Lord has already healed us. He's already delivered us. He's already perfected us. (Joh.19:28) After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst. (29) There was set there a vessel full of vinegar: so they put a sponge full of the vinegar upon hyssop, and brought it to his mouth. (30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit. Jesus said, “It is finished.” (Joh.16:33) These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. You see, the Lord has already overcome the world for us, and He did it by His sacrifice. He gave His Life for us. (1Pe.2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. Notice, these are past tense. (Heb.10:14) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. This was all accomplished at the cross! (Joh.1:29) On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world! He was the Lamb of God Who took away the sins of the world and there is a reason for that. The Bible says that God chose the things that are not to bring to nothing the things that are. (1Co.1:27) But God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; (28) and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, [yea] and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are. The “things that are not” are these promises that we don't see manifested in this physical realm. God says you are healed, you are delivered, you are perfected, and your sins are all taken away, but you say, “Well, David, I don't see that in this physical realm.” That's exactly right, but the Word of God is still true! When you hold fast to these past-tense promises, you will definitely see them come to pass because that's what faith is. Faith is believing and acting on these promises. God gave awesome promises to the Israelites when they went into their wilderness, and He was very much offended that they did not believe those promises. Let's look at what He said to them, since it was basically His whole problem with Israel in the wilderness. (Num.14:11) And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have wrought among them? (12) I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a nation greater and mightier than they. (23) Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that despised me see it. (Because they did not believe in Him.) So, the Lord swore He would bring them into that land, but He changed His mind because all the promises of God are functional and based on our part of the Covenant, which is faith in the promises. We have to believe! (Mar.9:23) And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth. (24) Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Jesus taught that we are supposed to believe that we have received everything that we pray for. For instance, (Mar.11:24) Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever (What does “all” leave out? Nothing!) whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them (This is past tense in all the ancient manuscripts. It's just that the translators didn't understand why you should believe you have received something when you don't see it.) believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them. God expects us to believe before we see; He expects us to believe we've received everything the Bible promises us. (Heb.11:1) Now faith is assurance of [things] hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. If you believe you received something when you prayed for it, what are you going to do to try to bring it to pass? If you say, for instance, that you believe by the stripes of Jesus you were healed, yet you continue trying to get healed by some worldly means, what you are proving is that you don't believe the good news that Jesus already healed you at the cross. For many years, I've never missed receiving a healing. I've raised five children and they have all received healing from the Lord. They were born at home (except for my oldest) and received healing for anything they ever needed. It didn't matter if it was broken bones, diseases, or whatever. They were always healed because I acted on what I saw in the Word of God concerning healing. His Word says that you don't have to accomplish healing; you have to receive it as a free gift, just as you receive every other form of salvation as a free gift. Since “God chose … the things that are not” to bring to nothing “the things that are,” how does He do that? (Rom.4:17) … God … calleth the things that are not, as though they were. Well then, how do we do that? We just speak it as done. Every miracle that Jesus ever did, He spoke it first. Nothing was there. He spoke it first, and it came to pass. And what the Lord wants us to do is speak in agreement with the Word. (Amo.3:3) Shall two walk together, except they have agreed? We need to speak in agreement with the Word of God. If the Bible says we're healed, we need to agree with that. If we have to call for the elders to anoint us with oil so we can put our faith together to agree with that, then that's what we should do, but we need to agree with that. (Rom.6:11) Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. You are delivered from sin. Consider it done. Why are so many people anxious and troubled about their sins? It's because they don't believe the Gospel! Why are so many people anxious and troubled about getting a healing? It's because they don't believe the Gospel! Why are so many people trying to deliver themselves? It's because they are not believing and acting upon the Gospel. Salvation in any form is a free gift. You accept it by faith. You speak it by faith. It is yours. (Col.1:12) Giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; (13) who delivered us (past tense) out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love. If you are attempting to save yourself and not accepting that you were delivered at the cross, then what you are proving is that you don't believe the Gospel. You believe in salvation by works. All of your self-efforts are hindering God from giving you what He wants to give you because He chose the things that are not to bring to nothing the things that are. The “things that are not” are these promises. The “things that are” is the curse. Look around you; God says He healed you and sometimes you don't look healed. He says He delivered you from sin and sometimes you don't think you are delivered from sin. He says He delivered you out of the power of darkness and sometimes you think you might have demons. Apostle Paul said, (Php.4:19) And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Every need! Wow! That's awesome! “My God shall supply every need of yours.” Think about that. You need to know and confess that all of God's promises are true anywhere you are. When you get into that wilderness, God is going to be there. God told Paul in (2Co.12:9) And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. His power is true power when we are weak, when we give up our own efforts to save ourselves. In the wilderness, there was no visible means of support for the Israelites. There was no lush land or a wondrous place to raise sheep and goats and crops. It was a desert. God brought them there to prove to them that He was Jehovah-jireh; the Lord my provider. (Gen.22:14) And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh. As it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided. He brought them there to prove that He was their provider in all things, but they moaned, and they complained, and they wouldn't believe God, and so they fell in the wilderness because they walked by sight and not by faith. God is about to send us into a wilderness. We are coming to a place where the world will no longer cooperate with us, but will turn against us, persecute us, and separate us from their benefits. They will blame us for the judgments that are falling upon the world. There will be a brief recovery of the economy and then a collapse and wilderness.  The governments are going to look for whomever they can blame and cut off because their resources will be gone. Remember that Egypt was completely ruined by the time the Israelites went into the wilderness (Exo.10:7). But before the Israelites went into the wilderness, they had already eaten the Passover lamb. Then they came out of Egypt and passed through the Red Sea, which Paul called 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. So they were saved, they were baptized, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and went right into the wilderness. If you believe the Word of God, that's exactly what you do! You go immediately into the wilderness, even if you are a baby Christian. You walk into that wilderness, you walk into that place where you receive your sustenance out of Heaven from God and you no longer receive your sustenance from man by his methods, by the works of the flesh. When the Israelites went into their wilderness, they carried all of their provisions out there with them, but in only three days, they started running out (Exo.15:22). In spite of their own efforts, they found themselves still dependent on the hand of God. Many Christians today think that we're going to store up all these things and get prepared for the coming wilderness, but God said that “My power is made perfect in weakness.” God is bringing us into a wilderness to multiply the food (Mat.14:13- 21; Mar.6:30-44, etc.), to bring the manna out of Heaven (Exo.16:31,35; Num.11:7,9, etc.), to bring the water out of the rock (Exo.17:6; Num.20:8, etc.) He's going to do all these miraculous things and more to provide for His people, yet His people are still of a mind of salvation by works. They think, “We don't have to walk by faith! We are going to save ourselves!” Well, I can tell you that exactly what happened to the Israelites is going to happen to the Church. In the wilderness, they are going to run out of everything, and they are going to be back depending upon God because that's His plan! We have to learn to use those promises, we have to learn to use the things that are not to bring to nothing the things that are. Even though we see that the promises are not yet fulfilled in this physical realm, we have to use them to provide ourselves with the things that we need. Jesus already provided us with everything right there at the cross, and only through our weakness is God's power going to be made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9). Many years ago, I was driving down the interstate and I passed over the River Jordan, except it was spelled “Jourdan” instead of “Jordan.” And when I passed over it, the thought came into my mind, “Oh, boy! Thank You, Lord! I'm going to the Promised Land!” But God immediately corrected me. He said, “No, you're not. I'm sending you through a wilderness so that you can tell My people that I still supply there.” That's what happened, and at the time, I was in a wilderness. I had been in it for many years, but the Lord helped me to explain it better. My wilderness was simply that I believed the Word of God when I was a baby Christian. I didn't have any religious background; I was raised a Catholic, but I didn't know anything about the Bible, so at home I started reading the Bible. I was just consumed with a love for the Bible! I knew that this was the truth, and so I began to act upon those awesome, precious promises that God has given us, and I began to see some wondrous miracles before I ever became mixed up with any religion. I just knew that those promises didn't pass away with the apostles. The Lord taught me in this wilderness how to receive provision from Him, and He taught me that so that I can teach it to you. It's exactly as He told me: “I'm sending you through a wilderness so that you can tell My people that I still supply there,” because we are going into a wilderness. The Tribulation period is the wilderness (Rev.12:6, 17:6). And we have to prepare for this wilderness, but not in the way that carnally-minded Christians have been teaching. I can tell you right now that how they are getting prepared is not going to last. To get prepared to walk through this wilderness, you need to walk by faith in the promises of God. You need to act on what you read in the Word, and if you will do that, you will be weak. That's because you can do nothing to bring to pass a promise that God says He's already given you. If He says that He has healed you and you go running to man for healing, then you prove you haven't believed that verse yet! And you are not in the wilderness because, when you are in the wilderness, you are in a place of weakness to the flesh. The flesh cannot save itself in the wilderness; it has to turn to God. God started teaching me these principles of just acting upon the Word, and before I knew what a wilderness was, I was going there. So you don't have to wait to go into the wilderness. In fact, if you go there and you overcome now, you will be one of those whom God will use to bring others there and teach them the ways of the Lord. (Isa.55:8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. The ways of the Lord are not our ways. He has methods that are not our methods. You don't have to read the Gospel very far before you realize that. Jesus didn't use the methods of the world to bring about the deliverance of God's people. When did Jesus send anybody to a psychiatrist or a doctor? He spoke the Word of God! He called the things that are not as though they were. We're going to do the same thing! If you make it through that wilderness, you are going to do the same thing. Some of what God began to teach me about living in the wilderness had to do with my finances. For instance, I have been ministering for 55 years now, and I've never taken an offering. “Taking” an offering is an oxymoron! You can't “take” an offering; it's supposed to be freely given! Now, I have preached in other assemblies where people have taken up offerings for me.  And some of them, I'm sorry to say, were use to their preacher's “beatings” to make them give through condemnation. But the Lord taught me at the beginning, (Mat.10:8) … freely ye received, freely give (Deu.15:10; Psa.112:9, etc.). God wanted me to give everything that He gave to me, to just give it freely, knowing that He is Almighty God and that He will take care of me. And when I ministered, I never asked for an offering, nor do I talk about money in our local assembly. I know that in most churches, they talk about money every time they meet, but I don't talk about money because God puts it in people's hearts to meet the needs of the brethren. So I freely give and for the past 55 years, God has freely given to me. Truly, if you prove God's Word, you will be very impressed with God. I'm very impressed with God! I know He watches over me, I know that He knows my needs, I know that He provides for my needs and I know that I don't have to stand around and beg Him or beg men. I've never taken an offering and I continue to freely give of my ministry to people. We freely give away our materials and our books on our website, but God puts it in people's hearts to give back. (Luk.6:38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again. Wow! That's awesome! And I've never had to condemn people into giving to me, either. I don't even have to mention it. I have taught on giving, of course, but I've never taught on giving to me, and I've never taught on putting people under the Law to give to me. The disciples never took up an offering for themselves but for saints who were suffering elsewhere. For instance, you can't find the command to tithe in the New Testament. Jesus said that tithing was of the Law. (Mat.23:23) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done (under the Law), and not to have left the other undone. There's no place in the New Testament where God commanded Christians to be tithers. That was a law that was given in the Old Testament to the Old Covenant people. If a preacher drags it over into the New Covenant, it's because he's not obeying Jesus. He's not freely giving and freely receiving. What he's doing is condemning people into supporting him because he has no faith. When Jesus sent out the disciples, they were men of faith, or He would not have ordained them, and He would not have sent them out. And when He sent them out, He told them, “Freely ye received, freely give,” and that's what they did. They didn't take up any offerings. They didn't throw any pity parties. They didn't cry about all of their needs. They trusted in Almighty God! He can take care of us and, by the way, He is not poverty-stricken! I learned very quickly that tithing was something that churches used because they didn't trust God, so they were putting God's people under the Law, which was pronounced to be a curse. (Deu.28:15) But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. (Jas.2:10) For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one [point,] he is become guilty of all. I learned that Jesus said, (Luk.14:33) So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. We are not stewards of 10% and owners of 90% anymore! Read the New Testament! We are called “stewards” of 100%!  We handle it for God. We've been bought with a price (1Co.6:19-20; 7:23). We are not our own and neither is anything that we have. We are bondservants, and everything that we have belongs to our Master. He's the One Who tells us what to do with it, how much to give, where to give and to whom. Yes, we do in type and shadow, bring our tithes into the storehouse (Mal.3:10), which in the Old Testament was in the middle of the temple, but in the New Testament, God's people are the temple. When Jesus returns to judge the nations, He's not going to say anything about the tithe. (Mat.25:34) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (35) for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in (Notice its all about how we treat the temple.); (36) naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (37) Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink? (38) And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? (39) And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? (40) And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me. You see, you bring your “tithes” into the storehouse by how you treat the temple. At times, God has even called on me to give away my car and my house, but anything that I gave away, He always gave back to me and, in most cases, even better. He has never failed me! When I've been to minister as an invited speaker at other assemblies, I always appreciated it if they chose to give me an offering, but I never asked for one. I also learned that it pleased God if I didn't tell everyone my needs. I just told Him my needs. There's not one instance in the Bible where an apostle took up offerings or told anyone their own needs. The only time they took up an offering was for someone else; they took up an offering for the saints in Jerusalem who were in desperate need, because when they came to Christianity, the Jews around them were plundering them. (Heb.10:34) For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one. And so Paul had the churches take up offerings for the saints (1Co.16:3; 2Co.9:5; 12:16-18; Php.4:15-19), but he never took up an offering for himself and nobody else did, either. They were men of faith, and they walked by faith. They knew they were working for the Father and that the Father would pay them. You get to see the glory of God if you don't do things in the flesh. I'll give you one little instance. But first please remember that we have nothing to brag about. Everything comes from our awesome God by unmerited favor through faith which is His gift to us. When my children were young, I was impressed that I needed to go to Louisiana to visit some relatives. Well, this was at a time when I didn't have any money whatsoever. Even my children asked, “How are we going to Louisiana?” It was a pretty good drive, four-and-a-half hours from where we lived, and I told them, “We are going to go by faith.” I never let on to anybody in our assembly, “Well, I'm going to Louisiana and I don't have any money.” The next day, we all piled into our car, which was out of gas, and we headed out to Louisiana. Now, as I was going out of the door, I saw where a sister had left her Bible on the table, so I picked it up and I said, “We'll drop this by on our way.” You know, I was convinced that God was just going to put gas in my car because He had done it many times before. And when we stopped by this sister's house, I knocked on her door and I handed her the Bible when she answered. I said, “You left this at our house and I didn't want you to go through the weekend without having the Word.” I turned around to leave, but she said, “David, the Lord is telling me to give this to you,” and she handed me a $20 bill. Now, in those days, a $20 bill would fill up even a big station wagon, which is what I had with five kids in it. So I thanked her and I turned around and went back to town, and I took that money and filled the tank up with gas.  We were excited because the pump clicked off at $20. Folks, you never saw a tank of gas in a big gas hog car like mine go as far as that tank of gas went! And when we took off for Louisiana, we still didn't have any money because we had put it all in the gas tank. After we got to Louisiana and were visiting, an assembly over there somehow found out I was in town. They decided to invite me over to preach and, sure enough, they took up an offering and blessed me. I came back with a whole lot more money than when I left. Praise be to God! I remember taking my kids to the beach when we didn't have any gas in the car and God put gas in the car. And I remember one time a friend called me to come and pick him up because he had run his car off the road, and he was stuck. That was when my car was empty. It had been empty for days, and I had been driving it that way for days, and he was on the other side of town. I said, “Lord, Your Word says, ‘Give to him that asketh of thee' (Mat.5:42; Luk.6:30), and he's asking, so I'm going!” I got in my car that I'd been driving for several days without any gas in it, and I went over there and I picked him up where he was stuck alongside the road. I dragged him out and came back home. You know, I drove that car for a week and it never ran out of gas. There was another time I actually did have plenty of money, but the gas stations were closed. When I lived over in Baton Rouge, I once had to go to work very, very early in the morning, and I didn't realize that all those stations weren't open that early. I went to a couple of them, and they were closed, but I decided, “Well, Lord, nothing is stopping You from putting gas in my tank. I'm going.” So I jumped up on the interstate, and before I had gone anywhere, I saw that gas tank needle start climbing; I think it climbed up about a third of a tank while I was driving down the interstate, and then it stopped. I asked, “Well, Lord, why didn't You just go ahead and fill it up?” And I heard Him answer, “Well, I always give you what you need.” I said, “That's right!” It didn't matter to me if I ran out because I've seen my car run without any gas in it. It makes no difference to God. We must become as a child in trusting our Father. To such belongs the Kingdom of heaven. God bless you to believe and trust in His promises you find in the Word of His provision and care for you!

SCRIPTURE- Romans 11:33“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”REFLECTION- Sr. CarolMUSIC- NOTES- Click HERE for the Article about the Ladies of CharityPRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

We often think of spiritual growth as a matter of passion, inspiration, or a “big breakthrough” moment. But the truth is, most of your spiritual transformation will not happen in a single dramatic encounter—it will be the product of habits you choose, day after day, that quietly shape your heart toward God.If you think about it, habits are simply repeated actions that become second nature over time. And if our goal as disciples is to become more like Jesus, we must intentionally form habits that align us with His heart and His ways.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” — Romans 12:2 (ESV)Developing godly habits begins with renewing the mind. Your thought life fuels your choices, and your choices create patterns. If your mind is being shaped by worldly voices more than God's Word, your habits will reflect that influence. But if you immerse yourself in Scripture, prayer, worship, and godly fellowship, your spiritual reflexes will begin to change.Start small. It's tempting to think you need a massive overhaul all at once, but lasting transformation comes from steady steps. If you're inconsistent in prayer, start with ten intentional minutes each morning. If Bible reading feels sporadic, commit to one chapter a day. These habits will not feel natural at first, but over time, they will become part of the fabric of your life—automatically guiding your responses, your relationships, and your decisions toward God's will.Understand this: ungodly habits do not disappear just because you stop them. They must be replaced. If you want to remove a pattern of worry, replace it with a habit of thanksgiving. If you want to stop speaking words of complaint, replace them with words of blessing. Spiritual discipline isn't about deprivation—it's about transformation.Godly habits are your training ground for the moments when your faith is tested. They keep you anchored when emotions fluctuate, when trials come, and when the enemy whispers lies. These rhythms create a spiritual reflex—so that when life squeezes you, what comes out is the fruit of the Spirit, not the residue of the flesh.Question of the Day:Which one godly habit do you need to start—or strengthen—this week?Mini Call to Action:Write it down, pray over it, and take one practical step toward putting it into action today.Prayer:Father, thank You for giving me the ability to form habits that honor You. Help me to choose rhythms and disciplines that draw me closer to Your heart and anchor me in Your truth. Replace old patterns that lead me away from You with habits that keep me in step with Your Spirit. Give me perseverance when it feels difficult, and joy as I see transformation take root. In Jesus' name, Amen.Let's Get To Work!Transformation doesn't happen by accident—it's built, one godly habit at a time.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

SCRIPTURE- COL 3: 23REFLECTION- Fr. RonMUSIC- NOTES- CHECK OUT our email that was sent today announcing September Spirit by CLICKING HERE!PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

 Seeds of Peace and Hope Heavenly Father, Creator of all, we thank You for the beauty of creation, a gift entrusted to our care. Forgive us for the wounds we have inflicted upon the earth and the poor. Pour out Your Spirit from on high, that deserts may bloom and hearts be renewed. Make us seeds of peace and hope, willing to die to selfishness and rise with Christ. Strengthen us to care for our common home with justice, humility, and love. Through Mary, Mother of Creation, may we walk as pilgrims of hope and help build Your Kingdom of peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

August 30, 2025Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 12 - Psalm 75:1-2, 6, 9; antiphon: Psalm 75:7Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 12:20-13:5, 33-34; 1 Kings 14:1-16:28; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24“We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near.” (Psalm 75:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Tomorrow's introit reminds us of this blessed reality: the Name of the Lord is near. In fact, it is so near, it is upon you!These are some awesome and particularly appropriate words for an introit—psalm verses for entering our Lord's sanctuary and being brought into His presence.You were given the ability to call on our holy and Triune God at your Baptism, when the Lord used your pastor to speak and wash you into new birth from above. In those joyous moments, the Name of the Lord came near as He placed His name upon you! “I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Now the name of the Lord is so near, it is on you. In you. At Baptism, you were blessed with the Gift of calling on Him in prayer. Praying, praising, and giving thanks. God brings you, His child, to talk with Him “as dear children ask their dear father.”The Word of the Lord continues bringing His name near. Your pastor preaches. In Bible Class, you are taught that Word, as His name comes near. The Word is spoken in conversations of encouragement among faithful family and friends, and that brings God's name near, too.Of course, the high point of every Lord's Day is when the Name of the Lord is near, coming with the holy and precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Here is the greatest moment of the presence of God. The clearest, most felt and experienced nearness of God and His Name. With His own flesh and blood, Jesus brings the name of God in, with, and under Him to permeate you, bless you, and nourish you with His forgiving and saving presence. Where His name is, there He is to make you His own.So here we are, entering the sanctuary of the Holy Trinity, with His name washed onto us from Baptism and repeatedly placed on us with Word and Sacrament. With that holy name upon us, Jesus, who makes His name near, makes us worthy to enter His church building and receive Him yet again in Word and Sacrament, and we respond with giving thanks.We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. (Psalm 75:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Baptized into Your name, most holy, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I claim a place, though weak and lowly, Among Your saints, Your chosen host. Buried with Christ and dead to sin, Your Spirit now shall live within. (LSB 590:1)Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

Send us a textEphesians 2The Ephesian believers were once spiritually dead in their sins, following the ways of the world; however, God, rich in mercy, made them alive with Christ. Their salvation is accomplished by grace through faith, not by works, so no one can boast. As God's handiwork and driven by His incredible mercy, they were created in Christ for good works that He prepared for them. Through Jesus' sacrifice, the barrier between Jews and Gentiles was removed, making all believers one in Him. No longer strangers, they became citizens of God's kingdom and members of His family. Together, they were being built into a holy temple, with Christ as the cornerstone, becoming a dwelling place for God's Spirit. No one deserves to be in a saved relationship with God. We have all given in to the enemy and sinned against our Father. “But God, rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,” made us alive together through Christ. God's act of grace saves us through Jesus as we choose to have faith in Him. Our works are flawed, but Christ's perfect work has restored those who trust and follow Him. We now live faithful to Him, grateful for what God has done for us through His Son. And we are not alone. Christ has broken down walls, uniting all believers in one body, with access in one Spirit to the Father. We build our lives on Jesus, and we joyfully do so together. Kind Lord, we humbly thank You for Your abundant mercy and great love that made us alive in Christ. We know we were once dead in our sins, but by Your grace, we are saved through faith. Help us walk in the good works You have prepared for us, living as reflections of Your love. Unite us as one body, breaking down any barriers of division. May we always remember that we are Your dwelling place, built on Christ, our cornerstone. Help us recognize Your Spirit and live with hearts of gratitude filled with peace, love, and humble service. Thought Questions: -       You once walked in darkness, refusing to live in the light of Christ. What did God do that changed your heart and caused you to repent? -       Christ's blood broke down all walls and united all believers. Is that still an important message for the church today? Why is it needful? -       Christians must keep growing into a holy temple with Jesus as our cornerstone. What helps you keep growing in Him alongside believers? 

SCRIPTURE- Isaiah 55:8“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.”REFLECTION- PeggyMUSIC- "Even If" by MercyMeNOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Your Nightly Prayer

SCRIPTURE- Proverbs 1:7“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”REFLECTION- Fr. JimMUSIC- The Well Tempered Clavier performed by Sviatoslav RichterNOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Matthew 24:13"But the one who endures to the end will be saved."REFLECTION- KyleMUSIC- Companions on the Journey by The 7pm Choir (YouTube)- Your Word by David NevueNOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Send us a textGalatians 5Believers must stand firm in the freedom Christ has given them, not returning to the bondage of the Law. Paul warns that relying on the Law for righteousness separates them from grace. Instead, faith expressing itself through love is what truly matters. He cautions against false teachers and emphasizes that Christ has set them free. Paul explains that freedom is no excuse for sin but an opportunity to serve others in love. He contrasts the works of the flesh—such as immorality, hatred, and jealousy—with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. He encourages believers to walk by the Spirit, resisting sinful desires. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh and should live in step with the Spirit, producing godly character. If Christ has set us free, we must not return to anything that enslaves us. True freedom is not about doing whatever we want but about living by the Spirit and serving others in love. This chapter challenges us to examine whether we are led by the flesh or by the Spirit. The works of the flesh bring destruction, but the fruit of the Spirit produces godly character. Walking in the Spirit means surrendering to God, allowing Him to shape our thoughts, actions, and relationships. We must resist sinful desires and seek to grow in love, joy, peace, and self-control. As we live by the Spirit, we reflect Christ to the world and experience the fullness of life in Him. Gracious Lord, thank You for our liberty and security in Christ. Help us to stand firm and not fall back into anything that separates us from Your grace. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may walk in love and resist the destructive and carnal deeds of the flesh. Produce in us the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Teach us to serve others humbly and live in step with the intentions of the Holy Spirit. We will crucify the flesh and live as blessed people who belong to Christ.  Thought Questions: -       Is it possible for a Christian to fall from grace? (v.4). What is the sin that causes this, and how do you prevent such a devastating mistake? -       When can your freedom in Christ become an opportunity for the flesh? How important is it to love others in everything we choose to do? -       How does the fruit of the spirit help you repel the deeds of the flesh? Choose one of each to illustrate how the light helps to repel the darkness.

SCRIPTURE- Hebrews 10:36"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."REFLECTION- Sr. KaraMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Send us a textGalatians 4Before Jesus, the Galatians were like children under guardians, enslaved to the world's principles. But when the time was right, God sent His Son to redeem them so they could be adopted as His children. Because they are His children, He has given them the Spirit, allowing them to call Him “Abba, Father.” Paul warns them not to return to bondage under the Law, reminding them of their initial joy in the gospel. He expresses deep concern for them, longing for Christ to be fully formed in them. Using the story of Sarah and Hagar, Paul illustrates the difference between living under God's promise versus slavery to the Law. He urges them to embrace their identity as children of the free woman and to live in the freedom of Christ. We are deeply indebted to God for all He has done to redeem us from our sins. He sent Jesus through a woman, born under the Law, to redeem mankind from the burden of justification through law-keeping. He poured the Spirit of His Son into our hearts to help us call out to our Father. The grace of God frees us, adopted and cherished as His children. It would be foolish to forsake liberty in our Savior for the bondage of life without Him. This occurs when we act in pride by trying to justify our claim to be with God through our adherence to any law separate from Christ. The result is bondage. We must choose freedom under Christ's covenant.   Faithful God, thank You for adopting us as Your children through Christ. Help us to live in the freedom You have given us and not return to anything that enslaves us, especially our pride and self-justification. Fill our hearts with Your Spirit so that we may know You as our loving Father. Guard us from anything that pulls us away from the truth of the gospel. Strengthen our faith, and let Christ be fully formed in us. Teach us to embrace our identity as heirs of Your promise and to walk in the joy and freedom of Your grace. Thought Questions: -       Are you living joyously in freedom as God's child, or do you get distraught by your own imperfect law-keeping? Are you a saved child of God? -       Sadly, false religious teachers turned some Christians against Paul. Why does this still happen today, and how do we avoid such sinfulness? -       You live under the new law of freedom in Jesus Christ. What does that mean to you, and how does it motivate you to obey Him with gratitude?

SCRIPTURE- Exodus 14:14"The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still."REFLECTION- Fr. RonMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Isaiah 61:10"I will rejoice heartily in the Lord. My being exalts in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of justice. Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."REFLECTION- Sr. M. KarolynMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- 1 Peter 4:19"So then, those who suffer according to God's will, should commit themselves to their faithful creator and continue to do good. "REFLECTION- LaurenMUSIC- Polkadot Paws by Allan GogollNOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Last week, we noted that the Scriptures, both the Hebrew and New Testament Scriptures, teach that the Spirit of God is a person. The question is, what kind of a person?The Scriptures further teach that He is a divine person. By divine, it does not mean "excellent," or "delightful," although He is certainly that. Rather, by divine, it is meant He is deity. As the third person of the triune God, He is God, just as the other members of the triune God, the Father and the Son. This is seen in that He manifests the four essential attributes or characteristics of God: eternity, omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence.With respect to his eternal existence we read in Hebrews 9:14:"How much more will the blood of Messiah — who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself unblemished to God — cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"The Spirit of God is also omnipotent, all powerful. He was engaged in the creation of the world, ordering, arranging, and giving life to what otherwise would have remained "void," "formless" and shrouded in darkness (Genesis 1:1-2).The Spirit of God is also omniscient, all knowing. Paul writes, "...The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men, knows the thoughts of a man, except the man's spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God" (I Corinthians 2:10-11).Lastly, the Spirit of God is omnipresent, everywhere. David writes, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast" (Psalm 139:7-10).How wonderful is this for believers in Yeshua. He imparts His Spirit to us, to be with us everywhere and anywhere we might be in this life, and for all of eternity. His presence serves to guide and protect us always!YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/593cdTdFuB4Send us a text

Ever thought of running away from God? Like naive children in moments of hot shame and brokenness, we imagine there's some deeply-hidden spot where what we've done cannot be seen, where we can huddle with our guilt. Perhaps in some dark mountain cave. Perhaps beneath the blankets of our bed. Perhaps beneath the cellar stairs. But God—and grace—are inescapable, and our most private hiding spots are never hid from Him. The psalmist said it best: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast” (Ps 139: 7-10). Grace seeks us even when we've blown it big—to heal and forgive us, not in vengeance or to punish. We hide in foolishness and fear: God teases us into His light. And when we're found, hot tears blend into easy, grateful smiles. Be sensible: choose not to hide. And stay in grace. -Bill Knott

SCRIPTURE- Philippians 3:13-14"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."REFLECTION- Sr. CharleneMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Jesus Delivers Us (11) (audio) David Eells -8/20/25 Factious people have divisive and slanderous spirits in the political and religious realm. Tit 3:10  A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; 11  knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned. If this is not obeyed their demons invade you.   Break Ties with Factious People by A.T. Addressed to a friend in Faction. Recently, I was vexed with a severe trial. This sickness was so bad that my body had been rejecting, via severe diarrhea, almost all nutrition. I had terrible pain with digestion. My body had been getting progressively weaker. My muscles were bearing close to no strength. As I took my daughter to school this morning, my legs were shaking while I walked. They felt like they could barely hold up my own weight. It was extremely painful to walk and then even to sit up on the bus. I have never in my life experienced such illness or discomfort. I had been seeking the Lord for answers and praying for healing, but the weight of this sickness had just seemed to intensify, with no relief. It wasn't from lack of sleep, lack of hydration or poor eating habits. Heading back to the bus from the school drop-off, I was seeking Jesus for mercy. I was asking Him for help getting on the bus. My legs felt so weak, like they were going to buckle underneath me. He said, “D and A have set a trap for some.” You see, D, I had heard about you leaving fellowship a while ago. At the time, I had many questions myself. Thus, I never completely let go of you. My mind kept reverting back to when I last saw you and thinking how much I love you and your pleasant family. Understand that I was not told by any man about your spiritual condition. Even upon hearing about you leaving and falling into faction, I still did not take full heed. My thinking was, “Well, who's right?” But this word came through the Spirit of God, a Voice without any bias or influence of man. God continues to confirm to me the righteous standing of the ministry. It is, indeed, a refuge for God's loving souls. But, D, times are “a changing…” When the Lord warned me, He also instantly healed me. My strength returned. I felt the Spirit of God touch me and heal me. I felt demons leave from my heart and through the top of my head. This deliverance happened the moment I heard the Lord warning me about staying in contact with you. As I type this letter, I am totally healed. I feel such clarity now. The Father has told me to break ties with you completely, lest the sickness return. I wish it didn't have to come to this. But you need help. Please call upon the Lord! Ask Him to reveal the truth to you before time is lost. He loves you, but cannot tolerate hidden sins within His sheepfold. I am no different—if I bear any iniquity, then I must repent. So it is with anyone. God is no respecter of persons. Please, my brother, I bring this forward in love. And God loves you so much that He allowed me to get very sick. This was so that He could speak to me the reason and then heal me. He did this for you to see the truth for yourself. Just think about what the Lord has done here. Please do not deny the Cross of Christ. The Father's voice through His Son is calling you right now to return and be healed. Next, let me share this dream from S.S. we called:   Invasion of “Stupid” Demons, Part 2 by S.S. (David's notes in red) I will first read the entire dream and then break it down with the interpretation. We, all of UBM and then some, are in a huge warehouse. And tables were set up like for a pot blessing. David was sitting at the head of the table where I was sitting. On his left were M.H., then S.S, J.S., D.L. and M.L. And on the other side were T.C.1, T.C.2, a man I didn't know, and other UBM members. And T.C.1 said, “Hey S.S.! Remember that ‘stupid' dream?” And I said, “Huh?” Putting his thumbs on his temples and waving his fingers like wings, He said, “You know!?” “That dream was so simplistic and to the point. You need to tell it!” said T.C.2. David agreed, saying, “Yeah! Tell it!” T.C.1 added, “Quiet, everyone! S.S. wants to tell a dream.” And someone said, “Stand up!” So I'm starting to tell the dream. And in the first part, I'm telling how I was praying. I'm also hearing a conversation that, in the natural, I should not have been able to hear. The first conversation I overheard was, “Don't you ever get tired of praying for the same thing over and over again?” And the second conversation was, “These dreamers! Who do they think they are! They probably don't even hear from God! They're all liars! I'm so tired of hearing their names!” The third conversation was, “I don't really have to confess my sins to anyone. God already knows them.” And the fourth conversation was, “I'm so tired of hearing about the latter rain! Yeah, yeah. It's coming. They don't know what they're talking about! Let's see if it falls today? Chuckle! Chuckle! Chuckle!” And the fifth conversation was, “I hope when she finishes, we're not going to sing a whole bunch of songs. It's the same songs over and over. And I'm not raising my hands!” The sixth conversation was, “Don't you think they look like a bunch of imbeciles jumping and dancing around! That's fake!” When I heard all that, I turned my head and saw a walrus, rats, wolves, and mockers. I was so grieved that I actually bit my lower lip hard! I turned and looked at David. He said quietly, “S.S., stop this infiltration, pray now!” Now, let's look at the interpretation of Part 2. We, all of UBM and then some, are in a huge warehouse. People are associating with UBM in this large warehouse because that's our ministry. And tables were set up like for a pot blessing. David was sitting at the head of the table where I was sitting. On his left were M.H., then myself, J.S., D.L. and M.L. And on the other side were T.C.1, T.C.2, a man I didn't know, and other UBM members. And T.C.1 said, “Hey S.S.! Remember that ‘stupid' dream?” T.C.1 was talking about the one we just shared with you in Part 10 teaching, “The Invasion of the ‘Stupid' Demons, Part 1.” And I said, “Huh?” Putting his thumbs on his temples and waving his fingers like wings, He said, “You know!?” “That dream was so simplistic and to the point. You need to tell it!” said T.C.2. David agreed, saying, “Yeah! Tell it!” T.C.1 added, “Quiet everyone! S.S. wants to tell a dream.” And someone said, “Stand up!” This is so they could hear S.S. more clearly. So I'm starting to tell the dream. And in the first part, I'm telling how I was praying. I'm also hearing a conversation that, in the natural, I should not have been able to hear. By a gift of the Spirit, she was hearing conversations that were going on beyond her hearing. What she was hearing were thoughts and words coming from the demons who were exposed in Part 1, but were being expressed by the rebellious associating with UBM. These demons were seeking to separate people from each other and from God by factious thoughts. If we don't want to be taken by the devil, we need to cast down vain imaginations from the accuser of the brethren. We are offered demonic thinking all the time through our thoughts. If we cast them down, there's no problem. They can do nothing with a person who won't depart from the Word, but if we entertain those thoughts, then the demons gain entrance. When a person starts rebelling against the Word, entertaining thoughts that are wrong against others, taking up a reproach against others, and so on, demons enter in because they have a right. The demons have been given a legal right by God to torment the person who is in rebellion against God. The first conversation I overheard was, “Don't you ever get tired of praying for the same thing over and over again?” Demons want to discourage us. If a person does not repent and believe the first time, they must pray again, but Satan would hinder them. Sometimes we do have to pray again because we got out of faith, we became double-minded. In such a case the Bible says, (Jas.1:6) But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. So we go back and pray again, because the Holy Spirit says, (Mat.7:7) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (8) for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If we become double-minded, we have to go back and pray and pray until that unbelief is gone and God's gift of faith comes. As long as you are walking in faith, remember that Jesus said, (Mar.11:24) Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. He desires that you would always pray by faith. His desire is that you pray just one time and receive it, but people can be unsure of what to ask or what God wants to give. When they can't speak in faith, God offers this second way. (Mat.7:7) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (8) for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Generally, this ends up where God gives you a gift of faith, and then you can make a stand. You know you “have received” as Jesus commanded. Many of the old-time preachers taught only this form of prayer; they called it “praying through.” They prayed until they got faith, then they stopped, knowing they had received their answer to prayer. Demons want to discourage you from continuing to ask for things that you don't necessarily believe you've received. They do not want you to endure until the end to see your faith manifested. They do not want the answer to come. Continuing. And the second conversation was, “These dreamers! Who do they think they are! They probably don't even hear from God! They're all liars! I'm so tired of hearing their names!” When people fall into faction, they no longer believe in dreams. As you know, dreams straighten people out by revealing those very demons, so they have to mute the prophetic voice because it destroys them, along with their words and works. That's one reason why demons put these thoughts in your head. Persons who become critical, receiving those thoughts, are accepting these demons into their minds and hearts. All of these ploys are an attempt by the demons to destroy your spiritual warfare ability against them. They want to “mute” you. The third conversation was, “I don't really have to confess my sins to anyone. God already knows them.” That sounds spiritual to some people, but in reality, it's just rebellion. The Holy Spirit instructs us, (Jas.5:16) Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working. Do it because God says, “Confess your sins one to another.” Don't listen to the demons. They want to talk you out of doing this because this is where you get delivered from your sin. (1Jn.1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If you keep cleaning up this trail behind you with confession of sin regularly, things don't build up to open a door for demons to take you out. Get into the habit of confessing any sin; being cleansed of all unrighteousness is important. And the fourth conversation was, “I'm so tired of hearing about the latter rain! Yeah, yeah. It's coming. They don't know what they're talking about! Let's see if it falls today? Chuckle! Chuckle! Chuckle!” Scoffers listen to unbelieving spirits and repeat what, in effect, may be their future. If they don't repent, they may have a future without the latter rain. It's bad enough to think something, and it's even worse to speak it. The latter rain is coming, but it may not be coming to such people. The devil obviously wants to inoculate anybody he can from the latter rain and the infilling of the Spirit. Some people are afraid of manifesting anything that has to do with the Holy Spirit, but there's no reason for us to fear the Holy Spirit. He will give you peace and joy and power; so, who put all that fear in their mind? What is it in them that is afraid to have the Holy Spirit? It's those demons. The demons make them afraid to have the Holy Spirit by telling them they'll look funny to the world and be rejected. They are in bondage to these spirits, which don't want the Holy Spirit in them. These spirits will war to make sure you'll get what you fear, if you give in to these thoughts and don't stick with the Scriptures. If you justify your fears, instead of justifying God and His Word, then you are going to have what you fear. And the fifth conversation was, “I hope when she finishes, we're not going to sing a whole bunch of songs. It's the same songs over and over. And I'm not raising my hands!” Why do we sing? Why do we raise our hands? Read Psalms 149 and 150, which are a command from the Lord to praise Him in these ways. The Lord says He takes joy in this praise, so we do it for the Lord, but anybody who is bound up by demons and afraid really can't get into singing or raising hands. It makes them miserable to do that. Why would a person feel miserable about people praising God with all their heart? It's because of the demon inside. The demon makes them miserable. Demons don't like the worship of God because the worship of God is powerful to set people free from demonic and human bondage. Those who love Him will praise the Lord with joy, but it's the demons that refuse and fear this praise. (Psa.147:1) Praise ye the Lord; For it is good to sing praises unto our God; For it is pleasant, [and] praise is comely. Amen! It's a good thing to sing praise to the Lord. (Isa.38:20) The Lord is [ready] to save me: Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the Lord. That's why we sing praise and do these other things, too. “I'm not raising my hands,” that demon had said, but the lifting up of hands in praise and prayer is commanded. Who are you going to obey? Who is it that doesn't want you to raise your hands? (1Ti.2:8) I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing. Don't argue with one another or criticize. Just lift up your hands, pray, and praise! (Psa.63:4) So will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Psa.134:2) Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, and bless ye the Lord. So it's in the Bible, but maybe you've been letting the devil talk you out of God's command to praise Him. And again, why is the devil so afraid? During praise, the demons are miserable and they'll try to make you miserable, too, because people get set free in the midst of praise; the Holy Spirit comes on them, and the demons start coming out of them while they're praising God. The sixth conversation was, “Don't you think they look like a bunch of imbeciles jumping and dancing around! That's fake!” Yes, the demons certainly wish it were fake. (Psa.149:3) Let them praise his name in the dance: Let them sing praises unto him with timbrel and harp. (Psa.150:4) Praise him with timbrel and dance: Praise him with stringed instruments and pipe. (Jer.31:13) Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy (That's a great promise, so go ahead and dance!), and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. Now let's read what God says to those who hate dancing before Him. (2Sa.6:16) And it was so, as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. (She wanted him to be dignified. I say sometimes in the assembly, “Now, don't get dignified on us here!”) (2Sa.6:20) Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to-day, who uncovered himself to-day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! (21) And David said unto Michal, [It was] before the Lord, who chose me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord. (22) And I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in mine own sight: but of the handmaids of whom thou hast spoken, of them shall I be had in honor. (23) And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death. Her punishment for persecuting him for dancing before the Lord was that she bore no fruit, but the latter rain anointing will come and set many free. (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]. They will be free to worship God as He asks, because (Joh.4:24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. God seeks such to worship Him, and who would not love Him for all that He's done for us? The Lord is either saving these people or He's weeding them out so that a little leaven doesn't leaven the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9). Do you remember the “mixed multitude” (Exodus 12:38; Numbers 11:4; Nehemiah 13:3)? They were the ones who were part, the people of God and part Egyptian, and they died in the wilderness (Numbers 14:30). They couldn't go to the Promised Land. We still have the mixed multitudes in our churches today, just like when the Jews came out of Egypt, and they're still a stumbling block (Exodus 17:3; Numbers 14:2,16:41; etc.) If you are someone who is afraid to worship God freely, don't deny the Lord by denying His Word. We've just looked at what God commands. Read His warning: (Rom.3:3) For what if some were without faith? shall their want of faith make of none effect the faithfulness of God? (4) God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment. Confess your sins, and forgive everyone from the present time all the way back to your youth. The Lord will empower you to be as you should be, an obedient servant to these words. The Holy Spirit is soon to be poured out in a miraculous way to set the captives free. He's going to empower you to walk under the Blood, so that you may have a passover of the death and destruction which is about to come upon this world. People who are bound up by demon spirits need to be set free. That's why the Holy Spirit is given, so don't deny the Word. Don't deny the Holy Spirit. You don't have to be in a church to pray and ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will set you free, and you will enjoy being free. One of the biggest plagues in this country is that people are bound up by rejection and fear of rejection. (Joh.8:31) Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, [then] are ye truly my disciples; (32) and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Do not deny the truth. You are denying the Lord if you deny the truth and listen to these lying spirits. Instead, justify God and confess Him before men. When the time comes, He will pour out His Spirit on you and set you free. Back to the dream: When I heard all that, I turned my head and saw a walrus, rats, wolves, and mockers. I was so grieved that I actually bit my lower lip hard! I turned and looked at David. He said quietly, “S, stop this infiltration, pray now!” In other words, pray to stop the infiltration of demonic thoughts that hinder people from receiving what God commands. In effect, these demons are stopping people from receiving and taking God's Word to heart, but when God says to pray, He plans on answering. To confirm the dream, she got Romans 8:8 and 9:14. These were from the Lord by faith at random. (Rom.8:8) And they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. (You want the Spirit of God to dwell in you so that you're “not in the flesh but in the Spirit,” and yes, those people who are dancing around and praising God are in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit has set them free from their bondage.) But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. When you are born-again, you receive the Spirit of Christ. Then you invite the Holy Spirit to come in, like Christ had in His Spirit. In other words, after you are born-again, you invite the Holy Spirit to come into your now clean temple, your Holy of Holies, the place of the Presence of the Spirit of God. (Rom.8:10) And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. (If you're born-again, the body might be dead, but your spirit is alive.) (Rom.8:11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you (This is the Holy Spirit. This is not the same thing as your spirit.), he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Now you have life in your body. Praise be to God! It's a blessing to obey God and be filled with His Spirit, but if you are bound up, you need to ask Him for mercy. (Rom.9:14) What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. One of the prayers I've seen God answer the quickest is to ask for His mercy. It's something we don't deserve, but He answers it quickly. (Jas.4:10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you. These binding spirits make you proud, and then you don't want to humble yourself before others, and you don't want to bow before God. (Jas.4:6) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore [the scripture] saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. A proud person needs to repent before they can receive. (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. (Pharaoh wasn't going to let God's people go from bondage. This is just like a lot of demons that keep God's people in bondage. The demons don't want to let people go.) (18) So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth. (If a person is stubborn and self-willed, the Lord may just harden them. Humble yourself before God. Confess your sin before Him. Now you know what kind of worship God expects from His people. Now you know what kind of prayer God expects from His people. Humble yourself before the Word of the Lord, and don't deny the Word, or you may never see the Holy Spirit.) (Rom.9:19) Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will? (Yes, it's better to cry out for mercy!) (20) Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? (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? It's not wrong to ask God to make you into a vessel of honor. It's not wrong to ask Him to work in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. It's not wrong to ask Him to work in you a will to pray the prayers that you should pray. You should humble yourself before Him and ask for His mercy in giving you the Holy Spirit. (Rom.9:22) What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction: (23) and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory (Think about these vessels full of God's mercy. Can He do it for you? Well, that's the whole nature of mercy. Yes, He can do it for you. You don't deserve it. You can't talk Him into it, but you can humble yourself before Him and ask.), (24) [even] us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles? (25) As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved. (Even if you thought that He didn't love you, God can do that.) (Rom.9:26) And it shall be, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God. Wow! That's what mercy can do for you. Humble yourself before God and ask for mercy. Ask people to pray for you. Do not try to fight this battle on your own. I'm not saying that you can't win it on your own. I'm just saying to ask for help because that's humbling, too. A lot of people get answers because they are just humble enough to ask, and “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.” (Rom.9:27) And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved: (28) for the Lord will execute [his] word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short. (29) And, as Isaiah hath said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We had become as Sodom, and had been made like unto Gomorrah. (30) What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. After dreaming “The Invasion of the ‘Stupid' Demons,” Part 2, S.S. asked the Lord, “What is it going to take to get these people focused on you?” Her finger landed on (Mat.27:54) Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. There are some earthquakes coming that are going to cause great revival and bring a fear of the Lord to God's people. They would never think such a thing could happen in America because it's always been so insulated due to God's grace, but He's going to bring a lot of people to repentance. What is the answer here to the question S.S. asked? The answer is the crucified Man-child and his resurrection to the throne. Praise be to God! Let's pray. Father, we ask that You do miraculously. We ask that you send revival and set the captives free. Give us revelation about who it is that's speaking so foolishly in our minds to turn Your people away from the truth. If or when we are victims, Lord, let us know why. In Your mercy, Father, reveal to us when we are proud or unrepentant, stubborn or self-willed. But You came to save us, Lord. We ask and thank You for salvation. We ask for Your mercy and grace. We humble ourselves and ask. Father, please pour out Your Spirit! We see people who need and want You, but inwardly are afraid. The psalmist David said, (Psa.34:4) I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Lord, put it in our hearts to seek You for doing this thing. Deliver us from all fears. Father, for those who are captive to Satan's fear, have mercy! Send Your faith into their hearts. Speak to them in dreams, visions, and words from Scripture. Encourage them to put their trust in You, Lord. Let them know that You will set the captives free, Father! O' Lord, fill them mightily with Your Holy Spirit. Your Holy Spirit will empower them to walk contrary to Satan and his demons. Your Holy Spirit will enable them to kick the devils out! Thank You, Father, for everything that You are doing for Your people in these days. Thanks to Your Son's work on the Cross, we are already victors! Thank You for helping us live the victory! Now, let me share this testimony with you by S. D.   Son Set Free From Devil Worship by S.D.   When my son was eleven years old, I had a dream that I saw him on one side of a large, bottomless hole. I was on the other side, barely hanging on to my wife with my right arm while she was inside the hole. Then I saw a large snake come at him from behind… But he fought it like a great karate fighter, blocking every attack. Then he grabbed it and swung it around his head, around and around, throwing the snake down the hole. When I saw this fight, I got ten times stronger! With my right hand, I pulled my wife up and out of the hole to stand on her feet with ease. For fifteen years, he became a devil worshiper (he called himself a “pagan”), a vampire and a wizard. I would get reports, but I'd always say, “Yeah. But I had that dream he's going to beat that snake.” His sisters said he told them he wanted to kill me. But I would say, “Nope, I had that dream.” Then they said he might go to jail. And I said, “Well, if he does, he'll get out. I had that dream.” He would walk around with long fingernails and wild hair. He would break tables and glass with his bare hands. He sought after the “Dark Book of Knowledge,” as he called it. This year, he beat that “snake.” He quit all that pagan worshiping. At the same time, I found your website. Now I'm ten times stronger with more wisdom and knowledge than I've ever had in my life. Now my son and I are friends. I gave him my Bible and some of your site's teachings. I asked the Lord, “How did all this start? How did he get so carried away with the devil?” We had raised him in church all his life. The Lord answered saying, “It was the comic books.” And then I remembered he did have a fascination with them. I had wanted to say “no,” but everybody had said it was OK. As his father, I had to repent for not keeping him safe. I should have foreseen the evil in them. I apologized and told him, “Son, it was the comic books. Please forgive me.” Demonic thoughts can have the same effect. More or less every lost person has the same problem. The cure is “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Our computers have a virus called sin. It must be thrown out by knowledge of the Word of God.

Send us a textII Corinthians 13Paul prepares the Corinthians for his third visit, warning them that he will not spare those who continue in sin. He urges them to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith, reminding them that Jesus Christ is in them “unless indeed you fail the test.” Paul does not seek to prove his authority but desires their spiritual growth. He prays that they do what is right, not for his sake, but for the Lord's sake. Paul writes these warnings in advance so that when he comes, he can build them up rather than discipline them. He ends with a final encouragement: Be joyful, seek restoration, live in peace, and rely on God's grace. Paul concludes by reminding them of the grace, love, and fellowship found in Christ.We must diligently examine our faith and ensure that we are living for Christ. Paul reminds us that Jesus Christ is in us, and our lives should reflect His presence. This calls us to evaluate our actions, attitudes, and spiritual growth regularly. Are we walking in obedience, or are we ignoring areas where we need repentance? Paul's warning also teaches us that discipline from God is meant to build us up, not tear us down. We should embrace correction as an opportunity to grow. Finally, Paul encourages us to seek joy, restoration, and peace in our relationships, relying on God's grace. Living in unity and love allows us to experience the full blessing of God's presence in our lives together. Present Lord, thank You for challenging us to examine our hearts. Help us test our faith and walk in obedience to You. Show us where we must grow and give us the strength to change. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may seek restoration, live in peace, and encourage one another in love. Keep us humble, relying on Your power rather than our own. Let our lives reflect Christ in all we do, bringing joy and unity to those around us. We will be mindful of Your love, the grace of Jesus, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Thought Questions: -       How do you test yourself to see if you are in the faith? When you examine yourself, how do you respond to weaknesses that you discover? -       Should you devote time to seeking restoration, unity, and peace in your relationships? Is this part of being a faithful Christian? -       Are the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Spirit with you? What does this mean, and how will it affect your life today?

SCRIPTURE- Psalm 71:5-6"For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you."REFLECTION- Mary EllynMUSIC- "Just As I Am" Instrumental- "Village of St. Bernadette" InstrumentalNOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Romans 15:4"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”REFLECTION- JavierMUSIC- This Littel Light of Mine by Mormon Tabernacle Choir- Canyon Trilogy by R. Carlos NakaiNOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- James 1:12"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."REFLECTION- Sr. KathleenMUSIC- "Immaculate Mary" Instrumental- "Ave Maria" Instrumental- "Mary Did You Know" by Genavieve LinkowskiNOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Galatians 6:9"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."REFLECTION- JustinMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Psalm 118:24"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!"REFLECTION- Welcome our newest reflector: CherylMUSIC- "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" Instrumental- "This is the Day" InstrumentalNOTES- PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Psalm 119:11"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."REFLECTION- JenMUSIC- "Seek Ye First" Instrumental- "Touch of Heaven" InstrumentalNOTES- PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

SCRIPTURE- Matthew 5:16"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”REFLECTION- Fr. CarlMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

Send us a textII Corinthians 3 The apostle Paul explains he does not require letters of recommendation because the Corinthians themselves stand as proof of his ministry. Their transformed lives are letters from Christ, inscribed not on stone but on human hearts by the Spirit. He then contrasts the old covenant, which brought death through the law, with the new covenant, which imparts life through the Spirit. The law had glory, yet the ministry of the Spirit possesses even greater glory. Paul clarifies that through Christ, the veil that obscures people's understanding of God is lifted. Where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom in Jesus Christ. Paul encourages the Corinthians to embrace this freedom and transformation that comes through the Spirit rather than holding on to the old way of the law. For centuries, Jews could access God only through the laws of the Old Testament. This “ministry of death,” with its fading glory, was inscribed on stone and served as an unattainable goal for all who sought justification through it. The arrival of Christ and the new covenant has brought grace and hope to all who hear and believe. We now engage in a “ministry of the Spirit,” a “ministry of righteousness,” that will never fade away. This law of liberty is not written on stone but in our hearts, motivating us to live holy lives with grateful and joyful spirits. Our mission as workers for Christ is now to help the gospel be inscribed upon the hearts of others. Glorious Lord, thank You for writing Your truth on our hearts and giving us new life through Your Spirit. Help us to rely not on our own strength but on the freedom found in Christ. Remove any veil that blinds us from fully knowing You, and transform us daily into the image of Jesus. May our lives be living letters that reflect Your love, grace, and glory to those around us. Teach us to walk in the power of the Spirit, embracing the freedom You have given us. Let us shine with ever-increasing glory as we grow closer to You.Thought Questions: -       Paul loved those he taught, calling them letters of Christ written in his heart. Have you ever converted someone? How is that relationship special? -       How does contrasting the old covenant with the new covenant increase your gratitude for Jesus Christ? How can you show thankfulness? -       Are you being transformed into the image of Jesus? How does the Holy Spirit help you change your life to be more like the Savior?