The 4T’s: Treasure
The 4T’s are a spiritual blood test of your heart and relationship with God and what you believe about God.
READY FOR A CHECK- UP?
Physical health is about habits; spiritual health is also about habits
The Spirit Filled Church is devoted in their:
Time, Treasure, Talents, Temple
1. TIME: Prayer & Fasting, The Word, Fellowship, Service
2. TREASURE: Trust in Tithes & Offerings
3. TALENTS: Spiritual Gifts to serve & equip The Church of Jesus Christ
4. TEMPLE: Holy Stewardship of body & mind. Health & purity.
FIRST DIAGNOSTIC QUESTION OF THE HEART?
What do you have? What do you own?
Got a car
Got a house
Got a job
Got a hobby
Got time
Biblically, what do you own?
Psalm 24:1 (ESV)
1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,
Psalm 24:1 (CSB)
1 The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord;
If you are a believer, you belong to the Lord.
If you are not a believer, you still belong to the Lord!
Psalm 24:1 (CSB)
1 The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord;
Time, Treasure, Talents, Temple – mine, but really, I belong to the Lord so they are really HIS!
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
You don’t REALLY own anything.
What do you have that will survive the ACID TEST?
ACID TEST – the only things that are truly yours are those that survive being put through the world’s worst acid.
Money? NO
House/possessions? NO
Body? NO
SLIDE: 4 PILES
What are you doing with what has been entrusted to you?
Using on yourself?
Luke 12:13–34 (CSB)
13 Someone from the crowd said to him (JESUS), “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 “Friend,” he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
What does it mean to store up treasure for yourself?
What does it mean to be rich toward God?
Luke 12:15
15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”
NET WORTH – the value of all your assets less debts
money dysmorphia’ - feeling “irrationally insecure about finances” is trickling down to the masses: in a recent survey by Qualtrics for Credit Karma,
29% of US adults reported experiencing money dysmorphia, while
~45% of Gen Z and millennials said they were “obsessed” with the idea of being rich.
Social media – about being rich
Luke 12:19
19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool!
God calls those who want to “eat, drink and enjoy yourself” – fools, you fool!
1 Timothy 6:9–10 (CSB)
9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
NOTICE – MONEY IS NOT THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL!
THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT.
We live in a culture that loves money.
Side hustle
Side biz
Why do we love money?
Money promises power
Money promises control
Money promises security
Money promises me to do what I want
Money promises me to buy what I want
Money promises me to be what I want
Infected with the disease of “materialism”
Trying to find happiness, satisfaction and peace in things
RICH MAN – storing up for himself – build bigger barns, amass more wealth.
Do we have money dysmorphia’(feeling “irrationally insecure about finances”)???
WORLD DOESN’T BELIEVE IN GOD, SO INSECURE, BUT CHRISTIANS INSECURE, TOO?
Luke 12:22-30
22 Then he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? 25 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 26 If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 28 If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you—you of little faith? 29 Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
God knows what you need. He owns it all; He cares for it all. He cares for the birds and the flowers; He cares for you.
Luke 12:31-32
31 “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. 32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.
Seek His Kingdom – Start There! God first.
He “delights to give you the kingdom”? BUT HE is waiting on us to trust HIM.
Luke 12:33-34
33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Money bags that won’t grow old – in HEAVEN
ANSWER THE QUESTION – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE RICH TOWARD GOD?
Investing in Heavenly Money Bags
Luke 12:33
33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor.
Giving – generosity – the antidote to materialism/materialitis –
When you give it away, it no longer has a hold on you.
Luke 12:33-34
33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Heavenly money bags –
investing in the Kingdom –
invest in God’s work/ministry
invest in Missions
OPPOSITE IS TRUE – invest in Gold, or Apple or NVIDIA stock – you follow it (is it up? Is it down? When is the earnings announcement?
IS THERE A PLAN OR PRINCIPLE TO BE RICH TOWARD GOD?
First Fruits, Tithes and Offerings
Proverbs 3:5-10 NKJV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”
First Fruits – first 1/10 of the harvest
We want to see miracles like the Red Sea part, but rarely do people walk in faith to see those miracles.
Malachi 3:8–12 (NLT)
8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!
CHEAT GOD? How?
Tithe = tenth of increase (income)
Throughout the old testament talks about Tithe
Israelites commanded to give a tithe to the Levites
Can’t give 2% and call it a tithe – tithe = 1/10th so true tithing is giving a tenth with above that as offerings.
Ancient Israel gave 23% (2 tithes for various purposes and then another tithe every 3 years for orphans, widows, or sojourners)
Malachi 3:10b (CSB)
Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.
Malachi 3:10b (NKJV)
And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10b (NASB20)
and put Me to the test now in this,” says the Lord of armies, “if I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows”
Malachi 3:11–12 (NLT)
11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Teaching Kids giving – don’t really understand the value of money – but when tell to give they give because they know Mom and Dad are paying for everything so easier to give away.
Easier to give away when it is not yours!
JUST LOOK AT UNITED STATES CONGRESS!
TITHING – is it just Old Testament?
Abraham gave a tithe of the spoils to Melchizedek (Gen 14:19-20)
Abe doesn’t do it to get God’s blessing but in response to God’s blessing
Jacob – give a tithe in response to God’s promise of blessing and inheritance
Matthew 23:23 (CSB)
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.
2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (NLT)
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
2 Corinthians 9:8–15 (NLT)
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
KEY POINTS –
In the World – common to not feel like you have enough (money dysmorphia)
We don’t give because we don’t trust God.
We don’t give because we feel money is power and we want power and control.
We don’t give because we are selfish and want things to please ourselves.
Giving is a response to what God has done; not out of guilt
Giving is investing in God’s 401(k)
Tithing is for today and the only place God challenges us to test Him.
APPLICATION
Confess lack of trust in God, and begin the Tithe Challenge – give God the first 10% of every paycheck
Get finances in order – take Financial Peace University
Review your will or trust so that your estate reflects Biblical values.
Struggle with materialism? – give it away
Luke 21:1–4 (CSB)
1 He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
AUTHORITY AND POWER pt4 - “Fellowship with Demons”
Matthew 10:1-4 NKJV
“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.”
I Corinthians 10:20-21 NKJV
“…I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.”
Ephesians 4:27
“…do not give the devil a foothold.”
1 Samuel 16:23 AMP
“So it came about that whenever the [evil] spirit from God was on Saul, David took a harp and played it with his hand; so Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would leave him.”
GENERATIONAL CURSES?
Exodus 20:5-6 NKJV
“you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
Epigenetic’s Diagram
John 9:1-3 NKJV
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”
Ezekiel 18:1-4 NKJV
“The word of the Lord came to me again, saying,”
“What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge’? “As I live,” says the Lord God, “you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.”
Ezekiel 18:19-21 NKJV
Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.”
Ephesians 6:12-13 NKJV
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
John 13:21-27
…Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him…”
I Corinthians 10:14-22 NKJV
“… my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge foir yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?”
I Corinthians 11:26 NKJV
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”
I Corinthians 11:27-32 NKJV
“Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.”
I Peter 4:17 NKJV
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God…”
PSALM 18:3
I WILL CALL UPON THE LORD, WHO IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED; SO SHALL I BE SAVED FROM ALL OF MY ENEMIES
1. WE CAN CALL UPON THE LORD
2. WE KNOW HE IS WORTHY
3. WE HAVE ENEMIES
4. WE CAN BE SAVED
Galatians 3:1-3 NKJV
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
Galatians 3:10 NKJV
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
I John 1:5-7 NKJV
“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Revelation 12:9-11 NKJV
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
THE CUP OF THE LORD
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Luke 22:19-20
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Matthew 27:33-34
They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.”
Psalms 75:8
“In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.”
Luke 15:14-20
“After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
John 19:28-30 NIV
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
THE LORD IS NEAR YOU
Psalms 34:18a NKJV
“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart…”
Psalms 145:18 NKJV
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.”
Matthew 5:1-3 NKJV
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 NLT
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him…”
Psalm 34:18 NKJV
“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”
Revelation 3:20 NLT
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Luke 17:20-21 NKJV
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
James 4:8 NKJV
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”
Psalm 34:18 NKJV
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And (He) saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Psalm 34:19a NKJV
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous…”
Psalm 34:19b NKJV
“…But the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
Psalm 34:20 NKJV
He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken.
Psalm 34:21 NKJV
Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
Psalm 34:22 NKJV
“The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.”
Psalm 34:1-6 NKJV
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.”
Psalm 145:18 NKJV
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.”
James 4:7-10 NKJV
“…submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
THE MAP TO JESUS
Matthew 5:3-10 NKJV
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Isaiah 55:6 NKJV
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.”
THE MOST INSIDIOUS WEAPON ON SATAN: How to detect & defeat
John 10:10 NKJV
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
“AVOID WHAT IS STRONG AND STRIKE AT WHAT IS WEAK" - SUN TZU from THE ART OF WAR
2Cor 2:11
“…we are not ignorant of the schemes of Satan.”
Insidious- danger that develops gradually while going unnoticed. Stealthy, treacherous, deceitful.
INSIDIOUS
1. A scam
2. Sexually transmitted disease
3. A Trojan horse virus in a computer.
4. Migration
5. MEDICAL TREATMENTS
Jordan Peterson & Elon Musk discuss Elon’s son, Xavier’s gender transition.
All these examples involve something that is seemingly innocent and even redeeming in value, and yet within it, an insidious agent of death.
Ephesians 4:27 NIV
“and do not give the devil a foothold.”
John 10:10 NKJV
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
THIEVES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
Jeremiah 7:11 NLT
“Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Jeremiah 2:26 NLT
“Israel is like a thief who feels shame only when he gets caught. They, their kings, officials, priests, and prophets— all are alike in this.”
Jeremiah 23:30-31 NKJV
“Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who steal My words every one from his neighbor. Behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who use their tongues and say, ‘He says.’
Isaiah 1:23 NKJV
“Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.”
Ezekiel 34:1-3 NKJV
“And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.”
Matthew 21:12-13 NKJV
Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’
John 8:44-45 NKJV
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.”
The most insidious weapon of Satan is two-fold: The distorted word of God in the hands of the sons of Satan.
Genesis 3:1-3 NKJV
“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’
Once Eve listened to Satan, doubt and unbelief was birthed within her.
She was now under the covering of Satan and added to the word of God, just like her new father. As yeast works in the batch of dough, now this virus would move to the person closest to her.
Beware of adding onto what God has said.
Deuteronomy 4:2 NKJV
“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”
Revelation 22:18-19 NKJV
“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
John 8:1-11 NKJV
“But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
John 8:10-11
“Dear woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?” Looking around, she replied, “I see no one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.”
BE FREE FROM THE CURSE
Galatians 3:10-13 NLT
“…those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under the curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.” But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
BE FREE FROM THE CURSE
Galatians 3:1-5 NLT
“Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it? I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.”
The foothold of unforgiveness is the beginning of returning to the curse of the law
New seeds of faith will not be planted within an unforgiving heart until bitter roots are pulled up first.
James 4:12 NLT
“God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?”
Matthew 18:21-35
Peter approached Jesus and said, “How many times do I have to forgive my fellow believer who keeps offending me? Seven times?” Jesus answered, “Not seven times, Peter, but seventy times seven times! The lessons of forgiveness in heaven’s kingdom realm can be illustrated like this: “There once was a king who had servants who had borrowed money from the royal treasury. He decided to settle accounts with each of them. As he began the process, it came to his attention that one of his servants owed him one billion dollars. So he summoned the servant before him and said to him, ‘Pay me what you owe me.’ When his servant was unable to repay his debt, the king ordered that he be sold as a slave along with his wife and children and every possession they owned as payment toward his debt. The servant threw himself facedown at his master’s feet and begged for mercy. ‘Please be patient with me. Just give me more time and I will repay you all that I owe.’ Upon hearing his pleas, the king had compassion on his servant, and released him, and forgave his entire debt. “No sooner had the servant left when he met one of his fellow servants, who owed him twenty thousand dollars He seized him by the throat and began to choke him, saying, ‘You’d better pay me right now everything you owe me!’ His fellow servant threw himself facedown at his feet and begged, ‘Please be patient with me. If you’ll just give me time, I will repay you all that is owed.’ But the one who had his debt forgiven stubbornly refused to forgive what was owed him. He had his fellow servant thrown into prison and demanded he remain there until he repaid the debt in full. “When his associates saw what was going on, they were outraged and went to the king and told him the whole story. The king said to him, ‘You scoundrel! Is this the way you respond to my mercy? Because you begged me, I forgave you the massive debt that you owed me. Why didn’t you show the same mercy to your fellow servant that I showed to you?’ In a fury of anger, the king turned him over to the prison guards to be tortured until all his debt was repaid. In this same way, my heavenly Father will deal with any of you if you do not release forgiveness from your heart toward your fellow believer.”
Ephesians 2:1-5 NKJV
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
James 2:13
“Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
DETECT
Is it finished?
Romans 8:1 NKJV
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
DEFEAT
James 2:13
“…Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Micah 6:8 NKJV
“…To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Ephesians 4:30-32 NKJV
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
John 6:28-29 NKJV
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
MAKING YOURSELF READY
Revelation 19:5-7 NKJV
Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!” And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
Revelation 1:3
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
Revelation 22:7
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
1. JESUS IS COMING BACK QUICKLY!
2. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO KEEP FAITH IN HIS WORD
Luke 18:8
“…when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
Matthew 24:3 NKJV
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
MATTHEW 24 SIGNS
(To increase like birth pangs)
1. Mass deception and false teachers
2. Wars and rumors of wars
3. Famines
4. Pestilence
5. Earthquakes in various places
6. Persecution of the saints
7. Lawlessness
8. Cold love
John 16:1-2 NKJV
These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
Matthew 24:13 NKJV
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
Matthew 24:25
“See, I have warned you about this ahead of time.”
PICS For Cryostasis
Hebrews 9:27 NKJV
“….it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,”
Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
FIVE SIGNS TO WATCH
1. THE TEMPLE
2. LAWLESSNESS
3. THE MARK
4. THE FALLING AWAY
5. THE EUPHRATES RIVER
(2Thess 2, Rev 13, Rev 16, Matt 24:15)
Revelation 16:12-16 NKJV
“Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.”
Ephesians 5:15 AMP
“Therefore see that you walk carefully living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil, not as the unwise, but as wise, sensible, intelligent, discerning people”
John 16:33 NKJV
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
II Corinthians 4:17-18 NKJV
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
THE DISILLUSIONMENT OF THIS WORLD MUST INCREASE BEFORE THE REVELATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL INCREASE
II Chronicles 7:13-15 NKJV
“When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will 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. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.”
Acts 11:27-29 NKJV
“And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.”
Parallels of Joseph and JESUS
1. Both were most beloved by their father
2. Both were shepherds
3. Both prophesied to rule over Israel
4. Both sent by their father
5. Both had brothers who envied and plotted to murder them
6. Both tempted yet without sin
7. Both shed innocent blood that was presented to their father
8. Both sold into slavery for silver 20/30
9. Both pronounced dead and yet lived
10. Both exalted to the right hand of Sovereignty
MATTHEW 24 REVELATION 6 CHART
Revelation 3:10-11 NKJV
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
I John 5:4-5 NKJV
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Revelation 22:12-17 NKJV
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
Seeking Revival
Ephesians 3:14-21 AMP
14 For this reason [grasping the greatness of God’s plan by which Jews and Gentiles are joined together in Christ] I bow my knees [in reverence] before the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ], 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name [God--the first and ultimate Father]. 16 May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, 18 be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God's people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; 19 and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God's presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. 20 Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Pray this prayer daily for the next seven days.
I. Seeking Revival
All true Christians should yearn for revival. We should all be tired of the sad state of things around us. We should all want so much more. And as I have so often stated, the world is in a mess because the church is in a mess, and the church is in a mess because you and I are in a mess. It all begins with us in other words. A.W. Tozer
In the history of the church, the term revival in its most biblical sense has meant a sovereign work of God in which the whole region of many churches, many Christians has been lifted out of spiritual indifference and worldliness into conviction of sin, earnest desires for more of Christ and his word, boldness in witness, purity of life, lots of conversions, joyful worship, renewed commitment to missions.
You feel God has moved here.
And basically revival, then, is God doing among many Christians at the same time or in the same region, usually, what he is doing all the time in individual Christian lives as people get saved and individually renewed around the world. John Piper
For further study read Revival by Martin Loyd Jones recommended by John Piper
II. We can seek revival but not create revival
2Chronicles 7:13-14 AMP
13 "If I shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence and plague among My people, 14 and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.
1. Humble
2. Pray
3. Seek personal fellowship and encounter with the LORD
4. Turn from their wicked ways – Experience deep confession and repentance
III. Reflections on a biblical Revival
Joel 2:1-2, 12-15 AMP
1 Blow the trumpet in Zion [warning of impending judgment], Sound an alarm on My holy mountain [Zion]! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble and shudder in fear, For the [judgment] day of the LORD is coming; It is close at hand, 2 A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and of thick [dark] mist, ... 12 "Even now," says the LORD, "Turn and come to Me with all your heart [in genuine repentance], With fasting and weeping and mourning [until every barrier is removed and the broken fellowship is restored]; 13 Rip your heart to pieces [in sorrow and contrition] and not your garments." Now return [in repentance] to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness [faithful to His covenant with His people]; And He relents [His sentence of] righteous judgement [when His people genuinely repent]. 14 Who knows whether He will relent [and revoke your sentence], And leave a blessing behind Him, ….? 15 Blow a trumpet in Zion [warning of impending judgment], Dedicate a fast [as a day of restraint and humility], call a solemn assembly.
1. Recognize the times -
Matthew 16:2-3 AMP
2 But He replied to them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' 3 "And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a threatening look.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but cannot interpret the signs of the times?
2. Turn to the Lord as our one and only hope.
3. Experience real conviction and sorrow over sin.
4. Hunger and thirst for righteousness.
5. Biblical Fasting – See Isaiah 58 – Giving to the poor, treating people with respect, love, compassion, and justice.
Conclusion -
Micah 6:8 NASB95
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
Breaking the Circle of Sin
VIDEO CLIP From The Chosen Jesus Healing at the Pool of Bethesda
John 5:1-2NKJV
There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.
John 5:3-4 NKJV
In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
John 5:5 NKJV
Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.
WARNINGS FROM ISRAEL’S HISTORY
1 Corinthians 10:11
“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us…”
Deuteronomy 2:14
“Thirty-eight years passed from the time we left Kadesh Barnea until we crossed the Zered Valley.
ZERED: Trap
CHART OF ISRAEL WALKING THE CIRCLE OF SIN
FROM EYGPT TO THE PROMISE LAND
1. SUCCOTH: Tent town
2. PI HAHIROTH: Mouth of freedom
3. RED SEA: God alone delivers me
4. ETHEM: with you. (Cloud by day, fire by night)
5. MARAH: Bitter (cast the tree upon your bitterness)
6. ELIM: 12 Wells.
7. Wilderness of Sin-Manna: what is it?
8. REPHIDIM: Rest stop (of Grace)
BREAKING THE CIRCLE ⭕️F SIN
1. SUCCOTH: I’m just passing through
2. PI HAHIROTH: I am free!
3. RED SEA: God alone delivers me
4. ETHEM: God is always with me ☁️🔥
5. MARAH: Bitter The cross is my cure
6. ELIM: I can now draw living water
7. Wilderness of Sin: Christ is in me
8. REPHIDIM: His Grace is sufficient
Numbers 13:1-2 NKJV
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.”
Deuteronomy 1:22-26 NKJV
And every one of you came near to me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, and let them search out the land for us, and bring back word to us of the way by which we should go up, and of the cities into which we shall come.’ “The plan pleased me well; so I took twelve of your men, one man from each tribe. And they departed and went up into the mountains, and came to the Valley of Eshcol, and spied it out. They also took some of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us; and they brought back word to us, saying, ‘It is a good land which the Lord our God is giving us.’ “Nevertheless you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the Lord your God;”
Numbers 13:25 NKJV
“And they returned from spying out the land after forty days.”
Numbers 13:27-28, 32-33 NKJV
“Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
Isaiah 40:22 NKJV
“It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.”
SPIRITUAL P.T.S.D.
1. disappointments
2. Abuse /physical, mental, emotional
3. Abandonment/Betrayal
4. Insecurities
5. Bitterness
John 5:14 NKJV
Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.
John 5:6 NKJV
When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
John 5:7 NKJV
“The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
John 5:8-9 NKJV
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked…”
I John 4:4 NKJV
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
BREAKING THE CIRCLE ⭕️F SIN
1. SUCCOTH: I’m just passing through
2. PI HAHIROTH: I am free!
3. RED SEA: God alone delivers me
4. ETHEM: God is always with me ☁️🔥
5. MARAH: The cross is my cure
6. ELIM: I can now draw living water
7. Wilderness of Sin: Christ is in me
8. REPHIDIM: His Grace is sufficient
I am a citizen of the kingdom of God. This world is not my home, I am just passing through. I declare out loud that I am forgiven and set me free from slavery to sin. The Son of God has delivered me and will continue to deliver me from every evil attack.
I have been given the Holy Spirit and the ability to listen to His voice lead me through every step of this life. He will never leave me. I am never alone.
As I daily carry my cross, the healing power of God sets me free from unbelief, fear and bitterness. I have received the promised fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit as an inheritance as a child of God. Christ in me is my identity and authority to pray and believe for all the promises of God, to the glory of God.
By the grace of God alone I am fully protected, provided for and satisfied in this abundant life that I now claim by faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ.
AMEN
John 6:28-29 NKJV
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
THE DIVIDED KINGDOM
Hebrews 12:28-29 NKJV
“…since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”
Luke 11:14-20 NKJV
“And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Acts 1:4-6 NKJV
“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?
CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM
(Taking America back for God)
"America has been and should always be distinctively 'Christian' from top to bottom—"
Christian Nationalism
1.The Scriptures
2.The Sabbath
3.Marriage (biracial)
4.Birth control
5.Divorce
6.Capital punishment
7.Prayer(without ceasing)
🔥CHRISTIAN NATIONALISTS
TALK LITTLE ABOUT LIFE WITH GOD BUT A LOT ABOUT BLESSINGS FROM GOD 🔥
🔥DON’T EXALT THE MORALITY OF GOD
ABOVE THE PERSON OF GOD🔥
Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Revelation 13:3-4 NKJV
“And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
PIC
GOD HAS CALLED US TO SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM
SATAN SEEKS TO DIVIDE THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Micah 6:1-8 NLT
“Listen to what the Lord is saying: “Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints. And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord’s complaint! He has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel. “O my people, what have I done to you? What have I done to make you tired of me? Answer me! For I brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you. Don’t you remember, my people, how King Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed and how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead? And remember your journey from Acacia Grove to Gilgal, when I, the Lord, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.” What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Psalms 2:1-12 NKJV
“Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ” Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”
Philippians 3:18-21 NKJV
“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
James 4:1-10 NKJV
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
I Peter 2:9 NKJV
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
Psalms 33:12-22 NKJV
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.”
Psalms 20:7 NKJV
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
MATTHEW 6:33
SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU.
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ that lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”
II Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV
“… endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
PIC
MALE & FEMALE pt2
Galatians 3:26-28 NKJV
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Genesis 1:27-28 NKJV
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply…”
Genesis 5:2 AMPC
“He created them male and female and blessed them and named them both Adam [Man] at the time they were created.”
I Corinthians 11:7-9 NKJV
“…he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.”
Genesis 2:18-25 NKJV
“And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”
Genesis 3:20 NKJV
“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.”
Genesis 3:16 NKJV
“To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.”
I Timothy 2:8-15 NKJV
“….women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.”
John 4:4 NKJV
“…He needed to go through Samaria.”
Ephesians 2:14-18 NKJV
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”
John 4:7-9 NKJV
A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.”
John 4:10-12 NKJV
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?””
John 4:13-15 NKJV
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.””
John 4:16-26 NKJV
“Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
MALE & FEMALE pt1
Genesis 1:26-27 NKJV
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
I John 5:19 NKJV
“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.”
1 Corinthians 11:3
“…I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
MALE & FEMALE: The Man of God
BOY VS MAN
A boy is passive. A man is assertive.
A boy talks. A man acts.
A boy thinks of himself first.
A man’s carries the burdens of others.
A boy boast that he is a man.
A man quietly lives it out.
A boy blames others.
A man takes responsibility.
A boy is empowered by anger
A man isn’t afraid of his emotions
A boy seeks popularity
A man wins respect
A boy makes excuses.
A man makes progress.
A boy stays up late watching TV
A man goes to bed early and tired
A boy makes babies
A man rears children
A boy tolerates his wife’s disrespect
A man seeks to understand his wife’s heart
A boy lives for the moment
A man plans for the future.
A boy lives to please his fleshly nature
A man lives by to please The Spirit
A boy reasons with his feelings.
A man of God walks by faith in The Word of God
WHY MEN HATE GOING TO CHURCH
David Murrow
The typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61% female, 39% male. This gender gap shows up in all age categories.
This Sunday almost 25 percent of married, churchgoing women will worship without their husbands.
Midweek activities often draw 70 to 80 percent female participants.
Over 70 percent of the boys who are being raised in church will abandon it during their teens and twenties. Many of these boys will never return.
Churches overseas report gender gaps of up to 9 women for every adult man in attendance.
Christian universities are becoming convents. The typical Christian college in the U.S. enrolls almost 2 women for every 1 man.
Fewer than 10% of U.S. churches are able to establish or maintain a vibrant men’s ministry.
“Freedom is only one generation away from extinction”
- Ronald Reagan
I Timothy 6:11-12 NKJV
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called…”
SATURDAY MORNINGS MEN OF GOD SLIDE 8:30AM
MAN OF GOD
1. Moses
2. Samuel
3. Elijah
4. Elisha
5. David
6. Timothy
FLEE
Lust of the flesh (fornication-1Cor 6)
Love for money
WE WILL PURSUE
1. righteousness (practice)
2. godliness (relationship with God)
3. faith (obedience, trusting)
4. love (sacrificing in service, fruit)
5. patience (endurance)
6. gentleness (meekness/ power under control)
“There are no great men of God... Only weak, little men of a great and merciful God.”
Paul Washer
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God
Matthew 3:16-17 NKJV
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
THE HOLY SPIRIT RESTS UPON THE REVELATION OF SONSHIP
EVERYONE NEEDS 3 FATHERS
HEAVENLY FATHER
EARTHLY FATHER
SPIRITUAL FATHER
I John 3:1-3 NKJV
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
John 17:23 NLT
“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”
Prayer
In the strong authoritative name of my Messiah Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and earth, I stand against the world, the unbelief of my heart, the desires of my flesh, and the plan of Satan.
I resist and reject every dark force that would seek to distract me from the abundant life that is God's gift to me in my Savior Jesus.
I repent from all the lies that say sin will satisfy me.
I reject all compromise that leads me to see disobedience as plausible and desirable.
I repent of my self-righteousness and forgive those who have hurt me.
I oppose every dark spirit that attempts to keeps me from knowing full abiding fellowship with my LORD Jesus and bearing much kingdom fruit in my life.
By the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within me, I speak directly to the thoughts, emotions, and desires of my heart and command you to find your satisfaction in the infinite wonder of God's love in my Messiah Jesus.
I call upon You, Holy Spirit that reflects Christ, to rise up within me; to any darkness within me that opposes the perfect will of God, I command in the name of Jesus to be silent, to let go, and to leave now!
I ask for and receive the increase of love, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit to direct every step of my life. I give over control of my life to you, my Lord and my God.
By the infinite authority of my resurrected King Jesus and the power of HIS sacrificial blood, I tear down Satan's strongholds in my mind.
I choose to now walk in my inheritance of dominion over darkness.
I choose NOW, to walk in my inheritance of dominion over darkness.
I take into myself the weapons of truth, righteousness, peace, salvation and the Word of God. I receive the baptism of The Holy Spirit and the power of God upon my life today.
I command every dark influence to leave! You have no rights here and have been defeated at the cross of Calvary and by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
To any darkness that works in my will and or in my body, I reject your presence for you have no right of operation here!
Every unclean spirit must let go and leave now in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
I speak the blood of Messiah Jesus over my spirit, my body, my soul, my spouse, my children, and the disciples whom you have entrusted to me.
I am the temple of The Holy Spirit, set apart for only that which is pure and holy.
I call down every idol thought, and renounce every dark covenant.
All shame and fear are now evicted from me by the perfect Love of Christ Jesus.
The LORD is my refuge and fortress.
I am now free and safe in the light of The Truth of The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I declare an increase of faith, love and hope by the power of God that is found only in Jesus’ Name.
As I decrease and You increase within me, expand my capacity to know and experience Your perfect love.
I am now a bright light, like a city on a hill, causing truth and justice to flourish as darkness is displaced wherever I set my foot and speak the light of God.
O Lord my God, grant me eyes to see You in Your glory. Daily soften my heart to love You without fear. Saturate my every thought, word and deed with Your gift of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, You are my very breath and my first love in this life, and life eternal.
My Father today by grace through faith, I receive my calling as a son.
AUTHORITY & POWER Part 3
Matthew 12:22-29 NKJV
Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.”
Ephesians 4:27
“and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Genesis 1:1-3 NKJV
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
II Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
What is a stronghold?
A fortress of lies that the enemy builds within our minds expressed and manifested in our emotions and actions. It’s a place of arrest, captivity, detention, and imprisonment within your thinking that keeps you resistant from experiencing the life paid for and promised by God.
🔥Demons are cast out by the power of God.
Strongholds are cast down by the truth of God 🔥
7 MINDS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE
Right mind (Mark 5:15)
Sober-mind (Titus 1:8)
Sound mind (2 Tim 1:8)
Spiritual mind (Rom 8:6)
Anxious mind (Luke 12:29)
Debased mind (Rom 1:28)
Carnal mind (Rom 8:6)
BRAIN SCANS
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
II Timothy 1:5-7 NKJV
“…I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Joshua 1:1-3 NKJV
“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you…”
Joshua 1:4-5 NKJV
“From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Joshua 1:6-9 NKJV
“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Proverbs 18:20-21 NKJV
“A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Isaiah 54:14-17 NKJV
“In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. “Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.
Romans 16:20 NKJV
“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
AUTHORITY & POWER pt2 “ Obedience & Submission”
AUTHORITY & POWER pt2 “ Obedience & Submission”
AUTHORITY & POWER pt2 “ Obedience & Submission”
Isaiah 1:18-20 NKJV “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. IF you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Romans 5:19 NKJV “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
Genesis 1:28 NKJV “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Luke 4:5-8 NKJV “Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Philippians 2:8 NKJV “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Matthew 28:18 NLT “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”
Matthew 28:19-20 NLT “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
I Peter 3:1 NKJV “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,”
Hebrews 13:17 NKJV Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
Acts 4:18-19 NKJV “So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.”
Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Zechariah 3:1-5 NKJV “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.
Zechariah 3:6- 7 NKJV Then the Angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, And likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk Among these who stand here.”
Zechariah 3:7 NLT “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here.”
Luke 10:19 NKJV “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Luke 10:20 NKJV “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Isaiah 54:17 NKJV No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.
The Fight is The Gift
I Timothy 6:12 NKJV
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…”
Romans 7:15-25
“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…”
Romans 7:25 NKJV
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
I Samuel 17:1 NKJV
“Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped…”
I Samuel 17:26 NKJV
Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel?
I Samuel 17:28-37 NKJV
“For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
I Samuel 17:45-47 NKJV
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
I Samuel 17:48-51 NKJV
So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.”
Psalm 18
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the
Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him
from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:
Psalms 18:1-6, 17-19 NKJV
“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. The pangs of death surrounded me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears. He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.”
Psalm 139:1-16 NLT
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”
REVELATION DEMANDS REVOLUTION
John 3:16 AMPC
“For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.”
John 13:1 AMPC
“[NOW] BEFORE the Passover Feast began, Jesus knew (was fully aware) that the time had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. And as He had loved those who were His own in the world, He loved them to the last and to the highest degree.”
John 13:34-35 AMPC
“I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].”
John 8:36
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Revelation 6:8 NABRE
“I looked, and there was a pale green horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades accompanied him…”
Ephesians 6:12-14 AMP
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground…”
Matthew 24:6-13 NKJV
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
Ephesians 3:7, 10
“By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”
I Corinthians 5:12-13 NKJV
“For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.””
Numbers 16:1-3 NKJV
“Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”
Numbers 16:4-7 NKJV
“So when Moses heard it, he fell on his face; and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, “Tomorrow morning the Lord will show who is His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to Him. That one whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him. Do this: Take censers, Korah and all your company; put fire in them and put incense in them before the Lord tomorrow, and it shall be that the man whom the Lord chooses is the holy one. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!”
Numbers 16:8-10 NKJV
Then Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also?”
Numbers 16:11 NKJV
“Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the Lord. And what is Aaron that you complain against him?”
Numbers 16:12-15 NKJV
And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, but they said, “We will not come up! Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you should keep acting like a prince over us? Moreover you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!” Then Moses was very angry, and said to the Lord, “Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of them.”
Numbers 16:16-26 NKJV
And Moses said to Korah, “Tomorrow, you and all your company be present before the Lord—you and they, as well as Aaron. Let each take his censer and put incense in it, and each of you bring his censer before the Lord, two hundred and fifty censers; both you and Aaron, each with his censer.”
So every man took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense on it, and stood at the door of the tabernacle of meeting with Moses and Aaron. And Korah gathered all the congregation against them at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation. And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” Then they fell on their faces, and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and You be angry with all the congregation?” So the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.’ ” Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.”
Titus 3:10-11 NKJV
“Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”
Luke 14:26 NLT
“If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.”
Numbers 16:27-35 NKJV
So they got away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, their sons, and their little children. And Moses said: “By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will. If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the Lord has not sent me. But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord.” Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly. Then all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up also!” And a fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.
Numbers 16:8-10 NKJV
Then Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also?”
Psalm 133:1 NKJV
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV
“….be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
John 13:34-35
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
TAKEN WHERE YOU DON’T WANT TO GO
Philippians 1:6 NLT
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6 AMPC
“And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.”
John 21:18-19 NKJV
“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
STRETCHING (Mayo Clinic)
1. Improves range of motion (flexibility)
2. Corrects vertebrae alignment (breathing, and walking balance improve)
3. Prevents injury
4. Increases proper blood flow and circulation (better sleep) cortisol levels drop)
5. Releases endorphins in the brain (stress relief, dopamine, rush)
Acts 12:1-6 NKJV
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.”
Acts 12:7-8 NKJV
“Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.””
John 21:20-22 NKJV
Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP
“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”
1 Peter 5:10-11 AMPC
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the dominion power, authority, and rule forever and ever. Amen (so be it).”
BREAKING GROUND
Revelation 21:1-4
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Hebrews 11:8, 10 NKJV
By faith Abraham, “waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
Genesis 2:7 NKJV
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
I Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV
“…do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Hosea 10:12
“Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.”
Hebrews 3:7-15 NKJV
…as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’ So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ” Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Ezekiel 36:26-29 NKJV
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses…”
I Corinthians 3:10-13 NKJV
“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.”
Jeremiah 1:4-10
The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Ezra 3:10-11 NKJV
“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.”
Haggai 1:2-8 NKJV
“Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” ’ ” Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord.”
Haggai 2:1-9 NKJV
“…the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying: “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’ “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:1-6 NKJV
“Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my Lord?” Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my Lord.” So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”
Psalm 127:1
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain…”
A CHANGE OF MIND
Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…”
Philippians 4:8 AMP
“…believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things, center your mind on them…”
Romans 7:18-25 NLT
“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…”
1. Nicholas Copernicus
2. Ignac Semmelweis—Father of Hand Hygiene.
3. Frank Pantridge
Philippians 2:5-7 NKJV
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”
Colossians 3:22-24 NKJV
“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
Nehemiah 4:6 NKJV
So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.”
Matthew 5:38-42 NKJV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”
Luke 24:13-17 NKJV
Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”
Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Luke 24:21 NKJV
“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.”
Luke 24:25-27 NKJV
Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”
Luke 24:28-35 NKJV
Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Learning to lament
Lamentation, a prayer for help coming out of pain, is very common in the Bible. When we hurt physically, we cry out in pain; when we hurt spiritually, we cry out in lament. A Psalm of Lament is an address to God: a complaint, a request, and usually an expression of trust. Types of complaints include: concerns with the psalmists own thoughts and actions, concerns with the actions of an enemy or prevailing attitude, and concerns with God’s action or inaction. They are cries of despair, anger, protest and doubt. They are the largest class of psalms and were a normal part of Israel’s praise and worship. There are communal psalms of lament and individual ones.
They follow this general structure:
Address and introductory cry: Identify the Lord as the person to whom the Psalm is addressed.
Complaint or Lament : Articulate the problem and ask the Lord for help. Express the emotions and struggles of heart
Confession of Trust: Verbalize your trust in the Lord. Preach the gospel to yourself and tell yourself the promise of God.
Prayer for Deliverance: Request deliverance, or God’s intervention in the problem. Seeking wisdom and surrender to God’s will.
Praise: Offer praise and thanksgiving to God for God’s many blessings. Renewal of faith and trusting God in the dark (Isaiah 50:10)
Not all the Psalms complete this process. See Psalm 88 for example. The life of faith is messy. Also read the whole book of Job.
Psalm 4
Address and introductory cry – Turning to God
1 Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
Complaint or Lament – Frustration, anger, questions, doubts, and struggle
2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Confession of Trust – Sometimes following the request for help and sometimes before, or both. Also sometimes self-talk reaffirming faith.
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
Prayer for Deliverance – Request for help and understanding
4 Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.
6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.
Praise – Affirmation of renewed trust in the Lord
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Application
Take some time and reflect on how the last week (or a time frame of your choice) has been for you. Make note of the predominant emotions you have been feeling during this time, in particular the more negative ones. Reflect on a particular situation or recurring theme that you know has been causing you distress, pain or anxiety and that you feel is beyond your control. Imagine that God is with you and that He has given you complete freedom to lay it all out, to complain fearlessly without judgment, in order to get it all off your chest.
With a piece of paper and pen, invite God’s presence and follow the steps outlined below.
Address and introductory cry: Identify the Lord as the person to whom you are addressing your complaint. Request for His presence as you express what is on your heart. Turn towards the Lord in sincere prayer!
Complaint or Lament: Articulate the problem you are wrestling with. Detail how it is affecting you, the pain it is causing, and ask the Lord for His help. Express any doubts you have, confusion, questions, frustration, or anger.
Confession of Trust: Verbalize your trust in the Lord. Share your hopes that He will come to your aid, that He will be present with you in your situation. Talk to yourself about the character and promises of God. Preach the gospel to yourself.
Prayer for Deliverance: Request deliverance, or God’s intervention in the problem. Ask for wisdom to understand what you are going through. Ask for strength to endure. Surrender to the will of God.
Praise: Offer praise and thanksgiving to God for God’s many blessings and faithfulness in the past. Renew your confession of faith. Tell the Lord you will trust HIM in the dark. [1]
Great Book on learning to Lament.[2]
Dark Clouds and Deep Mercies. By Mark Vroegop
[1] Individual psalms of Lament include: 3, 4, 5, 7, 9-10, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 36, 39, 40:12-17, 41, 42-43, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 64, 70, 71, 77, 86, 88, 89, 120, 139, 141, 142.
Corporate psalms of Lament include: 12, 44, 58, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 85, 89, 90, 94, 123, 126, 129.
[2] Dark Clouds and Deep Mercies online - https://media.thegospelcoalition.org/private/Dark-Clouds-Deep-Mercy.pdf
Signs in the Heavens
Jonah preached to Nineveh just before June 15, 762 BC – date of a total solar eclipse
SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS ASSOCIATED WITH JUDGMENTS
Revelation 6:12–13 (ESV)
12 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.
UNITED STATES HAS A TOTAL ECLIPSE COMING UP NEXT MONTH! IS IT A SIGN OF COMING JUDGMENT?
4 eclipses in 2024 -1 total
Devils comet late July 2023
April 11 planetary conjunction
Aug 14 mars Jupiter conjunction
3 super moons
BACKDROP – God’s Calendar
Genesis 1:14–15 (ESV)
14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so.
Our Calendar – Gregorian based on sun (1 trip around the sun)
Hebrew calendar based on moon
Gregorian imperfect – Leap Day – add one day every 4 years (except on days end in 00 – century)
THIS WEEK was a unusual week – because Feb 29
Luni-solar calendar – based on moon
New moon vs. full moon
New Moon – 1st day of Jewish calendar month
Full moon – 15th day of calendar month
Moon 400x smaller than sun, but sun 400x further away – so appear the same size
Tav means “a sign or a mark”
ROMAN NUMERALS – X = 10, V= 5, C= 100, D=500
Tav = 400
Blood moons during Jewish Feast Days
May 14, 1948 – Israel re-born as a Nation
April 13, 1949 – Passover
October 7, 1949 – Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles)
April 2, 1950 – Passover
September 26, 1950 – Sukkoth
Passover beginning of religious year, Sukkoth marks begins of civil year
June 5, 1967 – Six Day War
April 24, 1967 Passover
October 18, 1967 Sukkoth
April 13, 1968 Passover
October 6, 1968 Sukkoth
Shemitah – 7 year cycle; means “release”
Year of Jubilee - Year after 7 Shemitah cycle (proclaimed on Yom Kippur)
Same as blood moons in 1966-67 warning for 1973 yom kipper war (started on first day of jubilee cycle)
Year of Jubilee – 1973
October 7, 2023
First day of jubilee 1973 began him kipper war and last day of jubilee cycle began Swords of Iron War
RELEASE – land freed!
Blood Moons of 2014-2015
April 15, 2014 - Passover
October 8, 2014 – Sukkoth
April 4, 2015 – Passover
September 28, 2015 – Sukkoth
Blood moons 10 years ago
Since then many hurricanes, Covid
2014 blood moons warning for Swords of Iron war- hamas (began on last day of that shemitah cycle)
Same as blood moons in 1966-67 warning for 1973 yom kipper war (started on first day of jubilee cycle)
Year of Jubilee – 1973
First day of jubilee 1973 began him kipper war and last day of jubilee cycle began Swords of Iron War
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE
2017 – August 21, 2017
Nearly $300 Billion in damages from Hurricanes (Harvey, Irma, Maria)
Harvey – most rainfall ever dropped by hurricane in US (9 trillion gallons) 4 days after the eclipse
Irma – strongest hurricane on record up to that time
2018 – Trump and Jared Kushner working on Trump’s mid-east peace plan, 2 state solution for Israel (finally revealed in January 2020)
COVID – 2020
SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 – Revelation 12:1-2 Sign
see message https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5xTXPnzbdM&t=82s
2023 – October 14, 2023 Annular Eclipse over US (ring of Fire)
2024 – April 8, 2024
April 8 eclipse – totality over more people than any other eclipse in Western Hemisphere in history (30+ million)
As eclipse begins in Texas (Rosita, TX) – same moment sun setting in Israel.
Nisan 1, 5784– first day of the religious calendar;
Inaugurated tabernacle
Nadab abihu die
Clean house and get ready to come out of Egypt
Eclipse takes place on the same day the 3 days of darkness take place in Exodus\\
Eclipse will cross in Little Egypt – Illinois
X SPOT – Little Egypt - Cairo, IL, Thebes, IL
College – with pyramid and god Horace?
Letter x in ancient Hebrew (paleo letter) tav- signature of God where we get leave your mark
HEBREW LETTERS
Aleph and tav – first and last letters of Hebrew (alpha omega Greek)
Aleph tav – occurs about 7000 times in bible and never translated, just glossed over (appears in Gen 1:1 – KJV never translates, but some translations do)
Numerical value
Tav = 400
Tav means “a sign or a mark”
Put a “mark” (tav) on the forehead of righteous people
Aleph – oxhead – triangle A
Tav – x (or cross)
To mark the righteous with a cross!
NEW MADRID FAULT LINE –
1811-1812 2000 earthquakes that could be felt as far away as Washington, DC.
Mississippi River ran backwards for a few hours
After Alaska – strongest earthquakes in the US in New Madrid, MO – 7.9
PLANET ALIGNMENT NEXT MONTH
Yes, the planets are always in the same plane (solar system is flat like a pancake BUT All the planets gather in one quadrant only 7 times in the current millennium)
(in spite of what Neil de Grasse Tyson says)
February 28, 2025: a full evening alignment of Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars. This is the next time 7 planets will be visible in the sky at once!
https://m.nakedeyeplanets.com/north-american-eclipse-2024.htm (on planetary alignment on April 8, 2024)
NEXT MONTH’S ECLIPSE – NINEVEH!
Will pass over 7 Nineveh’s (SLIDE)
Indiana, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia
(last total solar eclipse passed over bunch of Salem’s)
SO IS IT A WARNING?
Don’t know, not a prophet
Nation – we have departed from God
Calling darkness light and light darkness
Gender confusion
Wrestling with abortion
WHAT COULD THE JUDGMENT LOOK LIKE?
War?
Russia
China
North Korea
Iran
SUN ACTIVITY -
Sun has 11 year cycle – 2025 the peak of that cycle – lots of sun spots, solar flares
CME – coronal mass ejection (sun burps)
Carrington Event (1859) – Northern lights seen in the tropics, telegraph (SLIDE)
Where is US in prophecy?
1. Hands tied? (unable/unwilling to intervene)
2. Daughter of Babylon?
Isaiah 47:1, 3-5 (ESV)
1 Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate… 3 Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your disgrace shall be seen. I will take vengeance, and I will spare no one. 4 Our Redeemer—the Lord of hosts is his name— is the Holy One of Israel. 5 Sit in silence, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms.
Isaiah 47:9-11 (ESV)
9 These two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day; the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments. 10 You felt secure in your wickedness; you said, “No one sees me”; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.” 11 But evil shall come upon you, which you will not know how to charm away; disaster shall fall upon you, for which you will not be able to atone; and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothing.
Revelation 18:1–3 (ESV)
1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast. 3For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
Revelation 18:4-8 (ESV)
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; 5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed. 7As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’ 8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”
Proverbs 22:3 AND 27:12 (ESV)
3 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
CLOSE
Luke 21:25–28 (CSB)
25 “Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is near.”
Revelation 19:6–10 (NKJV)
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
APPLICATION:
Are you making yourself spiritually ready for the Lord’s return?
Are you preparing for what may be a bumpy ride?
Physical preparation – food, shelter, finances
Spiritual preparation – satisfied in Jesus alone, identity in Christ, not taken captive by the spiritual forces of this world