Foundational Podcast: Recent Episodes
F Dean Hackett
Pastor Dean has a passion to see this generation experience a transforming spiritual renewal. He preaches and teach the uncompromised Word of God, calling the church back from the smoke and light shows, delusion, and tolerance message to the established Word of God.
It is with this deep commitment that he addresses issues facing the 21st Century disciple of Jesus Christ. Speaking to a post-Christian, post-modern American culture, he teaches that the Holy Bible is infallible and inerrant and holds the true answers for life. Passionately, he calls for the church in the USA to return to the Lord Jesus Christ of the Holy Scriptures and to preach the true Gospel.
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means we need to swim upstream. We don't swim with the world, but against the world.
While we live in a 21st century world, we are citizens of a greater kingdom and higher authority. it is that kingdom that is the answer for mankind and mankind's ills.
God has given us kingdom authority, but this power is not motivated by domination, intimidation, or control. It is not self-centered and tyrannical.
This kingdom authority is benevolent and it's greatest expression is love, mercy, and grace.
How do we, in a practical way, bring that kind of power and authority into the world?
That is what today's podcast is all about.
Listen to this previous podcast on Kingdom Authority: 4 Ways to Walk in Kingdom Authority
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
Noah built an ark to save his family at a time when wickedness of human beings was extreme.
The Bible says every imagination of their thought was only evil continually. They had become so corrupted and filled with wickedness that every waking moment was filled with thoughts of wickedness.
Jesus spoke of that time and said that in the last days it would be as in the day of Noah.
We are rapidly approaching that time, and we must build an ark for our family, not to isolate our family, but to insulate our family.
"I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." John 17:15 Isolation will not help your family stand in the fear of the Lord against a corrupt culture.
We want to build an ark with the right materials to insulate not only this generation, but also future generations.
"Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments" Deuteronomy 7:9 In today's podcast, I am sharing with you how to raise up a generation that fears the Lord in this corrupt culture, and how we can build a strong foundation of the fear of the Lord for many generations.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
Your present and present circumstances do not have to determine your future and your identity.
Joseph was in prison under false charges. That could have easily become his future and his identity, but he refused to let that happen. Instead, he became 2nd only to Pharaoh in Egypt.
It's a choice you make to stand up and stand alone in living a whole new life in Jesus Christ by a new identity that empowers you to stand against the cultural norms and stand for righteousness and holiness.
We can do this because all things are become new!
Learning to live in the power of "others may I cannot" will require you to keep a humble, gracious, loving spirit so that you're not being critical and judgmental.
It's also important that in this generation there is remnant that will rise up and say, I will not let culture and peer pressure to determine what I do."
This is what I talk about in today's podcast.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
God promised the Israelites that if they would meditate on His law day and night, they would prosper and have good success. God was going to lead them into a land inhabited by their enemies; but He would prove that He was the one and only God by driving their enemies out before their eyes.
God has promised you a land, too.
But we live in a culture saturated by philosophies that are at war with God's Word. Choosing to live obedient to every word of God sets us at odds not only with our unbelieving friends, but with progressive Christianity.
The question is: will we hesitate to step out in faith to possess the land, like the Israelites did, or will we be willing to step out in obedience to God?
That is what I'm sharing in today's podcast.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
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There are a lot of people who have very strong beliefs, but it's not convenient to live by that belief, they will adjust it according to the situation or the people that they are around.
They are called preferences: strongly held beliefs that may adjust when the situation requires it.
This is okay when it comes to what you eat for dinner: You may prefer a steak dinner, but fast-food is more convenient right now. But when it comes to building a family we cannot afford to raise our children according to preferences.
If we raise our children with strongly held beliefs that adjust when circumstances dictate it, we are building our family with the wrong kind of framework and it will not stand when faced with heavy pressure and storms.
Instead we must build our family on convictions: core values that a person is willing to give their life before violating.
And that is what I'm sharing about in today's podcast.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
Daniel was able to advance and see God's blessing in his life, even in a pagan culture because he had an upper room and went to that room three times a day. His upper room relationship with God made it possible for God to work on his behalf.
Even in the fact of persecution and rejection, he refused to pull back from his upper room; and because of that he continued to see great blessing.
We may be wondering why God isn't moving or intervening on our behalf, and sometimes it's because we have the door to our upper room closed. But like Daniel we're in a spiritual war.
There are way too many Christians today wore out with the stuff of life, busy with their work and play and with their schedule, running their kids from one sport to another, thinking that sports will keep their children out of drugs and crime, not realizing that it's not sports that will keep them out of world, it is a strong spiritual walk with Almighty God that will keep them out of the world.
So many have closed their eyes to what's really happening.
We are in a war of spiritual strongholds, ideology, reasoning and philosophies and values. It's a war of world view.
How do we fight that war?
That is what I am talking about in today's podcast.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
If we are going to build an ark of safety for the family, we need to hold the principles of God's Word and live by them. It needs to be able to withstand the heavy seas of life and the storms that are certainly going to come against the family.
We need to build it of substance to be able to withstand the most severe storms that life can throw at it.
And there's only one product to build it from.
If you're concerned about what we're seeing in our culture today: The ever-increasing wokeism in our society, the flood of immorality and perversion, the heavy push for indoctrination and submission to political correctness and tolerance, then you need to listen to today's podcast.
In this mini-series, I share with you how we can build a lasting protection for our family, just as Noah built a lasting protection for his wife and sons and their families.
You can catch the first podcast in this series here: How to Build an Ark of Protection for Your Family
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
Being a disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ is all about relationship. He wants fellowship with you. He has prepared the way and made it possible to fellowship with you.
Being a disciple of Jesus is not about religion.
In too many churches today - even Pentecostal circles - its become about religion. We go to church, we sing some songs, we share some scripture, and we go home.
We rarely read the Bible, spend time praying, and authentically fellowship with Jesus through the week. We only do this on Sunday morning because it's become all about religion.
But a disciple of Jesus Christ walks in relationship with Jesus because it's all about relationship!
Jesus wants relationship with you.
And this is what I'm talking about in today's podcast: how you can begin having an authentic relationship with Jesus, not just religion.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
During the time of Noah, every imagination of men's hearts was only evil continually.
Do you ever wonder if there are a lot of people like that today? I don't get what Hollywood is putting out in their entertainment today. I can't imagine thinking on that level of evil and being able to portray it.
What are they thinking? Why do we feel like we need to create children's cartoons with that kind of language and debauchery? Why do we need to have cartoons with bodily noises?
Because we're reaching the condition as it was in the times of Noah.
In Noah's time, they were gorging themselves with their appetites - every appetite they could imagine.
Homosexual and lesbian relationships were normal.
But they took it a step further, and it brought God's judgement: Mankind began seeking relationships with the demonic.
What does this mean for us today, especially as parents who seek to raise up godly children who will go on to raise up their own godly children?
We must build an ark for our family, and that is what I share with you in today's podcast: How to raise up an ark of protection for your family in this evil generation that is saturated with immorality, perversion, and debauchery.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
It says in Romans 8:11, "But if that same Spirit..."
When you ask Jesus to forgive you of your sin and come live in your heart and life, Jesus puts the holy Spirit in you. The Scripture says it is the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit that then makes you a whole new creation.
You receive a whole new identity, free from a life of sin and free to live in newness of life in Jesus Christ.
This is the foundation of the concept that releases you to live as a whole new creation, living a victorious Christian life.
Are you living a life of victory over sin?
Victorious Christian living is directly connected to how we view our identity in Christ and this is what I share about in today's podcast.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
Grace is not only something that we receive abundantly from God, but Scripture illustrates for us how we are to give that grace to others with equal generosity.
But not only does grace flow from God through us to others, but then it flows back to God in thanksgiving; and your thankfulness is grace back to God.
It is generosity - we're generous to others because God has been so generous to us.
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: βHe has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.β Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 1 Corinthians 6:6-11 - Emphasis Mine
God wants to multiply blessings in your life!
There are 4 ways you can begin experiencing that right now; and that is what I'm sharing with you on my podcast today.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
Every person experiences temptation.
Scripture tells us that there is no one righteous and that all have sinned. But God did an amazing thing, He came to earth in human form. Jesus Christ was 100% God and 100% man.
He made it possible for us to live victoriously and be free from the power of sin.
But how do we live and walk in that freedom every day?
That is what I talk about in today's podcast.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
As Jesus disciples, we not only pattern our life after Him, but we also do the same works He did because God wants disciples to make a difference in this world.
Have you noticed that when Jesus chose His disciples, He didn't go to the Sanhedrin? He didn't choose His disciples among the Pharisees or the Sadducees?
This was one of the reasons they were so angry with Him.
He had gathered around Himself ordinary people and sent them out with the power to do what He did. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
If we want to live the blessed life, we must learn to live God's dream God's way.
Many men of God throughout Scripture had dreams. Dreams given to them by God.
God has a dream for your life, too; but the enemy is always trying to steal it. Jesus said, "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." John 10:10
He wants you to fulfill that dream.
But the only way you will fulfill God's dream for you is to do it God's way, not our way. When we try to fulfill God's dream our own way, we will not live the blessed life.
And that's what I share in today's podcast.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
Last week we looked at John 14:12: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."
He did not say "The apostles will do the works that I do" or "The evangelist will do the works that I do" or even "The pastors will do the works that I do". He said, "He who believes in Me...."
Walking in this level of signs and wonders isn't so that we can get goosebumps and feel really good. It's so that we can be a blessing to others.
God wants us both be blessed and to be a blessing, because the more we live the blessed life, the more we can be a blessing to those around us.
The question is: Are you living the blessed life?
That is what I'm talking about in today's podcast.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
There is a verse in the New Testament that is very challenging for us today.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." John 14:12
Jesus is giving to us a deep, theological principle about His disciples, those who believe in Him. He is saying is that those who truly believe in Him should be doing the same works He did, and even greater works than He did.
This verse should lead us to ask ourselves, "If I believe in Jesus, am I doing the same works Jesus did and greater works than He did?"
We have to remember that Jesus wasn't talking to theologians and religious leaders of His day, He was talking to fishermen, tax collectors, housewives, and other ordinary people like you and me.
So, how do we begin living in this new anointing so that we can go out and do the works Jesus did?
That is what I'm talking about in today's podcast.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
When we were born again, Almighty God takes out of the kingdom of darkness and brings us into the kingdom of His dear Son. We were adopted into the family of the King of kings and Lord of lords.
And to give you the assurance that indeed you are a member of that family and therefore an heir and joint-heir of Jesus Christ, and the kingdom of Almighty God, He gave us the Holy Spirit to live inside of us as the seal of that covenant.
You are now a covenant son and daughter of almighty God. You are royalty!
Do you live like you're royal child of God?
That is what we're talking about on today's podcast.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
Jesus said, "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." John 16:33
God wants to take those painful experiences and make them stepping stones to the blessed life and victorious living.
We live in a world where there is great brokenness, and the powers of darkness like to seize these moments.
They do this to convince you that you are a victim in order to build a stronghold in you of victimization so that you live out of that identity.
If the enemy succeeds in building a stronghold in your thinking, it will become a gateway to build more strongholds to torment you in your body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
We all experience painful experiences in life because we live in a fallen world; and the enemy wants to use those painful experiences to steal, kill and destroy.
The key to consistently being victorious in painful moments has to do with learning to walk with Holy Spirit and learning to fellowship with Holy Spirit in a deep personal way.
In today's podcast I share with you how fellowship with the Holy Spirit moves us from victimization to victory.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
Jesus said, "Truly, truly I say unto you unless a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of heaven." Jesus called it being born again. Titus called it the washing and renewing of the Holy Spirit that makes us a whole new creation.
Salvation gives us a whole new life source so that we can begin living all things new.
But if we're going to go forward in that and consistently live all things new as a disciple of Jesus Christ, there are things that Scripture clearly says need to happen in our lives. It doesn't just happen all on it's own.
We have to cooperate with the work of God in our life so that we are consistently moving forward.
It's not about how fast you move forward, its how consistently you move forward.
And that is what today's podcast is all about: what we need to do to consistently move forward and live all things new in 2022.
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
βIf you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you foreverβthe Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." John 14:15-20
Do we shut up the kingdom of God to the general population?
Jesus never did that. He rebuked the religious rulers, but welcomed in the most ordinary people and those who the religious rulers thought were the worst of sinners.
When we protest by holding up our Christian signs, the majority of people don't get it.
They don't know what we're talking about.
They think we're being religious snobs and hypocrites, and that we're shutting up the kingdom of God to them and that we hate sinners.
Do we shut up the kingdom of God to the general population?
Jesus never did that. He rebuked the religious rulers, but welcomed in the most ordinary people and those who the religious rulers thought were the worst of sinners.
When we protest by holding up our Christian signs, the majority of people don't get it.
They don't know what we're talking about.
They think we're being religious snobs and hypocrites, and that we're shutting up the kingdom of God to them and that we hate sinners.
The majority of the church isn't like that.
The majority of the church loves sinners and recognizes that but for the grace of God they're lost!
π Grab my newest book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/32jQEcH
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
From the very first prophecies about the birth of Christ, there is a consistent dual prophecy about both the present and eternal.
Isaiah 9:6-7For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
There will be a baby born who will be born on the throne of King David here on earth, but he will not only be "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace", but he is going to be over a kingdom forever.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.
There is this connection of the present and the eternal.
Jesus made it very clear in the gospels that the kingdom of God is within the hearts of men and women in this present time on earth.
However, in living that, the disciple of Jesus Christ understands that there is this constant perspective of the eternal kingdom; that life here is temporal, only for a season, because we have the hope of eternal life with Jesus Christ in the eternal kingdom.
And that is what today's podcast is all about. God gave us this gift of dualism: the tension between the present and the eternal, that tension that will help us to grow spiritually.
******* π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit. Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational. Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
Excerpt from the introduction to my newest book "Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes".Speeding down that train track, I questioned how God could call me and anoint me for this ministry. I had been struggling with those thoughts for several days. Holy Spirit began a conversation in my heart as I watched the Croatian countryside.
Standing alone in the hallway, looking out the windows, Holy Spiritβs voice became a little stronger and clearer. βYou were not My first choice.β His words shocked me at first.
βI had called others with more noted ministries and who are more gifted than you. They would not go. They would not come and do this ministry. There was not enough notoriety. I chose you because you are willing.βI stood there amazed and humbled.
Today's podcast is a little different than my usual podcast. In today's podcast, my daughter interviews me about my latest book Willing: Doing Whatever It takes.
Willing is a biographical story of God miraculously working through the life of an ordinary man who is willing to go any where and accept any ministry assignment no matter how insignificant, as long as he has the assurance, God is calling Him.
The story follows him from an abusive boyhood through his senior years, sharing his amazing conversion experience and his call to Christian ministry.
Amazing events took place in his ministry from Montana to Canada, behind the Iron Curtain, in the Pacific Northwest, and even during the Croatian War of Independence.
Every miraculous event is authentic and not fiction. Biblical principles and precepts are illustrated for living a dedicated life to Jesus Christ in the home or in the business community.
You can order your own copy of Willing in Kindle or Paperback on Amazon by clicking this link.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
Every day she lived for nine months, every place she went, every conversation she had, God was within her. Imagine, placing her hands on her tummy and feeling God move within her.
It is challenging to grasp when you are born again that God, Himself, takes up residence within your body.
When you repent and ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sin and make you a new creation, the Holy Spirit comes upon you and the power of the Highest overshadows you and you are born again βthrough the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spiritβ (Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9-11).
Every day you live, every place you go, every conversation you have, God is in you.
It may seem impossible for you to live that kind of life. Maybe you come from a narcotics addiction or alcoholic background. Maybe you have not Christian background and it just seems impossible.
Remember, βWith God nothing will be impossible.β
Read the whole blog post here
π Get my newest book WILLING: Doing Whatever it Takes: (my affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3sdyW54
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
God has the unexpected gift waiting for every person on Planet Earth. The question is, will we receive it? Not everyone is willing.
We read about this in the Gospels.
Jesus visited many people in many towns and villages, but not everyone received Him. They didn't want His divine encounter, and they missed His visitation.
Maybe His divine encounter will be like the Woman at the Well - where He wants to transform your life.
Maybe His divine encounter will be like Zaccheus - where Jesus' love changes you forever.
Maybe He wants to visit you with the unexpected gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and a spiritual language, because that is the source of power that gives you strength to walk in victory.
Don't miss God's encounter for you.
Don't miss even one gift that He has for you!
That is what I'm talking about in today's podcast.
π Get my newest book WILLING: Doing Whatever it Takes: (my affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3sdyW54
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
What should the Church do in a time of great delusion, when Government, media, and seemingly all around her truth is being purposely distorted and put out as fact?
This is not a time for the Church cocoon and hunker down in her four walls until Jesus returns.
He is coming, but He came us a command with the knowledge of His coming to watch, be faithful and do the work. This is not a time for the child of God to hide, begin compromising, and making excuses.
In the midst of this time, when the culture is on a downslide, the Church must stand for truth and righteousness, and boldly speak truth without compromise because truth is what will make people free!
And that is why I am talking about in today's podcast.
Dr. Hackett's Newest Book Willing: Doing Whatever It Takes: https://amzn.to/31ANb8R (affiliate link)
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
F. Dean Hackett (Founder of F. Dean Hackett-Foundational) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.β
There are way too many of God's children trying to fight spiritual warfare with a Q-Tip. They don't have the Word of God in their heart.
The Bible sits on their bookshelf all week long.
Recent surveys show that 75% of those who claim to be Christians, who go to church regularly, never open their Bible from Sunday to Sunday.
But it is the Word of God that is our sword. We can't go to spiritual battle effectively without a sword.
And that is what I'm talking about in today's podcast.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
There are Christians who have trouble in their walk with God because they are not sheltered. They are an open target for the enemy's attacks.
Remember Psalm 91:
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.' He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; (vs 1, 2, 4)"
They don't have protection over them and they wonder why they are facing attack all of the time.
They are lacking the shield over them. The shield of faith.
And that is what I am talking about in today's podcast. We need to not only learn about the shield of faith, but how to use it to dwell in God's protection day and night.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
God wants men and women to know that Jesus is in their midst. He is right here with you right now.
Worship and other things may help you grow more aware of His presence with you, but the question is: Is Jesus in your midst, and if He is, do you only have a form of godliness, or do you have Jesus in your midst?
And how will people know?
Would they accuse you of being a Jesus follower? Is there enough evidence to accuse you of following Jesus and what would they present?
This is what I am sharing in today's podcast.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
The enemy wants to paralyze the army of God with fear. It's a weapon he has used down through the ages.
He wants to intimidate, paralyze, and dominate because he knows that if he succeeds in this, he can control you and convince you to start doubting God's promises.
This is why God gave us the armor of God, to protect us from the attacks of the enemy.
If you want to walk in victory every day, free from the paralyzing fear, intimidation, and domination of the enemy, you need to wear the breastplate of righteousness!
In today's podcast, I share how the breastplate of righteousness defeats fear.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
In Ephesians 6:10-18, we are given the armor of God, the clothes that every Christian should wear if he or she wishes to walk in continual victory over the enemy.
The first piece of armor we're told to put on is the belt of truth.
On Roman armor, the belt is what held everything together. It is also what held the sword. The sword of the Spirit - the Word of God
Jesus said that if we are His disciples, we will know the truth and the truth will make us free. Truth (the Word of God is the final truth) is what makes us free!
So, I have a question for you.
Are you wearing the right clothes to go into this spiritual battle we're in right now?
If you're not wearing the right clothes, you will be caught unprepared to fight the way we need to fight in the ever-increasing heat of persecution that is coming our way.
That is what I talk about in today's podcast.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
During the times of 1st and 2nd Kings in Israel and Judah, wicked kings who intermarried with the surrounding pagan nations began to introduce pagan worship.
The idols that they began to worship led the children of Israel into rampant immorality and child sacrifice.
When this kind of pluralism is brought into a society that had been the worship of only Almighty God, it requires tolerance.
That morality is relative - what is considered moral for you.
That there are many ways to God.
But tolerance, by it's very nature, requires the removal of absolute truth; and those who preach absolute truth must not be tolerated.
Our pagan culture desperately needs a church that will be willing to stand up in truth, rebuild the altar of the Lord, and call the church back to the old ways and repentance.
But how do we do that?
In today's podcast, I share about how the church can rebuild the altar of the Lord and be filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit and revival, to be a shining beacon of God's glory in this pagan, pluralistic culture.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
We don't know a lot about Jabez, because there are only a couple of verses that talk about Jabez; but we do know that his mother had a very difficult delivery with him, with a lot of pain.
Jabez means "He will cause pain".
That must have caused some interesting times for him as a child; but he didn't allow the meaning of his name to dictate his life and future.
And his prayer reflects his pursuit to live a life that pleased God.
There is so much we can learn from his prayer, and that is what I share in today's podcast; how you can use the prayer of Jabez as a template your own prayer life to help you move from a place of pain to a place of victory in Christ Jesus!
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
Sometimes we allow the stuff of life distract us, and down the road we remember the commitments we once made, and it feels like the great things that led to that commitment have faded.
We have to stick to the commitments we made. We need "stick-to-it-evness".
We need to commitment that in this hedonistic, post-modern culture, we're going to live a life of holiness and purity.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
All throughout God's Word, we read that God hears and answers our prayers.
But there are times when we pray for something, even for a long time, and we don't seem to receive an answer. Why is that?
Mark 11:24 says: "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
Many times, we pray for a need, but throughout the day our self-talk and conversation reveals that we don't have faith that God will answer our prayer.
We prayed for the need that morning, and then turned around and began whining about our problem.
God wants us to pray faith-filled prayers! He wants us to believe that He hears and that He will answer.
That is what I share in today's podcast: How we can pray faith-filled prayers and maintain faith in our praying, even when the answer doesn't come right away.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
In church history, we read about how whole communities and cities were completely transformed by spiritual awakenings; so much so, that bars were completely closed, police stations had no work, and jails were empty.
How does that happen?
Even more so, how can we see that kind of transformation today in our own communities? Do the principles that apply to this kind of transformation apply also to our homes and families?
There are three principles that have to be in place for this kind of transformation through interdiction in prayer.
And this is what I want to share with you in today's podcast, because I want to see God's people rise up in the power and might of the Holy Spirit, partnering with God in powerful prayer, to win cities for Jesus Christ!
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13
When Jesus said, "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." He was giving you power of attorney to sign the name of the Lord of Hosts.
When you sign His name, He will do do it
God wants to transform the Church from more than just a meeting place and a place of fellowship into an army.
God designed the Church to go out and transform cities.
And that is what today's podcast is all about. Today I want to give you four tools that will help you transform your city for Jesus Christ.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
Jesus disciples came to Jesus and asked Him, "Teach us to pray the way John taught his disciples to pray".
Prayer is not caught, it's taught. We often think that when someone receives Jesus Christ as their Savior, they will automatically learn how to pray.
But just the same way we teach our children how to speak, we have to teach new believers how to pray.
So, Jesus responded to them by giving them three things:
- A prayer model
- Assurance to be persistent in prayer
- Confidence in prayer
Jesus wanted them to know that prayer works; and He wants you to know that prayer works.
In today's podcast I share with you the prayer model that Jesus gave His disciples.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
If you look at marriages today, it is clear that we are in trouble.
If you look at young people today and the pressure they're under in this hedonistic, sexualized culture, you can see that tremendous trouble lies ahead.
If you look at our country and the horrible division we are in right now, we're in trouble already.
And prayer is the only thing that will change it.
God gave us a promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if His people who are called by His name will humble themselves and pray, and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, then He would hear from heaven and forgive our sin and forgive our land.
God has already given the answer.
We are not without hope, but God's people must pray!
Today I'm sharing a hope-filled message about how we can know that prayer works. Please join me in today's podcast
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he first challenged Jesus' identity, then he challenged him in the flesh, lastly, he challenged him with pride.
But how did Jesus combat the devil's attack?
"It is written..." Each time, he defeated him by the words of His mouth. He declared his true identity and the Word of God. He countered every temptation with the truth.
This is one of the most powerful weapons we have in are arsenal.
"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." Revelation 12:11
The power of our testimony. The power of our tongue.
How do we do use this powerful weapon? That is what I am talking about in today's podcast.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
If you want to be used wholly for God's use, you have to be made holy by the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. God has judicially declared us to be holy, but now our behavior needs to become holy.
The way we consistently live holy is by getting our mind holy. That's why Paul said that if we want to put off the old man and put on the new man, we have to do it by renewing the spirit of the mind.
If we continue to identify with the behavior, worldview, and social life of our generation then we're still living by the old mind - by the old man.
But God wants us to start living by the new mind - the new man.
How do we do that?
That's what I talk about in today's podcast.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
The church all over the world is under attack as the world threatens to cancel the church and the enemy causes a great lethargy to descend on those content to do church at home while slowly leading them toward a deconstruction of faith and becoming a "done-er".
We're one generation from the church losing everything.
This was what happened with the halfway covenant. The church no longer required an authentic conversion to Jesus Christ; they let people become members and receive communion.
Then, the next generation of preachers were in the pulpit and had never been born-again or experienced the move of the Holy Spirit.
They preached from their intellect, not from personal experience.
So what did God design the church to look like? That is what I'm speaking about in today's podcast.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
There is a special power that God wants the church to possess that only comes by the Holy Spirit to do what Jesus called her to do, because He wants us to live in supernatural power and authority.
Holy Spirit gives us the ability to stand before the powers of darkness with boldness from the inside out and not be intimidated.
How do we receive that power?
This is what I am sharing with you in today's podcast; because the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, and in the local church to accomplish the purpose for which God designed the church cannot be emphasized enough.
Especially in today's culture.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
We live in a world where there is great brokenness, and the powers of darkness like to seize these moments.
They do this to convince you that you are a victim in order to build a stronghold in you of victimization so that you live out of that identity.
If the enemy succeeds in building a stronghold in your thinking, it will become a gateway to build more strongholds to torment you in your body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
We all experience painful experiences in life because we live in a fallen world; and the enemy wants to use those painful experiences to steal, kill and destroy.
How to Walk From Victimization to Victory Jesus said, "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." John 16:33
God wants to take those painful experiences and make them stepping stones to the blessed life and victorious living.
The key to consistently being victorious in painful moments has to do with learning to walk with Holy Spirit and learning to fellowship with Holy Spirit in a deep personal way.
In today's podcast I share with you how fellowship with the Holy Spirit moves us from victimization to victory.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
Jesus promised us that in this life we'd have adversity; but He didn't say that having adversity would affect living the blessed life.
The problem comes when we begin thinking that our adversity is our identity.
Jesus wants to give you a whole new identity. "If anyone be in Christ he is a new creation. Old things have passed away and behold all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
Your identity is wrapped up in Jesus, not the experiences of your life.
We begin living this fully when we do what Paul said: renewing our mind; and that is what I'm talking about in today's podcast.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
We have a spirit so we can be in relationship with Almighty God. We are a trinity.
But here's the problem we face: Although we are a trinity, made in the image of Almighty God, the sin nature has broken that relationship.
That's why it says in Isaiah 53:1, "Your sin has separated you from Me."
The sin natures damages this, because with the sin nature, our spirit is dead. We're not in relationship with Almighty God.
And our soul - we are self-willed. We want to live by our own desires and ambitions.
So, knowing this about mankind, how do we live by a Holy Spirit dynamic?
That's the question today's podcast will answer.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
In Ezekiel, we read this very important passage:
Ezekiel 37:3-4And He said to me, βSon of man, can these bones live?β So I answered, βO Lord God, You know.β Again He said to me, βProphesy to these bones, and say to them, βO dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!
Ezekiel 37:7-8So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.
This prophecy talks about when God would restore the nation of Israel, which happened May 14, 1948, when a nation was born in a day.
But, it's also declaring another day.
There's another day coming when in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the Lord Jesus Christ will appear in the clouds and all around the world graves will start rattling. And out of the graves will come bodies.
And they will meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air.
1 Corinthians 4:16-17For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
And that is what today's podcast is all about.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
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π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
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Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
Have you noticed that when Jesus chose His disciples, He didn't go to the Sanhedrin? He didn't choose His disciples among the Pharisees or the Sadducees?
This was one of the reasons they were so angry with Him.
He had gathered around Himself ordinary people and sent them out with the power to do what He did. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
As Jesus disciples, we not only pattern our life after Him, but we also do the same works He did because God wants disciples to make a difference in this world.
And that is what I'm talking about in today's podcast.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
When we read in the Gospels about Jesus' disciples leaving everything to follow Him, it doesn't mean that they just causally followed behind Him.
It means that they walked in His footsteps, observed how He behaved and responded to different situations, and then patterned their lives after Him.
The Greek word for disciples means "a disciplined one".
It means one who has learned to discipline themselves to daily fulfilling their spiritual disciplines of reading the Word and prayer; like Job to controlling their eyes to not look at immorality.
There is a call to being a disciple, but there is also a cost.
And that is what I'm sharing with you in today's podcast.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
Many men of God throughout Scripture had dreams. Dreams given to them by God.
God has a dream for your life, too; but the enemy is always trying to steal it. Jesus said, "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." John 10:10
He wants you to fulfill that dream.
But the only way you will fulfill God's dream for you is to do it God's way, not our way. When we try to fulfill God's dream our own way, we will not live the blessed life.
If we want to live the blessed life, we must learn to live God's dream God's way.
And that's what I share in today's podcast.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
I am often asked how should Christians respond to what is going on in our nation right now.
What we're facing right now in our nation and in our culture is significant; and if we're going to see God move through us, there are four things we need to remember.
As Christians, it is time to stop watching the videos and stop listening to the talking heads and get into God's Word.
We need to arm ourselves with spiritual weapons, not weapons of this world; remembering that if we are going to walk in Kingdom authority, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit; not worldly philosophies.
And that is what I share in this short podcast.
There are four things we need to know right now if we are going to win our cities for Jesus Christ, fight spiritual battles, and meet the needs of those around us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
God wants you to live the blessed life.
We live in a fallen world, but that doesn't change God's plan for your life; which is to live a blessed life.
"And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks...Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out...The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand." Deuteronomy 28:2-8
God wants to bless you so much that His blessings overflow and splash on those around you.
And this is what today's podcast is all about: How you can begin living a life of abundant blessing, despite what is going on in the world today.
We do not have to allow the drama in our culture to steal the blessing God has for us.
Also see this podcast: I Choose Joy!
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
Over the past year, there have been things that have happened in our country that are staggering.
The unchurched and lukewarm church are asking where is God and why He hasn't stopped this pandemic. But -true disciples haven't lived in fear because they trust God's sovereignty in all things.
Their question is different. They are asking, "God, what are you doing?"
They don't want to miss the hour of God's visitation and are asking God what they should be doing in view of what He is doing on earth right now.
These is the right questions to be asking.
It is important that we understand the time and season in which we live.
There are three things happening right now that are pointing to the times an seasons in which we are living. In today's podcast, we are going to look at those things, and then what authentic disciples of Jesus Christ should be doing in response to these three things.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/fdeanhackett
π² Liberty Circle: https://libertycircle.net/Dean
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
As we have gone down the slippery slope from a loss of innocence to a loss of authority, to a loss of love, to a loss of hope, into a loss of reason, and now into virtual reality, there has been a complete loss of moral fiber and moral strength and reasoning to a point that "every thought of the imagination is only evil continually".
When you educate a generation without morality you are only helping them figure out smarter ways to commit sin.
Where is hope in all of this?
If you've been hoping that politics, legislation, and the justice system could bring hope in all of this, you're going to discover that there is no hope outside of the Word of God.
God's Word is our only hope.
What is going to be the church's response to the moral depravity of this generation?
That is what I talk about in today's podcast.
Great cultural pressure is moving away from pressuring us to be tolerant and understanding and is now trying to force us to accept new scientific belief and new definition of human sexuality.
If we don't, we are called hate mongers and possibly lose our career and livelihood.
However, our culture isn't just embracing faulty reasoning when it comes to human sexuality.
The belief of when human life truly begins is based upon similar faulty reasoning.
But Jesus can redeem this fallen culture: * A culture that has bought into the lie of moral relativity * A sexualized culture * A culture that celebrates the deception of LGBTQ * A culture that embraces the distortion of gender dysphoria * A culture that has bought into the delusion that sexuality is based upon one's emotions
The Church must earnestly contend for the faith and stand strong on the truth of God's Word despite the deception of new science.
And this is what I share with you in today's podcast.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
When Jesus said, "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." He was giving you power of attorney.
He was giving you power of attorney to sign the name of the Lord of Hosts. When you sign His name, He will do do it
"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13
God wants to transform the Church from more than just a meeting place and a place of fellowship into an army.
God designed the Church to go out and transform cities.
And that is what today's podcast is all about. Today I want to give you four tools that will help you transform your city for Jesus Christ.
π Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. http://bit.ly/2DbTbGA
π Get my FREE READ THE BIBLE CHALLENGE here: http://bit.ly/2CnmWEa
π¨βπ« Find out more about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE: http://bit.ly/2COrAvR
π² FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/fdeanh/
π² INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fdeanhackett/
π² TWITTER: https://twitter.com/fdean
π² PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fdeanh/
Dean has been a pastor for over 40 years, ministering in 48 of the 50 states and across Canada and Europe; and over the years. He has watched a subtle shift in the church as political correctness and humanism have crept in and overtaken the pulpit.
Dean is passionate about laying a solid, godly foundation for many generations. And that is why he began Foundational.
Dean wants to offer article and resources to pastors, church leaders and lay ministers that will help them effectively lead their congregations to a deeper level of discipleship in Jesus Christ; empowering them to lay a strong foundation in their families for many generations.
I am concerned that many people are not aware, or are not concerned, with the fact that we ar ein a geat spiritual war.
The Bible teaches us that there are two kingdoms ar war against one another on Earth.
- The kingdom of God - filled with love, joy , peace, goodness, and life.
- The kingdom of darkness - filled with lies, deceptions, distortions, hate, violence, wickedness, and every form of evil and death.
Two opposing kingdoms at war on Earth.
This is what I am sharing with you in today's podcast. There are two kingdoms at war on earth, and as God's children we must pray for God to open our spiritual eyes to see what is happening in the spiritual realm.
The greatest capacity for racial reconciliation and healing of our land is not political.
Itβs not Black Lives Matter.
Itβs Holy Spirit awakening across our land that will bring racial reconciliation and healing.
The Azuza Street revival in L.A. began to make a huge difference just 40 years after the Civil War.
What the Civil War and politics could not do, that spiritual awakening began doing up and down the West Coast and into the Mid-West of the United States.
Every revival we see in America has had that impact of healing and racial reconciliation.
But history is being rewritten and displaced in our culture today.
How can the church stand strong in this culture of delusion? That is what I address in todayβs podcast.
Men and women of God all over America are being challenged in their faith like never before.
If we are going to stand for truth and righteousness, we need to know who we are.
We need to be a generation who knows and hears the voice of the Lord.
In today's podcast, we are looking at how we can train our ear to recognize God's voice so that we can stand strong in a culture of lies, distortion, and dillusion.
We must find truth and delight in God's Word. As we do, the roots of our life find nourishment in the principles of God's Word and will cause us to prosper.
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23
What's in your heart is what you do when no one's looking; what goes on in your thought life that no one can hear.
Protect and set a watchman over your heart with all diligence.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
In today's podcast, we are looking at how important it is for God's children to guard their hearts in a time when strong delusion is leading so many astray.
There is a record of truth that Jesus' disciples are to build their life on; and when they do, it will be a source of strength and life for them.
God wants you to build your life on this truth so you can live by a godly worldview an not a post-modern worldview.
There are evil people who want to traffic in your life, to convince you of a worldly philosophy that is anti-Christian and anti-God.
This is why God warns us to guard our heart with all diligence.
And this is what today's podcast is all about.
We live in a fallen world that is corrupt and wicked, filled with sickness and disease, and where we face setbacks and disappointments.
God didn't save us to get us out of this fallen world; He saved us and then gave us the Holy Spirit so we can live in this fallen world with the joy and power of the Holy Spirit.
It is into this fallen world that God wants to do His greatest work.
But if the church is going to be the light that this fallen world needs, she needs to start walking in the power of a new anointing.
And that is what I am sharing with you in today's podcast.
We are watching our culture go downhill and grow ever more pagan; and with that is the persecution of authentic disciples of Jesus Christ
Our culture doesn't worry about the churches that seek to be more tolerant. Tolerance is a tool of the enemy to move the church away from the authentic word of God
Authentic discipleship is going to become even more costly, which is why the church needs a true encounter with God.
And that's what I'm sharing about in this podcast today.
More about Pastor Dean
- Subscribe to receive my blog posts and podcasts
- Here is where you can find me online
- My Books
- Discovering True Identity
- Agape
- Charis
- Made By Design
- My Bible Studies
- Discovering Jesus
- The Joy of Becoming Like Jesus
- Becoming Ambassadors for Christ
- Father's Promise
- Join the Leadership Development Institute
- Join me at 10 AM PST every Sunday morning at my online Worship service
About Dean
Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others and currently serves as lead pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations.
Read more articles like this below:
In the worst times in culture, God seems to make his visitation. In the darkest times when thing seem very bad is when God does his greatest work; but the majority miss it.
In the midst of all that we're facing in our country and around the world right now, God wants to do His greatest move in this generation right now.
The enemy is trying to shut it down.
Two weeks ago we looked at what God did through Elijah as he confronted the pagan, sexualized culture of Israel at Mt. Carmel.
Last week we talked about how we can embrace a biblical perspective of the human race and people of color and how we all have the same Father....twice.
In today's podcast, we're taking that commitment a step further.
Every time there's been a great darkness come over our culture; every time culture has been presented with a tremendous culture and it seems like everything is going to ruin, Almighty God does His greatest work.
But the majority of mankind miss it. We're living in such a day.
We're facing a situation right now in America, and around the world, that has not been faced since the 30s and 40s.
The Christian Christian is facing it as well, and this is what I want to address in today's podcast. I originally preached this sermon in my church on June 21, 2000, but believe that the message is just as appropriate today as it was7 months ago.
Read My Other Articles On This Topic:
4 Principles of Authentic Justice vs. Social Justice
A Biblical Answer to Black Lives Matter
Is Social Justice Biblical Justice?
Liberation Theology β Is it Biblical?
Social Justice β A War for Truth
What is the Biblical Basis for Racial Reconciliation?
Just as in the days of the prophets during Israel's rebellion in the Old Testament, the altars are defiled and our culture has turned pagan.
The pagan culture desperately needs a church that will be willing to stand up in truth, rebuild the altar of the Lord, and call the church back to the old ways and repentance.
In today's podcast I talk about how we do that:
More articles on this topic: America Has Embraced These Three Ancient Idols
What to Do When a Culture Turns Pagan
Read more articles like this below:
How the Church Should Respond When the Church Moves New Age
How This Cultural Deception Is Leading to the Anti-Christ
How Christians Should Respond to a Counterfeit Gospel
Moral Relativity is Making the Church Irrelevant
4 Anchors In the Midst of Cultural and Political Storms
What Happens When Pastors Compromise the Truth
Beware of This Seductive Spirit In the Church
What Happens When the Church Preaches Fake News
How to Escape the Delusion In the Church
6 Responses When Your Church Is In Delusion
Living the life of a disciple is an abnormal life.
When you live the life of a disciple, you live a life on a completely different level than others do.
Jesus said that if we ask anything in His name, he would do it that the Father be glorified.
There are four things a disciple of Christ must do to see this happen. And that is what we talk about in today's podcast.
How do we live in a time of crisis?
The way our nation is going right now: the sheltering in place, the lockdown. With the things we are facing around the world, it would be very easy for Christians to lose their sight of Jesus and heaven.
It is easy for the fog of this stuff to settle in, and we lose sight and direction; and become disheartened and discouraged in our walk with Jesus.
When the enemy can get us into that kind of a fog, he can get us misdirected.
The prophet Isaiah gave us some clear warnings, and that's what we're talking about in today's podcast.
Read more articles like this below:
How the Church Should Respond When the Church Moves New Age
How This Cultural Deception Is Leading to the Anti-Christ
How Christians Should Respond to a Counterfeit Gospel
Moral Relativity is Making the Church Irrelevant
4 Anchors In the Midst of Cultural and Political Storms
What Happens When Pastors Compromise the Truth
Beware of This Seductive Spirit In the Church
What Happens When the Church Preaches Fake News
How to Escape the Delusion In the Church
6 Responses When Your Church Is In Delusion
5 Serious Dangers Found in the Church Today
3 Ways to Spot Apostasy in the Church
America Is In Great Danger!
The One Thing That Will Destroy This Generat
The significant part of fellowship in our local churches, marriages, and even families is fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
When we fellowship with Holy Spirit, we are better able to come along side those God has placed in our lives to help bear their load.
By doing this, we are living from the inside out.
Instead of allowing their trial or tribulation to trouble our own hearts, we are able to tap into the peace and comfort we have in the Holy Spirit and share that peace and comfort with them.
That is what we're talking about in this week's podcast episode.
Read more articles like this below:
The Father's Promise
Choose to Live by the Power of the Holy Spirit
The Reason We Must Wait for Power From on High
How Well Does Your Life Reflect Godβs Presence?
4 Breakpoint Moments for Pentecostal Churches Today
This Is What Will Change Our City
What Does an Anointed Christian Look Like?
Choose to Live by the Power of the Holy Spirit
Walk in Holy Spirit Power
There are two things that will make God's promises a reality in our life; so that we are living life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Living life from the inside out.
So that what is in us affects people and situations around us, and not the other way around.
Aren't you tired of your peace and tranquility being affected by the people and situations around you?
You don't have to live that way any longer.
You can live with God's perfect peace in your heart, despite the drama all around you, so that you're living from the inside out.
In today's podcast, I share with you how you can live according to the promise of Scripture, living from the inside out.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and when we are living and walking by the Spirit each and every day, the same works Jesus did, we can do.
He empowers us to do the works that He did.
This is what it means to live from the inside out. What is inside of us flows out of us to a world in need of a Savior!
Are you ready to begin living from the inside out?
In today's podcast, I share with you what Jesus says about His people living from the inside out in a fallen world.
More about Pastor Dean
- Subscribe to receive my blog posts and podcasts
- Here is where you can find me online
- My Books
- Discovering True Identity
- Agape
- Charis
- Made By Design
- My Bible Studies
- Discovering Jesus
- The Joy of Becoming Like Jesus
- Becoming Ambassadors for Christ
- Father's Promise
- Join the Leadership Development Institute
- Join me at 10 AM PST every Sunday morning at my online Worship service
About Dean
Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others and currently serves as lead pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations.
God is not into recycling.
He does not take the worlds discarded and patch them up. He is strictly into make old things a new creation.
The Apostle Paul wrote, βTherefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliationβ (2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NKJV).
The whole concept of being born again (John 3:3-7) and the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:3-7) is that you become a whole new species through the miraculous working of God.
You were once a sinner, living by the passions of the flesh and the pleasures of the world. Your heart was filled with bigotry, envy, jealousy and bitterness. Through the miraculous work of new birth imparted by the power of God, you have become a saint.
You are now living in true righteousness and holiness by the power, motivation, direction and discipline of the Holy Spirit.
You are not just a sinner saved by grace because if you are a sinner you are not saved. If you are saved by grace you certainly are not a sinner.
How to Live As a New Creation Once you were a sinner, but now, you are saved by grace.
Once you were alien and not a part of the Kingdom of God, but now, you are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and adopted in the family of God.
That same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead now lives in you and He has made you a son or a daughter of God; an heir and join-heir with Jesus Christ. You are blessed ββ¦with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Belovedβ (Ephesians 1:3-6 NKJV).
As a new creation, born of the Spirit, God means for you to experience abundant life. Jesus Christ said, βFor I have come that they might have life and that they may have it more abundantlyβ (John 10:10).
Abundant living means living a life of wholeness or completeness. James wrote, βMy brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
Two things happen to you when you begin seeking God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength.
When learn to live by the power of the Holy Spirit so that He directs your life, something begins to happen.
You begin to love heaven more, and year for Jesus' second coming.
You love the world less, and everything it has to offer.
These become natural to you.
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- Subscribe to receive my blog posts and podcasts
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- My Books
- Discovering True Identity
- Agape
- Charis
- Made By Design
- My Bible Studies
- Discovering Jesus
- The Joy of Becoming Like Jesus
- Becoming Ambassadors for Christ
- Father's Promise
- Join the Leadership Development Institute
- Join me at 10 AM PST every Sunday morning at my online Worship service
About Dean
Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others and currently serves as lead pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations.
Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. Get Discovering True Identity 30% off today with the coupon code: Identity
God wants us to stop being driven by our emotions and begin directing our emotions so that our thoughts align with what His Word says.
He wants us to stop our stinkin' thinkin' and transform our thoughts and emotions so they express the fruit of the Spirit!
When you start doing this, God will begin pouring out blessing into your life. More than you can contain!
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More about Pastor Dean
- Subscribe to receive my blog posts and podcasts
- Here is where you can find me online
- My Books
- Discovering True Identity
- Agape
- Charis
- Made By Design
- My Bible Studies
- Discovering Jesus
- The Joy of Becoming Like Jesus
- Becoming Ambassadors for Christ
- Father's Promise
- Join the Leadership Development Institute
- Join me at 10 AM PST every Sunday morning at my online Worship service
About Dean
Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others and currently serves as lead pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations.
Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity. Get Discovering True Identity 30% off today with the coupon code: Identity
Sometimes we allow the stuff of life distract us, and down the road we remember the commitments we once made, and it feels like the great things that led to that commitment have faded.
We have to stick to the commitments we made. We need "stick-to-it-evness".
We need to commitment that in this hedonistic, post-modern culture, we're going to live a life of holiness and purity.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider leaving us a review. This helps the Foundational podcast reach more listeners.
Be sure to tell a friend about the Foundational blog and podcast.
More about Pastor Dean
- Subscribe to receive my blog posts and podcasts
- Here is where you can find me online
- My Books
- Discovering True Identity
- Agape
- Charis
- Made By Design
- My Bible Studies
- Discovering Jesus
- The Joy of Becoming Like Jesus
- Becoming Ambassadors for Christ
- Father's Promise
- Join the Leadership Development Institute
- Join me at 10 AM PST every Sunday morning at my online Worship service
About Dean
Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others and currently serves as lead pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations.
Read more articles like this below:
Choose to Live by the Power of the Holy Spirit
God wants you to live in the fullness of His blessing. But there is an enemy that comes to steal, kill, and destroy that we must deal with.
If, as in Colossians says, we are complete in Him, not barely getting by.
In today's podcast I talk about a famous parable of Jesus that teaches us about how to live in God's full blessing, and how to not get robbed by the enemy of our souls.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider leaving us a review. This helps the Foundational podcast reach more listeners.
Be sure to tell a friend about the Foundational blog and podcast.
More about Pastor Dean
- Subscribe to receive my blog posts and podcasts
- Here is where you can find me online
- My Books
- Discovering True Identity
- Agape
- Charis
- Made By Design
- My Bible Studies
- Discovering Jesus
- The Joy of Becoming Like Jesus
- Becoming Ambassadors for Christ
- Father's Promise
- Join the Leadership Development Institute
- Join me at 10 AM PST every Sunday morning at my online Worship service
About Dean
Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others and currently serves as lead pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations.
I was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ while in high school.
My life was radically changed, July 3, 1964, during a family camp in Sanders, Idaho. After coming home from that camp I would occasionally visit the home of some new friends made at the camp.
Jim became a very good friend.
His dad was a pastor on the north side of Spokane, Washington. Dale and his wife were the youth leaders at the church in Spokane Valley where I was attending regularly. He worked for Armor Meats in Spokane.
Going to the home of these two friends was an amazing experience for me.
Walking into their house was like walking into a sanctuary. There was an atmosphere very different from anything I had known. The light in the house was brighter.
I heard George Beverly Shea for the first time at Jimβs house.
His mom loved the music of this man who sang for Billy Graham. I heard intercessory pray for the first time while visiting Daleβs home.
It was more than the music or hearing someone praying, it was a powerful awareness of being in a holy place.
There was peace, yet more than peace, it was serenity. This was totally foreign to me, but fully aware this was a Christian home. While, uncomfortable at first, it was good and I was drawn to their presence more and more.
I wanted what they had in my life.
How Well Does Your Life Reflect God's Presence? That is what Jesus was talking about when He said:
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heavenβ (Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV).
The light was shining bright in these homes. It revealed how much darkness was in my own.
The salt was very tasty in these godly families and I wanted more.
That is what our Lord was talking about.
Every disciple is to be a sanctuary, the
March 1620, a Native American named Samoset came into the Plymouth colony.
He told them about another Native American named Squanto. These two men became significant in the life of the Plymouth colony.
They introduced the leaders of the colony to the leader of the Indians in that area, Massasoit.
William Bradford, leader of the Pilgrims, described the event in this way in his journal entitled The Plymouth Settlement.
After some time of entertainment, being dismissed with gifts, in a little while he returned with five more, and they brought back all the tools that had been stolen, and made way for the coming their great Sachem, called Massasoyt, who about four or five days after, came with the chief of his friends and other attendanctgs and with Squanto. With him, after friendly entertainment and some gifts, they made peace which has now continue for twenty-four years:
William Bradford, Bradfordβs History of the Plymouth Settlement, 1608-1650 Original Manuscript Entitled Of Plymouth Plantation, rendered into modern English by Harold Paget 1909 (San Antonio: Mantle Ministries 1988) 79-80
These were the terms:
- That neither he nor any of his, should injure or harm any of their people.
- That if any of his did any harm to any other theirs, he should send the offender, that they might punish him.
- That if anything were taken away from any of theirs, e should cause to be restored; and they should do the like to his.
- If any made unjust war against him, they would aid him; if any made war against them, he should aid them.
- He should send to his neighboring confederates, to certify, them of this, that they might not wrong them but might be likes comprised in the conditions of peace.
- That when their men came to them, they should leave their bows and arrows behind them.
Some historical records document this treaty went beyond the 24 years of Bradfordβs records into 60 years of peace.
The peace pact was broken by another tribe of Native Americans that was either discontent or did not agree with the treaty being signed in the first place.
Professor Mookgo Solomon Kgatle of the University of South Africa, Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History, and Missiology, is a prolific writer.
In 2016 he authored, The influence of Azusa Street Revival in the early developments of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa. He wrote in the introduction of that paper,
This article demonstrates the influence of Azusa Street Revival in the early developments of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of South Africa. This will be done by studying the Azusa Street Revival in context, the role played by William Sey- mour and the characteristics of the Revival. The article also studies the
Halloween has been controversial for decades and it's roots entirely in paganism.
So the question is, "Should we be celebrating Halloween?"
Many in the church today say you shouldn't celebrate Christmas, because of the verses in the Old Testament about sacrificing to idols "under every green tree".
95 Reasons to Celebrate Halloween This has nothing to do with ghosts and goblins and ghouls.
Halloween has its roots back in the 3rd century A.D., in Ireland the New Year started on November 1 and the spiritualists believed that October 31 was the night when all of the spirits would roam around.
The Roman Catholic Church picked it up and changed November 1 to All Saints' Day.
The pagans would build bonfires to keep the spirits away.
But, while Satan has the dark side of Halloween to propagate darkness and paganism, there is another side to Halloween that we need to look at.
Fast forward from the 3rd century A.D. to 16th century A.D.
Martin Luther was a Catholic monk and a preacher of the gospel, ordained in a very backslidden church. By this time the church was a thousand years in an era when many men had tried to bring revival back to the church.
- The Waldensians - Printed the Bible in the language of the general public
- Francis Assisi
- John Hus
- Girolamo Savonarola
All of whom, besides Francis Assisi, were martyred for preaching the gospel.
In Martin Luther's search for God began studying the book of Romans and discovered that salvation is by grace alone.
By this time the Church was selling people's salvation by way of indulgences.
They could drink, be immoral, be evil and wicked, and participate in every kind of darkness, but if they came and paid the church their sins would be forgiven.
This is the scene into which Martin Luther made his appearance and he picked a very interesting day to launch his protest.
He wrote a document with 95 reasons why the church was not preaching the true gospel.
He took them and walked to the door of the church and nailed them to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.
And the date he picked to do this was October 31.
The day that Satan established as his holy day, Martin Luther captured and brought back as a day of revival and reformation!
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Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?
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The Father's promise to the disciples as he ascended into heaven was that very soon they'd be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What is His role in our lives today?
Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit still valid today? If so, how does one go about being baptized with the Holy Spirit?
Is the gift of tongues for today?
How should a believer baptized in the Holy Spirit edify the body of Christ?
These are all very important questions that should be asked by every believer who seeks to possess everything that God has for Him.
While there are those would want to tell you that the gifts of the Holy Spirit died out with the Apostles, Scripture clearly shows us that this isn't the case.
And Scripture clearly tells us that the Holy Spirit works and operates in the lives of believers today.
This is why I wrote Father's Promise, a Bible study on the Holy Spirit.
Father's Promise is a comprehensive study that takes you through both the Old and New Testaments to provide you a solid foundation for understanding who the Holy Spirit and what His role was and still is today.
In Father's Promise you will learn:
- How a person receives the Holy Spirit
- What is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit
- What is the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification
- What are the manifestation gifts in the life of a believer
- Why the Holy Spirit is important in your life
- How to walk in the Spirit
and so much more!
Father's Promise is
The Pentecostal movement is at a breakpoint moment.
She has never faced such a challenge in the one hundred and thirteen years of her history. It is the making of a perfect storm spiritually, with cultural pressure from without and ecclesiastical pressure from within.
This hedonistic, pluralistic cultural of relativism is no longer demanding the church to be tolerant and sensitive to the new norms, but to embrace them or be labeled as intolerant, homophobic, Islamophobic, and extremist.
The Equality Act of 2019 that has passed the U.S. Congress and is now in the Senate increases that pressure exponentially.
At the same time this cultural pressure is reaching unimaginable proportions the Pentecostal movement has a new generation of spiritual leaders that have never experienced authentic revival and spiritual awakening, but have been educated from kindergarten through university in a post-modern system.
Their entire education and training have been within a system that has rewritten history and moral values.
Even within our Christian universities the influence of Christianity upon U.S. history and the significant impact revival movements have made upon our culture has been rewritten.
This is a very toxic spiritual cocktail.
It has created a spiritual prism vastly different from their spiritual grandfathers who gave birth to the Pentecostal outpouring at the turn of the twentieth century and the spiritual fathers and mothers who came to faith and the baptism of the Holy Spirit during the Jesus People Movement and the Charismatic Renewal.
We are facing a challenging task..
4 Breakpoint Moments for Pentecostal Churches Today Current spiritual trends in the Spirit-filled church do not give a solid foundation for the next generation.
Forty-six percent (46%) of born again millennials, those who are twenty-three years old to thirty-eight years old, believe the Bible is the actual Word of God and should be taken literally, word for word.
That is not a strong spiritual pool from which to raise up the new generation of leaders in the Pentecostal movement.
The framework being built on this foundation is just as weak.
- Tongues or No Tongues
What our culture needs right now is men and women of God who are going to make up the kind of woke church that God talked about in Isaiah 51:9.
Are you bold enough and strong enough to take on this challenge?
In today's podcast I talk about what a biblically woke Christian and church looks like.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider leaving us a review. This helps the Foundational podcast reach more listeners.
Be sure to tell a friend about the Foundational blog and podcast.
More about Pastor Dean
- Subscribe to receive my blog posts and podcasts
- Here is where you can find me online
- My Books
- Discovering True Identity
- Agape
- Charis
- Made By Design
- My Bible Studies
- Discovering Jesus
- The Joy of Becoming Like Jesus
- Becoming Ambassadors for Christ
- Father's Promise
- Join the Leadership Development Institute
- Join me at 10 AM PST every Sunday morning at my online Worship service
About Dean
Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others and currently serves as lead pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations.
The significance of immanence and imminence to the child of God is not just a play on words.
The revelation of God and His redemptive work is carried in the meaning of these two words immanence and imminence, and their companion eminence.
I am appalled and grieved by the level of distortion of Godβs nature and character and the resulting syncretism that has crept into Christian theology.
Pantheism, Spiritism and Gnosticism have found their way into much of the preaching and teaching in Evangelical and Pentecostal circles.
I was saddened recently at a Christian event when they played a song about the βcircle of life;β a doctrine that comes directly out of the Buddhist religion.
What is the meaning of imminence, immanence and eminence and their significant importance to your faith? Immanence is the declaration of Godβs omniscience and omnipresence. He is the creator and sustainer of all that exists.
βHe [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Reconciled in Christ for it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His crossβ (Colossians 1:20 NKJV).
This reveals the transcendence of God. He is not βinβ all things but He is the creator of all things and He sustains all things by the power of His Word (Hebrews 1:1-4). He is eternal, everlasting to everlasting.
He has no mother no father.
He has no beginning or ending of days.
He exists outside of time and space which He created for mankind but He exists separate from it.
His immanence affirms His promised presence at every moment in our life. He said:
God is inviting you to join with Him on a journey.
It is a journey you probably have never taken. Because of that, there will be times it seems strange β and you may even have thoughts like, βI donβt want to do this.β
But, this is how God described the outcome of the journey to His prophet Isaiah.
βFor ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace: The mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: And it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut offβ (Isaiah 55:12-13).
Almighty God is saying your daily life will be filled with joy and you will live daily with a peaceful mind and emotions, regardless of the circumstances surrounding you.
Instead of your days being filled with regret, drama, condemnation, anxiety, fear or worry there will be singing and clapping; celebrating the goodness of God and His bountiful blessings in your life.
The power of the curse will be removed.
- The curse brought thorns and thistles to the earth.
- The curse that brought pain and conflict into the human experience.
- The curse that is passed from generation to generation is purged from your life and your generations.
βChrist has redeemed us from the curse, having been made a curse for us; for it is written cursed is everyone that hangs on a treeβ (Galatians 3:13-14).
God declared your life will be solid and stable like a fir tree and your life will be a source of healing and comfort to others as the oil is from a myrtle tree.
You will be linked to the name of God in covenant as an everlasting sign.
This is the First Step to a Life-Changing Journey Can you see that the blessings of this journey far outweigh any personal sacrifice or cost that may be required for your life?
Jesus Christ said it another way. βIf anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For w
He had been carried everywhere from the time he was a baby.
The only career he had was being a street beggar. He was forty years old and most of his adult life had been spent sitting on one of the main highways into the city.
All of that changed in a moment.
Two believers in Jesus came by his panhandling location one afternoon. He spoke to them earnestly hoping they would put some money in his cup.
βI donβt have any cash today,β one of them said, βBut what I do have I will gladly give to you. In the name of Jesus rise up and walk.β
The believer took the manβs right hand and pulled him to his feet. For the first time in his life the man walked.
It was amazing!
The man walked around. Then he ran. He walked some more and then he began to jump. All the time he was doing this, he was praising God for healing him.
A large crowd gathered around them, as the man continued to walk, run and jump praising God.
The people were excited and began praising the two Jesus-believers who were obviously from up north.
As the crowd continued to grow, the big guy began to speak to crowd in his northern accent. "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walkβ¦By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all seeβ (Acts 3:12, 16 NIV).
Many of the people in the crowd believed and also become followers of Jesus.
The religious and the political leaders were not happy, however. They arrested Peter and John, threatened them and commanded them to never speak or work in the name of Jesus Christ again.
Peter and John conferred with the leaders of the church and developed a new ministry model.
They rewrote their literature and adopted a ministry style that was more inclusive and inviting. They contextualized their sermons to the culture, seeking to be more tolerant of those with a different lifestyle and religious belief, they modified their rhetoric.
Oh, wait!
That is 21st century weste
We donβt have to convince God to send revival.
He is already convinced of the desperate need and greatly desires to send a spiritual awakening. We cannot earn His visitation through hours of prayer or self-sacrifice.
The whole point of waiting on God is not to move the hand of God but proper alignment of our heart with the heart of God.
The reason it is often overlooked or resisted is the intense battle it brings with self.
I battle with thoughts plaguing my mind and with the inner drive to go do something in gaining the ground to βwaitβ on God.
What will my secretary and deacons think if they see me neglecting work that needs to be done in order to spend more time in prayer?
There are people who need to be called.
Tasks are just sitting.
E-mails need to be sent.
Will this really make a difference?
Here is one thing every church leader must know I have searched the Scriptures time and again only to discover and to reaffirm waiting on the Lord is an important component of leadership discipline.
When King David received word the Philistine army was planning an attack on Israel, the first thing he did was go to the Cave of Adullam and wait on the Lord until he received specific instructions for dealing with the enemy.
In fact, careful reading will reveal that is exactly how King David handled every battle with the enemy.
He would wait on God for the instructions from On High. Then He would lead the army of Israel into battle. King David developed the personal discipline of βwaitingβ on the Lord and then wrote these instructions to leaders.
βIndeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the dayβ (Psalms 25:3-5 NKJV).
βOne thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the
"[First century] Church leaders unhitched the church from the worldview, value system, and regulations of the Jewish scriptures...Peter, James, Paul elected to unhitch the Christian faith from their Jewish scriptures, and my friends, we must as well."
This is a quote from Andy Stanley's third message in his Aftermath series.
But is it true?
Do we need our faith unhitched from the Old Testament?
After the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, He met two of the disciples that were traveling from Jerusalem to the community of Emmaus.
The two men were talking among themselves about the events of the last three days, when Jesus joined them on the road.
He inquired about their conversation and asked what events they were discussing.
They tried explaining, at the same time marveling that He seemed to be unaware of these things that had so greatly impacted the city.
Jesus responded to them, βO 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?β (Luke 24:25-26 NKJV).
He continued to instruct them, βBeginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himselfβ (Luke 24:27 NKJV).
This was a familiar way Jesus taught.
In the Sermon on the Mount, He affirmed His total reliance upon the Holy Scriptures. They were the Old Testament at that time.
βDo not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heavenβ (Matthew 5:17-19 NKJV).
He refers six times in Matthew 5 to the Holy Scriptures (5:21, 5:27, 5:31, 5:33, 5:38, 5:43).
The huge crowds that followed Him were astonished at His teaching because He taught with an authority unlike anything they had heard.
It was not just with the religious people He used the Holy Scripture.
Speaking to the crowd about the faith of the Centurion He referred to Genesis chapter 12 and Isaiah chapter 2. When the disciples asked about the last days Jesus referred to Daniel chapter 9.
He freely used the Word of God, as well as parables, and daily life experiences when teaching a Pharisee, speaking to His close disciples, addressing the crowds of sinners, or a Roman officer.
The Apostles used the same technique in their teaching and writing.
The Apostle Peter quoted from Joel 2 when addressing the thousands of people gathered on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2.
Stephen quoted from the life of Abraham and to Joseph in the Book of Genesis when addressing the High Priest and the Sanhedrin. He also referred to Moses and the Book of Exodus.
The Apostle Peter taught about the life of Jesus making reference to the Old Testament prophets when he preached to the Gentiles at the home of the Roman soldier Cornelius.
The Apostle Paul spoke with the leading philosophers in Athens quoting from their classical writers and making reference to Genesis, Deuteronomy, Psalms and Isaiah.
The Apostolic le
Pray without ceasing." ~1 Thessalonians 5:17~
People used to pray.
I mean seriously and fervently pray for revival when special meetings were scheduled at church.
Recently I read an amazing chapter in βTo China and Backβ by Anthony Bollback, titled βGod Moves In.β
In this chapter a new church had recently been established in 1943 by Anthony, in Coudersport, Pennsylvania and revival meetings were being held.
The meetings lasted two weeks and after the first week, nothing special had happened.
Today, we might be too busy to attend revival meetings, let alone pray! We neglect to pray for special meetings because we are a generation too busy to pray for revival.
Are you too busy to pray because of: * TV * Movies * Social media * Texting * Games
Other empty pursuits that pull on our soul to the point that we cannot give them up?
None of these things are wrong, in and of themselves, as we are able to keep up with the goings on of relatives, friends, and use these avenues for ministry.
But we find that we often can't do anything without our phone and our Facebook connections, and the time spent scrolling down through our feed for the umpte
The nation of Israel was at a critical point.
The economy was in a down turn suffering from years of drought.
National leadership was corrupt.
The moral compass was distorted by a cloudy spiritual climate of syncretic worship of the true God with the worship of Astarte and Baal.
Into this backslidden nation God sent one of His greatest prophets.
Seemingly out of nowhere, came Elijah the Tishbite, thundering the call of God, βChoose you this day whom you will serve.β
Israel had come to the decision point.
Is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the true God, then serve Him. If Baal is God, serve him. Duplicity can no longer be tolerated.
The challenge took place on Mount Carmel. Elijah called all the people of Israel and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal to meet him.
The challenge was quite simple, actually.
The prophets of Baal were to build an altar and offer a sacrifice to their god and Elijah would build and altar and offer a sacrifice to Jehovah.
No fire was to be placed under the altar. Each would pray to their deity and the one who answered by fire would be the true living God.
Elijah encouraged the prophets of Baal to go first.
They sang, danced and mutilated themselves before their god for hours. No answer came. Elijah mocked them.
βMay be he is asleep. You should sing with more passion. Maybe he has taken a trip, call out louder. Maybe he has fallen asleep.β
No amount of singing, dancing, and blood-letting appeased their deity and no fire came.
Elijah rebuilt the altar of El Shaddai that had been neglected and decayed. He placed the sacrifice on the altar and dug a deep trench around it. They soaked the sacrifice and the altar with four barrels of water three times.
At the time appointed for the evening sacrifice, Elijah cried out to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
βLet it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and that I have done all these things at Your word.β
Immediately, Almighty God answered by consuming the water, the sacrifice and the altar with His holy fire.
What is it that makes America great and unique among the nations of the earth?
βThey cherished a great hope and inward zeal of laying good foundations, or at least of making some way towards it, for the propagation and advance of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in the remotes part of the world, even though they should be but stepping stones to others in the performance of so great a work." (William Bradford, The Plymouth Settlement, Mantle Ministries, San Antonio, 1988, 21).
The Founding Fathers of the United States firmly believed God had called them to establish a colony in the Americas to be a light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; a new Israel, as it were.
Upon preparing to disembark from the Mayflower onto the shores at Plymouth Rock these hearty souls entered into a covenant with Almighty God.
βIn the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign lord, Kingdom James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, etc.,having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and of one another, covenant and combine ourselves into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation an d the furtherance of the ends aforesaid and by virtue, hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws ordinances acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general use of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.
In witness whereof we have here underscribed our names at Cape Cod, 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. A.D. 1620β (Bradford, The Plymouth Settlement, 75-76).
Notice they were establishing a body politic and government structure βIn the Name of God" and with the express purpose βfor the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith.β
It could not be clearer.
Patrick Henry, leader in the American Revolution, Commander-in-Chief of the Virginia Militia, member of the Continental Congress, and a member of the Virginia General Assembly and House of Burgesses; offered the positions of Secretary of State and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by George Washington, but he declined, knew very well t
What are the ways the church influences a city? What are some practical steps she can take to affect a city for Jesus Christ and defend her from the assault of the enemy?
These are the questions every church should be asking, because God designed the church to be an influence in her community as the salt and light of the world.
Jesus was making the journey from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane. He made this a teaching opportunity.
ββ¦ I am the way the truth and the lifeβ¦ Most assuredly, I say unto you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father.β
Did you catch that?
βThe works that I do, he will do also.β Andβ¦ βand greater works than these he will doβ¦β
Are you kidding me?
Who is Jesus talking about? βHe who believes in Meβ¦β
The Church Can Influence a City Jesus is talking about the redeemed sons and daughters of God.Those who have been born again will do the same works Jesus did. How is that possible?
Jesus said, βAnd whatever you ask in my Name, that will I do that the Father maybe glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My Name I will do itβ (John 14:13-14 NKJV).
Jesus, the Last Adam, restored the covenant God originally made with mankind.
All those who have been redeemed are to be the stewards of Godβs creation, extending the Kingdom of God throughout the earth and displacing the rulers of the darkness of this world.
We are to do the works Jesus did.βFor this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devilβ (1 John 3:8 NKJV).
Jesus said, ββ¦on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heavenβ (Matthew 16:18-19 NKJV).
The authority of the Kingdom has been restored to the redeemed son and daughters. Mankind is no longer at the mercy of the principalities and powers of the rulers of darkness.
The church is the first line of defense for every home; every neighborhood; every city; every region; every nation.
When the church will rise and proclaim, β
People today spend so much money to add value to their life, never knowing that the real way we add value to our life doesn't require money...but character.
Do you remember the old bumper sticker, βHe who dies with the most toys wins?β The real truth is that he who dies with the most toys, just dies.
βIt matters so little how much you may own; the places you been or the people you known. It all comes to nothing, when placed at His feet; theyβre nothinβ to Jesus, just memories to keepβ (lyrics by Lanny Wolfe).
Value added living does not consist of Mercedes, Monarch motorhomes, private airplanes and large bank accounts.
I realize you know that and I maybe preaching to the choir.
However, before you move on, there is a significant principle that is often overlooked or missed entirely.
It is a teaching Jesus gave in Luke 16:10-12.
Jesus said, βHe that is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in muchβ¦ The one who is trustworthy in handling worldly wealth will be trusted with true richesβ¦ The one who is faithful in handling someone elseβs property will receive property of their ownβ [my paraphrase].
Now that is value added living.
Everyone can increase the value of their life in three simple, yet not so easy, steps.
When these steps are followed, your life will be filled with purpose and depression is driven out the door.
3 Ways to Add Value to Your Life 1. Learn the great value in being faithful β consistently faithful β in doing the very little things.
Read your Bible and pray every day.
Consistently participate in Sunday worship; Bible studies and christian fellowship.
Keep the car washed and vacuumed regularly.
Spend time giving your wife (or hubby) and your children undivided attention, quality conversation and personal time without the television, cell phone or iPad.
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The northern ten tribes of Israel had become apostate.
Worship of the two golden calves set up by Jeroboam had degraded the nation and opened the gateway for the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth.
They turned away from the living God to worship images of wood covered with gold and silver; to soothsayers and necromancy; and to witches and warlocks.
Their moral depravity became so disgusting it even included female and male temple prostitution.
The southern nation of Judah was embracing similar moral depravity and spiritual idolatry, so God called the prophet Isaiah to warn them.
βAlas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evil doers, children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked to anger the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backwardβ (Isaiah 1:4 NKJV).
They were becoming so corrupt the prophet equated Judah and the City of Jerusalem with Sodom and Gomorrah (1:10). He wrote:
βFor Jerusalem stumbled, and Judah is fallen, because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of His glory. The look on their countenance witnesses against them and they declare their sin as Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselvesβ¦ Moreover, the Lord says: βBecause the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, making a jingling with their feetβ¦β In that day the Lord will take away the fineryβ¦And so it shall be: Instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench; instead of a sash a rope; instead of well-set hair baldness; instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty, and your men shall fall by the sword, and your mighty in the warβ (Isaiah 3:8-9, 16, 18, 24-25 NKJV).
The prophet of God gave a terrifying warning:
βFor all this His anger is not turned
Discouragement and despair are horrible taskmasters.
They wear at your soul.
The Psalmist David wrote:
βFor the enemy has persecuted my soul. He has crushed my life to the ground. He has made me dwell in darkness like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me and my heart within me is distressedβ (Psalm 143:3-4 NKJV).
That must be how the prophet Elijah was feeling as he fled from Jezebel.
The events on the days before had been an amazing display of Godβs presence and power. Yet, they had also been exhausting.
In his weariness and with the threats from the queen to take his life ringing in ears the man of God felt totally alone and ready to give up.
What had led to such discouragement and despair in this servant of the Lord, this great man of God?
His nation was totally backslidden and under the leadership of a weak and immoral man.
Israel had turned their back on the Living God and was worshiping the idols, Baal and Asherah, the Canaanite female deity.
Ahab was a pouting, selfish, and weak leader who allowed his wife to be the dominant influence.
The people living in Israel were in a moral free-fall because of the influence of the male and female prostitution surrounding the worship of Baal and Asherah.
The economy of the nation was in a landslide resulting from three years of severe drought.
These matters weighed heavy on the heart of the man of God when he heard the voice of the Lord calling him to go to the king and to call the nation to account. βHow long will you falter between two opinions,β the prophet called to the king and the people?
βIf the Lord is God, follow Him,β the man of God continued, βBut if Baal, follow him.β
How will a person know if they are deceived?
If the only things they hear, or read, or see agrees with their deception; if the only influence on their thinking, reasoning, or opinion supports their belief system, how will they discover the deception?
If the only information permitted reinforces the misconception, how will they know that what they believing is a lie?
Following the death of Joshua, the elders of Israel continued to lead the nation in serving the Lord.
They remembered the teaching of Moses.
They had seen the mighty hand of God bring them victory over enemies who were greater and stronger than them.
They beheld the amazing miracles God performed on their behalf.
The next generation after the elders had not heard the teaching of Moses.
Whether their parents did not pass on the family faith or the Levites and priests failed to accurately teach and preach the Word, that generation of the children of Israel did not know the Word of the Lord.
They did not see the mighty working of God.
The spiritual leaders failed to nurture and cultivate the living presence of God.
Jehovah became a mythical being.
In their spiritual blindness and lack of knowledge of the Word of the Lord, they began to develop their own truth. βEvery man did that which was right in his own eyes.β
The results were disastrous!
βThen the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals; and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger. They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressedβ (Judges 2:11-15 NKJV).
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I have heard it said and read in several blogs and newsletters that this generation of high school and young college age students are the Joshua Generation that will lead the church into the greatest revival of history.
It is a reference to them being like the man of God who assumed leadership of the Israelites following the death of Moses.
With eyes of faith they see these young people courageously walking through the land with the promise from God, βEvery place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given youβ (Joshua 1:3 NKJV).
They see them boldly standing up, proclaiming Godβs Word, and no man or woman will able to stand in resistance before them.
They see these young men and women strong in the power of God, walking mighty in the Spirit, with signs and wonders following them.
The Word of God is in their heart, as they walk in full obedience to the precepts and principles written in it, with eye scorching holiness and purity.
Such mighty men and women of God will be amazing to behold and life-changing to encounter. However, there is one major issue that must be addressed if we are going to see them rise to the front of this generation.
We must have men who will purposefully and intentionally be a Moses to the Joshua Generation.
The Joshua Generation Needs a Moses The Joshua Generation must have mentors and spiritual fathers who have encountered the Lord at a βburning bushβ and come away with a life-changing experience and such a calling of God upon their life they will never be the same.
They must have men who walk with a broken and contrite heart.
Called men of God, who know they will only be able to speak Godβs Word and do the things God has called them to do by the power of βI AM.β
- A Moses-kind-of-man is not enamored by success, publicity and recognition. He is passionate about one thing: walking in obedience to the living God who encountered them at the βburning bushβ and pleasing Him.
He lives to do His will and to fulfill His calling.
- A Moses-kind-of-man is not driven to see the miracles, signs and wonders of God, for he is merely a tool God will use to defeat the enemy and deliver His people from the slavery of darkness. That is Godβs business and only to be done at His bidding and instruction. These are not what defines the man of God.
His identity is found in the intimacy of the relationship he has with I AM. He is intimately acquainted with the pathway to the top of the mountain and the walkway to the βtent of meeting.β
Waiting in the presence of the Lord and speaking with Him βface to faceβ have become as familiar to him as the face of his own wife and sitting his favorite chair.
There is a well-worn path in his life that leads to the mountain of God. It is that place where he meets with the Father every day and allows Him to write the Word of God upon the tablet of his heart.
It is not enough to simply read the printed Word and study it for sermons to preach.
Meditation and waiting in the presence of God have implanted the Word deep. βYour Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against youβ¦ Oh how I love your law, it is my meditation all the dayβ (Psalm 119:11, 96 NKJV).
He looks deep into the perfect law of liberty, walks in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the Word. The blessings upon his life are obvious.
Spiritual disc
Be sure to read part one of this post here: It Is Not a Political Problem - Part One
The philosophies and reasoning of the Enlightenment and humanistic philosophy have battered the shores of the United States since the time of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine.
Each time it began to take root a fresh spiritual awakening rose against the movement. The last eighty years have not gone well for this nation that was founded in covenant with Almighty God.
The Pentecostal outpouring of 20th century began to lose strength in the 1940βs and higher criticism began to grow in the seminaries and Bible colleges of the nation questioning the infallibility of the Holy Bible.
The Jesus People Movement and Charismatic Renewal brought a new wave of life and spiritual awakening in the 1960βs and β70βs.
It too began to fade away in the mid 1980βs.
There have been outbursts over the last twenty years, like the Toronto Airport, or in Brownsville, Florida, and the Billy Graham Crusade in Portland, Oregon.
None of them impacted the nation or changed the culture.
Post-modernism began to sweep across the United States in the 1960βs, and by the 1990βs America began to embrace a post-Christian philosophy.
During these years of embracing post-modernism the United States broke covenant with Almighty God.
- June 25, 1962 β removed prayer from public schools;
- 1963 β removed Bible reading from public schools;
- January 22, 1973 β abortion was legalized;
- November 8, 1994 β Oregon legalized assisted suicide; seven states followed Oregon in legalizing assisted suicide;
- June 26, 2015 β same-sex marriage legalized;
- The youth and adults of America have a love affair with the demonic in movies, novels, and music while at the same time Jesus Christ is mocked and ridiculed.
January 20, 2019 was a tragic day for the United States.
Tony Marco of CNN reported on January 23, 2019 in an article titled, New York Puts New Measure to Protect Access to Abortion Even if Roe v. Wade is Overturned, βNot only will the law preserve access to abortions, it also removes abortion from the state's criminal code. This would protect doctors or medical professionals who perform abortions from criminal prosecution. The law also now allows medical professionals who are not doctors to perform abortions in New Yorkβ¦ The law also addresses late-term abortions. Under New York's Reproductive Health Act, they can be performed after 24 weeks if the fetus is not viable or when necessary to protect the life of the mother.β
Caleb Parke reported on FoxNews.com, January 23, 2019, βNew York Go
βHow can you say to me, flee like a bird to your mountainβ (Psalm 11:1 NIV). βI take refuge in the Lord,β was his reply. Yet, they continued to warn David, βBut, they are preparing their bows, even now they are taking aim at your heart.β
Davidβs reply is astounding. βIf the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?β
If the righteous leaders flee when the wicked are dangerously seeking to destroy them, on what foundation can the righteous build a future for the nation and a hope for their families?
A great question; it is a critical question.
It is a question that has been faced generation after generation. Some leaders have stood the test well while others have failed miserably.
The leaders in Judah are a sad testimony of not standing for truth and failing to provide righteous leadership at an hour of moral landslide.
βThe conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, βThus says the Lord God,β when the Lord had not spoken. The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,β says the Lord Godβ (Ezekiel 22:25-31 NKJV).
The fifteenth and sixteenth century A.D. was another crisis time.
The foundations of the faith were being crushed through Aristotelian philosophy, distorted theology, greedy leadership, and moral bankruptcy.
Into this foray came the clarion voices of John Hus, Savonarola, and the giant of the Reformation, Martin Luther.
When being faced with the threats and condemnation of a Papal Bull at the Diet of Worms, Luther stood for truth and was bold to answer.
Quoting from his own writings, he declared, βI am bound to the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise. Here I stand. God help me. Amen.β (Martin Luther, Eric Metaxas, Viking, New York: 2017, p. 216).
In the seventeenth century the Church of England was awash with distorted theology, bishops preaching politically correct sermons, and drunkenness.
Again men of God rose to the occasion proclaiming truth as the Puritan movement sought to right the Church of England.
Little known Gospel preacher, John Bunyan wrote Pilgrimβs Progress at this critical hour.
Read the rest
βDean, how did you know and how did you know so early?β
That was the question several pastors asked me in the late eighties when a huge mega-church in the Kent area of Washington state was exposed for extreme moral failures.
I had begun warning people of the errors and spiritual apostasy three years earlier and had come under great criticism.
Three Ways to Spot Apostasy In a Church The church was a lightning rod, drawing huge crowds to its βHoly Spirit-filled meetings.β I had been accused of being judgmental and critical of a new move of God.
The warning signs that I saw at that time, which others seemed to overlook, are very present in some circles of ministry today.
They are very popular circles, I might add.
- The first sign is an over-emphasis on the humanity of Jesus. Certainly, βThe Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truthβ (John 1:14 KJV).
We know that Jesus was βtempted in all points as we areβ that He might be found sinless and without fault (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15).
The extreme emphasis upon the humanity of Jesus Christ opens the gate for some of the forms of Gnosticism to make their subtle way into the teaching of the church.
The Apostle John couched his teaching of the humanity of Jesus within the clear emphasis of Jesus Christβs deity as the Son of God.
The Apostle Paul confronted Gnosticism in the first century by clearly declaring the deity of Jesus Christ, βIn Him dwells all the fullness of the godhead, bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and powerβ (Colossians 2:9-10 NKJV).
Yes, Jesus Christ is one hundred percent God and He is one hundred percent man:
β[W]ho, 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 crossβ (Philippians 2:6-8 NKJV).<!--
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βIf the spiritual awakening you are talking about happens would that mean everyone would have to believe in Jesus and would everyone have to follow the same beliefs?β
The questions were more rhetorical than they were authentic inquiry.
My affirmative answer was quickly followed by his statement, βThat is communism.β
My surprise at his statement was heightened by the knowledge this person claimed to be a Christian. How could they have such a stunning offense of Jesus Christ?
That is rapidly becoming the line of demarcation inside the Christianity community.
Evangelical and Pentecostal movements are no exception. They too are experiencing the pressure of a culture marinated in tolerance and relativism.
Great offense is taken at the very idea of the exclusivity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible. This is not new.
The crowds were offended at the new prophet out of Galilee claiming to be the Son of God. Although they were amazed at the miraculous healings and appreciated the food He provided, his teaching greatly trouble them.
He made himself equal with God. βI am the bread come down from Heaven,β He said.
They could not see past His humanity.
βIsnβt this the son of Joseph and Mary,β they asked? "Where does he come off saying God is His Father?"
They had watched him grow up. There was no way He had come down from Heaven. He was born and raised right there in Nazareth among them. They knew all of His relatives.
The Offense of Jesus Christ Just as the people of Galilee, many today struggle with Jesus divinity.
How can God be in the flesh? It is the mystery of the ages, βChrist in you, the hope of gloryβ (Colossians 1:26-27). βFor in Him dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily. And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and powerβ (Colossians 2:9-10).
The people wanted His miracles and they wanted the food He provided, but they could not accept His true identity.
Does that sound familiar?
The complaints about the presidential inauguration from inside βthe beltwayβ and from the national media declared it was too Christian.
βWho are you,β they asked in a less than gracious tone.
Jesus had been in the temple area since early morning teaching a large gathering of people who had come to hear His words.
A group of religious leaders brought an adulterous woman into the middle of the crowd, right before him and said, βThe Law of Moses says stone her.
What do you say?β
They were not seeking counsel but an opportunity to impugn His character and His teaching.
Jesus turned the tables on his accusers. βYou, who are without sin, cast the first stone.β
Indignant and offended by His tone, convicted in their own heart, the men who had brought the woman slithered away one by one.
The woman remained before Him; no doubt humiliated, maybe very angry at the men and at the crowd around her.
Jesus looked at her with eyes of love, mercy and grace. βWhere are those who accuse you? Is someone condemning you,β Jesus asked? βNo one,β she answered. βNeither do I condemn you,β He answered, βGo and sin no more.β
Jesus continued teaching the crowd that had been with Him all morning.
Among them were some Pharisees who had watched this whole seen with great interest. They began to question the Lord. βWhere is your father? Who are you?β
Who Is Jesus Christ? Ah, there you have the great question that Lucifer has used for millennia to gain an entrance and establish a foothold in a personβs life.
He used that strategy on Jesus when was in the wilderness forty days fasting and praying.
The Lord was preparing Himself spiritually for the next three years of public ministry.
Satan came on the last day seeking opportunity to stop the advance of Godβs Kingdom. βIf you are the Son of God,β he challenged the one born in Bethlehemβs stable.
When Jesus parried His attacker with βIt is writtenβ¦β
The Devil resumed the offense with, βIf you are the Son of Godβ¦β
Jesus again parried His attacker with, βIt is also writtenβ¦β
Satan made a counter move with a more subtle attack on Jesus true identity, βAll these things I will give You if You fall down and worship me.β
Je
How can we live in this time of crisis, not only with COVID-19 sweeping across the world, but with the dire economic predictions, with a heart of peace and security in Christ?
How can we have such peace within us that it flows from us and influences the situations and people around us?
Is this even possible?
"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way? Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father ' Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." John 14:1-4
How to Live with Peace from the Inside Out There is a lot of confusion right now.
Media reports and data on COVID-19 are conflicting, and people are confused and experiencing anxiety.
But God's people can walk through times of crisis and not only have peace that surpasses all understanding, but they can be an influence of God's peace to all around them!
If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider leaving us a review. This helps the Foundational podcast reach more listeners. Be sure to tell a friend about the Foundational blog and podcast, and share with them about
Death was never supposed to be part of the human experience.
Death entered the human experience because Adam and Eve made a choice, and they partook of what God told them not to.
The human body cannot withstand sinful behavior. When an individual begins to participate in sin, the human body begins to break down.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23 'As it is written: βThere is none righteous, no, not one;"' Romans 3:10
Sin has a strong grip on every person's heart, and every time we participate in sin, death has a stronger and stronger grip on our heart until it kills us.
That's why Jesus said we must be born again.
God has given us a wonderful thing called grace; and because He loves us so much and is merciful toward us, by His grace He gives us something we don't deserve and we cannot earn.
A whole new life!
We have a choice: To live in sin and death or to live by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.
Dear friend, you can live a whole new life! You can have a whole new identity!
Your past or your present circumstances do not have to determine your future or your identity from this day forward. You can arise to resurrection life in Jesus Christ and live a whole new life.
Do you want to arise to a whole new identity?
Do you want to arise to a life without condemnation?
Watch my message below and find out how you can begin living this kind of a life today!
If you have trouble viewing this video, click here.
Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity.
Get Discovering True Identity 30% off today with the coupon code: Identity
How can we have perfect peace despite the crisis and drama we are walking through right now all around the world.
Now only has the world come to a complete halt because of COVID-19, but there are earthquakes happening all around the world.
We are facing a global economic crisis.
Conflict is threatening to erupt.
These are the days that Jesus talked about when he said that in the last days there would be wars and rumors of wars.
He said that in the days leading up to His 2nd return that crisis would increase in regularly and intensity, just as when a woman is in labor and her birth pangs increase in regularity and intensity.
But as children of God we should have no fear!
"In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: 'We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.'" Isaiah 26: 1-3
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That is why I have created a Leadership Development Institute eCourse called "No Mo' Drama"
No Mo' Drama is a 6-part video-based course all about learning how to live and walk in perfect peace.
We will examine deeply what the Bible has to say and how we can apply it to our lives.
Godβs message through Jeremiah to the Children of Israel who were refugees in Babylon is very relevant today.
βBuild houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters β that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peaceβ (Jeremiah 29:5-7 NKJV).
We have all watched the growing disunity, rioting, racial tension, and violence across the United States of America; and we ask ourselves how the church should respond in times of violence in our cities.
How the Church Should Respond In Times Of Violence Violence does not have to define your city.
Multiple times in the Holy Scripture God demonstrated the level of authority He has given His sons and daughters in praying for peace and safety for the city where they live.
When Sodom and Gomorrah was filled with moral impurity and violence at a level that could no longer be endured council God said:
βShall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.β And the LORD said, βBecause the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will knowβ" (Genesis 18:17-21 NKJV).
The level of authority over cities delegated to Abraham is revealed in his conversation with the Lord about Sodom and Gomorrah.
βAnd Abraham came near and said, βWould You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do rightβ?" (Genesis 18:23-25 NKJV)
As the conversation between Abraham and the Lord continues it is Abraham dictating the terms by which the city will be destroyed.
God is not angry with the boldness of His servant, rather seems to be pleased that he is graciously standing between the city and God crying out for mercy.
When it is clear the level of wickedness has reached such severity, ten righteous people could not be found judgment was inevitable.
There is a similar conversation between Moses and God when the Children of Israel rebelled against God in their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land (Exodus 32:1-18).
The sin of the Israelis had become so severe God was prepared to destroy them. Moses immediately began interceding on their behalf.
His authority was great and God said, βI have seen this people and indeed it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore, let Me aloneβ¦β
But Moses continued to plead for the people and God responded with grace and mercy.
Isaiah 62 clearly portrays the authority God has given to His people and the role
The quote rang out in my mind:
"Your past and present circumstances do not have to determine your future or your identity."
This quote would become my motto. A new identity in Christ. It not only became a foundation for much of what I teach and preach today, it became the premise for a series of books I've written called The Freedom Series.
God provided a way for all of mankind to undergo a transformation of such proportion that everything we've ever done would not only be forgiven, it would be completely eradicated through a legal term: Justification.
Justification simply means just as if you've never sinned.
And justification gives us a new identity in Christ!
Governor Pilate did not want this case before him. He had sent it to Herod Antipater, the Tetrarch of Galilee.
Here it was before him again.
Standing in front of him was the man Jesus of Nazareth. Behind Him was the unruly Jewish mob demanding the crucifixion of the one called βKing of the Jewsβ while calling for the release of a rebel.
Pilate was angry; angry that he had to come out of his palace to deal with Jewish leaders who were afraid of defiling themselves before Passover; angry that he had deal with yet another Jewish religious issue; angry that they were demanding the execution of this innocent man.
The significance of this scene might have escaped the Roman Governor; but his wife knew. βHave nothing to do with that just manβ¦β was her message to him. βI have suffered many things in a dream because of Him.β
The crowd was screaming louder as the Jewish leaders agitated them to call for the crucifixion.
The two men stood in front of the Governor, facing the crowd.
One had been up all night; face swollen from several beatings; bruised and bloody from the mocking abuse; wearing a very expensive purple robe given to Him by Herod.
The other man had just been brought from prison; a known rebel; convicted of robbery and murder.
Barabbas was his name.
An exchange was about to be made; an exchange that would affect eternity.
βGive us Barabbas and crucify Jesus who is called the Christ,β crowd yells!
Barabbas is the crowd choice. Bar β son of; Abbas β father β the son of father. The crowd is calling for the Governor to release βthe son of fatherβ and crucify Jesus.
Jesus is the Hellenic form of Jeshua (Jehovah is salvation).
He was raised in Nazareth as the son of Joseph. Jeshua bar Joseph (Jehovah has added). That was His earthly family. Actually, Joseph was not His father.
He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. His father was God, Himself. His proper name is Jesus Son of God - Jeshua bar Jehovah.
Governor Pilate is about to exchange Barabbas (the son of father) for Jeshua (Jehovah is salvation) bar Jehovah.
Can you imagine?
God will allow βthe son of fatherβ to be set free, just as if he had never done anything wrong.
Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity.
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The Lord Jesus Christ has made it possible for a sinner to become a saint; to be controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is made possible is when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, Scripture says that He has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
When Jesus was buried, our life of sin was buried with Him to live no more.
When He walked out of the grave, He also made it possible for us to walk out in newness of life!
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Romans 6:1-7
When a person receives Christ as their Lord, everything in their life before is eradicated and as far as He is concerned, they have never done anything wrong.
The old person doesn't exist anymore.
But there is a choice we must make.
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Emphasis mine)
We must choose to walk in that newness of life. 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. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4
You get to make a choice!
The Most Important Choice Every Christian Will Make 1. You can live by the law of sin and death or
- You can live by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.
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Isaiah 53:5 says, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed."
The stripes on Jesus' back didn't just bring us salvation and physical healing, it brought emotional healing as well.
Jesus was taken by the Roman soldiers from the trial before Governor Pilate and the Jewish crowd into the Praetorium, where He would be scourged and then delivered to execution.
When He arrived at the Praetorium, the guards gathered the entire Roman cohort to enjoy some fun with this unusual prisoner.
A Roman cohort consisted of either 480 soldiers or 800 soldiers depending on their assignment. The soldiers gathered around ready to mock and ridicule this βprophetβ of the Jewish people.
First, they stripped Jesus of His clothes to prepare Him for the flogging.
One of the soldiers grabbed the royal garment Herod Antipater had given Jesus, put it back on Him and began mocking and calling Him βKing of the Jews.β
Another soldier furthered the game by making a crown of thorns and pressing it firmly on His head. Blood vessels close to the surface were pierced, causing bleeding as only head wounds can bleed.
They put a rod in his hand and knelt before Him; bowing in mock worship shouting, βHail King of the Jews.β
Others began to spit on Him, mocked Him and struck Him on the head with the rod that had been in His hand and pulled handfuls of beard from His face.
Blood streamed from his scalp, down His face and onto His shoulders.
After the mocking they stripped Him naked again and led Him to the flogging post. Flagellation is a cruel and excruciating punishment; being used in the Middle East, even today.
The flagellum was short whip with several strands of either single strips or braided strips of leather. Small lead balls and sharp pieces of bone were tied into the leather strips at varying intervals.
The victimβs hands were tied above his head to the flogging post so his back, buttocks and legs were fully exposed.
Usually two men, called lictors, would take turns striking the victim from one side and then the other, pulling the whips from the shoulders toward the spine.
The small balls would cause deep contusions. The leather strips and pieces of bone would cut the skin and the deeper tissue of the back.
As the flogging continued the back and leg muscles would be torn, leaving long strands of flesh hanging.
Blood vessels and arteries in the muscles would be torn so blood would be flowing and flying through the air as the flagellation continued.
The victim would go into shock.
Why would Father allow such abuse of His Son?
Two Ways Jesus' Death Brought Emotional Healing 1. The crown of thorns was for the renewing of the mind.
The writer of Proverbs said, βAs a man thinks in his heart so is he.β
From the earliest days we are taught and trained in human reasoning, fleshing concepts, ideology and philosophy of mankind.
Our human experiences cause us to form opinions and thought patterns.
Our thoughts and reasoning are not Godβs thoughts and reasoning. They will conform us to this world.
We must be transformed by the renewing of the mind so we can live the good, acceptab
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Today is your opportunity to experience the transformation power of the Holy Spirit!
What do you think blind Bartamaeus felt when he was able to see for the first time in his life? Or how about the woman whose son had died, and during the funeral procession Jesus raised her son from the dead?
In Jeremiah 13:23, we read God's questioning to Israel, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?
Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil."
The answer is obviously no.
But God can perform an even greater transformation a person changing the color of their skin or an animal changing the color of their fur.
One Powerful Secret That Will Transform Your Life "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Jesus suffered torturous flogging because He knew the pain we would endure
- Abandonment by our parents
- Betrayal from friends
- Failed marriages and infidelity
- Abuse, molestation, date rape
- Jesus purchased our healing. He suffered horrible pain so
- Our damaged emotions could be healed
- Our trouble minds can be healed
- Jesus doesn't want us to life a lifetime as a victim
Discover how you can move beyond your past to a future of promise and hope in my book Discovering True Identity.
Get Discovering True Identity 30% off today with the coupon code: Identity
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. " Isaiah 53:5
- Why would God allow His Son to die such a violent death?
- He wasn't just wounded for our transgressions
- He wasn't just bruised for our iniquity
- He also said...
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
- What is sin?
- To miss the mark, to fall short
- When we knowingly - or even unknowingly - do those things that are wrong
- When Jesus was being beaten, flogged, and hanging on the cross
- He took all of our suffering on Himself
- God took all our sin and put it on Him
- He was dying in our place, so we wouldn't have to die
- God is offering us an amazing opportunity!
- To have everything wrong we've ever
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All of history, past and present, turned on that Sunday morning. The destiny of the human race changed in that obscure hillside grave.
The soldiers were occupied that morning with the concern of being negligent on duty.
The High Priests were occupied in covering up the dangers of yet another religious zealot.
Pontius Pilate was frustrated with still more difficulties in governing these incomprehensible Jews.
The disciples were hiding out of fear there would be more reprisals from the Romans or the Sanhedrin.
While the world was occupied with the stuff of life, the realm of the spirit was in great conflict. Notice had been delivered three days earlier.
The eternal judgment written against mankind had been nailed to a cross on a rocky crag outside the city walls of Jerusalem.
What the Luciferian band thought would be a victory had in fact become a coupe de grace for the powers of hell.
Early that Sunday morning, the Holy Spirit had invaded the realm of the dead.
Jesus Christ seized from the hands of Lucifer the keys of death and hell.
He opened the prison bars of Sheol and led the righteous dead out prison from beneath the earth to Heaven. Many people who were on the streets of Jerusalem that morning saw some of the old prophets of Israel.
While life on planet earth continued its usual course, Jesus Christ was winning a major battle against the powers of darkness.
This Is Why Every Christian Should Celebrate Easter The whole destiny of mankind was shifting.
Satan, Lucifer, that Serpent of old, no longer held the power of death over all mankind. He could no longer hold them captive in Sheol.
All who will live godly in Christ Jesus live no longer under the fear of death; βto be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.β
Human beings do not have to live as prisoners of habits and sin, then die and be eternally lost in hell.
It is for freedom that Christ has made us free, both here and now and lives eternally in Heaven and the Kingdom of God.
Life as mankind had known it was experiencing a whole paradigm shift that Sunday morning.
John the Baptist had consistently referred to Jesus Christ as the one who would send the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, βIt is expedient for you that I go away.β
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Jesus' resurrection from the dead made it possible for every human being to receive the same Holy Spirit that brought resurrection life to Jesusβ body.
Now, that same Spirit will bring resurrection life to every person who will receive it.
The disciples of Jesus were no longer cowering in fear and doubting after they received the Holy Spirit. They became bold, godly men and women who filled the City of Jeru
A dozen people were busy clearing dishes, scraping plates, washing and drying, stacking chairs and folding tables.
Over two hundred people had gathered that night to celebrate Pesach and discover the revelation of Jesus the Redeemer in the Pesach Seder, the Passover meal.
The full meal had been served, the four cups were drank, matzo broken, the Afikoman hidden and discovered. The crowd was dispersed, now it was time to clean up.
The grape stains and bread crumbs on the table cloths revealed the events of the evening. Was it the same that night, almost two thousand years ago? Thirteen men had gathered for the dinner and twelve completed it.
Was it during the cleanup that Jesus began saying, βLet not your heart be troubled. You believe it God. Believe also in meβ (John 14:1). βI am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am you maybe alsoβ (John 14:2-3).
Jesus revealed His heart and passion that night, as the meal began.
βI have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will never eat it again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of Godβ (Luke 22:15).
He lifted one of the loaves of matzo and prayed the traditional blessing over the bread.
He broke the loaf and handed it to the men gathered before Him and said, βThis is My body which is broken for you. This do in remembrance of Me.β Then He lifted one of the glasses of wine saying, βThis cup is the new covenant in My blood which is shed for youβ (Luke 22:19-20).
Any grape stains and bread crumbs on the table cloths in the upper room revealed a whole lot more than just a group of clumsy men having Passover dinner that evening.
A covenant had been established around that table. Almost fifteen hundred years before that night, Jewish men all over the Goshen region of Egypt had butchered one year old lambs without a blemish.
The blood of the lamb had been painted on the door frames of their homes.
The wives had been busy baking unleavened bread and preparing a dinner meal with that roasted lamb.
While the Jewish families were eating their dinner, the angel of death passed through the land of Egypt killing all of the first born sons and the first born of each flock.
The Jewish homes with door frames painted with the blood of the lamb were delivered from the death angel.
That night, Pharaoh released the Jewish families from slavery and they departed from Egypt headed for the Land of Promise.
God instructed Israel to celebrate the Pesach Seder, every year on the fourteenth of Abib, in remembrance of Godβs deliverance from slavery by the blood of the lamb.
Jesus and the Passover Jesus revealed an even greater mystery the night He ate the Pesach Seder with His disciples.
The matzo, unleavened bread, Jewish families ate year after year on the fourteenth of Abib represented the unblemished body of an even greater Lamb.
It represented the sinless body of the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.
The writer of Hebrews declared, quoting from Psalm 40:6-8, βSacrifices and offerings You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have had no pleasureβ¦ He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for allβ (Hebrews 10:5-10 MEV).<
Do you feel that your relationship with God is stale?
Do you feel distant from Him?
Maybe you've sinned and are not sure the way back to Him; or maybe you're a new Christian and you don't know the next step in this Christian walk.
Deepening your relationship with God is vitally important for every believer because it reminds us that this world is not our home.
It is the tie between this physical world we live in and the spiritual world that we cannot see.
3 Simple Ways to Deepen Your Relationship With God You see, the spiritual realm is more real than even this physical realm we can see, taste, touch, hear and smell. These modern times, however, have robbed us of that understanding.
Western culture diminishes the spiritual realm to something novels and fantasy films are made of, and yet it is not fiction, it is not a fantasy, but it is very real and it is important that we always have eternity before our eyes.
Having a growing, thriving relationship with God helps to keep eternity before our eyes.
- Studying your Bible Go beyond reading your Bible.
Grab some tools to help you dig down deep into God's Word. Get a notebook and write down your observations about what you read.
Look at the passage within the context of the book and look at cross references (most Bibles have cross references in the center column or footnotes), and use BlueLetterBible.org to check out trusted commentaries and Greek and Hebrew meanings.
Studying God's Word is the first step to applying it to our lives.
- Prayer Prayer is communication with God.
He wants to hear from you. He wants to hear your heart and receive your worship. But He also wants to express His heart to you.
Prayer is this intimate exchange between you and God where you can share your heart as well as your needs.
- Memorizing and Meditating on Scripture If you want to really take your relationship with God to a whole new level, begin memorizing and meditating on Scripture.
I know most people believe they could never memorize scripture, but the truth is that we memorize many things all of the time: song lyrics, sports facts....
Meditation is taking what we've memorized and pondering it deeply. The biblical definition of memorize literally means to mumble, or to say it over and and over to ourselves out loud.
How do you think your relationship with God would deepen if you did these three things everyday?
I have created a 67-page journal that will help you do these three things to deepen you relationship with Christ. You can download it for free today and start on this amazing journey to get to know Christ better!
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One of the more amazing things you discover in Scripture is how God relates to mankind on a very personal level. How we can have a personal relationship with God.
He walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8).
He had a dinner meal with Abraham (Genesis 18:1-8).
He met with Moses and spoke with him face to face as a man who meets with his friend (Exodus 33:11).
King David would meet with God in his stronghold, the Cave of Adullam, and received personal instructions how to go to battle with his enemies (1 Samuel 23:1-5; 2 Samuel 5:17-25).
Heavenly Father greatly desires a personal relationship with his sons and daughters who are created in His own image, however, sin and self-willed living separates His children from Him.
The prophet Isaiah declared, βCertainly, the hand of the Lord is not so short that it cannot save, nor His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hearβ (Isaiah 59:1-2 MEV).
How to Have a Personal Relationship With God Our Heavenly Father revealed His heart when He spoke through Jeremiah.
βFor I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you shall call upon Me, and you shall come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You shall seek Me and Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lordβ¦β (Jeremiah 29:11-14 MEV).
God is knowable and He greatly desires to have a personal relationship with you.
Therefore, He did a truly startling thing to make that happen.
It is the one thing that distinguishes Almighty God from all other gods.
He came to mankind βseeking to save that which was lostβ (Luke 19:10). There is no other god who has made himself knowable and seeks a personal relationship with a human being.
Hear these amazing words, βAnd if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to Myselfβ (John 12:32).
God has sought personal relationship with human beings in two amazing ways. 1. He came to earth in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. He was born in a stable on the outskirts of Bethlehem and raised in the Galilean community, Nazareth. He began public ministry when He was thirty years old.
Three years later He was crucified, buried and rose from the dead. Jesus Christ was one hundred percent human and one hundred percent God.
βIn Him dwelt all the fullness of the godhead bodily, and we are complete in Him who is the head of all principality and powerβ (Colossians 2:9-10).
When Jesus Christ was crucified, Heavenly Father laid upon Him all the sin and iniquity of mankind (Isaiah 53:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
2. Through His death on the cross the wages of the sin of mankind was paid (Romans 6:23).
When Jesus Christ was buried the sin and iniquity of mankind was buried with Him so it would no longer live (Romans 6:1-4).
When Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He made it possible for mankind to live a whole new life free from sin and iniquity and live as a new creation (Romans 6:4-5, 8:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18).
Knowing the heart of mankind is ever sinful, seeking our own way, Heavenly Father sent the Holy Spirit to convict the heart of
I know we said, ββTill death do us part.β But, I just donβt love him anymore.β
Those are painful words, spoken in a marriage counseling session. How can that be?
How is it possible for a man and a woman, deeply in love and passionately committed to one another at one time, to stop loving? How is it possible for a child raised in a Christian home to stop loving their parents?
The Apostle Paul wrote in βthe love chapterβ the amazing words, "Love never fails." Yet, we know love does fail. Did the Scripture lie or did someone make a mistake?
Jesus gives us clarity in Matthew 24:12. βAnd because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax coldβ (KJV).
This is a difficult verse, at best. Letβs try to un-package it.
βIniquityβ (anomia) is disrespect for the law or someone who chooses to live above the law. It is living without law; wickedness.
βWax coldβ (psugeesetai from psuchoo) means breath cool; blowing cool air; or the loss of temperature. A culture or an individual who chooses to live lawless will experience the cooling of natural love in their heart; even to the point of rigor mortis.
How does Jesusβ explanation help us understand the failure of love in a marriage; between a child and their parent; or between a child of God and the Lord?
A heart of iniquity is self-focused and full of envy. They ask, βWhat do I need? What am I missing? What do others have that I donβt have? What am I missing out on? What should I be experiencing that I am not experiencing?
Their thoughts are focused on what their mate is not doing.
The believerβs heart is fixed on what God has not done for them or on prayers God has not answered.
The child is offended by the parentβs failure.
The words of a self-focused person are filled with, βYou neverβ¦β and βYou did this to me.β
The result of such focus is loss of joy and a lack of desire to serve. Those things that used to bring joy become irritating or frustrating. Little tasks that were a delight or pleasant to do because they brought pleasure to the other person are now resented. Feelings of expectation rise up and they begin thinking, βIt is not fair. They shouldnβt expect that of me.β
Control of the imagination is compromised.
Thoughts of what it would be like with another person creep into the mind throughout the day. Eyes begin to wander; looking at other men or women and fantasizing being with them. Memories of old times and the fun experienced begin wandering through. Feelings of missing those times flood in. Slowly the attachment and attraction to your mate weakens.
The joy of being a Christian weakens. Pleasure in movies with compromising scenes and the soft pornography of pop culture becomes attractive.
The imagination is awakened even more.
Fantasizing about another person becomes greater.
Now you are becoming emotionally attached to another person. They may not even know you are having such thoughts. Transference is happening. Emotions that rightfully belong to your marriage partner; your parents; your Lord and Savior are given to another.
Opportunity to speak with that person is sought. Conversations are extended; greetings are expressed friendlier; handshakes become friendly hugs. Emotional attachment becomes stronger and the imagination fired up even more. Love for your mate is weakened; emotional estrangement is becoming obvious.
Spiritually, less time is spent in prayer and Bible reading is overloo
Show Notes for this week's Foundational Podcast
2 Kinds of Boundaries We See in Scripture: 1. Demonic boundaries that keep us prisoner 1. addictions 2. anxiety, fear, worry 3. depression, despair 2. Godly boundaries that give you a new identity
3 Ways the Word Of God Gives Us Boundaries 1. They establish identity 2. They establish possession 3. They establish protection
God uses boundaries in our spiritual life, because there are things that are dangerous for us spiritually.
" He who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent." Ecclesiastes 10:8
God has said that there are those things for the Christian that are unclean and those things that are clean. He established a boundary by which we are to live our lives.
"Thus says the LORD of hosts: βNow, ask the priests concerning the law, saying, If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?' Then the priests answered and said, 'No.' And Haggai said, 'If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?' So the priests answered and said, 'It shall be unclean.' Then Haggai answered and said,ββSo is this people, and so is this nation before Me,β says the LORD, βand so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.'" Haggai 2:11-14
There are things that are righteous and holy and things that are profane
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Learn how to renew your mind with The Freedom Series! Discovering True Identity: A Believer's Position in Christ (Freedom Series) (Volume 1)
Many Christians today are no longer impressed with the concert-like atmosphere in their churches. They are looking for more than the polished and professional services.
But here is one reason why we still need smoke and lights in the modern church.
There is an interesting pattern found in the Old and the New Testaments.
When a society entered into spiritual decline and a moral free fall, God sent a man or a woman mighty in the Holy Spirit.
They might be a prophet, a judge or an apostolic team. They were sent by God to lead those people out of the darkness back to God and back to holy living.
The Old Testament is a continuum of prophets, priests and judges mighty in the Holy Spirit.
Moses, Gideon, Deborah, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha and many more lead Israel and Judah out of spiritual decline and moral free fall back to God.
Jesus was about to enter His public ministry. John the Baptist began preaching,
βThere is one who comes after me. I am not worthy to even tie or untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.β
Jesus promised there would come a day when He would build His church and the church would crush the gates of hell. She would have the authority and power to bind the forces of darkness and lose the people from the bondage of sin and the torment of demonic forces.
Once His chosen men had been trained and prepared to establish the Church, Jesus instructed them to not leave Jerusalem or go and do anything until they were clothed with power from on high.
βJohn truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from nowβ¦ You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.β
That took place on the Day of Pentecost following Jesusβ crucifixion and resurrection.
The church was at a prayer meeting when the Holy Spirit suddenly came upon them like a wind storm out of Heaven. Tongues of fire appeared on each person and they began to speak in tongues and praise God.
Immediately, the church began fulfilling the Great Commission reaching the city of Jerusalem and the regions of Judea and Samaria. They must also reach the βuttermost parts of the world.β
When the ministry of the church went outside the Jewish community for the first time, reaching into the Gentile community, it came with a mighty outpouring of Holy Spirit power. It was at the home of a Roman centurion by the name of Cornelius. He lived in Caesarea by the Sea. The Apostle Peter was preaching when suddenly the Holy Spirit fell on all who were gathered and they began to speak in tongues.
When the Apostle Paul took the Gospel to the edge of the European continent for the first time, it was at the City of Ephesus.
He asked the believers who were gathered, βHave you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?β There answer was a bit startling. βWe have not heard if there is a Holy Spirit.β
The Apostle instructed them, prayed for them, laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues and prophesy.
What is it that makes this pattern important to you? Every time a nation or a group of people go into a spiritual and moral free fall, Godβs answer is a man, a woman, or a Church walking mighty in the Spirit who can bring a great out pouring of Holy Spirit upon those people and transform the culture.
That is the answer for America right now. It is the only answer for the United States.
She doesnβt ne
I canβt imagine how frightening it must have been watching as Ananias and Sapphira fell to the floor dead.
What was going on?
Where was the fear of the Lord in the church?
The church in Jerusalem was experiencing a mighty our pouring of the Holy Spirit. Miracles and signs and wonders were happening. Thousands were coming into the Kingdom of God.
The church was impacting the city.
A significant part of the work taking place was the care for the elderly, the orphan and the poor. Church members were even selling real estate and bringing the entire equity to the church for distribution to the needy.
In short, the church was being what the church was supposed to be. This couple wanted in on the recognition.
Ananias and Sapphira sold a portion of their property and brought an offering to the Apostles.
Ananias said they were giving the whole equity as an offering to help the poor and the needy. In fact, it was only a portion of the equity. When questioned by the Apostle Peter, Ananias said it was the whole.
The man fell dead.
It was only a brief few moments when Sapphira arrived. The Apostle Peter asked her the same question. She answered in the affirmative.
She also fell dead.
βGreat fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. βGreat fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these thingsβ (Acts 5:11 NKJV).
Ananias and Sapphira had a religious form without the power of the Holy Spirit.
The fear of the Lord was not shaped in their spiritual life.
This is one of the unique characteristics of the manifest presence of God upon His church; a strong fear of the Lord.
Where Is the Fear Of the Lord In the Church? The concept of the fear of the Lord is absent from the present church culture.
In past generations there was a healthy fear of the coach, dad and mom, teachers, and leaders in the community.
You always called them "mister".
It was never a first name basis; after all "that is Mr. Smith, the bank manager or Mr. Baker the principle, the football coach, or the math teacher."
Today, itβs all on a first name basis.
The coach is supposed to be your buddy.
Mom and dad are supposed to be friends with the kids. After all children have their rights.
Employees, employers, average citizen and community leaders are all equal.
When that healthy fear is removed from society; when it is absent from the heart of a child or a teenager, there is no fear for the position of those who have weight or significance in the community or in the family.
It takes the heart out of family and out of the community leaving a vacuum of honor and respect.
When the fear of the Lord is absent from the heart of a disciple and from the spirit of the church there is a loss of reverence for the sacred and the holy.
There is a decline in the purity of the heart.
Fear of the Lord is full recognition of His nature; God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.
It is full recognition of His authority; God is absolutely sovereign.
Such recognition brings a trembling in the heart. It is not cowering before Him but reverence for who He is and His authority over my life.
The child of God has a holy trembling that balanced by deep love for Heavenly Father. There is a healthy fear of His authority and power balanced by certain trust in Fatherβs love, mercy and grace.
The fear of the Lord is not optional equip
Did you know that a healthy mind means a healthy heart? This isn't just physically, but spiritually as well.
I have no memory of my thirteenth birthday.
I remember a few things my family told me about that day, but, I have no personal memories of the celebration. In fact, I donβt know what gifts were given to me or if there was a party and if so, who came to celebrate.
I received a hard blow to the head during a football game doing a quarterback sneak.
I remember the game. It was in Mead, Washington.
I remember calling the play in the huddle; calling the signals under center and receiving the hike then plunging forward.
Thatβs where the memory ends.
That evening and the next three days are gone for me.
I had two more experiences with head trauma in football games.
During my junior year of high school, a hard tackle gave me another blow to the head that left me dizzy and with a fuzzy memory for about two hours.
My senior year, during football practice, I laid a hard tackle on our fullback. For some reason, coach had me playing linebacker in practice.
Hammond came through the line low and I came at him low. He went lower and I got lower. We hit head on and piled up. I came out of the pile, not remembering my name, address or where I was at.
I didnβt tell coach, because he would not let me play again. It only lasted for about thirty minutes.
You are right! I am a slow learner; why did I continue playing?
It is critically important the NCAA, the NFL and high school and youth sports organizations look at this important issue.
Even more important, God addresses the issue of spiritual head trauma.
Why a Healthy Mind Means a Healthy Heart Oxford Journal, Continuing Education in Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain, made an interesting connection between head trauma and cardiovascular health issues in an article entitled βCardiovascular Complications of Brain Injury.β The article was written by Tamsin Gregory, MBBS MRCP FRCA and Martin Smith, MBBS FRCA FFICM. They stated βCardiovascular complications are common after brain injury and are associated with increased mortality and morbidity.β
They listed four cardiovascular complications that arise from serious head trauma.
The prophet Isaiah connected the issue of spiritual head trauma and spiritual heart complications. βWhy should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faints. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; they have not been closed or bound up, or soothed with ointmentβ (Isaiah 1:5-6 NKJV).
When the head experiences spiritual trauma the whole heart is faint, weak, dizzy, and about lose consciousness. Old and New Testament connects the significant relationship between a healthy head and a healthy heart. The writer of Proverbs warned, βDo not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. βEat and drink!β he says to you, but his heart is not with youβ (Proverbs 23:6-7 NKJV).
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians believers, βBut you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind
Is it just me, or does it seem the majority of people have a hearing problem?
More to the point, does the Church have a hearing problem?
All of us have heard stories of husbands or wives who have selective hearing. You know, the man who is listening without hearing, until his wife says she is going to buy that $100.00 outfit she saw at Macyβs the other day.
It is the child who hears the parent telling them it is time to clean up their mess and get ready for bed. They donβt hear until the parent, with a red face, yells their first, middle, and last name; then they pick up and get dressed for bed.
Maybe it is not selective hearing but distorted hearing. The sounds do not come through clearly.
Certain tones, letters or syllables are not heard clearly, distorting the communication.
It results in misunderstanding and sometimes wrong steps are taken all because the instructions were not clear and what came through was completely different from what the speaker was saying.
Many times a person cannot hear because their hearing is blocked by something in the ear canal or there is damage to parts of the ear.
In this case, the sound of the person speaking is muffled or cannot be heard at all.
Does the Church Have a Hearing Problem? God has been speaking to His church.
He has sent prophets and messengers but she has been like the child at play waiting for the parentβs voice to reach a certain pitch before they respond.
- Some have heard the portions they wanted to hear and ignored that which is not pleasing or unimportant to them.
- Others have demonic hands covering their spiritual ears.
- Still others have placed their own hands over the ears, they just do not want to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Yes, there are those who have allowed the Holy Spirit to develop their spiritual ears. They are listening carefully to what the Spirit is saying and seeking to obey.
They want to hear the voice of the Great Shepherd and will follow Him wherever He leads.
Jesus spoke well of this generation. We are not unlike Israel when the prophet Isaiah saw the glory of God fill the temple and God spoke to him, βGo and tell this people: Keep on hearing but do not understand; keep on seeing but do not perceiveβ (Isaiah 6:9 NKJV).
Seven hundred years later, Jesus was speaking to the crowds in parables.
The twelve disciples and others who were following Jesus regularly did not understand the message He was sharing.
When they were alone with Him, they asked why He was teaching the people in parables. The answer He gave is powerful and extremely relevant to the time and season in which we are living.
βTo you is given the secret of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, everything is said in parables, so that βseeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understandβ lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven themββ (Mark 4:10-12 MEV).
The Lord went on to say that understanding this particular parable was critical to understanding all of His teachings.
The parable began, βA sower went out to sowβ¦β Jesus explained the seed to which He was referring is the Word of God (Mark 4:3, 14).
However, there were problems with the manner in which the seed was being received. * Some of the seed fell on blocked ears and the enemy stole the seed so it would not bring fort
Has your life been turned upside down by an event or circumstance?
We all go through painful, uncertain, and even stressful seasons of life. The difference for the Christian is that we have hope.
Our response to these seasons is so important.
As God's children, we can life a drama-free life; a life of peace even in the midst of life's most difficult circumstances. This is God's promise to us.
Many people allow life's circumstances, pain, and uncertainty to create drama.
Others feed into that drama so that they live in a continual cycle of stress, fear, worry and anxiety - in other words: drama.
But God never intended of us to live in this continual cycle of drama. In fact, throughout the Bible we are commanded to not fear, not be anxious, and to walk in God's peace!
To life a drama-free life!
You may be thinking to yourself right now, "Pastor, you don't understand my situation!"
You're right, I don't. But I know God. I know that He sent the Holy Spirit to be our comforter. I also know that Jesus loves us with a perfect love that casts out all fear.
No matter how dire your situation is, no matter what horrible pain you've walked through, no matter how big your need is, you can still walk in perfect peace.
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That is why I have created a Leadership Development Institute eCourse called "No Mo' Drama"
No Mo' Drama is a 6-part video-based course all about learning how to live and walk in perfect peace.
We will examine deeply what the Bible has to say and how we can apply it to our lives.
You can register now for No Mo' Drama
When you register, you will receive:
- Lifetime Access
- 6 video-based lessons
- A free workbook
- Access to a private Facebook group
Register now and reserve your spot in the new No Mo' Drama course as a part of the Leadership Development Institute!
Are you born again, or are you just religious?
The question is significant.
Indeed, it was the seminal point of the conversation between Jesus Christ and a man named Nicodemus.
They were discussing Jesusβ teaching ministry and Jesus turned the conversation to the issue of being born again.
Nicodemus was confused. βHow can these things be,β he asked Jesus.
βAre you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things,β Jesus asked. Nicodemus, one of the leading men of Israel, did not comprehend the difference between a person being born again and one who is religious?
That is not uncommon in the church today.
Many who would consider they are devoutly Christian do not know the distinction between being religious and being born again.
It is not a casual difference.
Jesus thought it of paramount importance for a leader of Israel to understand the distinction.
Jesus said this one point makes the difference between having eternal life and perishing eternally. βMost assuredly I say to you, unless one is be born again he cannot see the kingdom of Godβ¦ Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of Godβ¦ Do not marvel that I say unto you, you must be born againβ (John 3:3, 5,7 NKJV).
The Apostle Paul emphasized the distinct difference between being religious and being born again in his letter to Titus.
βBut when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He has saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spiritβ (Titus 3:4-5 NKJV).
Notice, the Apostle said, βNot by works of righteousness which we have done.β
That is being religious. All religions of the world are seeking to appease God and trying to reach Him though the works of their hands; whether that is doing spiritual acts of worship and service or by denying their fleshly appetites and personal pleasures.
Jesusβ words to Nicodemus and the Apostle Paulβs instructions to Titus declare religious activity may have an appearance of godliness but no amount of human effort will bring someone into the kingdom of God.
Are you born again or religious? The distinct difference between true Christianity and all other religions is God came seeking mankind not the other way around.
βBut when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared;β take careful notice.
God is reaching to mankind, NOT mankind trying reach to God.
Almighty God showed His mercy and kindness by coming to redeem mankind through the person of Jesus Christ. Every personβs sinful condition separates them from God and prevents them from reaching Him.
The only way a man or woman can be transformed is βthrough the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.β
A personβs heart can be changed from sinful to righteous and they may enter the kingdom of God.
It is only by the washing of a personβs heart in the blood of Jesus Christ and the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit in their life that a sinful human being can be born again into a child of God who is βholy, without blame, before Him in loveβ (Ephesians 1:4).
The born again experience gives one a new heart that has been made the righteousness of God.
The born again experience gives the person a new identity and a new
It must have been as confusing to Nick as it might be in many churches today.
Nicodemus had come to Jesus for more information about Him and His ministry.
He was certain Jesus was sent by God and the works of Jesus and His teaching had to be from God. However, the response of Jesus confused him, βYou must be born again.β
βWhat are you talking about,β He asked.
Jesus explained further, βExcept a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.β
Either the look on Nickβs face or his body language asked, βWhy is that?β
"Because", Jesus went on to say, βThat which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.β
Letβs unpack what Jesus was saying to this βgood man.β
The physical birth of a human being can only bring forth carnal living. A person lives by the desires and appetites of their physical nature, the five senses of the human body; sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing.
A personβs thoughts, emotions, and volition are animated by selfish desires and the sinful appetites of the flesh.
The Apostle Paul wrote it this way, βThis I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greedinessβ Ephesians 4:17-19 NKJV).
Nicodemus believed in Jesus, and Nick was a good man.
Jesus was telling him that would not get him into the Kingdom of God. Indeed, he was not going to Heaven, even though he was a religious leader; even though he believed in Jesus and His teachings.
Why is that?
He had not been born again. Everything he was doing religiously and all of his good works were being done out of the flesh and not out of the Spirit of God.
Nicodemus was doing all of those things to please God and to earn his way to Heaven.
He believed in Jesus but all of his righteousness was self-earned by his own good works.
He did not have true righteousness.
No man or woman can earn true righteousness through their own good works. Every human being is born with a sin nature.
Our mind, will, and emotions are not directed toward God but toward our own self-will and they are animated by the spirit of darkness.
We are literally sinners from birth. We do not like that truth; we may even resist admitting it.
Everything within our education system, our culture, the medical science and philosophy declares otherwise.
Even most of Christian psychology teaches man is basically good.
Psychologists Freud, Rogers, Mower, Glasser, and Skinner, may adamantly declare there is good deep in the heart of a person and it can be found if we dig deep enough.
That is not what Godβs Word declares.
The Psalmist wrote, βThe wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking liesβ (Psalm 58:3 NKJV).
βBehold, I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin my mother conceived meβ (Psalm 51:5 NKJV).
Ephesians 2:1-5 declares, βAnd 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 w
The first and greatest command of Scripture is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Yet, the word love has, in many ways, lost depth.
We don't (or shouldn't) love our wives the same way we love our Ford pickup, and we shouldn't love God the way we love football.
The question is, how can love truly love the Lord with all our heart in a day when that expression is overused and tired?
Jesus was in conversation with a spiritual leader of Israel explaining the concept of being born again.
The spiritual leader understood keeping a set of rules; obeying the law; and religious behavior. He just was not understanding that receiving a new heart and a new life comes through spiritual new birth.
Jesus explained new birth is a miracle that happens in the heart of a person by the renewing of the Holy Spirit.
Just as the when the natural wind blows and one see the effects of the wind but you donβt see the wind. You can see the transformation in the life of a person but you donβt see Holy Spirit.
When one claims new birth without life transformation something is amiss.
Why Christians Today Look So Much Like the World Cultural norms of the world and behavior patterns of the sinner have no place among those who claim to be born again.
The Apostle Paul declared, βDo not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.β
The born again child of God does not allow the trends, fashions and cultural norms of the world to dictate their life style.
They have allowed the Word of God: the precepts, principles and law of God, to shape their philosophy, thought patterns and world view.
The true disciple of Jesus Christ is very purposeful and intentional about their behavior patterns being shaped into the image of their Lord and Master.
- They seek to be holy as He is holy.
- They seek to be loving as He is loving.
- They seek to be gracious as He is gracious.
It is not a matter of being legalistic.
It is matter of loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength. Because I love God with my whole being, I want to please Him and be like Him.
When believers say they can participate in behaviors the Scriptures call sin you know they are not being led by the Holy Spirit.
When church leaders declare the wind of the Holy Spirit instructed them to accept and embrace those things the Word of God calls an abomination, you know it was not the Holy Spirit leading them.
I get it, now!
The reason so many believers today look so much like the world is because they are still in their old mind and living by their old spirit.
Learn how to renew your mind with The Freedom Series!
Jesus told his disciples that they must wait for the power from on high. Here is the Hebrew word for wait and what it means for the Church today.
In Luke chapter 14:25-33 Jesus outlines what it takes to be His disciple.
First thing He says is, βIf anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.β
What?
The multitude that was following Him must have been incredulous!
How could Jesus say such a thing?
Isnβt He a God of love?
Now Heβs talking about hating the very closest relationships we have on this earth? Heβs even saying we must hate our own life?
Jesus was known for saying some outlandish things but this takes the cake! So, what was Jesus saying to these people?
What is Jesus saying to you and me?
Could it be that He is trying to communicate the unique relationship He wants to have with those who truly follow Him?
Are You a Disciple or Just a Believer? I think Heβs letting those who really want to be His disciples know that it is a relationship like no other on this earth. He wants complete devotion and obedience.
Count the cost If we are satisfied with attending church on special occasions and maybe volunteering to teach Sunday school once in a blue moon we are not being a disciple.
Jesus demands total control of our time, resources, talent and will. Yes, demands.
Our relationship to Him must be as submissive as a slave to his master. What Jesus tells us to do we must do. He set the example by being obedient to His Father all the way to the cross.
Are we to really hate our earthly relationships in a way that suggests we are to treat them poorly and with contempt? No, I donβt believe that is what Jesus is saying at all. What He is saying is that our relationship with Him should be so unique and single-minded it is as if we hated all others.
There was a song the Eagles sang in the 70βs called βYou get the Best of My Love,β and thatβs what Jesus wants. The best of everything we have to offer in this life. He wants it all.
Lady down your life βWhoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be my disciple.β (verse 27)
What does the cross represent? Death.
We all have a cross to bear. We all have a calling and a path chosen for us by our Lord that we must walk no matter how difficult or tenuous it may seem at times.
Paul exhorted the Romans to present their bodies a living sacrifice. Sacrifice. A word most people donβt care too much about. Cross and sacrifice are words that depict suffering.
But arenβt we supposed to be experiencing health, wealth and happiness if we follow Christ?
What Bible are you reading? Jesus Himself said that just as He was treated so would we be treated. Again, He is the example. His life on earth represented sacrifice, suffering and the cross.
Being all God, He came as the suffering servant to lay down His life for you and me. But if you want to simply be a believer who picks and chooses the scriptures you like that proof text how you want to live, be my guest. But donβt call yourself a disciple of Christ. You are not.
Take up your cross and follow Jesus ββ¦Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.β (verse 33)
Not exactly spouting the American dream is He?
Weβre told from our youth to βget while the gettingβs good.β Get a good job, buy a house and fill it with all precious and pleasa
Not long ago I was at the coffee shop and someone came up to me and said, "Do you ever frown? You're always smiling!"
I was thankful that they thought that about me, because wherever I go I want my face, my life and my spirit to communicate that there is Someone greater living in me.
Faith.
When we get up on Monday morning and go to work, our workplace needs us to have life-giving faith.
If our churches are truly going to win their cities for Christ, they must have life-giving faith. It has to be alive and real, so people experience that faith.
It can't be just a statement, it has to be reality, and if it's going to be reality in our church, faith has to be growing in our heart.
We can't afford to have weak faith if we want to win our cities for Christ.
There is Only One God Every Christian should continually looking for those who are searching.
Once we've found them, we need to help them move from searcher to inquirer. This happens when the searcher meets someone whose life is filled with faith.
It's not what you say with your mouth, but what they see in your life. When they see the Spirit of God alive in you, and that your faith isn't religious they will ask, "What is different about you."
And we will answer, "It's Jesus living in me!"
Hopefully then we can help them moving from inquiring to discovery.
If we are going be life giving Christians, where faith is not just in our heads, but lived out everyday from our hearts, we have to know the Living God.
There is only one true God!
If our faith is going to be strong an life-giving; we have to know Him, his character so our faith is anchored in Him and who He is.
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If you've been a Christian for very long, you know about Romans 12:2. You've heard sermons about renewing the mind, and yet many Christians continue to live out of their old mindset.
It is so easy as a believer to default back to our old mind, but if we truly wish to stop living like a victim and live like a victor; if we truly desire to be more like Jesus we must lose our old minds and start living our lives with a renewed mind.
The Bible has a lot to say about renewing the mind
Take a moment and jot these verses down. They are great for your war room, to help you remember to live everyday with a renewed mind in Jesus Christ!
I understand that you canβt expect a sinner to behave in any other way than how sinners behave. When those who claim to have experienced new birth through faith in Jesus Christ are behaving in the same way, I have some serious questions.
I know how the argument goes:
βI am not perfect, just forgiven.β
βI am just a sinner, saved by grace.β
βYou may be born again but you sin a little bit every day.β
How do these excuses for sinful behavior match with Scripture?
What Does the Bible Say About Renewing the Mind? Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever β the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:15-17 NKJV).
The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus urging them βthat you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holinessβ (Ephesians 4:22-24 NKJV).
The Apostle John taught βLittle children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of Godβ (1 John 3:7-9 NKJV).
It is amazing how the Apostles and the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, believed and taught being born again means you grow spiritually and develop new behavior patterns that are consistent with the new life of the Holy Spirit and the old sinful behavior is to put away.
It is not a matter of legalism and a list of doβs and donβts.
It is a matter of losing your old mind and new life patterns flowing out of a renewed mind and the Holy Spirit within you, motivated by a deep love for God
βTherefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for usβ¦ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and Godβ (Eph
On June 2015, I wrote a blog entitled, Does God Ever Say "Maybe" to Homosexuality Among Christians?
I was expressing concern over the softening position of major Evangelical leaders regarding same-sex marriages. It seems since then to have become a widening horizon.
Any position that would emphasize holiness and purity of life is likely met with harsh judgment, accusations of being unloving, and one with a diminished capacity for grace.
There will be theologians and spiritual leaders rise to dogmatically defend the oft-used statement, βWe are not perfect, just forgiven.β
They continue by explaining that Jesus forgives our sin and understands our frailty.
We spend a lifetime, after all, struggling with sinful desires, human failings, and we often give in to temptations.
Modern day theologians, Bible scholars, and preachers have mastered the art of weaving a softened positioned of grace that no longer requires holiness of the born again child of God.
Should one dare take a firm position that holiness is expected and even required in Scripture, they must be prepared to receive a barrage of arrows and javelins with razor sharp words of βlegalism,β βgraceless,β βhater of sinners.β
Even worse, you might be considered βhomophobic.β
After all, they will steadfastly contend, we are not made perfect until our glorification when Jesus returns.
A recent article in Christianity Today spotlighted this issue. Rachel Gilson wrote an article contending Scripture does not command one be heterosexual.
She claims a walk with Christ in the power of the Spirit but steadfastly holds Jesus Christ has not made her βstraightβ because, by her own words, that has never truly happened in her life.
How does this match with Scripture?
3 Powerful Ways a Christian Can Live a Holy Life Does God understand our propensity to sinful weakness and therefore give us pass for areas of sinful behavior or does He expect holiness in living?
Does God prefer we live godly lives in purity but understand our weakness to addiction and passion?
Does He prefer His children live in heterosexual relationships but realizes some are born with an attraction to same-sex relationships?
The final answer is not to be found in contemporary psychiatry, social engineering, or in contemporary theological treatise.
Letβs go directly to the Word of God.
What was Jesus saying when He declared to the crowd gathered around Him on the hillside outside of Capernaum?
βTherefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfectβ (Matthew 5:48).
The context is established in these words:
βYou have heard that it was said to those of oldβ¦ but I say to youβ¦β (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-34, 38-39, 43-44).
Jesus Christ is defining the significant difference between the godliness of the Law of Moses and the godliness of the law of the Spirit.
Grace is not establishing an easier standard but a higher standard of behavior.
Grace is not godliness and holiness derived from outward actions but from the βlaw of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesusβ that come from the inside out.
The Apostle Peter reit
There is a reason why the New Testament commands us to renew our minds.
A renewed mind restructures the way we think, which in turn completely changes how we behave. But in order to begin this journey, we must change the way we think.
"What was I thinking?"
Have you been there? No doubt, more times than you like to think!
You are on the flip side, looking back at your behavior. You have just given someone a piece of your mind that you can ill afford to give away or maybe you have endured a movie you shouldn't have watched. Leaving with embarrassment, you ask, βWhat was I thinking?β
Exactly!! What were you thinking?
Do you remember the warning of Solomon?
Be careful when you are visiting with a cunning and angry person. He will encourage you to eat your fill and enjoy his tasty meal, but in his heart he is hoping you will only take a small bite. βAs he thinks in his heart, so is heβ (Proverbs 23:6-7).
Our mind has great power over our actions.
4 Powerful Ways a Renewed Mind Can Change Your Life 1. Our thinking determines our focus.
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Our focus shapes our attitude.
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Our attitude forms our words.
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Our words motivate our behavior.
The Apostle James said, βBut each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth deathβ (James 1:14-15 NKJV).
The enemy sends one of his flaming arrows into your mind (a thought).
- βThey have no right to speak to me like that.β
- βThis is a great movie, good story lineβ¦ with only a few bad scenes.β
Those thoughts are not the sin, but the cunning work of the enemy to move you to sin.
What is already present in your mind? The philosophy, ideology, thought patterns, reasoning, or world view that has been shaped inside you from childhood are the targets of the βflaming arrowβ of the enemy.
He is looking to lodge into one of those areas to stir up passion and arouse temptation. βEach one is tempted when he is drawn away of his own desires and enticed.β
That is why the Apostle Paul instructed the believers in Rome and the believers in Ephesus to renew their mind.
Literally in the Greek it means to renovate their mind. Every person comes to salvation with a mind that has been built with inferior materials.
The thought patterns and core values of our home life; the classrooms of school; the survival techniques we developed on the playground; during high school dating experiences; and in the adversity and tragedies of life.
The philosophy, reasoning and ideology shaped in us through the education systems and the world view of our family and peers are the stuff from which we develop behavior patterns, attitudes and the systems by which we deal with life.
These are the βold man.β
We must do a remodeling project on our mind, so the house in which we live is the new creation Jesus Christ made.
βThat you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holinessβ (Ephesians 4:22-24 NKJV).
That is the stuff from which our life is lived
Indeed,
79% of children raised in a Christian home and in church at the age of 10 leave church by age 20.
A recent report states that in 2017 70,000 Americans lost their lives to opiate overdose. In 2018 68,000 more Americans lost their lives to opiate overdose.
In 24 months, 138,000 Americans died of opiate overdose!
What Is the Church Doing to Make a Difference? If the church is going to make a difference in our culture and in a generation that is quickly being lost to immorality, debauchery, deception, and addiction, she must do these things:
- Draw near to God "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8
This is more than just attending church 2-3 times a month. It is a day-to-day walk with Him.
- Move from being religious to being a child of God who actively seeks the Lord with all of your heart "Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart," Psalm 24:3-4
The difference in church then and now is that the church in past knew how to seek God, and when crisis hit, they would seek God on their knees instead of calling a counselor.
It was the few who chose to turn to man instead of to God.
Now this is reversed, and the majority of the church doesn't know how to look to God and seek His face in times of crisis.
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8
What does this look like * Clean hands * Pure heart * Walk uprightly * They are righteous * Speak truth in their heart
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Have you come to the place where you have too much month at the end of the money, and you're worried to death?
Have you gotten word that your company is downsizing and you're worried that you're going to lose your job, and you're wondering what you're going to do now?
Jesus is asking this question, "Have you added one inch of growth to your body or one dollar to your bank account by worrying?"
When a man came to Jesus about his son who had convulsions for years, he said to Jesus, "But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Jesus reply to him was amazing!
βIf you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.β
How to Grow Your Faith The man's reply to Jesus is so similar to our response today. βLord, I believe; help my unbelief!β
The boy had battled these convulsions for so many years that the father was having trouble wrapping his mind around the fact that he really could be healed.
And this is like how many of us are today!
- Just like the disciples, how many of us are worried about the storms of life when Jesus is lives in us?
- How could the storm destroy the disciples when Jesus was in the boat?
- How can life's circumstances destroy you when Jesus lives in you?
- Just like Peter, how many of us get our eyes off of Jesus and find ourselves sinking?
"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2
Don't get your eyes off of Him, you can't conquer this without Him!
Faith grows, but we have to resource it.
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God wants us to be a light in a dark world. You may be the only light that shines where He has placed you right now.
That is why Jesus said we are the salt of the earth and the light of world.
How is your light shining? Is it hidden or is it shining bright? What kind of flavor do I bring to the places I go to on a regular basis? Do they taste God's mercy and grace or do they get a sour taste in their mouth from my life?
We've been given a personal responsibility to be salt and light in the world, but we have to have faith in what God's Word says about who God is and who we are.
This is What Real Faith Looks Like * Faith is: + great confidence in + full reliance upon + absolute trust in the nature, unchanging character of Almighty God - believing that God is exactly who Scripture says He is - believing that human beings who scripture says they are - believing in a real heaven - believing in real hell and lake of fire - believing that God is love
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15
"Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:9-10
As a child of God, the mission of our life is to plunder hell and populate heaven!
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How did we get the Holy Bible - all 66 books?
The 66 books that make up what we know as The Holy Bible is called Cannon - which means measuring.
It's like a ruler.
These 66 books have been measured, evaluated, and have been found to be the accurate word of God; and are the measuring of what someone says is from God.
If someone claims to have a teaching from the Word of God, a prophetic word, or a message in tongues with an accompanying interpretation, you measure it by the Cannon.
How Do We Know The Bible Is God's Word Part 3 * The Old Testament was the first to be established as Cannon + Around 450-500 B.C. the Old Testament Cannon was established + Daniel referred to the book of Jeremiah as Scripture and was studying it. * The New Testament was completely written by 90 A.D. + 55-60 years after Jesus was crucified + The New Testament affirms it is Scripture - 1 Timothy 5:18 quotes Luke 10:7 - Paul calls the book of Luke Scripture
"For the Scripture says...'The laborer is worthy of his wages.' 1 Timothy 5:18 (Emphasis mine)
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- By 175 A.D. the entire Cannon was basically established
- Gnostic writers' claims are complete fabrication and historical rewrite
- That Constantine forced the Council of Nicea to accept the 27 books of the New Testament
- That he forced them to reject other Gnostic writings
- By 175 A.D. Cannon had already been established
- Cannon was fully recognized at the Council of Carthage with these 6 criteria
- Is the writing done by a recognized prophet or apostle?
- Is the writing done by someone closely associated by a recognized prophet of apostle?
- Can you read this writing and is there a good quality of truthfulness?
- Does this writing declare what we already know to be true through other canonical writings?
- Is this writing faithful to the rest of the Cannon?
- Is what is written in this document confirmed by Jesus Christ or the original apostles?
- Is this writing used and recognized consistently in the churches as sacred writing?
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Can we trust the Holy Scriptures?
Is Jesus Christ the Son of God and the Savior that the Holy Scriptures talk about?
Is our faith and salvation that of the Holy Scriptures, or that of a different faith recorded in a different set of gospels?
Is the church of Jesus Christ the church of the Holy Scriptures, or is it the church of the Sacred Feminine as Gnosticism and modern-day Christianity-rewritten wants us to believe?
In today's podcast I take time to answer these questions.
How Do We Know The Bible Is God's Word Part 2? We must answer four significant questions
- Were there really more than 80 gospels written and considered for the Holy Cannon?
- What are the Gnostic gospels?
- Are they really older than the Holy Scriptures?
- Do they contain the true gospel of Jesus Christ?
- How did we get our current Cannon - the Holy Bible that we have today?
- Is it reliable?
- Was the Emperor Constantine behind its selection
God commanded men to write His Words "So Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, 'All the words which the Lord has said we will do.' And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel." Exodus 24:3-4 (Emphasis mine)
- Other places where it mentions that God had men write His Words
- Deuteronomy 31:9-11, 24-26
- Joshua 24:26-27
- 1 Samuel 10:25
- Mark 12:35-36
- Jeremiah 36:2
- 1 Corinthians 7:10
- 1 Corinthians 14:37
- 2 Peter 3:14-16
- 1 John 1:1-3
- Revelation 1:1-3, 17-20
- 2 Peter 1:16-18
- Men wrote the thoughts and mind of God
- They didn't write from their own minds
- They didn't write their own thoughts
- They were not just writing historical events
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How did we get the Bible?
How did the authors of the Bible get the words that they wrote?
How do we know that they are really God's words spoken to us for millennia?
Those are the questions I want to address in this 3-part podcast that I pray will help to build faith in your heart about the authenticity and the inerrancy of the Bible.
The accompanying videos to these podcasts are also in the bottom of each post below the show notes.
How Do We Know The Bible Is God's Word Part 1? "For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.` For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:16-21
- The Word of God that we have is
- Given to us by God
- Not by human will or interpretation
- Men wrote being enabled by the Holy Spirit
"But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystraβwhat persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and isprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:10-17 (emphasis mine)
- Scripture is not man-made
- Men published the Bible
- Men wrote the script of the Bible
- Simply served as editors, writing what God said
"Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvationβas also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be
How can we know God's Word is true?
King Davidβs heart was grieved by the idolatrous practices around him and was longing for the worship of the Living God.
This may have been during the time he was living among the Philistines, when King Saul was trying to kill him. He passionately wrote,
βI will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You. I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. (Psalm 138:1-3 NKJV).
Even though the majority of people were worshiping false deities, in the very presence of those idols, David lifted His voice with all his heart and sang praises to the living God.
His soul longed for the tabernacle in Shiloh.
He declared without shame or embarrassment the goodness and majesty of Almighty God and the truth of His Word.
It was through this steadfast dedication to Almighty God and the great confidence in the His Word, that David found strength of soul to stand without compromise. He cried out to God in those times and saw answers to his prayers.
These are important lessons for the born again believer today. Living in this idolatrous and hedonistic culture, the soul of a child of God is vexed by the open expression of sexual impurity and nakedness.
The spirit is grieved by the love affair with the demonic and the acceptance of Spiritism.
How do we stand without compromising our faith and convictions?
King David gave assurance that we will find such strength in the Holy Scriptures. God honors His Word above His name.
The Psalmist proclaimed, βForever, O Lord, your Word is settled in Heavenβ (Psalm 119:89).
βBlessed is the man,β wrote King David, βwho walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the paths of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and nightβ (Psalm 1:1-2 NKJV).
This is Why We Can Trust What the Bible Says The written Word reveals the true identity of the living God to mankind.
It is by the principles and precepts of His Word we understand His ways.
The Holy Scripture makes known the acceptable way to worship Almighty God; and by it we are taught how to live a righteous and godly life.
The Holy Bible was written by God, infallible and inerrant.
He chose to have men pen and publish His Word so all of mankind, in all ages, and in all nations, may have His Word. No human has the right or the authority to alter His Word.
It is the Word of God and no one, regardless of their education, knowledge, or expertise has been given the permission to rewrite, add to, or take away from the Holy Scriptures.
God alone holds such authority.
He writes Holy Scripture and He has not given permission to any man, angel or spirit to add to it or to take from it. It is quite the opposite.
βEvery word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liarβ (Proverbs 30:5-6 NKJV).
βFor 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 aw
What do we do when trials come to test our faith?
Do we trust God enough to leave the outcome in His hand, or do we grow anxious and try to seize control of the situation? Is God our first source of provision or our last-ditch effort at finding an answer?
God tests our faith to produce patience and character; to cause our faith to grow even stronger in Him.
Once while we were pastoring a small congregation, we had hired an individual to oversee our child care center.
This person came with very high recommendations but it soon became apparent that there were some serious issues with integrity.
How to Respond When God Tests Your Faith To make a long story short this person embezzled thousands of dollars, some of which were state and federal funds. We became aware of the situation when the manager of our bank pulled my husband aside one day as he was making a personal deposit to ask why he was not returning his calls.
We were completely unaware of his repeated attempts to contact the church office since all calls were channeled through the office of this person we had hired.
While skimming funds off the top, this individual also failed to pay the bills and our mortgage had remained unpaid for two months which placed us close to foreclosure.
We were still both young, in our early thirties, and facing complete ruin.
We were dealing with a person who had drained our church and business funds, extending to even the federal level. If we lost our building, we would most likely also lose our reputation as pastors as well.
In times of utter darkness we had learned to call upon God who is our help. βWhere does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.β Psalm 121.
At that time our church owned a rental property, which we had wanted to sell but for which we could not find a buyer.
The day before foreclosure we received a call from the renter saying that he was prepared to purchase the rental property and had cash in hand. It was a genuine miracle.
We met at the bank that day to sign the papers and pay the mortgage. (This was before the days when property purchase agreements were not as thick as novels.)
At the midnight hour, so to speak, our resource came in.
God is never late but there are times when He will test your faith. All tests and trials of life are all about God revealing to us His character and our need.
We tend to turn to God when we have nowhere else to turn, but God wants us to dwell in Him. He wants us to turn to Him first.
Times of stress and turmoil squeeze out of us the parts we have not yet yielded to God so we can come face to face with our need.
He then reveals Himself as our source.
He does not always answer our need as we would expect, but in His all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-wise character He will answer with what is best for us.
The question is can we trust His answer for us?
Wanda Hackett has been leading children's ministries for over 40 years in churches throughout the States and Canada. She has a strong passion to see children experience Jesus Christ on their level - in a very living and relevant way. She has written numerous Children's church curricula, some
God wants to reveal to you the secret plans of the enemy before he carries them out.
"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." Matthew 6:13
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.'" Psalm 91:1-2
"Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; you shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues." Psalm 31:19-20
Get a Strategy for Spiritual Warfare in God's Secret Place * 2 Kings 6:8-23 * The only one who stayed in a face-to-face relationship with God was Moses and Joshua + Children of Israel thought it was too frightening + They backed off + Everyone else had to go through special rituals * God's presence dwelt in the Holy Place + It was the Secret Place + But God had a plan - Your heart is now the secret place
"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 Godβs." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- Your heart isn't a secret place just because you're born again
- The potential is there
- It is open to you
- It depends on the choices you make
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name." Psalm 91:14
- If you want to God to share with you His secrets and where God talks to you face-to-face
- You must love Him with your whole heart, mind, and strength
- 75% of Christians who go to church at least 2-3 times a month never read the Bible during the week
- God can't share His secrets with you if you don't let Him talk to you
- You have to know His name
- God wants to give you secrets to defeat the enemy every time.
- Adversity, trials, and sufferings are normal Christian living
- Defeat is abnormal
- If you're walking in defeat you're not dwelling in the secret place of the Most high
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This world offers a lot of pain, but Jesus wants to give us a truly incredible life!
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:1-4
We Need an Accurate View of Jesus Christ Show Notes * His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life + As a disciple of Jesus Christ, you do not live in lack - defeat - rubble of life - victimization + How do we access this divine power?
"...through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue..."
- We have to have accurate and true knowledge of who Jesus Christ is.
- Often our understanding of Jesus is rooted in historical knowledge
- The word knowledge in this verse isn't intellectual knowing
- It means an intimate knowing
"...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death," Philippians 3:10
- Today there are weird concepts of Jesus Christ
- Mormons teach that Jesus is an exalted man and
- one of the gods
- He and Lucifer are brothers
- Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus is one of the gods
- Muslims teach that Jesus was one of the prophets and Muhammad is above Jesus
- Baha'i, Hindu, and Buddhists teach that Jesus was just a great man, a great teacher.
- Historical criticism (higher criticism) of the 1800's teaches that the virgin birth didn't really happen.
- they teach a historical Jesus
- not a divine Jesus
- Evangelical and Pentecostal churches are embracing historical criticism
- not always in the same way as before
- portray more of a humanized form of Jesus through sermons and worship songs
- they lower God's divinity
- Mormons teach that Jesus is an exalted man and
"These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you,
and set them in order before your eyes." Psalm 50:21
- All cults do two things
- lower Jesus Christ
- exalt Man
- When you skew the identity of Jesus Christ
- you lose all things that pertain to life
- you go back to trying make it on your own
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Be sure t
Living the incomparable life is inseparably linked to loving the truth
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:1-4
How To Have a Love For the Truth Show Notes * Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God + is having correct information + is having personal experience, not hearsay * We have been given exceedingly great and precious promises + Promises which are highly valuable + Promises that are firmly established
"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." 2 Corinthians 1:20
- Rooted in these promises are
- grace
- peace
- all provisions for life and godliness
- that which will deliver us from corruption of this world
- impart to us new life - divine nature
- But we must have an accurate view of God
If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider leaving us a review. This helps the Foundational podcast reach more listeners.
Be sure to tell a friend about the Foundational blog and podcast, and share with them about the free Bible Reading Challenge journal they will receive when they subscribe to receive my newsletter!
Links mentioned in this podcast: America Is Filled With Idol Worship and False Gods
Is God a Mean and Angry God?
Relevant Links: Who is Jesus Christ?
The Humanizing of Jesus
The True Identity of Jesus Christ
Links About Truth:
Have you ever asked yourself this important question: "What would I do differently if I knew Jesus was coming today?"
What would happen if every believer let that question determine their actions and decisions? What kind of difference would that make in Christian families and in the church?
Jesus had been teaching and fellowshipping with His disciples forty days after His resurrection.
The final day, He walked with them to the top of the Mount of Olives sharing with them, suddenly He began to ascend into heaven.
The disciples stood looking up at what was happening before their very eyes and two angels appeared and spoke to them. βMen of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus which was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into Heavenβ (Acts 1:11).
Why were they starring into the sky?
I know why they were staring into the sky. How many times in your life do you see someone ascend off the earth into Heaven?
Complete amazement, that is why they were staring into the sky!
That was not really the point of the angels' question. They were bringing a message of assurance to the men who had faithfully followed the Lord Jesus Christ.
βThis same Jesusβ; not a reasonable facsimile or a representative; but this very same Jesus is coming back to earth again.
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It was a divine confirmation of what Jesus had promised the disciples on the night He was betrayed and arrested.
Walking from the upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus gave some of His most important teaching. Part of the teaching was about His second coming.
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be alsoβ (John 14:1-3 NKJV).
The question arises, What would you do differently today if you knew Jesus was coming?
It is not a fairy tale or a sermon preachers have used for centuries to scare people into responding to an altar call. It is as certain as Jesusβ birth in Bethlehem, His crucifixion and His resurrection.
Jesus said, βI will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there you maybe also.β He also assured us, βBut of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father onlyβ (Matthew 24:36).
What we do know is Jesus provided sign markers so we could know the nearness of His second coming.
"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has alread
Most every person can remember an occasion as a child when no amount of persuasion from our mom or dad could convince us to change our opinion.
Our peers had told us what was true but nothing was going to change our belief; only to discover later on what we had believed was misinformation or worse, we had believed a lie.
Accurate reporting and a free press are critical to the well-being and the sustaining of liberty for an individual and for a nation.
There is no greater bondage than someone living in deception; thinking themselves to be free when they are in fact slaves.
Darkness has become their light.
What they believe to be true is, in reality, misinformation or disinformation. What they assume to be accurate is distortion. * Distortion is changing the shape, the characteristic, or the design of an object or a fact. * Misinformation is the unintentional reporting of inaccurate facts. * Disinformation is the purposeful dissemination of inaccurate information with the intent to distort the truth.
The consistent reporting, teaching and publishing of a lie will ensure it becoming the new βtruthβ β disinformation.
The mission of the Church is to bring the message of truth to the world, βand [they] shall know the truth and the truth shall make [them] freeβ (John 8:32 KJV).
The church has been given the amazing responsibility of ensuring every generation has access to the truth so they can live in true liberty.
The Apostle Paul wrote a solemn warning to his spiritual son Timothy on two different occasions.
βNow the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truthβ (1 Timothy 4:1-3 NKJV).
βFor the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fablesβ (2 Timothy 4:3-5 NKJV).
Why would anyone actually choose to accept deception over truth? It makes no sense, or does it?
What Happens When the Church Preaches Fake News A personβs morality will always determine their theology.
When people make the choice to follow Christ casually and to loosen their moral standards, they must adjust their theology accordingly.
We are living in such a time.
Many professors, pastors and church leaders are teaching and publishing the infallible Holy Bible βcontains Godβs words.β
According to them, many of the facts are inaccurate and many of the principles are cultural ethics of ancient times. Such compromise on the infallibility of the Living Word of God will make the church vulnerable to misinformation, disinformation and distortion.
Historical rewrite and moral compromise will become accepted norm and the Church will have a form of godliness but she will stripped of Her power to make a difference in a lost and dying world.
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There are 3 significant things that every child of God needs to know. These three truths radically change how they identify as a child of God and relate to their new life in Christ.
The zenith of all creation was made when God created Adam and Eve in His own image.
He delegated to them the capacity and the authority to fill the earth with a new species of being; sons and daughters of God made in His image and possessing the authority and power to be stewards over all of His creation.
Then, the unthinkable happened.
Adam and Eve committed high treason with the Serpent, forfeiting the authority delegated to them; giving it into the hands of the ruler of the darkness of this world. The magnitude of the loss experienced in that act of sin is revealed in a statement Lucifer made to Jesus Christ.
βAgain, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, βAll these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship meββ (Matthew 4:8-9 NKJV).
The devil possessed the authority to make Jesus the head of all the kingdoms on planet earth because that authority had been given over to him by Adam and Eve.
God promised the day would come when that authority would be given back to the rightful owner.
βAnd I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heelβ (Genesis 3:15 NKJV).
The authority of stewardship for all of creation had been given by covenant to the human race.
Through an act of high treason that authority had been transferred to Lucifer. Recovery of that authority must come through an act of righteousness by a perfect man restoring the covenant that had been broken. God entered the world in the person of Jesus Christ.
The writer of Hebrews describes what took place.
βFor He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels; but one testified in a certain place, saying, 'What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.' For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Bringing Many Sons to Glory; for it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethrenβ (Hebrews 2:5-11 NKJV).
Jesus Christ, the Last Adam and perfect man made the sacrifice that redeems mankind from the slave market of sin.
3 Powerful Statements About the Ch
The presence of God was prevailing. It was even manifested in the parking lot.
Our hospitality teams were serious about sharing Godβs love and grace with all who came.
A couple of the men took their role extremely serious.
They would remain at the back of the worship center, near the main entrance. Praying for all who attended, they would be alert to individuals God especially put on their heart.
Those individuals would receive special prayer.
If that person left the worship celebration early, as occasionally happened, they would follow them to their car and engage them in conversation; hoping for opportunity to share the Gospel.
Several people were led to Christ standing in the parking lot next to their car; more than one time the person received a healing.
This amazing presence of God filled every worship celebration and Bible study for over twenty months. Dozens of people came to salvation and many with cancer were healed.
The question has often been asked, βWhat did you do to make such a move of God happen?β It is not an easy question to answer.
Truly, we had been seeking God earnestly for revival and spiritual awakening.
Yet, He caught us totally by surprise.
We had no warning or indication that on the first Sunday of October 1983 that God would come in such glory and power. Neither do we know why the awesome presence began to lift after twenty months.
As I have reflected upon the events leading up to that first amazing day and the months that followed, Father has given me some important clues.
They are not spiritual secrets but spiritual principles often overlooked and often refused by those who find them too difficult or too demanding.
The One Thing We Need for Revival in the Church Waiting on the Father
βYou will start everyday waiting on me. You will not make a telephone call or meet with anyone until you have first met with me.β
Those words rang loud and clear in my heart.
We were only days into a new church plant. I knew Father was giving clear and definite instruction for my schedule.
I tend to be a workaholic and there are always calls to make, people to see, tasks to be completed. God was calling me to βthe secret place of the Most Highβ as the first priority of my day and my work.
Early morning devotions had been part of my daily schedule for many years.
Father was calling me to a new place in Him. I was to give additional time in waiting on Him and seeking His face. I had no idea what that would look like or what it would require.
I just knew Father wanted me to spend time with Him, waiting on Him.
It has become more than a biblical principle.
I have been privileged to experience a similar visitation of God for a season in 1992 and again in 2009.These experiences with God have not come without personal sacrifice.
Each time I have wrestled with self and daily pressures. Each one has arrived after lengthy seasons spent waiting on Father.
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The Middle Ages (500-1400 AD) was the convergence of three powerful forces.
The barbarians of the north were forming powerful armies to overthrow the Roman Empire.
Islam was born in Mecca and Medina, conquering the Middle East as far as India and spreading across northern Africa and into Spain.
Christianity was in the middle region. It was a dangerous time because the light of the Gospel had become very dim.
Extremes were weakening the spirit of the church.
Desire for political power and moral corruption filled church leadership; out of balance teaching for holy living led to monasticism.
Literacy and the Holy Word was taken out of the hands of the general populace leaving them illiterate and void the truth and spiritual life.
Into this twilight God sent the Waldensians of Lyon, Italy.
John Wycliffe of Oxford University continued the work. John Huss in Prague spread the light further. These were the morning stars that turned up the light in these years of darkness.
The light became even brighter through Savonarola in Florence, Martin Luther in Germany, Huguenots in France and John Calvin in Geneva.
The light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ was again burning bright and dispelling the dark forces of the convergence.
Western Europe and North America are experiencing a similar convergence. Idolatry and false deities from other cultures combined with atheistic and agnostic educators and politicians are seeking to silence the Christian voice in public arenas.
Islam with its Muslim religion is pressing hard to replace the influence of the Christianity.
All the while, the Christian church has been weakened by her great desire to be relevant, show tolerance and to comply with political correctness.
Driven from the public arena, she has become monastic in the great edifices of mega churches.
The light has grown very dim in Western Europe and North America.
While the church claims to be growing, the dirty little secret is no Christian movement in Western Europe or North America is having significant growth.
Indeed most are stagnant or declining.
Further, the church has corrupted herself by softening her stance on holiness. The results have been moral failures among her leaders, a shocking rate of divorce in her families, βlive-inβ relationships, and the embracing of same sex relationships.
The good news is, the church has never been defeated.
Jesus said, βUpon this rock I will build my church.β
While there have been times the light has grown dim, since the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there has never been an era when the light of the Gospel has gone out.
It will not go out now!
How can we turn up the light in this generation?
3 Explosive Keys to Revival 1. Preach the uncompromised Word of God. Teach the whole Bible: Old and New Testament. This generation must have a full revelation of Almighty God. Stay balanced in the preaching and teaching.
- Pray until the convicting power of the
Have you noticed the amount of time Jesus spent helping the twelve disciples maintain a right focus?
βGet these little kids out of the way,β they barked! (My paraphrase)
Jesusβ response, βSuffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not; for of such is the Kingdom of God.β
βShall we call fire down on these unbelieving heathen,β cried James and John. βThe Son of Man is not come to destroy menβs lives but to save them,β Jesus replied.
They often argued among themselves, βWhoβs the greatest in the Kingdom?β
The Lordβs reply was, βYou must be converted and become as little childrenβ¦ whoever wants to be first must be slave of allβ¦ If I then, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one anotherβs feet.β
"Stay focused" Jesus instructed them.
Donβt get distracted by the stuff.
Donβt allow the worldβs standards distort your focus
βA new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.β
I am amazed at the loss of focus the Church often experiences.
- Teen suicide is off the charts.
- Middle school and high school βhooking upβ is pandemic.
- More couples are living together than are entering into marriage covenant.
- Many teenagers and college students who claim to be Christian are not certain there is an absolute moral truth.
- The moral landslide around the world is horrifying.
The Church Needs to Get Back To the Main Thing Where is the focus of the Church in the midst of this moral crisis?
Much of the Church is arguing over women being ordained; defending Reformed Theology, pointing out the error of a mega-church pastor, or picking apart the inaccuracies and misrepresentations of Hollywood productions of Bible stories.
Really?
Of course there will be inaccuracies.
It is Hollywood and it is a movie.
Refocus!
How about we take the opportunity to invite an unchurched family, who will go to the movie theater but might never darken the door of a church.
Then take them to dinner or dessert after the movie and share with them how Jesus Christ changed our life.
Explain to them the true message of the beautiful rainbow in the sky.
Let them know Jesus said, βThe days of Noah are coming again. When they do, He will come again and deliver those who have received Him as Lord and Savior.β
Church, keep the main thing the main thing.
Donβt get distracted by the critical judgmental spirit it will take you out of focus.
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
See His love for the lost and fallen world?
Observe how He used the opportunities of the Roman world around Him as teachable moments for the unsaved. Jesus never lost focus of Fatherβs love for the lost.
He never lost focus of His mission to save the most unlikely.
Church⦠the world will never know love unless we, the disciples of Jesus, love them with true compassion and see their true worth.
The world will never know hope unless we reach out to them with hands of mercy and grace, and walk them to Jesus.
Focus!
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The late 1960βs were culture changing in America and Great Britain.
February 7,1964, Pan Am flight 101 landed at JFK International Airport in New York City and was welcomed by four thousand screaming fans.
The modern day British invasion of America had landed, as the Beatles disembarked, a new era of music was launched.
1964 also saw the rise of the LSD culture.
Professor Timothy Leary was the father of LSD, after he was fired from Harvard University. Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters began traveling across the USA in the psychedelic bus βFurtherβ bringing their βelectric Kool-Aid to the youth of America.β
The Hippie culture was βturning on, tuning in, and dropping out.β
American youth were protesting the Vietnam War by βmaking love, not war.β
The Beatles released the psychedelic album Sgt. Pepperβs Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967.
That summer between 75,000 and 100,000 Hippies gathered at the βSummer of Loveβ in the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco.
Another counter culture movement invaded this mind expanding culture of free love. Several people experiencing a call from God began converging on the west coast at the same time.
Don Williams on staff at Hollywood Presbyterian Church started a coffee house, βThe Salt Company.β
βThe Living Roomβ, also a coffee house opened in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, led by Pastor John McDonald and two born again hippies, Ted and Elizabeth Wise.
Tony and Sue Alamo, Jewish record promoters who were born again in 1967 began a street ministry.
Duane Pederson began publishing βThe Hollywood Free Paperβ a Jesus People newspaper. Hundreds of hippies were coming to Christ and were being baptized in the Pacific Ocean. It became known as βThe Jesus People Movement.β
Although there were many segments, the consistent theme of this new move of God was, βThere is only one wayβ and there was a strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit.
While this counter culture move of God was happening among the hippies another move of God was taking place unexpectedly.
Father Dennis Bennett, pastor of St Markβs Episcopal Church of Van Nuys, CA announced on Palm Sunday 1960 and again on Easter Sunday that he had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, just like the Apostles on the day of Pentecost.
God was bringing a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the established mainline church. Two professors at Duquesne University were thirsty for more of God. They began seeking and were given a copy of The Cross and the Switchblade and They Speak With Other Tongues.
They received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the fall of 1966.
They invited twenty-five students from the university on a three day Holy Spirit retreat in February 1967. Each student was to read the Book of Acts chapters one to four and the book The Cross and the Switchblade.
There was a mighty encounter of the Holy Spirit that weekend and many received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The experienced jumped from Duquesne University in Pittsburg, PA, to Notre Dame University and then to Michigan State.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal was ignited.
The convergence of these three movements, the Jesus Peo
I don't get what's coming out of Hollywood today.
I can't imagine thinking of that level of evil and then being able to portray it. What are they thinking? Why do we feel like we have to fill children's cartoons with language and debauchery?
It is only because we're reaching the condition that Jesus talked about.
"But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." Matthew 24:37
Let's look at what else was going on in Noah's day.
They were gorging themselves with their appetites. They were literally satiating themselves with every appetite they could imagine.
Homosexual and lesbian relations had become the norm. But it went a step further, which brought God's judgement.
Mankind began seeking relationship with the demonic. And as he did, and as the demonic bean pursuing relationship with mankind, God said enough.
The good news is that in the midst of this culture that had grown so corrupt, God had a man.
A man whose heart was after righteousness, whose heart knew him, loved him, and sought him with his whole being. And God used him to redeem the earth.
God called Noah to build an ark to save his family.
"But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." Matthew 24:37
Jesus was saying that there is going to come a day in the end ties when the culture of the world will be like at the time of Noah:
- When every imagination of their thought will be only evil continually.
- When the whole goal and aim of people is going to be to satiate themselves with pleasure.
- When they'll invent ways to fill themselves with pleasure like mankind has never known.
Here's the tragedy is when you leave God out of education, mankind will become more educated but only in ways to do evil.
It is the word of God and Jesus Christ that helps mankind to keep their thinking and imagination within the boundaries of right and righteousness.
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Christ has given a command to the church:
βGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:15-18
God's design for the church is to plunder hell to populate heaven!
How can we plunder the kingdom of darkness on a day-to-day basis? 1. Bind the strong man 1. We can render him powerless 2. We can handcuff him 3. Plunder all his goods 2. We tend to entertain portions of darkness 1. In our home 2. In our life 3. In our heart 3. We excuse it by saying, "that's not too much"
Read my post about that right here: How Much Sin is Too Much?
How do you bind the strong man? 1. Understand that you have authority 1. There is no place in the kingdom of darkness that can withstand 1. The church that understands who it is in Christ 2. And kingdom authority they have 2. You don't have to put up with it 3. You can crush every kingdom of darkness 2. Understand where your authority comes from 1. Jesus gave us authority to bind 2. Jesus gave us authority to loose 3. Understand the authority you have James5:13 (elijah) 1. Ask God to show you the strong man 2. Call the strong man by name 3. Loose the person you're praying for to freedom 4. Do prophetic acts 1. Anoint their bed with oil 2. Walk your neighborhood
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours..." James 5:13-17a
Discover how you can walk in total victory in this spiritual war we are in and destroy the powers of darkness in my book Agape.
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You've got to run this race of faith and you have to do it intentionally,with perseverance. You will not finish the race well if you don't run intentionally and do those things that enable you to stand.
We have a very real enemy that wants to destroy you.
How do you run the race of faith?
The Bible tells us how.
"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormentedβof whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." Hebrews 11:30-40
How To Run the Race of Faith These men and women of faith were fighting the powers of darkness for the kingdom of God, just like you and me. It's a different generation but the same warfare.
"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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." Ephesians 6:13-16
When Paul says "above all taking up the shield of faith", he wasn't talking about priority. He was talking about a position. Above all.
He is literally saying, "lift up over all the shield of faith."
In today's podcast I describe for you what battle looked like back when Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians, and what he meant by taking up the shield and how it quenches the fiery darts of the enemy.
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There seems to be a plethora of sources declaring this is a fortuitous moment in history.
History is filled with stories of fortuitous moments being squandered as well as being seized.
While I fully agree this is an historical moment for the United States of America and for the world; I do not believe it is a foregone conclusion.
It is not an historical moment just because we have seen a change in the Oval Office and a change in the governing party in White House, Senate and Congress.
Those changes may help facilitate the fortuitous opportunity but they are not the guarantee this moment will be ceased.
President Donald Trump acknowledged in his 2017 inaugural speech that every human being is created by Almighty God.
βAnd whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the wind-swept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their heart with the same dreams, and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty Creator.β
He declared, βThere should be no fear - we are protected, and we will always be protected. We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement and, most importantly, we are protected by God."** (My emphasis)
He went on to say, βThese are just and reasonable demands of righteous people and a righteous publicβ¦β
It is wonderful that he acknowledges Godβs creation of the human race and his divine protection.
It is important that he understands the significance of righteousness in a culture.
If this invocation by our President is going to move forward from his inaugural address and become reality, the people of this nation must come into obedience to the Word of God.
That is not the responsibility of the President, the Senate, the Congress, or the Supreme Court.
That responsibility rests firmly at the door of the Church! Yes, the President must lead with godly fear, a righteous heart, and justice.
But it is incumbent upon the Church to ensure the President is receiving godly council and instruction from the Word of God, so he can lead in harmony with and in obedience to Almighty God.
The Senate and the Congress must make legislation that is just and righteous and does not violate the precepts and principles of Godβs Word.
It is required of the justices of the Supreme Court to judge by absolute truth.
They must ensure the Constitution of the United States is enforced.
They must also be certain it does not violate the principles and precepts set forth in the Word of God.
Again, it is the responsibility of the Church to teach and to train the children and the men and women of this nation in the truth of the Holy Scripture so they can be men and women who legislate by the truth of Godβs Word and who are capable of discerning and applying the principles of Godβs Word and the ways of God to the Constitution and the laws of this land.
We must seize this fortuitous moment. That will only happen if the Church of the Lord Jesus C
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Israel was in a kairous moment. It was the time appointed by Heavenly Father.
It was a fitting and the specific time God had appointed for their visitation. Yet, they failed to grasp the opportunity set before them.
Indeed, most seemed completely blind to what was happening. They continued to run their shops, curse the government, meet their buddies at the bar, bet on the games, and take care of their families.
History has proven that mankind has often missed God's visitations.
He is visiting us again.
Will you miss God's visitation?
The religious and political leaders continued their game of politics; pushing and shoving for a better position and a bigger slice of the pie.
Serious threats were straining the tenuous relationship with the Roman Prefect because of the zealots; particularly the zealot out of Galilee.
He was a Nazarene portraying himself to be a prophet of God.
The very thought was offensive!
But large crowds were following him and he seemed to be persuading them with his new doctrine and his stunning ability to make them think miracles were happening.
They seemed oblivious that the man standing before them, teaching on the temple steps and on the mountainside was the same one who had astounded them when He was twelve years of age.
His grasp of Scripture and His ability to open the understanding of the common man, combined with the authority of His spirit and word, astonished the crowds but angered the spiritual leaders and the politicians.
They had no idea this man was not the ordinary zealot or self-proclaimed prophet.
He was God in the flesh. Even more curious was the inability of the Pharisees, Sadducees and priests to grasp the moment and to know the true identity of the man with the level of knowledge they possessed about the promise of Messiah and His coming.
How is it possible for them to miss the timing and fail to see the Son of God when He stood in their very presence?
The answer to that conundrum is the great danger being faced at this very moment by the church in the United States of America.
The Pharisees, Sadducees, lawyers and priests of Jesusβs day were blinded by their preconceived notions, messianic charts, and political rhetoric.
Their spiritual senses had been dulled by their secret sins, their form of godliness with a calloused spirit, their personal ambition, and their spiritual snobbery.
The general populace was too busy trying to survive.
They loved seeing the miracles and hearing the messages of hope spoken by this new prophet.
It was great fun talking in the market place about his criticism of the Pharisees and Sadducees and their hypocrisy.
But who had time to take seriously his call to lay down your life and follow him?
It was the very few religious leaders, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who dared humble themselves and truly grasp the moment.
Although thousands ate His miracle meals and saw the blind eyes open and the dead raised to life only one hundred and twenty faithfully waited in prayer for the βpromise of the Father.β
I wonder how many in America today will get past the political rhetoric and hear the voice of the Holy Spirit?
I wonder ho
Four blood moons took place in 2014-2015. Each of them happened on a major Jewish holiday. Two of them happened on Passover and two of them on the Feast of Tabernacles.
There was a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, the shining of the Bethlehem Star, on June 30th and July 1, 2015.
While there have been many conjunctions of Jupiter and Venus, this was possibly the first time they have been that close, shining as one star, since the birth of Christ.
That is why it has been called the reappearing of the Bethlehem Star.
A total solar eclipse was visible from coast to coast in the USA for the first time in 100 years took place August 21st this year. The last time was 1918.
This hurricane season has been record setting.
Through September 12th there have been 11 names storms, 6 hurricanes, three have been major hurricanes of level three or above.
Normal season has a total of twelve names storms, 6 hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
An 8.4 earthquake hit Mexico on September 7th. They are anticipating an alignment of the sun, Jupiter, Venus and mars, that many are calling the fulfillment of Revelation 12 this week.
What is happening?
Are we near the end of time? Should we be preparing for the judgment of God as some are saying? Certainly God is trying to get our attention.
Genesis 1:14 clearly tells us God will speak to us through the sun and the moon. βThen God said, βLet there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and yearsββ (NKJV).
Did you catch that?
βLet them be for signs [otot] and seasons [moadim]."
God placed the sun, the moon, and the stars in the sky to lights for planet earth. He also uses them for βsignsβ literally for a banner that signals direction or orients a person and for βseasonsβ for appointed times, for festivals.
How God Uses Blood Moons to Speak to the Church It is not a coincidence that multiple times in Scripture God references the last days will be marked by blood moons and solar eclipses declaring his appointed time and signaling the direction His church should be taking.
Some of the references are Isaiah 13:9-10; Amos 8:8, 9; and Matthew 24:29.
Joel 2:30-31 βAnd I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lordβ (NKJV).
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Jesus addressed this very issue in Matthew 24 in answer to the question from His disciples, βTell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the ageβ? (Matthew 24:3 NKJV)
Jesus gave three arenas of βsignsβ and βseasonsβ that would lead to the end of time and His return. 1. He said in verses 4-8, there
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The ability to live each day with purpose and destiny comes from the dynamic of new thinking and positive emotions.
The Apostle Paul dealt with this in his writings to the church in Ephesus.
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holinessβ (Ephesians 4:17-24 NKJV).
The Apostle was urging the believer to not be shaped or controlled by the philosophies, culture, ideologies of the world around them. Their life must reflect the clear will of God.
This happens when the transforming power of the Holy Spirit renews the mind. The Greek word for βtransformedβ is metamorphooomai.
The English word metamorphosis is derived from this Greek word. Metamorphosis means βa change of form, structure, substance or function,β according to Websterβs New World Dictionary (Neufeldt, 1990).
Metamorphosis is that life transformation that changes a wooly worm into a butterfly or a tadpole into a bullfrog.
βBull frogs and butterflies have both been born again,β sang Barry McGuire.
There is a spiritual metamorphosis that must take place in the life of a person. A wooly worm changes its βform, structure, substance and functionβ from that of a wiggly and fuzzy worm, that frightens little girls, into a beautiful and graceful Monarch.
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Once controlled by ungodly thinking, negative emotions and carnal appetites, a person can be transformed into a saint of God; filled with righteous thinking and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
The miraculous transformation is made possible by the βrenewing of the mind.β
The Greek word for βrenewingβ is anakainosis. Kenneth Wuest describes the work of renewing as βthe gradual conforming of the man more and more to that new spiritual world into which he has been introduced, and in which he now lives and moves; the restoration of the divine image; and in all this so far from being passive, he must be a fellow-worker with Godβ (Wuest, 208).
Living the abundant
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Have you had experiences like I have, where you meet people who think God is just a mean and angry God?
They point to stories in the Old Testament like the flood, when God destroyed everything on planet earth except Noah and his family and 2 of every kind of animal.
Or they refer to times in the Bible when God commanded the Israelites to capture a city and destroy everyone in it.
But there is one story that they miss entirely.
Rahab was the city prostitute who helped Israelite spies to spy out Jericho so that they could escape unharmed. In her encounter with them, she chooses to believe in the Living God.
God rewarded her faith by sparing her and her family when the Israelites conquered the city of Jericho.
Does it seem odd to you that its the city prostitute that's spared?
It gets stranger later on in Scripture, because she marries a Jewish man from the tribe of Judah and becomes the great-great grandma of King David and is in the bloodline of Jesus Christ.
"Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah." Matthew 1:5-6
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"But He [Jesus] needed to go through Samaria." John 4:4
1. Jesus stopped by the well at Sychar because there is a divine encounter coming
- There is a woman who has been married five times and is living with a man she's not married to
- She is an outcast
- But not an outcast to Jesus
- She received salvation that day
"She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.'"John 8:11
2. The religious rulers trying to trap Jesus brings an adulterous to him whom they had found meeting with a man
- They throw her at his feet and are ready to stone her for adultery
- Jesus kneels down and starts writing things in the sand
- All of her accusers turn around and walk away
- Jesus didn't condemn her
God picks a prostitute to be in the bloodline of our Lord, Jesus makes a special trip to bring a woman who has lived a broken life, and an openly sinful woman is thrown at his feet He brings justifcation instead of judgement.
God wants us to have it clear in our heart and mind that He is a God of righteousness and justice who must punish sin, but He is also a God of love and mercy and grace.
Like two sides of same coin.
God desires for us to live the blessed life, not under the curse. We live under the curse only because we choose to live in sin ra
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You were created to live a blessed life.
All throughout the Bible, even starting in Genesis when God commanded Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply, replenish the earth, and subdue it, we see that God intended for us to live a blessed life!
But sin entered the world and messed that all up.
The whole reason why Christ came to earth, died on the cross, and rose the third day was to redeem us and to restore us to the blessed life.
Psalm 8:4 "What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet"
This was God's original intent for your life!
In Hebrews this passage is quoted, and then the writer adds:
" But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels... in bringing many sons to glory..." Hebrews 8-10
When Jesus came to redeem us from sin, it was to restore us.
God doesn't want to just patch up your old life. It is messed up by sin, it is under the curse. He wants to make you a whole new creation and give you a whole new life, so you can live the blessed life.
This doesn't mean we always escape the bad stuff in this world.
But when we live the blessed life, God said that He'll even make the bad things that happen turn out for good for us.
I once talked to a woman who had been confined to a wheelchair her whole life. As we spoke, her eyes radiated the most amazing joy.
She talked about how blessed she was, because she's learned how to live free from the curse.
The Power of the Tongue We all face a very real enemy
"Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 'If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.' But He answered and said, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: "He shall give His angels charge over you," and, "In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone."'βJesus said to him, 'It is written again, "You shall not tempt the LORD your God."' Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve."'"* *Matthew 4:3-10
- The devil temped Jesus in every area of the 3 root sins
- Lust of the flesh
- Lust of the eyes
- Pride of life
- Jesus defeated the devil by the words of His mouth, "It is written"
- Declaring who He is
- Declaring His true identity
- Coun
Almighty God has given to us a covenant - that redeems us from sin and restore us to the creative position that God originally meant for mankind when God created us.
This covenant established that would be stewards of all of creation and ambassadors for kingdom of heaven.
The covenant that He has made with mankind and sealed in his blood is this:
βBut this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Jeremiah 31:33
2 Mighty Weapons That Will Defeat Your Enemy Every Time But there is an enemy
"And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads." Revelation 12:3
- John saw our enemy
- You are in a cosmic war
- You are either walking in blessing or under a curse
- It's time to arm yourself with the weapons God has given you
- Stand by the covenant He has made with you
- There is only one way to deal with the Red Dragon
- You have to destroy him
- You cannot appease him
- You cannot negotiate with him
"He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John 3:8
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"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, " 2 Corinthians 10:4
You destroy the enemy by using your weapons of warfare. These are the two mighty weapons that will defeat your enemy.
βNow 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." Re
I have been confronted many times for my position on the subject and even accused of being a heretic because I love to celebrate Christmas.
I have been asked, βHow can you say that you believe in the inerrancy of Scripture and celebrate Christmas? Donβt you understand that it comes directly out of paganism?β
Next they remind me, βGod said, βYou shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations which you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green treeββ (Deuteronomy 12:2 NKJV).
Then they explain how the Roman Catholic Church established the Christmas celebration mixing Babylonian paganism with Christianity.
I understand where these good people are coming from.
It would probably surprise my children and grandchildren to learn I actually taught these things early in my ministry.
I did not always love to celebrate Christmas because of some very negative memories of the Christmas holiday, as a child.
Promises not kept; alcohol abuse and angry arguments fill much of my Christmas memories from childhood. So when decorations went up and the carols started playing in the stores I became depressed.
Christmas 1973 began to change all of that. Wanda and I been married three years, our first child was ten months old. Walking through a shopping mall with carols playing I was in a cloudy mood.
Suddenly the music and the words broke through my negative thoughts.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
###### Songwriters: Simon Lole, Silent Night lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
I heard the Lord gently speak to my heart, βWill you allow the memories of sinful behavior by your dad and stepmother cloud out the true meaning of the celebration?
I began to softly sing the words with a new meaning. Over the next two weeks the music and the decorations took on a brightness they had not had before. That was a wonderful first Christmas with our daughter and some dear friends.
A whole new perspective of Christmas began to grow in my heart until I read a teaching in the late 1970βs explaining the paganism of the holiday.
Again, my attitude changed and I began teaching the paganism about Christmas.
But, I still loved the music and I loved the spirit of Christmas. I loved how the Christmas carols clearly told the Gospel story and I loved the Nativity displays.
Deep inside something was not reconciling. The spirit of Christmas, the biblical stories, the historical data of those who taught Christmas was pagan had a measure of incongruence that caused me to dig deeper.
My first discovery was the origin of putting lights on the Christmas tree did not come from pagan practices but the heart of the Reformation leader, Martin Luther.
While walking home one winter evening, with the words of a new song running through his mind, Martin was captured by the beauty of the stars twinkling on the boughs of the snow flocked evergreen trees. The beauty filled his heart so much he went home and wired candles on the branches of hi
It was the perfect storm.
Luke sets the stage for us.
βAnd it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with childβ (Luke 2:1-5 NKJV).
The Apostle Matthew introduced the other players that are on the stage.
βNow after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, βWhere is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.β When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with himβ (Matthew 2:1-3 NKJV).
The powers of the Rome Empire set the stage for the convergence of this perfect storm. All of the elements seemed perfectly harmless and peaceful in the beginning.
Joseph and Mary his wife arrived in the City of David, Bethlehem, meeting the requirements of Rome in registering for taxation.
The journey from their home in Nazareth of Galilee had been slow and difficult because Mary was expecting her first child.
Upon arrival they found the city so overcrowded all of the hotel rooms, bed and breakfasts, and rooms for rent were filled.
Mary had begun labor pains, making the necessity of a room even more urgent.
The only space available was a stable on the outskirts of town. Joseph made his way to the location, just as Mary was starting hard labor.
What was taking place in the barn that night would have gone unnoticed by the bustling crowds except for the event that took place in the fields of Boaz.
Shepherds, raising lambs for Passover, used those fields near Migdal Eder had an amazing experience they could not keep quiet.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, βDo not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.β And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: βGlory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!ββ (Luke 2:9-14 NKJV)
After seeing the angel and hearing the message of the angelic choir, the shepherds had to go see what was taking place in the barn near their fields.
They quickly made their way to the stable and saw the heavenly child the angel had told them about. They just could not keep quiet about everything. Luke describes it.
βNow when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them (Luke 2:17-20 NKJV).
In spite of the shepherds, life in Bethlehem returned to normal.
The crowds dissipated after registering with the Romans and Mary and Joseph with the new born found a house in which to live. The storm was still brewing.
To the east, a cara
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It is interesting, is it not, that God would fail to make certain there was housing for Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem.
Every detail of the conception and birth of Jesus Christ was prepared with precision; from the order of the constellation to the political and military structure and perfectly matching the dates of Daniel 9:24-26, written centuries before.
How is it possible God forgot to ensure there was a hotel room for them in the town?
There have been Christmas plays portraying in the inn keeper as evil because he would not give the expecting mother a room.
Was this a major oversight by Joseph or a divine mystery?
Forced by need, Joseph found a quiet stable on the edge of town and in the fields of Migdal Eder for his wife to give birth to their son.
There were shepherds in those fields keeping night watch over their sheep.
Some have said this is a certain indicator the timing would definitely not have been December. However, a more detailed study reveals this is not so certain.
The Mystery of a Stable The law, in the Mishnah regarding sheep being raised for Passover, requires the sheep be in the fields year round. The sheep being raised in the fields of Migdal Eder were specifically for Passover.
The celebration of Passover is an βeverlasting ordinanceβ given by the Father celebrating the night God delivered Israel from the death angel and from Egyptian slavery.
The first born child of every Egyptian family and the first born animal of every herd were to be killed that night. However, the death angel would pass over the home and herd of every Israelite home with the door post painted with the blood of a lamb
The instructions from God regarding the lamb and the blood were very specific.
βOn the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man's need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire β its head with its legs and its entrails. You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the l
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When a person takes their walk with Jesus seriously and they truly begin to believe, βI am a son or daughter of God and I am going to live like it", they set themselves against the powers of darkness and they set themselves apart from everyone around them except those who have made the same choice.
At that point you have set yourself apart exclusively for Godβs use.
That is what the Apostle Paul was describing when he wrote to the believers in Rome.
βI beseech you, therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God which your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that and acceptable and perfect will of Godβ (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV).
Mary of Nazareth had a similar experience when God asked her dedicate her body exclusively for His use.
The angel Gabriel was βsent by God to a city of Galilee name Nazareth.β
Gabrielβs greeting startled Mary, just as it would you and me. "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" (Luke 1:28 NKJV)
She had found favor with God.
Have You Had a Mary Experience? Mary was just an ordinary young woman living in a small village on the side of a mountain, in Galilee, overlooking the Jezreel Valley. There was nothing she did to earn or to deserve this honor.
God chose Mary and gave her favor, the same as He chose the Patriarch Abraham and gave him favor.
- Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.
- God chose Mary and gave her favor. She believed God and it was counted to her for righteousness.
God has chosen you and given you favor. β[J]ust as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His graceβ (Ephesians 1:4-7 NKJV).
Why would God choose you?
The Scripture explains, βaccording to the good pleasure of His will.β
- You didnβt earn it.
- You certainly donβt deserve it.
- God chose you because He loves you and because He wanted to choose you.
He chose you to be holy, without condemnation and to be in a face to face relationship with Him. He made you acceptable and gave you favor by redeeming you from the slave market of sin and adopting you into His family as a son or daughter.
βRejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are youβ¦β
Mary and Joseph had to wrestle with many things when they began walking this out. Just like you have to wrestle with many things when you make the decision in your life to live authentically sold out as a child of God.
If Gabrielβs greeting startled Mary, his message must have flooded her with anxiety. "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUSβ (Luke 1:30-31 N
In this new series of podcasts, we have been exploring our spiritual weapons of warfare. There is one weapon of spiritual warfare that is often overlooked.
And yet, when we understand the power of this mighty weapon, the enemy forces do not stand a chance against us!
The power of this mighty weapon will transform cities and countries; it will transform families; it will transform neighborhoods for Jesus Christ!
The One Mighty Spiritual Weapon That is Often Overlooked "But one testified in a certain place, saying: 'What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.' For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone." Hebrews 2:6-9**
- God has made us to be warriors in His kingdom
- The violent take it by force
- We don't easily extend the kingdom of God
- Luke 16:16
- Do you want to see family and friends come to Jesus?
- You must recognize the authority you have and press the kingdom
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"[God] raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus," Ephesians 2:6
- Our weapons are not carnal
- This isn't a physical battle
- This isn't a political battle
- We are in a spiritual war
- We must fight it in the spirit
- The battle is won in the spirit before it is won in the natural
"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. Philippians 2:5-11
- Jesus' name is exalted above every name
- There is coming a day when every single knee will bow that Jesus
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God gave to us a mind, will, and emotions.
And then He gave us a spirit that has a conscience, a God awareness; that has the same 5 senses as the body and that help us live in relationship with the spirit realms - both demonic and heavenly.
Have you ever picked up a book, having never read it, but knowing something wasn't right about it?
That is your spiritual senses at work; and God created us to discern evil, not learn evil. That is why God put the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the midst of the Garden.
God never intended for the human race to know good and evil.
He gave to us a triune being, just as He is a triune being, so that we would discern evil, not learn evil; because when you learn evil, it creates a curiosity that will draw you to it.
"Vice is a monster of so frightful mien
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.β
Alexander Pope
8 Transforming Truths About Your Authority in Christ "What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels (Elohim), And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet" Psalm 8:4-6 Emphasis mine
- God made you in amazement and honor
- With value and worth
- God created us to rule and reign with Him
- We were created to be stewards over what God made
- Sin damaged that
- Jesus reversed what sin did
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"[God] raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus," Ephesians 2:6
- Because you are born again, you are seated with Jesus Christ
- You have a position of authority and power
- God did that because He wants you to rule and reign with Him
-
The enemy should not be beating up your home
- You don't have to live in constant negative emotion
- Inferiority
- Insecurity
- Jealousy
- Worry
- Fear
- Anxiety
- The world puts that on you, but Jesus has overcome the world
- You are seated with Christ
- You have overcome the world through Christ
- You don't have to live in constant negative emotion
-
We are to be God's army
- Gideon
- You are God's mighty warrior <!--
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Jesus came to earth with a mission, and it was the greatest mission of all mankind. But then, He commissioned us for a mission, and we find that mission in John 14:12.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."
Jesus is saying that the work of the church is exactly the same as the work He came to do!
The purpose and mission of the church is to do what Jesus did when He lived on earth
If you believe in Jesus, John 14:12 is talking about you. You're supposed to do the works that Jesus did. What does this mean about you personally?
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No matter what career you're in, it's not about that, its about what Jesus Christ says you are and what you do for His kingdom.
The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.β
Luke 4:18-19
What Does an Anointed Christian Look Like? 1. What does the word anointed mean?
Anointed - in classical Greek: to pour oil on something, to rub with oil; to appoint to an office.
"...and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 1:5-6
- God has appointed us to be kings and priests. We are appointed to this work.
- We need to come into agreement with God and what He says about us and who He says we are. And He says that He has placed us in office as a king and priest in His kingdom.
- Rise up and be who He has appointed you to be!
βAnd I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.β Matthew 16:18-19
- God has given us the authority of that appointment
- He has given us the keys of the kingdom, which equal authority.
"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness
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We are never at the mercy of our enemy.
But the church must rise and be more than just religious; she must be what Jesus intended her to be. She must stop trying to be a religious institution and become a life-giving organism.
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
6 Things Jesus Came to Do Luke 4:18-19
- Jesus came to bring into reality the Year of Jubilee
- Every 7th year was a sabbath year of rest
- The 49th a year was a sabbath of sabbath's
- The 50th year was the Year of Jubilee - a year of great liberation
- Jesus has come to bring a year of liberation
- Not just a year, but from now until eternity
- To set men free
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Jesus came to bring liberty to the oppressed
- Despair ,discouragement, depression, anxiety, worry, fear, insecurity
- Whatever harasses and suppresses our emotions and ability to take hold of what God intended for us
- God never intended for us to live this way
- Jesus came to set us free
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Jesus came to give sight to the blind
- Physical and spiritual blindness
- Living far less than what God intended us to live
- Because we can't see
- Don't take hold of God's promises
- Living in limited blessings of God
- Jesus came to give liberty to captives
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- Prison of phobias
- Prison of identifying with past addictions
- Prison of past failures and hurts
- Jesus came to set you free!
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- Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted + Abandonment + Divorce + Broken spirit + Jesus heals us so we can love authentically * Jesus came to preach gospel to the poor + Spiritual poverty + Blessed are the poor in spirit - Greek word: no means to be able to change their poverty - No way out - You are blessed when you recognize your condition + Jesus came to preach the gospel to all in that condition - Every human being is in this condition - None not righteousJohn 14:12-3
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"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
More Articles Like This:
3 Ways Worship Defeats the Enemy
9 Hebrew Words for Worship
5 Things the Church Must Do to See the Fire of God
4 Things the Churc
If the kingdom of God is a culture of worship, and we go to church on Sunday and worship, we need to develop a culture of worship in our own lives personally.
If Sunday is the only time you worship, then you're out of step with the kingdom of God in your life.
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
3 Ways Worship Defeats the Enemy 1. Worship Drives Out Evil Spirits
1 Samuel 18:10-12
David would play and sing and worship God before King Saul, and while he worshiped God the demonic spirits that were harassing the king would leave.
Could it be that in your home personally, the reason why there is so much harassment going on is because you don't have enough praise and worship going on in your home.
If you would develop that in your family, you would drive those tormenting spirits out the door!
2. Worship Sets the Captives Free
Acts 16:24-26
- There will be times that the enemy will come against you
- Try to imprison you
- Try to oppress you
- Suppress your emotions
- Suppress your thinking so that you are confused and in a fog
- The way to break out of it is to develop a personal culture of praise and worship
- Break your chains
- Release you from the enemy's bondage
3. Worship Breaks Strongholds
Joshua 6
2 Chronicles 20:1-24
- The enemy is developing a strategy right now to destroy you and your family
- You are never at the mercy of your enemy
- If you will develop a personal culture in your life, as you worship God will give you a strategy to defeat the enemy every time.
- God has given us a promise
- When the enemy comes against you one way, he will flee before you seven ways.
God wants us to take our personal culture of worship and learn how to express it through our love language
- Set aside 5-10 minutes each day to worship
- Just worship
- Not to read the Bible
- Not to ask God for anything
- Use some worship music and sing with it
- Practice using the 9 Hebrew Words for Worship
More Articles Like This:
9 Hebrew Words for Worship
5 Things the Church Must Do to See the Fire of God
4 Things the Church Must Do to Refocus Worship
Two Mistakes Being Made in Worship Today
Which Jesus Do You Worship
Three Ways to Know if Worship Music is Biblical
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The worship culture in the kingdom of God is realized and animated because each one who is born again cultivates a culture of worship in their own personal life.
It's not worship just because you go to church on Sunday morning and sing.
What are you doing the rest of the week?
While many believe they can worship God in their own way, God gave us 9 Hebrew words for worship and showed us how we can use them to worship Him in our own person lives seven days a week!
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
Psalm 150:6
"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD."
Are you breathing? Then you ought to be praising and developing a culture of worship in your own heart and life.
9 Hebrew Words for Worship and How We Use Them That culture of worship in your life is cultivated as you
- Acknowledge God's greatness and His nature
- He is omnipotent
- He is omniscient
- He is omnipresent
- He is love
- He is immutable
- Remember His mighty acts
- What has God done for you?
- Reflect on His redemptive work
Every kingdom has an enemy; a kingdom that hates that kingdom and culture; a kingdom that wants to overthrow that kingdom.
God's kingdom has an enemy
And he hates you, and wants to destroy you.
But God has given you mighty weapons to destroy the enemy.
"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.β Matthew 16:18-19
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13**
"And He said to them, βGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.β Mark 16:15-18
Our mighty weapons: * Keys of the kingdom * The mighty name of Jesus Christ * The whole armor of God - Ephesians 6:10-18
The mightiest weapon we have is the most overlooked weapon - the weapon of worship "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger." Psalm 8:1-2
"Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples;" P
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The kingdom of God is a culture of worship.
So often men neglect worship because they think it's a "woman thing". But when we look at the Bible, we see that it was a manly thing.
David was a worshiper.
But the worship that King David had was lost by the time Jesus was born
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
John 4:24
"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."
2 Foundational Truths the Church Needs to Know About Worship By the time Jesus was born, worship had become very controlled. The spontaneity was gone. Instruments weren't allowed. Only certain people could sing
- Worship is a matter of the heart
- When our heart is full of offense and bitterness, we can't worship
- American culture is saturated in offense today
- We need to learn to stop living in the spirit of offense
- You can't develop a heart of worship when you have a heart of offense
- Worship in Spirit and in truth
- Spirit is an expression of the heart
- When our heart is free we can have a spirit of worship
- Truth is God's Word as the foundation for our life
- God prescribed worship in the Bible
"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations." Psalm 100
More Articles Like This:
5 Things the Church Must Do to See the Fire of God
4 Things the Church Must Do to Refocus Worship
Two Mistakes Being Made in Worship Today
Which Jesus Do You Worship
Three Ways to Know if Worship Music is Biblical
If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider leaving us a review. This helps the Foundational podcast reach more listeners.
Be sure to tell a friend about the Foundational blog and podcast, and share with them about the free Bible Reading Challenge journal they will receive when they subscribe to receive my newsletter!
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In last week's podcast we learned about how to prepare for Jesus' second coming.
There are two more very essential things we need to do in order to prepare our hearts and lives for His coming, and to help His kingdom grow here on earth.
If we want to be wise servants of God, while we eagerly wait for His rapture of the church, there are two things we need to cultivate in our hearts and lives.
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
Isaiah 33:6
"Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the LORD is His treasure."
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We need the fear of the Lord
- Hate evil
- Pride
- Arrogance
- The evil way
- A perverse mouth
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We need to learn to be faithful
- Love is faithful
- Love cannot function without faithfulness
- Be faithful in the little things
- Faithful in money management
- True riches
2 More Ways You Can Prepare for Jesus' Second Coming Learn how you can read the signs of the times through the prism of history in this powerful course Where Are We At On God's Timeclock
Get 30% off when you use the coupon code: timeclock
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Grow in your relationship with Christ with these discipleship manuals:
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The message in the parable of the 10 Virgins that Jesus told in Matthew 25:1-13 can be boiled down to two words:
- Watch
- Be ready
They didn't know when the bridegroom would come for them, but the five wise virgins had made themselves ready for him.
I have a question for you.
Are you ready for Jesus when He comes for you? What are you doing to prepare for His second coming?
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
John 14-15
"'Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Fatherβs house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.' Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"
- Jesus was describing a wedding ceremony
- While we may not fully grasp the picture Jesus was painting, every Jew fully understood.
- The more romantic the Bridegroom, the closer they will wait until the midnight hour to get the bride
- Sometime beforehand, the father of the bride and the father of the groom sealed the covenant by drinking a cup of wine together
- The night that Jesus gave that parable, he had drank the cup and sealed the covenant
- He had chosen Himself a bride - every person who would receive Him as Savior
3 Ways You Can Prepare for Jesus' Second Coming 2 Peter 3
- We are very close to the time when God will tell His Son, "Go get your bride".
- In the meantime, while He has tarried, there are those in the church who have taken their eye off the prize
- They have begun to live like the world
- The church is embrace things of the world that is polluting the house of God
- They don't realize that in the meantime, we are drawing very near to His coming.
- They are like the five foolish virgins
- They are not behaving wisely
Learn how you can read the signs of the times through the prism of history in this powerful course Where Are We At On God's Timeclock
Get 30% off when you use the coupon code: timeclock
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
If this were to happen now, are you ready?
In today's podcast I share with you 3 ways you can be ready for Jesus' second coming. Blog
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Do we shut up the kingdom of God to the general population?
Jesus never did that. He rebuked the religious rulers, but welcomed in the most ordinary people and those who the religious rulers thought were the worst of sinners.
When we protest by holding up our Christian signs, the majority of people don't get it.
They don't know what we're talking about.
They think we're being religious snobs and hypocrites, and that we're shutting up the kingdom of God to them and that we hate sinners.
The majority of the church isn't like that.
The majority of the church loves sinners and recognizes that but for the grace of God they're lost!
Do You Really Know Who You Are in Jesus Christ? Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
- Philippians 3:1-8
- God was uniting the church together
- God is opening up the kingdom wide
- Beware of those who make man-made rules for salvation
You do have to be born again, but it's not by pedigree! Not everyone will gets in. * John 14:15-20 + Jesus is taking our relationship to an even greater level and made it even more shocking + It doesn't center around the temple + You are going to become the temple of God
- John 15:15
- Jesus takes it even deeper
- You're not only a temple of God, you're a friend of God.
- In the Greek grammar, it places them in a position of greater distinction
- It is a relationship with God that is like an acquaintance, or good friends, but a friendship where you share life together.
- Ephesians 1:3-6
- We are not only a friend, but an adopted son and daughter of God
- This is so much better than being religious!
Do you really know who you are in Jesus Christ? * Or you can live everyday in the manifest presence of God + Because you've accepted Jesus Christ, you can live from glory to glory + Even when you live in the real world, with trials and struggles, God's presence with you + 2 Corinthians 3:18
How do we walk in this on a daily basis? * Jesus put a condition on this + If you love me keep my commandments + You are my friends if you do what I say + This is how we know Him, if we keep His commandments * But here's the difference + In the Old Testament, it was keeping the commandments to be righteous + In Jesus Christ, we keep the commandments because we are righteous - our righteousness comes from Jesus
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Grow in your relationship with Christ with these di
Life is really exciting when we realize that you realize that you've been delivered from the powers of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. So now, you're a son and daughter of God You are royalty! Begin living like royalty; because you have kingdom power and authority, because Jesus said, "I give you the keys of the kingdom." Put your hand on your heart right now and say, "Jesus, you have given me the keys of the kingdom!" Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast: * You are never at the mercy of your enemy + You have the authority and power to pray blessing into your family, marriage, home, and life. + When we live everyday with this knowledge, we will live everyday with confidence in anticipation of divine appointments and the impossible.
With God all things are possible and God lives in me, therefore all things are possible to me and all things work together for my good. How to Walk With God Everyday * You can walk with "historical God" + The God that did the things you read about in the Bible + Historical figure * You can walk with "living God" + The God that touches you every once in a while + Living for that next time when God will touch you - All week long the glory you feel on Sunday slowly fades away - You can't wait until you get back to church on Sunday so God touches you again. + 2 Corinthians 3:13
"...unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away." * Or you can live everyday in the manifest presence of God + Because you've accepted Jesus Christ, you can live from glory to glory + Even when you live in the real world, with trials and struggles, God's presence with you + 2 Corinthians 3:18
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you foreverβthe Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.*" John 14:13-20 If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider leaving us a review. This helps the Foundational podcast reach more listeners. Be sure to tell a friend about the Foundational blog and podcast, and share with them about the free Bible Reading Challenge journal they will receive when they subscribe to receive my newsletter!* Grow in your relationship with Christ with these discipleship manuals:
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You can pray into situations and circumstances on earth the kingdom of God, the kingdom authority
So when the enemy is trying to steal your son or daughter, you can demand, "Not on my watch! You wont steal my family!"
Because, "Father, Your kingdom come, Your will be done here on earth as You have established in heaven!"
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
Matthew 6:5-13
Jesus was giving us a model for prayer.
Walk in Kingdom Authority * Deliver us from evil + In the Greek "Deliver me from the evil one" + We should pray this every day. + 2 Kings 5 * We are never at the mercy of our enemy + When the church is filled with the living water, they will conquer the land! + John 7:37-39 + Jesus' command to the disciples to not fulfill the Great Commission until they had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit + He wanted them to understand - He was bring a level of Kingdom of power and authority that the world had only seen occasionally - But Joel 2:28-29 - In those days He will raise up a people who will operate in kingdom power and authority!
4 Ways to Walk In Kingdom Authority * Get out of our comfort zone + Step in to a willingness to let Holy Spirit guide us 24/7 + Change your paradaigm * Realize that God put you where you are to bring change + Be an agent of change + Be God's representive + "Let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done right here!" * Let God bring you divine appointments + Let the Holy Spirit bring living water into your life + Walk in miracles and signs and wonders + Mark 11:22-23 * Silence Your Ears to Drama + Stop listening to it + Pray it out
Resources mentioned in this podcast
Reese Howells Intercession
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Grow in your relationship with Christ with these discipleship manuals
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When Jesus was talking about the kingdom, he shared with his disciples, he took them to his home community Nazareth.
While visiting the synagogue, He read from the scroll that morning:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18-19
When he was done, he handed the scroll back and said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears."
In that moment, Jesus was proclaiming, "The kingdom of God has come!"
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
Matthew 10:1-15
Jesus was saying to His disciples that the kingdom of God was here, and they would know this by miracles and signs and wonders.
What is the Culture of the Kingdom of Heaven? * They carried kingdom authority + When they bless a house, the blessing remains when they leave + When you withhold your peace, it will not remain + You can speak judgement on a city. * Luke 10:1-12 - Jesus ordains 70 more apostles + They were not limited to Jewish cities + Jesus went to Gentile cities + These 70 men would go ahead of Jesus and prepare these Gentile cities for Jesus' arrival * Part of the kingdom culture is miracles and signs and wonders + John 14:12 - "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." + God gives us the power and authority in His name.
But wasn't this just for the apostles? "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:15-18
- This was to His church
- Not just to the 12
- Not just to the 82
- This was to His church
Hebrews 2:2-4
For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
Then he said: Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. Hebrews 2:1
Luke 24:44-49
The church is to carry a power and authority
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Is is possible that there is something your life so sacred and so valuable that God put special guidelines and protection around it?
That He promised that when you walk according to those guidelines that he'd bless you beyond what you can imagine and rebuke the enemy, so that he cannot steal kill and destroy?
And also if you don't follow them, that you would bring a curse on yourself and open a doorway to the enemy?
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
Joshua 7:10
So the LORD said to Joshua: βGet up! Why do you lie thus on your face?
Non-optional Principles of Tithing * Hebrew "accursed thing" + Under the ban + "They have partaken of the devoted thing" + Something that was devoted to God and banned from being used as something common * Before conquering Jericho, Joshua warned the nation + Joshua 6:18 + God set Jericho as the fruitfruits of the Promised Land + They were not to touch any of the spoil + It was dedicated to God for sacred use * Jericho was the tithe city + They could share the spoil of all the other cities + But the spoil of Jericho was to go into the treasury of the Lord
Achan took some of the spoil for himself Joshua 7:11-13
βThere is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.β
- God has financial principles of His kingdom, just as any other kingdom
- You have follow God's principles of finance
Proverbs 3:9-10
"Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine."
Ezekiel 20:40-41
βFor on My holy mountain, on the mountain height of Israel,β says the Lord GOD, βthere all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, shall serve Me; there I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the firstfruits of your sacrifices, together with all your holy things. I will accept you as a sweet aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered; and I will be hallowed in you before the Gentiles."
Malachi 3:6-12
βFor I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,β
Says the LORD of hosts. βBut you said, βIn what way shall we return?β Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say, βIn what way have we robbed You?β In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house,
An
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I have been trouble lately because I see believers responding to political rhetoric, out of the carnal soul and mind. I'm not speaking about parties, I am asking how do we as believers handle the stuff of the world.
The news that we hear on a daily basis about the violence and hate and anger that is escalating inside our own cities.
How do we handle our own stuff?
Pressure in our marriage, too much month at the end of the paycheck.
How do we, as sons and daughters of the living God, handle this stuff?
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
Matthew 13:1-13, 18-23
4 Failed Ways to Deal With Pressures of Life * We can ignore them + We turn on music or watch movies to ignore what's going on around us + We adopt a fatalistic attitude, thinking we can't change our circumstances anyway * We can blame them on something else + We look for other people or circumstances to cast the blame for what's going on in our life * We can avoid them + We know they are there + We bury ourselves in work + We throw ourselves into a hobby * We hit them head on in anger + We adopt a vigilante attitude + We invite an anarchy spirit
Matthew 16:6
"Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.β
- What is the leaven of the Pharisees?
- Power
- Position
- Prestige
- Cloaked in religion
- We must understand the right way to handle issues
What is the right way to handle the pressures of life
- We handle the pressures of life from the perspective of the kingdom of God
- The kingdom perspective is often upside down to our own
- We need to seek God's face to see what He is doing through our situation
- We need a kingdom perspective.
- This will only happen when we come as a little child
- Matthew 5:3
- Poor in spirit is someone who is living in abject poverty and have no way to change their condition
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There is a basic presupposition of the Old and New Testaments that there are two opposing kingdoms on planet earth. It is an assumed fact that there is a very real being, a fallen angel named Lucifer, that was thrown out of heaven and 1/3 of angels with him because he rebelled against God because he wanted to be God. There is a second kingdom: The kingdom of God. There is an eternal Being, from everlasting to everlasting. He has no beginning or end of days, no mother or father. He has manifested himself in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast: Psalm 8:4-8 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxenβ Even the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. * God's original design was that we be a kingdom of priests * Mankind would be divine royalty + God designed planet earth to be the location of his kingdom and dominion + Sin destroys that - It causes the human race to live beneath what God created it to be - So God made a decision + Jesus became the last Adam - The first Adam committed high treason - Jesus reversed everything the first Adam did
Hebrews 2:6-10 But one testified in a certain place, saying: βWhat is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.β For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory,** * We sit with God on an eternal throne + It will never be defeated + We have to learn how to behave like royalty + Mark 8:13-21 - Jesus was deeply concerned that his disciples did not understand the principles of the kingdom - You can be born again and still live under the principles of this world * We have to live right side up with God, and upside down to the world, to make the kingdom of God work + Do you live everyday with the assurance of who you are + Do you know how to walk and talk as royalty of the Kingdom of God
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Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast: You are royalty! * We often struggle with our identity * When we were born again + We were adopted into the family of the King of kings and Lord of lords + He gives us the assurance that we are a member of that family - An heir and joint-heir of Jesus Christ - An heir of the kingdom of God + He gave to us the Holy Spirit to live inside of us - To be assurance of that covenant - You are a covenant son and daughter of Almighty God
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love * When we are born again God + Takes out out of the kingdom darkness and brings us into the kingdom of His dear Son + Adopts us into the family + Gives to us the Holy Spirit - Who is the seal, earnest, and guarantee of our identity and our position in Jesus Christ * As royalty, heirs, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ * As prince and princesses to the King of Glory - Every time you feel His presence and touch it is an assurance that you are roylty * Do you truly know your identity? + Do you live everyday with the assurance of who you are + Do you know how to walk and talk as royalty of the Kingdom of God
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Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast: Exodus 19:5-6 * God said that the nation of Israel would be a special treasure to God * God was forming a new nation on the earth * A nation named Israel * God was going to make them kingdom of priests * From the beginning of history God was planning this * Genesis 1:26-31 - God gave Adam authority over all the earth
Through mankind God would establish His kingdom on earth and He began through the following Biblical accounts * Abraham * Moses * John the Baptist * Jesus' public ministry
The kingdom of heaven is on earth right now * In the heart of every person who receives Christ * It is always meeting resistance + Satan looks to overthrow the kingdom of God + The kingdom of God threatens the existence of Satan's kingdom + He resists God's kingdom through earthly kingdoms
Matthew 6:8-15 * God's kingdom is a holy kingdom * God's kingdom is in the heart of every person who seeks to do the will of God * God's kingdom has no lack * God's kingdom has no condemnation * God's kingdom is a kingdom of victory
If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider leaving us a review. This helps the Foundational podcast reach more listeners. Be sure to tell a friend about the Foundational blog and podcast, and share with them about the free Bible Reading Challenge journal they will receive when they subscribe to receive my newsletter! Grow in your relationship with Christ with these discipleship manuals: For more material on discovering your new identity, read my series here: Discovering True Identity Agape Charis These three books are also available on Amazon in Kindle or Paperback. For more blog posts on your new identity: 4 Things That Happen When You Become a Christia
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This is a turning point in history and men have to lead the way. We need men that know how to meet God. Sir, do you know how to meet God?
I imagine Joshua didn't know how to meet God, so he hung out with someone who knew how to meet God.
"So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle." Exodus 33:11
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
A biblical account of Joshua and Caleb
- They were the only two out of 4.5 million people to enter the Promised Land
- These two men are a model for what America needs today
The church needs men to rise up in spiritual leadership
- Not "Aarons" who preach what the congregation wants to hear
- Not pastors who will please itching ears
We need to teach and train the next generation to turn their back on the world and run to Jesus and let Him set their heart on fire.
- Men, what you need; your family, marriage, work-place needs more than anything else is to be a man that knows how to get to the face of God.
- Reading a 2-minute devotional will not get you there
- Plan your day around your time with God
- Start your day in the presence of God
- Young men will not get to God if they don't have older men to model it for them.
- We need to model for them how to want God
- We need to model for them how to seek God
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God Is Who He Says He Is. If America is going have the power of God and see a revival and a great harvest of souls in this amazing time in history, the church must once again believe God is who He says He is.
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Moses is an example of someone who stood in faith and confidence that God is exactly who He says He is.
He wasn't always perfect at it:
- he had faith crises at times
- he struggled to believe that God could use him
- he even disobeyed God.
But when you look at his life, he consistently and faithfully, followed Almighty God; and even at his points of failure, he believe God is who He says He is and he followed Him.
God took an ordinary guy and used him in an ordinary way.
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
God can use you in the same way!
I hear over and over that this is a Joshua Generation, but the only way it can be a Joshua Generation is if:
- There are thousands of Moses' who will rise up
- They need to be mentors
- They need know how to get face-to-face with God
- They know how to live in the glory of God
- They fast and pray and
- They go to mountain of God
- They live it out
- They mentor the next generation
Let's believe that God can use this Joshua generation - ordinary young people - to do extraordinary things!
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Grow in your relationship with Christ with these discipleship manuals: Find more content like this on Foundational:
You Win Or Lose, It's Your Choice
I Choose Joy!
God intends you to live the blessed life. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 God wants to give you these 6 things from Ephesians 3:16-19 * to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, * that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; * that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (life stable, secure) * may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and heightβ (live higher, wider longer and deeper than ever before) * to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; * that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
How we can live this kind of life? 7 Choices to Revolutionize a Graduate's Life You win or lose by the way you choose! The two most important elements of life * the choices we make * the relationships we build
You need to learn the value of choosing joy over pain * Life isn't fair * You will be offended
Don't live in failure * Failure is an event, not an identity * Choose to get up and move on * Don't live there
Choose to live by wisdom * Don't be a fool * Nabal = Committed Fool * Choose wisdom over your own ability * Get around older people to mentor you, learn from wise people
Choose to live by the Holy Spirit * He is our guide * comfort * Promised to give us divine power * Anointing = Enables an ordinary person to do extraordinary things
Choose to live by faith * Don't just live by what you can see and feel * When you don't feel it, faith it!
Choose to have a right perspective of God * James 1:16
"Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." James 1:16-18 If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider leaving us a review. This helps the Foundational podcast reach more listeners. Be sure to tell a friend about the Foundational blog and podcast, and share with them about the free Bible Reading Challenge journal they will receive when they subscribe to receive my newsletter! 1. Grow in your relationship with Christ with these discipleship manuals:
Have you ever received an incredible blessing from God in your life on Sunday only for it to have vanished somewhere the next day or a few days later and you think, "Where did it go? I thought I got blessed?" You can't lose a blessing. But you can choose to walk away from your inheritance, renounce your adoptions, walk away from your walk with the Lord. Sometimes we do stupid things, but you can't lose your blessing. There are days when we wake up in the morning and we're feeling good and we feel God's presence, but then by noon on the job someone gets in our face, our supervisor walks in all grumpy, and all that good "feeling" goes away. It's not that you lose your blessing, but the enemy tries to steal it or we make a poor choice and walk away from it because we choose: * To walk into darkness * Choose to walk into an inappropriate situation * We choose behavior that will quench the blessing * We grieve the Spirit that blessed us
What do you do? * Reject the lie that you have to be good enough to receive good gifts from God * Remember that it's all by grace
βAgain, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." Matthew 13:45-46 * The baptism of the Holy Spirit is one of the treasures in that field. * Give everything up to get that treasure, just like you did for your Salvation.
βIf anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.β John 7:37a-38 * + If you thirst for me with all your heart + If you believe this treasure is worth everything + Out of your belly will flow enormous rivers
βSo I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!β Luke 11:9-13 * In Greek - for Him that keeps on asking, keep seeking, keep knocking
"He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues," 1 Corinthians 14:4-5a "do not forbid to speak with tongues." 1 Corinthians 14:39b Do you know why Paul said this? * God wants to give you that gift * He gives the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues because in that heavenly language is where you find a supernatural resource of joy. * You find a supernatural resource of peace * You find a strength to walk through ever difficult situation you have * You build
God often calls unlikely people to do extraordinary tasks: * David * Gideon * Nehemiah * Disciples * D.L. Moody * Mary Slessor * Founders of the Pentecostal revival * Smith Wigglesworth
"Then He said to them, 'Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.'β Luke 24:46-49 * Endued means to put on garment - jacket * God had a promise for them: "You will be baptized in the Holy Spirit and receive extraordinary power to do extraordinary things."
Choose to Live by the Power of the Holy Spirit "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:1-4 * They received exactly what Jesus promised * The simple fisherman had become so powerful that they were turning the world upside down. God took ordinary people and did extraordinary things. * God didn't' promise the baptism of the Holy Spirit just to the disciples, but to everyone.
βAnd it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:28 * "all flesh" * When peter finished sermon, people asked "What do we need to do?
Then Peter said to them, βRepent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.β Acts 2:38-39 * To you * To your children * (Jewish people were the only ones there) * To all who are afar off (Greek: those people that live a far distance away) - all nations of the world - Jew and Gentile * Even as many as the Lord our God will call
Why would God do this? * Because He wants ordinary people to have supernatural power * God has a divine assignment for your life, but you can't do it on your own.
βMost assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."John 14:12 This verse isn't just for * prophets * evangelists * Benny Hinn * Televangelists * Mega church pastors
Jesus is saying to every ordinary believer that is born again of the Holy Spirit I a
Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast:
Ephesians 3:14-21
Christ dwells in us.
We need to be rooted and grounded in love We need to wait on the Lord To weave a rope Give it time We need to understand the 4 dimensions of God's love We need to be filled all the fullness of God We need to know that God will do exceedingly more than we can ask or think
Download MP3 If God has made us kings and priests, he doesnβt want us to pray for luxury for ourselves, but to pray for divine wisdom. There are 8 choice that will completely change your life! Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast: Read James 1:1-4 You win or lose by the way you choose * Choose joy over pain + Lifeβs two basic elements: Decisions we make and the relationships we have * Keep a thankful list * Learn to live wisely + Two kinds of wisdom + James 3:14-18 - Earthly Wisdom - street-wise, business-wise, politically-wise - Wisdom From Above - from God itself
- Don't waste your pain!Learn how to count it all joy!Instead of focusing on pain, learn how to live in joy from the inside out.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider leaving us a review. This helps the Foundational podcast reach more listeners. Be sure to tell a friend about the Foundational blog and podcast, and share with them about the free Bible Reading Challenge journal they will receive when they subscribe to receive my newsletter! 1. Grow in your relationship with Christ with these discipleship manuals: Find more content like this on Foundational: I Choose Joy! 5 Amazing Ways to Turn Pain into Treasure
Download MP3 How do you deal with life when bad things happen? We can live a life of joy, even when evil things happen all around us. In this podcast we examine what Scripture teaches us about how to choose joy. Show Notes For This Foundational Podcast: * Read James 1:1-4
There are two things we learn from the story about Lazarus and the beggar. 1. No one gets to escape hardship Life isn't fair, but it can be filled with joy. 2. Scripture tells us that we'll go through hardship We live in a sinful, fallen world, so offenses will come. It's impossible for them not to come. How do you deal with life when evil happens? * Cling to the hope of heaven. John 14:3 * Rejoice and leap with joy. Luke 6:20
Don't waste your pain! Learn how to count it all joy! Instead of focusing on pain, learn how to live in joy from the inside out. How do you do this? * + Don't' be undecided about what is right and wrong + Choose today to be joyful in all things + Learn the joy Scriptures + Make a joy list + Choose joy over pain
Grow in your relationship with Christ with these discipleship manuals: Find more content like this on Foundational: 5 Amazing Ways to Turn Pain into Treasure
You win or lose by the way you choose; and the most important choice you will ever make in your life is for eternity.