God spoke through Jeremiah to the false prophets of Judah, His people, and proclaimed, “But who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, that he should see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and listened? (Jeremiah 23:18) God also tells us what is the outcome or outflow of those who humble themselves to receive His counsel. He says, “If they had stood in my counsel, then they would have announced my words to my people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.” (Jeremiah 23:22) Paul certainly was a faithful and courageous man of God who received God’s counsel and boldly declared that, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose (counsel) of God.” (Acts 20:27) May you also be encouraged and emboldened to stand in God’s counsel and declare in His power the gospel of Jesus Christ in our world today. (Hear the entire message below. Originally recorded February 13, 2013) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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So many times throughout history, God’s chosen people, the Jews, and His chosen nation, Israel, have fallen into deception, disobedience, rebellion and played the “harlot” by going after and serving gods of this world. They clearly understood that they were to forsake the world and serve God only. In obedience, they would live and prosper, and in disobedience they would reap death and despair. They were told to destroy their enemies but often chose to live with them and even adopt and worship their gods — “they did not destroy the peoples, as the Lord commanded them, but they mingled with the nations, and learned their practices, and served their idols, which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons and shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted, with the blood. Thus they became unclean in their practices and played the harlot in their deeds.” To mingle here means to join in with, share with, undertake; to be surety for someone, meaning to be contracted to be responsible for another. John also cautions all of God’s people not to mingle with the world and says, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” We, as God’s priests, must not mingle nor touch the things of this world but rather commune with God by entering the Holy of Holies through the blood of Jesus. We are not to be conformed to this world but rather “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Paul said, “'Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me,’ says the Lord almighty.” References: Psalm 106:34-39; Isaiah Chapter 5; I John 2:15-17; Hebrews 3:12-14; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Romans 12:2 (Hear the entire message below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. David was incited (provoked, urged, and stimulated) by Satan to number Israel. Satan appealed to David’s pride and David was curious to take an inventory of his army’s power and numbers. God was greatly displeased with David’s actions and even his general, Joab, was alarmed when he was ordered to carry out David’s command. David acknowledged and confessed his sin to God by saying, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” God wanted David to understand that it was not his strength, wisdom, or ability that brought him many victories, but it was God alone that enabled him to conquer his enemies. God further instructed the prophet Gad to give David the choice of three punishments for his disobedience. “…either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the LORD, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.” “…and David said to Gad, ‘I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great. But do not let me fall into the hand of man.’” God struck Israel with judgment, and 70,000 men perished from a pandemic pestilence carried out by an angel of the Lord with a drawn sword. David knew there was hope in the midst of this calamity and held on to his God of mercy and grace! He obeyed God’s command to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. “Then David built an altar to the LORD there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And he called to the LORD and He answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering. The LORD commanded the angel, and he put his sword back in its sheath.” Today, the altar of the Lord is in our hearts, and we must minister to God as His priests and bring Him an offering of praise and thanksgiving – for God inhabits the praise of His people. We have been granted access into the Holy of Holies through the sacrificial blood of Jesus where we meet with God and call down His presence to push back the darkness in the world today. Build Me an altar! References: I Chronicles 21; Psalm 22:3; Acts 27:15-18 (Audio of message not available.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. God called Abraham when he was 75 years old to leave his home in Ur of the Chaldees and journey to the land of Canaan. This was the land He was promising to Abraham and his descendants forever. The Canaanites were a culture living in darkness serving Baal and other false gods. They practiced witchcraft, and spirits of darkness were in control of the land influencing the nature of the Canaanite people. However, God had a plan to use Abraham as a forerunner to “push back the powers of darkness” and prepare the way for Joshua to conquer the Promised Land for His people, Israel. In fact, after Abraham arrived at Shechem, God appeared to him and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord and called upon the Name of the Lord. Abraham, an obedient and faithful servant of God, knew that he was facing a spiritual warfare with the powers of darkness and Satan. He went directly to his Source of strength, wisdom, might and life and “He called upon the Name of the Lord,” to push back the dark forces of evil in the land. Abraham traveled on from there and pitched his tent between Bethel on the West and Ai on the East, and yes, once again, “He built an altar to the Lord and called upon the Name of the Lord.” As God’s children we, too, like Abraham, must establish prayer altars in our own personal lives, our families, our work places, our churches and throughout our nation. These prayer altars today are not to be stone monuments or physical structures, but the altar of God in our hearts. These altars are hearts devoted to God through Christ Jesus in worship, adoration and praise to Him. The voluminous reading of God’s word is imperative and a sincere urgency to minister to God through Jesus as His devoted priests are a must to call down His presence. We are to enter the Holy of Holies in God’s very presence through the atoning blood of Christ and offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving due to Him. God inhabits the praises of His people! God’s presence therefore will push back the darkness of evil forces seeking to destroy the communion He so desires between Himself and His beloved children. References: Genesis 12:1-7; Psalm 22:3 (Hear the entire message below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. Have you ever found yourself in a situation when someone has said to you, “Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”? Perhaps on certain occasions they did know what they were doing and, unfortunately, sometimes it proved out that they didn’t know after all, and your trust in them was dashed to pieces. However, when the Living God says to trust Him and have faith in Him alone, you can be most certain that God knows what He is doing! Moses addressed God’s people and reminded them of their covenant with Him. He told them to listen and be attentive to God’s word and to perform and do His commands. They were further instructed not to add nor take away from His Word. They were to trust and obey God only. Moses continued to say, “For all the men who followed Baal-Peor (a pagan god), the Lord your God has destroyed them from among you. But you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today, every one of you.” What a marvelous promise to us today, to those who are obedient and hold fast to God (meaning to cleave), for we also are destined for the promise of life! It is one thing to say I trust and have faith in God, but we must remember these sober words from Jesus when He said, “And why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” He was emphasizing the importance of trust and faith and backing up confession with obedience. Samuel also spoke to his generation and said, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” Yes, man will disappoint us and often fail to know everything, but Jesus, our risen Savior, will never deceive nor fail us nor ever give us a snake instead of a fish. We can trust Him for He alone is the way, the truth, and the life! References: I Samuel 15:22; Deuteronomy 4; Isaiah 30; John 14:6; Luke 11:11 (Hear the entire message below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. When the spies of Israel reported back to Moses from their journey of forty days throughout the Promised Land, they were fearful, they trembled, and were overwhelmed with their own inferiority before their enemy of giant people and walled cities. They said, “We went in to the land where you sent us, and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak (giants) there…” They also instilled fear in the congregation by saying, “We became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” The spies were defeated within, without ever drawing a sword and trusting God for victory. However, there were two faithful and obedient leaders, Joshua and Caleb, who boldly declared, “Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they shall be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” What a distinction between the person who has God-confidence and he who is self-confident. He who is faithful to God doesn’t grow weary and faint because he depends upon the unfathomable resources of God through Christ Jesus. He’s certain of victory because his confidence is in the Victor! Are you learning to depend on the Living God regardless of the “giants of adversity” in your life? If so, you will experience the daily victories belonging to the confident, faithful, and obedient children of God. Can you say with confidence along with Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”? References: Numbers 13-14; Philippians 4:13 (Hear the entire message below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. We are currently witnessing the military takeover of a sovereign nation by a standing army that has no identifying flag or insignias on their uniforms. This mystery military arrived in Ukraine in military trucks with Russian license plates. The Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, says there are no Russian troupes in Ukraine. The soldiers even cover their faces with masks and bandanas to hide their identity. Isaiah 22:7-8: Your choicest valleys are full of chariots, and horsemen are posted at the city gates: The defenses of Judah are stripped away. How can you fight an army who cannot be identified; to whom could you turn for help and safety? How would you know where their allegiance is? Cannot the same person hide in plain sight once his mask is off! This is the work influenced by the great deceiver of deceivers himself. The people do not know who they can turn to— they are indeed caught in a trap. Psalm 5:8-9: Lead me, O Lord in your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight your way before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit. Is it clear to the world that you are a Christian, a Christ follower, or do you look so much like the world that no one knows where your allegiance lies? Is Jesus Christ your “commander?” Is it evident to others that Jesus is the one you serve? We were rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of Light. Now, we are the light of the world and wear garments of righteousness. Do not hide or hold back.—be a searchlight! When people see you, what do they see? Wherever you go, do they see that light shining; do they see good works of the Holy Spirit of God? Pray to hear and do what Jesus commands; let that light shine forth and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16: You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Listen to entire sermon below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. Just as in any military, if you aren’t prepared for battle—you’re most likely going to DIE! Anyone not ready, needs to get ready, or the enemy will know you are easy pickings. We are in a battle here on earth, too…the battle to fight God’s adversaries…the world, the flesh and the devil. If you haven’t noticed, our marriages and families are under relentless attack, churches are filled with moral failures and bitter divisions and God’s standards are being mocked and challenged throughout our culture. These are constant battles and you need to be ready to fight them…on God’s terms. Holiness is critical in these battles…remove sin from ruling you, trust God and do not fear, be vigilant of God’s ways and be single minded for Jesus and not yourself. If you practice these things, God can do wonders through holy warriors who are surrendered to His will. In Him—we win every battle! [Scripture References: 2 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 8:31; Joshua 7:13] (Listen to entire message below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. Paul walked in a very close and intimate relationship with Jesus, and he was mightily anointed by God’s Spirit to preach the gospel to all men. His journey of faith came with a price of suffering mentally, physically, and spiritually. He was tested by God and, like so many other followers of Jesus, he was proven to be faithful to the end. At one point in the scriptures, Paul elaborated on the specific accostings and brutal punishments he experienced by the enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul never would have survived such ordeals and trials if he didn’t believe that God’s grace and salvation were sufficient for such times in his life. Paul wrote to the Corinthians and, speaking from his own experiences of trusting God unconditionally for His salvation in the moment, he said, “And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says, 'at the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the Day of Salvation I helped you.' Behold now is 'the acceptable time,' behold, now is 'the day of salvation'”. He also spoke these encouraging words, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” After all, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. How about you? Are you experiencing God’s salvation through Jesus and depending on Him for your salvation in every moment of your life? The Psalmist wrote, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” References: 2 Corinthians 11:23-33; 2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Philippians 4:11-13; Psalm 46:1 (Hear the entire message below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. A destiny awaits every soul that has been or ever will be born into this world. Thank God that He has given to all a free will to choose our fate. Every moment and every ounce of energy in a person’s life can be either spent running to God faithfully bound to Him through Christ Jesus bringing to pass eternal salvation— or running away from Him resulting in eternal death. Sadly, multitudes are myopic and near sighted, and choose to live in the moment to experience the temporal pleasures and enticements, and yield to the temptations that Satan, the god of this world, has to offer them. These souls have been deceived to believe a lie and are undiscerning as Satan disguises and transforms himself as an angel of light. Jesus explained that there are two ways of life, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” We have often heard the expression, “Run for your life,” and that’s exactly what the writer of Hebrews is saying, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance (patience) the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” One thing remains for sure—to prevaricate is not an option! To prevaricate means to stray from or evade the truth. The Latin root means to straddle. Doesn’t that sound familiar in today’s society? Simply put, run to live or run to die! 2 Corinthians 11:14; Hebrews 12:1, 2; Matthew 7:13, 14 (Hear the entire message below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. |
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