Video Sermons by Archbishop Foley Beach

The Sermons on the Amount, Part 4 - The Devastation of Debt

The Sermons on the Amount, Part 4 - The Devastation of Debt

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

This Sermon series assembles important Biblical references to all aspects of money and finances and their influence and impact on us; therefore, helping us to apply these Scriptures to our lives today. The reason for this series is because money and possessions have captivated our culture; and the Bible gives us specific instructions regarding how we should handle money.

Debt is the obligation to pay back what is owed, while being in bondage to another person. Additionally, being in debt means we are presumptuous about the future, as we are told in James 4:13-14: “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.".

The effects of debt on our lives include: 1) producing bondage to creditors; 2) causing us to evade self-examination; 3) interfering with God’s provision; 4) damaging to God’s reputation; 5) promoting impulse buying; 6) promoting impulse spending; and 7) stealing our resources through high interest payments.

Suggestions for dealing with the effects of personal debt on you and your families: 1) start where you are and intentionally get out of debt – a purpose in your heart as a priority; 2) it is OK to ask for help; 3) live within your means; 4) pay with cash or a debit card and stop using credit cards; 5) begin to save as much as you can; and 6) ask God to help you – pray daily for God’s guidance and wisdom. Get out of debt and don’t be a slave to debt. As Jesus tells you in Matthew 7:26-27: “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”.

God is a faithful; pray for His help guidance in your debt and financial situation before it is too late.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12f

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 7:24-27; Proverbs 22:7; Deuteronomy 15:6; Proverbs 27:1; James 4:13-14; Philippians 4:19. (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.).

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers Have a Personal Relationship with the Creator of the Universe So Pray, Listen, and Be Patient for God’s Call”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

The Sermons on the Amount, Part 3 - You are God's Supervisor

The Sermons on the Amount, Part 3 - You are God's Supervisor

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

This Sermon series assembles important Biblical references to all aspects of money and finances and their influence and impact on us; therefore,  helping us to apply these Scriptures to our lives today. The reason for this series is because money and possessions have captivated our culture.

Jesus’ “Parable of the Talents”, in Matthew 25:14-30, tells us a great deal about our responsibilities and accountability regarding the “talents” that God has given us – also, we are to supervise these “talents” that God has given us. We have been given different “talents” by God; and God will give us blessings based on how we supervised the “talents” which He has given us; however, God will punish us if our supervision is not acceptable to Him.

Stewardship – we are God’s Supervisors, which is an awesome responsibility. As God declared and challenged us in Genesis 1:26-27: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.". Therefore, humankind is supervisor all that God, the Creator of the Universe, created.

With this awesome responsibility of stewardship, God has given us some instructions in Scripture to help us in this responsibility: 1) God has entrusted us with those “talents” that He has given us and He provides the opportunity for more; 2) God expects us to use what He has given us and according to His will – involve God in the process; 3) God has provided for our needs and enjoyment but, also, God expects us to address the needs of others; 4) God expects us to work using our “talents”, skills, and gifts; 5) God expects us to abide with His principles regarding money – a) the first part of our “increase” is Holy and Sacred to God (God is owner), b) tithing (God owns all and the first 10 percent is returned to Him as the prophet Malachi tells us in Malachi 3:10: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse {e.g., Church}, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.".). c) giving is Worship, and d) saving; and 6) God will hold us accountable. God has entrusted us with what He has given, and He has provided us with the opportunity for more.

You cannot out give God; and God is always faithful.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12f

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 25:14-30; Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 21:31-41; 1 Timothy 6:17; Acts 20:35; Genesis 2:15; Proverbs 14:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 18:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 3:9-10; Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:8-12; Proverbs 23:5; Exodus 23:15; Proverbs 6:6-8. (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.).

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “To Be a Jesus Follower, You Must First Enter the Only Door to God’s Kingdom and that Door is Jesus – the Door to Eternal Life”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

The Sermons on the Amount - Part 2 "Owner - A Question: Who is Lord Over All?"

The Sermons on the Amount - Part 2  "Owner - A Question: Who is Lord Over All?"

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

This Sermon series assembles important Biblical references to all aspects of money and finances and their influence and impact on us; therefore,  helping us to apply these Scriptures to our lives today. The reason for this series is because money and possessions have captivated our culture.

In Colossians 1:16, Paul establishes Jesus’ Divinity and primacy: “For him {Jesus} all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.". Jesus is the Creator and owner of all things both Earthly and Universally. Also, the Psalmist, in Psalms 24:1-2, establishes the supremacy of God’s “ownership” of all things: “The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.".

God’s aspects of “ownership” include our: 1) time – we can’t change time or add time to a twenty-four-hour day or our earthly lives; 2) land – we are but passing through with only temporary stewardship for the land we occupy before our death; 3) animals – God created and owns all animal life; 4) gold, money and finances – as God tells us in Haggai 2:8: “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts.”; and 5) all that we possess (tangible and intangible) – health, mind, family heritage, creativity, bodies.  

When we realize that Jesus owns everything, even though we have worked hard to obtain and enjoy the benefits of land, money, time and the other tangible and intangible components of our lives then and only then do we obtain a freedom to truly live our lives to the fullest. Everything that we “have” and “enjoy” is because of and from the ownership of God, as we are told in 1 Chronicles 29:14-15: “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.”.

Jesus is either the Lord over all, or He is not the Lord at all! In the New Testament, the word “Lord” means the one that rules over us for our own good. In these times today, we must be intentional to have Jesus as the “Lord” over our lives, money and possessions. Intellectually, we must come to a place where we recognize and accept that Jesus is the owner. Most people in Western Christianity never come to this realization and acceptance of Jesus’ ownership and “Lord” over all.

The Lord wants to bless us and reward us while we recognize His ownership and use, to His name, of all that He has permitted us to use and possess in our lifetime. It helps to openly acknowledge God’s ownership of all that we possess – acknowledge to God that we are in partnership with Him for all that He has permitted us to possess while we are on this earth.

In his writings, Andrew Murray recommends guidelines that we: 1) receive all our money with thanksgiving and as coming from God; 2) lay everything down before God as belonging to Him; 3) let our dealings with money be a part of our spiritual life; and 4) make the study of the Word of God, relating to finances and money, become a key part of our lives.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 6:19-24; Colossians 1:15-20; Psalms 24:1-2; 2 Peter 3:8; Matthew 6:27; Leviticus 25:23; Daniel 4:17-30; Deuteronomy 8:18: Psalms 50:10; Matthew 6:26; Haggai 2:8; Job 1:20-21;   1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Chronicles 29:14-15. (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.).

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “God Sees Jesus Followers as “In Christ”: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus””: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

The Sermon on the Amount – Part 1 “Where Your Treasure Is”

The Sermon on the Amount – Part 1 “Where Your Treasure Is”

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

This sermon begins a series which assembles important Biblical references to all aspects of money and finances and their influence and impact to help apply this Scripture to our lives today. The reason for this series is because money and possessions have captivated our culture.

Jesus discusses “money” in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:19-21): “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.". The Bible does not condemn the accumulation of wealth and possessions. Rather, the Bible encourages hard work to produce and save wealth and possessions in combination with related generosity and thankfulness while always remembering that all “treasure” comes from God and is God’s. It is clear, from the Bible, that God wants to bless us with what is necessary to live fruitful lives during our earthly life. However, the key to Jesus’ warning, in Matthew 6:19-21, is ourselves and not the act of deriving money and “treasure”. It is when “money” and “treasure” and the process of their accumulation becomes an idol of ourselves then our lives’ focus leads to our greed and materialism and away from a Kingdom focus.

The Biblical reference to the “heart” represents our eye and soul of who we are – our lives’ focus. If our “heart” is generous, we will have the insight into the light of God’s Kingdom. However, if we are greedy and self-focused then we will become “self-deceived” – not seeing reality. Jesus emphasizes that we cannot serve (i.e. single-minded focus upon) both God and “money”. God could care less about our “money”; God is concerned about our “hearts”. If our “heart” is in the right place, them our “money” will be in the right place.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 6:19-21; Proverbs 6:6; 1 Timothy 4:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:17; Matthew 6:22-23; Psalms 119:10; Psalms 119:19; James 1:5; 2 Corinthians 9:11; Matthew 6:24; Luke 12:16-21; (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.).

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Our Relationship with God Is Based Solely on Our Relationship with God, and He Desires to Have a Relationship with Each of Us”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Prayer for America

Prayer for America

Message Summary:

As Americans, we are a privileged people, all of us, to live in a country, relative to the rest of the world, that is privileged. The key element of this :privilege” is freedom. However, something has been changing -- we are seeing many of the freedoms and blessings of America changing into curses. For example, our obsession with materialism has put most Americans into the bondage of debt; and our drive to feel happy has led many into the addiction of drugs and alcohol. We must all realize that our freedoms and liberties must be used for Godly purposes, or we will lose our freedoms. As we are told in Psalms 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!".

Today, through our actions, laws, and the cultural revisions of our founding Christian principles, we have told God that we don't want Him around. While God is love, He is, also, justice. Therefore, God has obliged us; and He has done what He said He would do -- God is withdrawing His presence and His protection and holding back His divine wisdom, which has guided us for so many years. God is leaving us to reap the consequences of our focus away from Him and to lives without Him. The signers of the Declaration of Independence began a revolution which started the United States of America.

The American Revolution was rooted in the belief that all people, even the King and governmental leaders, are subject to the rule of God and not above the law; and everyone is endowed by God, our Creator, with certain inalienable rights.

Many people have tried to deny that America's founders created a country which wove together the idea of self-governance with Christian principles. With God’s Ten Commandments as the cornerstone of our Democracy, most Americans and those others living in our country cannot name even three of the Ten Commandments. If a Christian religious context was assumed, by the founders of America and the government based on the Constitution, it seems we have a significant problem in our culture today. Now, it appears, America’s focus is to get rid of all things relating America to Christianity, the Bible, or anything that smacks of God – and, pretty much, these efforts to remove God’s influence from the public square appear to be succeeding.

Today, we must all Pray for America – to carve out a time each day when we, each and every one of us, prays for America. In our prayers, we must confess our sins as individuals and collectively as a country. Additionally, we must pray for our President, Members of Congress, the Supreme Court, and our other leaders and those others in authority. Our Prayers for America should pray for the moral issues of today; blessings and protection for our leaders that are walking the walk of their Christian faith; and for a Spiritual Revival and Awakening in America.

We will not survive as a nation unless the people of God stand up before God and plead for the survival of America. Spiritual laws are like the laws of physics – they are absolute unless another force intervenes. Therefore, as America increases its violation of God’s laws at an increasing rate, we will face both the implicit and explicit consequences of violating God’s laws unless He intervenes – we must pray for God’s intervention!

Paul instructs us for our prayers in 1 Timothy 2:1-6: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.". We must make Praying for America and, personally, for its leaders a priority in our lives. If we are praying, then God will show us what to do.

Only the intervention of God will change the downward direction of America, and we must ask through our prayers. God has intervened before, and He will do it again. America was built on prayer, as we learn from the writings of Benjamin Franklin, and upon the Christian faith of our founders.

Will You pray for America and take responsibility for the survival America and its blessings and freedoms for our country today and for our children and grandchildren in the future?

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):Psalms 33:12; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; James 1:4; Proverbs 3:5-6; (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “As a Jesus Follower, the Greatest Witness for the Gospel that You Can Give Is for Others to See Jesus IN You”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

On this Fourth of July Week, Will You "Stand in the Gap" for Our County to Participate in and Lead a Great Awakening and Spiritual Renewal in America?

On this Fourth of July Week, Will You "Stand in the Gap" for Our County to Participate in and Lead a Great Awakening and Spiritual Renewal in America?

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

On July 4, 1776, the signers of the Declaration of Independence began a revolution which started the United States of America. The Revolution was rooted in the belief that all people, even the King and governmental leaders, are subject to the rule of God and not above the law and; and everyone is endowed by God, our Creator, with certain inalienable rights. Many people have tried to deny that America's founders created a country which wove together the idea of self-governance with Christian principles. Now, it appears, the focus is to get rid of things relating America to Christianity, the Bible, or anything that smacks of God – and, pretty much these efforts to remove God’s influence from the public square, appear to be succeeding. We need to hear, in Today’s sermon, what our founders said regarding America’s Christian base.

However, not long after the enactment of the Constitution in the late 1700s, morality and church attendance declined drastically into a Spiritual Depression. The answer became the nationwide implementation of "Concerts of Prayer", across all Christian denominations, that led to an American Spiritual Awakening.

Today, through our actions, laws, and cultural revisions of our founding Christian principles, we have told God that we don't want Him around. Therefore, God has obliged us; and He has done what He said He would do -- God is withdrawing His presence and His protection and holding back His divine wisdom, which has guided us for so many years. God is leaving us to reap the consequences of our focus away from Him and without Him.

The Lord Said through Ezekiel: "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.". We must have a Spiritual Awakening, in our country, beginning today!  Will You "Stand in the Gap"?

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12f

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ezekiel 22:30; Daniel 4:28-32; Matthew 22:19-21; Isaiah 29:8-21; (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.).

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Is Your Faith Yours, or Is Your Faith a Faith Derivative of the Faith of Others?”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Wake Up America!

Wake Up America!

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

Paul points out to us, in Romans1:18, that God is not a disinterested bystander in either our lives or the life of our country: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.".

From the end of WWI, in 1918, through the middle of the 1930s, Hitler and the National Socialist Party coopted the Christian Churches in Germany as the National Socialists rose to power politically, thereby, reducing Germany to only one state-supported religion. Also, the National Socialists coopted all of Germany’s political parties to reduce Germany to a one-party country.

Is the Christian Church, here in the US, abdicating its role, as the Christian Church did in Germany, by not speaking with a voice that is heard against the changing culture? As followers of Jesus, we and our churches need to wake up to the cultural changes that are opposed to Jesus’ teachings and the Bible.

The US was created, by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, to be a “country of laws”; and the founding legal context for these laws was the Ten Commandments of God. However, our current and evolving culture, and its related value system, is opposed to the Ten Commandments of God.

As we adhere to the new culture and its values, we are in opposition to God and the basic tenants of Christianity. Therefore, our departure from God positions us for the Wrath of God as posited in Romans 1:18. God’s Wrath may well take the form of God turning us over to our lusts, desires and the outcomes of this changed culture – as we walk away from God, He may walk away from us.

It is not too late for the US to wake up! As God told Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.". God has instructed us that He will forgive us if we: 1) humble ourselves: 2) seek Him, not our culture; 3) turn from wicked ways; and 4) pray. Will America wake up and follow God’s instructions?

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13

A Word From The Lord Website Link: www.awordfromthelord.org

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Romans1:18; 2 Chronicles 7:14;  (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.).

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “God, the Father, Is Spirit; Jesus Followers Must Worship the Father in Spirit and Truth with Reality and Honesty and Not a Façade”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

When Facing Difficult Circumstances, Look to Jesus as Our Great High Priest

When Facing Difficult Circumstances, Look to Jesus as Our Great High Priest

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

Introduction – Why don’t we go to God when things get difficult? Jesus is Our Great High Priest; and we have access to Him, at any time, through prayer.

Today’s Message – In the Jewish Temple Worship, the Great High Priest was called by God from the Jewish Tribe of Levi; and he represented the people before God, and he represented God to the people. However, the Great High Priest of the Temple was human and a sinner, thereby, requiring sacrifices to God daily to atone for his own sin as well as the sins of the people of the Temple.

Jesus, like the Temple’s Great High Priest, was appointed by God; but Jesus represented all humanity before God through His prayers. Also, Jesus represented God, His Father, to the people through His preaching and teaching. Additionally, and like the Temple’s Great high Priest, Jesus provided a sacrifice to God for the sins of the people. However, Jesus sacrifice was permanent and “once offered for the sins of the whole world” and forever. In Hebrews 5:9-10, the author of Hebrews tells us that: “{Jesus} And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.". Jesus priesthood, unlike the Temple’s Great High Priest, was a “permanent Priesthood” with limitless power. Therefore, Jesus is able offer complete Salvation to all that come to Him. Again, the author of Hebrews, in Hebrews 7:26-27, presents how Jesus, is Our Great High Priest and how Jesus differs from the Temple’s Great Hight Priest: “For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He {Jesus} has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.".

Since Jesus is Our great High Priest, the author of Hebrews admonishes us, in Hebrews 4:16, to hold fast to Jesus as Our great High Priest and to not let go. In Hebrews 4:15-16, we are told why we are so privileged with Jesus as Our Great High Priest: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.".

Since Jesus has been designated by God as Our Great High Priest for our intercessions with God, we have Jesus, as Our Great High Priest in our times off difficulties and needs. Therefore, when times get difficult for us, we have no excuse for not going Our Great High Priest, Jesus, with troubles. Through Our great High Priest, God is merciful and full of grace; and God will meet our needs.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus’ name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Hebrews 5:1-10 ; Psalms 2:7; Psalms 110:4; Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:1-26: Romans 8:35; Hebrews 4:15-16;  (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.).

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WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers Have Eternal Life, Even Before their Earthly Death, Because Whoever “believes him {God} who sent me {Jesus}””: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/

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Five Needs of Fathers

Five Needs of Fathers

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

Introduction -- Father's, we need to understand God's expectations of Fathers. In  Ephesians 6:4, Paul defines God’s expectations of fathers: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.". Also, Proverbs 22:6 presents what expectations we might have if fathers adhere to God’s expectations: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.". Dads are to bring up their children in "the way they should go" (their calling).

Discipline, wisely administered by fathers, is an important attribute and need for fathers, as the author of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 12:9-11: “. . . we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”.

Today’s Message -- The Five Needs of Dads: 1) Companionship -- Genesis 2:18, the majority of men were made not to be alone; 2) Respect – honor, appreciation, respect, as Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:33: “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."; 3) Know How to Face Temptation -- when we are tempted (temptation is not a sin) God will provide us a way out of succumbing to the temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13; 4) Not to Be Foolish -- Proverbs 13:20; and 5) and Remember that God Expects You to Be a Dad -- Ephesians 6:4 and Proverbs 22:6, dads are to train their children so that their children are raised “in the way he should go’ and in a way that meets God’s expectations of both the dad and the child. Men are motivated when they know they will be held accountable, and God is holding us accountable for how we fathers raise our children.

There is a void of faithful men and fathers today; therefore, dad’s, should ask God to help you to be faithful as a father. Fathers should hope that, when we are judged by God, He tells us: “Well done good and faithful servant!”.

“God, how many more {hours, days, and years} do I have, as a father, to meet your expectations and to receive the joys of being a father”

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus’ name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6; Genesis 2:18; Proverbs 19:22; Ephesians 5:33; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Proverbs 13:20; Hebrews 12:9-11;  (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.).

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “For Jesus Followers, Fasting, with Food, Will Symbolize a Victory Over Oneself and Solidify a Personal Relationship with God”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/

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The Day of Pentecost – The Promise Fulfilled (All Saints Anglican Church; Peachtree City, GA)

The Day of Pentecost – The Promise Fulfilled (All Saints Anglican Church; Peachtree City, GA)

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

The Day of Pentecost – The Promise Fulfilled (All Saints Anglican Church; Peachtree City, GA)

In 1900, a Roman Catholic Nun obeyed the voice of the Lord, and she wrote to Pope Leo encouraging him to pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This request began a chain of events: a nun wrote a letter; a Pope and his Cardinals prayed; and the world received a Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit through many Christian denominations during a great revival in the early twentieth century.

Today, the world, along with all of us, needs to be renewed with a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost, initially, was about: people being filled with the Holy Spirit; people received Spiritual gifts; and people witnessing for Jesus. On this initial day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and preached a sermon. Afterwards, he was asked: “What must we do to be saved?”. Peter responded in Acts 2:38-39: “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’". These events of the initial Pentecost and from the various revivals of the 20^th Century relating to the Charismatic Movements are normal Christianity; this outpouring of the Holy Spirit is what God intends for His people. If we are going to have a growing relationship with Jesus, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit who enables us to know and commune with the Lord. The Holy Spirit will never lead followers of Jesus in any thing that contradicts the Bible, God’s Word. In recent times, there have been teachings, regarding the Holy Spirit, that do not conform to the Bible.

Too many of us are trying to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit. The question is asked: “When do we receive the Holy Spirit?”. We cannot put God in a box regarding a timing for the receipt of the Holy Spirit. However, a better question is: “Have we received the Holy Spirit?”. We are told in John 3:8: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.". Therefore, the real question should be: “Does the Holy Spirit have me?”. Until we surrender our lives to Jesus, the Holy Spirit cannot indwell our lives and lead us. The best answer to the timing our receipt of the Holy Spirit is: “We should receive the Holy Spirit every day.”. We should pray every day for the Holy Spirit to fill us.

We know that, if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are given the “fruit of the Spirit”, as described by Paul in Galatians 5:16-26: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will bear the fruits of the Spirit and not the flesh. However, if we sin, we are not in the Holy Spirit. Pentecost reminds us that if we yield our lives to the will of God through the Holy Spirit, we are filled with the Holy Spirit; and we are given Spiritual gifts to witness for Jesus. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit; others see Jesus in us – this countenance of Jesus, seen through our lives, is the most powerful tool a Christian can have for evangelism.

Are you grieving the Holy Spirit or are you filled with the Holy Spirit?

 

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Acts 1:5; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Acts 2:38-39; Galatians 5:16-26; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Philippians 4:13; John 3:8; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 12:9-31; Ephesians 4:30-32.

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Daniel’s Prayer Was “seeking him {God} by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting . . . ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God . . . we have sinned and done wrong’””: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/

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