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Speaker 2Good evening , good evening . God bless you , wherever you are this evening across the earth . We thank you so much for joining us in the Lord's house and everybody online , wherever you are right at this moment in time . May God bless you , and we thank God for all those in the world of podcasting and tens of thousands of downloads across the earth Absolutely phenomenal . We're going to turn to the book of Job . We're going to go to the book of Job , chapter one . Yes , you heard me laughing my voice . Yeah , I've tried to come away from this this evening because I didn't really want to go into it myself , but we are going to go into the book of Job , chapter one , verse six , through to 12 . So , wherever you are this evening , thank you for joining us for this live stream broadcast across the world . Thank you for all those that join us in the world of podcast and wherever you are this evening .
Speaker 2It's really important that you never give up . You never give up , you never give in . God is with you wherever you are . But before we go any further , let's just pray . We're going to go to the Old Testament , to the book of Job , chapter 1 , verse 6 . And we're going to go down to verse 12 . Then we'll go to Psalm 66 . And we will go to 1 Peter , chapter 5 , verse 10 . And we'll have a quick read in a few moments , but let's just pray . Dear God and Heavenly Father , we come before you right now in the mighty name of Jesus , point of your spirit over our lives . We bring each and every one of us before you right now , lord , that you will speak directly to us . We pray , father , that you will remove certain people from our lives . Lord , that you will clean our circle up that we walk with and who we walk with . That in Lord , we pray , father , that you will remove those that are controlling us , those that have got other agendas for our lives . We pray that you will remove them . In the name of Jesus , we pray Father , that you'll put people around us that are spirit-filled , blessed and highly favoured , that will carry us when we're tired , carry us when we're weary , carry us when we're exhausted . Carry us , lord , when we feel that there's no further road to go . Father , we pray right now for such an outpouring of your spirit , lord , that not just over us , but people around us , lord , that you will just strengthen us .
Speaker 2Lord , I think of as we're in prayer at this moment in time . I think of that great biblical text where that man just could not grab each corner of his in our lives . That will carry us to Jesus when we're tired , when we're weary , when we're exhausted , when we got no way forward . Lord , that you will just carry us , lord , that you will help us and you will guide us . But , lord , put people in our lives , four people that will carry us to Jesus , four people that will just lift us up and get us to Christ , get us to the cross , lord . We pray for all those that are weary . We pray for all those cross , lord , we pray for all those that are weary . We pray for all those that are tired . We pray for all those that just feel completely spent out of everything , all those that are exhausted , all those that are just completely run dry of everything . We pray , father , that you will bless those that are just weary , tired , exhausted tonight . Lord , that you will give strength to the weary . Lord , that you will give hope to those that feel hopeless . So , lord , as we come to you right now , we pray for such an out point of your spirit , lord , that you will move clearly , and Lord , that we will feel the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit . Lord , you are a good God , you are the King of Kings and you are the Lord of Lords . And as we come before you , lord , we pray , lord , that you will move by your spirit over each and every one of us , that your glory will rest on us , that your love will touch our hearts , lord , that you will move through us . Lord , in the mighty name of Jesus Christ . But , lord , we ask you now that you will just strengthen us , that you will carry us , that you will just give us a hope and a future . Lord will carry us , that you will just give us a hope and a future .
Speaker 2Lord , we pray for those that are looking for freedom . We pray for those that are looking for a place to rest . We pray for those that are looking for a place to be still and know that we are , that you are God and that we are resting in you . But tonight , lord , come Holy Spirit , will you move over us tonight ? Lord ? Will you give us freedom tonight ? Lord , will you strengthen us tonight ? Lord , come Holy Spirit , will you move over us tonight ? Lord ? Will you give us freedom tonight ? Lord , will you strengthen us tonight ? Lord , will you bless us tonight , lord ? Lord , you stripped us back , lord , and we're tired and we're weary and we need you , jesus Come . Holy Spirit In Jesus' name , amen , brothers and sisters , if you turn to the book of Job Job , chapter 1 , job , chapter 1 with us this evening , and we're going to Job , chapter 1 , verse 6 , and we're going to read it down to verse 12 .
Speaker 2And as we go on a little bit further , we'll just press these scriptures . The title is pretty simple and it's Lord , not me . Lord . I don't want this done to me , lord . When you understand Job's life , when you see what's happened to his life , you know it's so easy , it's so easy to look at our lives and we can think to ourselves Lord , why , why Lord ? But then the question is Job says why not me ? Why not me ? This is a book that seems to be a book that is feared of . This seems to be a book that is not got into much . This seems to be a book that we don't stretch our eyes in . Verse six of Job , chapter one One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord , and Satan also came with them .
Speaker 2The Lord said to Satan when have you come from ? Satan answered the Lord From roaming here , there and back and forth across the earth . Then the Lord said to Satan have you not considered my servant , job ? There is no one on earth like him . He is blamelesseless and upright , a man who fears God and shuns evil . Does Job fear God for nothing ? Satan replied have you not put a hedge of fire around his household and everything that he has ? You have blessed the work of his hands so that his flocks , herds , spread throughout the land . But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has and he will surely curse you to your face . But the Lord said to Satan very well , very well then , everything he has is in your hands , but on the man himself do not lay a finger . Then Satan went off from out of the presence of the Lord .
Speaker 2When you look at that scripture it can be quite frightening , because there are churches out there , there are ministries out there that we're all very familiar with . There are churches , there are ministries , there are ministers out there that are telling you that everything will be perfect and everything will be wonderful and everything will be smooth when you follow Jesus Christ . But if there is turbulence in your life , if there are things happening and you feel that it is out of your control and you feel that there's no way forward . You just keep praying . You feel that there's no way forward . You just keep praying .
Speaker 2When you look at Job's life , when you look at this man , it says that he was a man of righteousness . He was an upright man . There was no one on earth like him at this particular point . He was God-fearing . He feared God and he walked with God and he followed God and he rested with God . It just shows you very , very clearly that there will be trials in our lives . There will be situations in our lives that will stretch us beyond human understanding .
Speaker 2I just want you to turn right now , staying in the book of Job , job 23 . Look at Job 23 . If you look at Job , chapter 23 , and just flick over the page , when you look at what this scripture says Job 23 , verse 10 , and it says but he knows the way that I take . When he has tested me , I shall come forth as gold . When you look at these scriptures that we're in tonight , they are completely the opposite to what religion says , to certain areas of Pentecostalism . They're completely the opposite to what certain areas of church and ministers say .
Speaker 2God stretches us . God takes us to the wire . God takes us to a place sometimes where we feel that there is no return . You've only got to go into the New Testament , You've only got to go and look about the story of Christ , the fact story of Christ . Before the evening of the Passover , the Bible says that he went to the garden of Gethsemane and he left three of them around the edge of the garden . And it says that Christ went into the garden of Gethsemane and he kneeled and he laid on the floor and he began to pray . And the Bible says that he stretched out so hard that he prayed .
Speaker 2If it is possible to take this cup from me , I will let you know this very , very clear , and I think we're pretty familiar with this that God does not remove the situation , but what he does . He strengthens us . He strengthens us through the situation and what he does not remove the situation , but what he does . He strengthens us through the situation and what he does . He removes the certain people away from us , he removes certain situations away from us , but it is not immediate . It is not immediate . What God does ? He strengthens us where we are at this moment in time .
Speaker 2If you've come to the end of the road . If you've come to the end of the runway and you feel that you can't take off and you've come to the end of the road . If you've come to the end of the runway and you feel that you can't take off and you can't leave the runway and you are exhausted , think about Job . He just trusted God . God said everything on his environment , everything around him is yours , but you can't touch the man .
Speaker 2There's quite a difficult scripture . It's quite a difficult scripture to analyze and to unpack because it goes so far beyond human understanding and so beyond the reasoning of life . God , why ? That is the question that we have in so many areas of our lives . God , why ? But when you look at Job , at the very beginning of Job , it tells us that Job was an upright man , he was a righteous man , he followed God . He was righteous , he was pure , he followed God . And certain things in certain areas of our lives have to happen in certain times . What for ? Because it's known as a refiner's fire .
Speaker 2If you have a Bible in front of you and you would turn to the book of Psalm 66 , if you look in Psalm 66 , it's quite an interesting text , psalm 66 , but the Pentecostal movement and certain areas of church will always tell you that everything's okay , everything's going to be fine . God won't allow , god won't do , god won't put you through that . But God tests us , god tests our heart . He takes us to the wire to see how far we will go and to see what would happen if we give him full control . So often God takes us to a place that is very unfamiliar . God takes us to a place that can be quite tiring , quite exhausting . God will take us to a place known as the valley of the shadow of death . But in Psalm 66 , I'm just going to read a bit and just a slight portion of Psalm 66
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Speaker 2And when you look at verse 8 through to 12 , it gives us a bit more of an overview . It says Praise our God , o people . Let the sound of his praise be heard . He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping . But then the psalmist turns very slightly For you , o , god tested us , you refined us like silver . What does verse 11 say ? You brought us into prison . You laid burdens on our backs , you let men ride over our heads , we went through fire and water , but you brought us to a place of abundance .
Speaker 2It can be so difficult serving the Lord Jesus Christ , because certain areas of church will push you in such a way of telling you simply that if you've got problems there's something wrong with your life . Let me tell you this God will put adversity in our lives to bring us closer to him . God will do things in our lives . Of course he won't . Of course he will . If you look at the story of Jonah , jonah refused to do what God asked him to do . Jonah said I'm not going to deliver what you want me to deliver . I'm not going to do what you want me to do . But if you turn to Jonah , chapter one , roundabout verse four , it says that God brought a violent storm into his life . Sometimes God ruffles our feathers for us to go deeper into him . Sometimes God moves in our lives in such a way that we think it's the enemy , when it's actually God doing things in our lives to strengthen us and to get us to a place that he wants us to be . So if you was to study the story of Jonah and if you was to look at the book of Jonah , it says that God brought a storm that was violent and strong , but God also brought a way out for Jonah . He not only brought a storm to get his attention , he brought a storm to save him .
Speaker 2So often we go in our lives and we walk with people . We spend seasons with people in relationships , in work , in life that are not good for us . Certain areas of work , certain areas of culture , certain areas of family , certain areas of friends , certain areas of our lives . We need to analyze every area , every person , every situation . Are these people good for me ? Is this workspace good for me ? Is this culture ? And the reason I mentioned culture is very simple because we're all birthed into some form of culture . Every human being is birthed into some form of a cultural understanding .
Speaker 2I've got to be careful as well , because church as a certain culture , church as a certain way of presenting itself , if you are looking to the hand of God , not only will you get the hand of God , but you'll get the master's hands that will put you through the refiner's fire . When you look at certain areas of scripture , when you look at the prophets , when you look at the disciples , when you look at the word of God , even Jesus had to go through the valley of pain before the blessing would come . Sometimes we got a sacrifice first before the blessing comes to the door . But there is a church culture out there . You can look in certain areas of the prophetic ministry . You can look in certain areas of the financial area of what they talk about give , give , give , give , give and you will be blessed .
Speaker 2The majority of people that give , give , give are actually skint and worn out and tired of giving . When you look at certain areas of ministry and certain areas of church , it can be extremely dangerous and extremely bleak in certain areas . We've got to hit this point now and we've got to understand that you've got to be born again . We understand what being born again means . It means to be born from above . We understand what it actually means to be born of God , born through salvation , born through the word , born by the spirit , born through salvation , born through the word , born by the spirit , born through the spirit , born through the scripture .
Speaker 2So what it tells me through the word of God , without error , without any delay , it tells me that I will go through certain areas of my life that are seasonal . There will be certain areas that will be quite dark and quite bleak and quite tiring and quite exhausting . There will be seasons in our areas that will be quite dark and quite bleak and quite tiring and quite exhausting . There will be seasons in our lives that will be quite refreshing and quite amazing to certain areas that we've been through . But the majority of our lives , that we will find our lives in Psalm 23, . Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil . So when you realize what the psalmist is referring to in Psalm 23 , even though I walk through the darkest valley , I will fear . So what that means is that we've got to find our identity . But what the world and what culture and what family and what work and what business and what school and what education and what church and what religion wants to do . It wants to dress us in a certain way .
Speaker 2When you look at King Saul , when you look at King Saul and when you look at young David , the shepherd boy that took the sandwiches , and when he went up and that's what he was doing , he was taking the supply up to his brothers . That was in the Israel army and King Saul was the king at this particular point and they realized that they could not defeat Goliath . And you understand and we know the story , cutting a lot of this out . David finds himself in the battle line . David finds himself in a position that he didn't want to be in . He finds himself in a situation that was orchestrated by someone else . Now you've got to look at your life and think I did not choose that , I did not want that , I did not want that for my life , but suddenly I find myself in a position that suddenly has just arisen itself in my life . Now how do I deal with this situation ? So , when you look at Saul and you look at David , saul thought that he had the best answer for David to go into the battlefield .
Speaker 2Do not go into the battlefield with what people are trying to dress you in . When they dress you , you are not going in your identity , who you really are . There are many people in your life , my life , around our lives , that will want to dress us . They think that they know best for us . What do you mean ? Now , I'm not referring to clothing , I'm referring to control . It's like an onion . When you look at an onion , the layers , we got to ask God . You got to peel the layer off one by one to find and get to the core .
Speaker 2There are a lot of people in life and culture and work and business , in school , in relationships , in every area of life . There are lots of people in church and we have lost our identity and we don't know who we are because we've been dressed by other people . Other people want to clone us , other people want to dress us . And David looked in the eyes of Saul and he said I cannot go into the battle arena dressed as you want me to be dressed . If I go any further in this journey , I cannot wear what you are giving me . He said I've got to take it off .
Speaker 2There are many people in church , in life , in in areas of life . At this moment , I've got to go to the cross and say God , I cannot go anymore in the clothing that the outside world is dressing me with . If we continue to go in certain areas of our lives being dressed by other people , it will crush us and it will put us in front of Satan , it will put us in front of of Goliath and we will be crushed by the weight of what we are carrying . There are too many people in church , out of church , in life , around life , trying to dress you and trying to tell you who you are when you've got people like that in your life . They are trying to wrap you up into who they want you to be Brother and sister , wherever you are across the world . It's time to take the armor off that the world is giving you and put on the armor of God , because there is a calling for your life , there is a new beginning for your life , there are new days for your life , there are promises for your life . The best is before you .
Speaker 2But what we got to be careful of is this Job experience . We cannot get away from the experience that Job had , that he had to go through the refiner's fire and he says once I have been tested , once I come through the refiner's fire , I will come out as gold . When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil because you are with me , your rod and your staff . They comfort me . You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies . It is a great place to be is to be in the face of adversity , but for a season .
Speaker 2It's really important for me to understand that there is a season , because we will exhaust ourselves , we will wear ourselves out , and this is what happened to Samson ? This is exactly what happened to him . He said his mom and dad said don't keep going down to that city , come back . He wanted to stay in the enemy's territory and the enemy's territory crushed him and took his life out . You've got to realize that you can't stay in the enemy's territory too long . You've got to come back and you've got to be refreshed . You've got to know when the time to go in and a time to come out , a time to be restored and a time to go in and a time to go .
Speaker 2In the Bible , in the book of Ecclesiastes , talks about seasons a time to die , a time to live , a time to mourn , a time to die , a time . There's a time for everything . But we got to be careful that we don't stay in certain areas of life for too long of the season . We got to be careful that we don't go into the enemy's territory and we get exhausted by people and situations and they drain everything out of us . That's what happened to Samson . He wanted to stay in the enemy's territory too long and we've got to recognize that I've got to come out of the enemy's territory .
Speaker 2This is exactly what happened to the prodigal son . He realized that there was a stage in his life he wanted the blessing and he wanted everything and he wanted it to last . But he didn't realize that by leaving the father's house for too long , the blessing will run out and you've got to get back to the father's house to be restored , and you've got to get back to the father's house to be restored . We've got to understand that there is times to go out and a time to come back , a time to strip back and a time to harvest . There is a time for everything , and that is like people in our lives , that is like business , that is like education , that is like church , that is like ministry , that is like culture , that is like everything . We've got to make sure that we understand the season that we're walking in . But to understand the season that we're walking in , it's really important to understand who we are .
Speaker 2Now we have to be extremely careful of certain teachings that are out there , because it says you've got to learn to love yourself , you've got to be the best version of you . Well , as we said , and as we know that if I be the best version of me , there will be trouble , what I've got to do is I've got to lay myself down at the cross of Calvary because I cannot be the best version of me , because the version of me is a sinful human being . That is how it is . The Bible says daily pick up your cross , deny yourself . We've got to decrease the Bible Now . We've got to be extremely careful in the teachings that we listen to , because there are motivational preachers out there there are everywhere that are telling you to be the best version of yourself and love yourself . What do they actually mean ? It is motivational . I become the best version of the disciple that Christ wants me to be when I lay myself down at the cross , because the person that he wants me to be is the better version that the preacher is trying to tell me to be . When Jesus
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Speaker 2When you look at the scripture , it is extremely clear . It is really important that every one of us will have Lucifer in front of our face . What do you mean If you turn into John , if you turn into the gospel of Luke and I can't reference the point exactly where it is , there is too much to gather from this tonight but if you just look in the scripture , in the gospel of John , what you find very , very clear is that when Jesus was around the Passover table and he's got the 11 , and he's got the 12 , the 12th person that made up Judas Iscariot . So he had the 12 , he had the just around him . It's really , really important to understand that Christ was in a situation when he didn't just have the disciples around him , but he had Lucifer right in his very , very presence . And then you will find that there are scriptures that reference Lucifer in many areas in Jesus's life , not within him , but on the external .
Speaker 2Joseph experienced a stripped back like he's never been stripped back before . Are we ready to be stripped back ? And we've got to be extremely careful because there are many , many , many ministries that we are familiar with that will tell us to be the best version of you . Be the best version of yourself , ben . Be the best version of you . Well , if I was to be the best version of me , I would not be in this pulpit . I don't even know that if I would be alive on the earth , not be in this pulpit . I don't even know that if I would be alive on the earth , when you analyze you , where would you be if you was the best version of you ? What we need to do is ask God to strip us back .
Speaker 2Now this comes to . There's lots of reference points tonight . This comes to the scripture reference where we talk about the potter's . Will you know , we're clay in the master's hands and that clay is shaped by the master . The clay doesn't shape itself . The human being cannot afford to shape itself . If the human being shapes himself or herself , we become a version that is not who God wants us to be , because we are flesh and there is enmity . There is a chasm between the flesh and Christ . But if I allow myself to pray the prayer like this Lord , strip me back . I'm stripped back of my version of myself and I become the best disciple that I can be . And the scripture is clear Lord , I must decrease so that he can increase . Because when I realized that greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world , who is the one in the world we are referencing ?
Speaker 2Going back to joe , what is extremely clear ? That satan was in joe's life . He wasn't in his life as in the person he was on the external version of his life . So we got to make sure we understand and we we clearly reference the scripture , the psalmist , every place that the soul of my foot shall tread upon is my territory . It tells us that the devil is under our feet . Yes , he is under our feet , but I've got to make sure that I know who I am in Christ Jesus , not who I am in self .
Speaker 2Now , when we find who we are , we are acting and we are doing exactly what Saul wanted to do to David . He wanted to make him into the best version that Saul wanted him to be . But David said I can't go as you want me to go . Every one of us will experience the battle of life . There are many people in the most fierce battle that you've ever been in . It has worn you , it has exhausted you , it is tearing you left , right and center . But let me tell you this when you find out who you are in Jesus , suddenly there is a wind of change in your life . But if I stay as the preachers tell me love yourself , be the best version of yourself . I am doing the carnal way . I've got to do it the biblical way . When I do it the biblical way , I come to the cross of Calvary and I say Jesus , strip me back so that I can be the cross of Calvary , and I say , jesus , strip me back so that I can be the best disciple that I can be , Because when I surrender , suddenly I become the person that Christ wants me to be .
Speaker 2When you look at Jesus , when Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane , he said , if it is possible , take this cup from me , not my will . So the will of Christ was different . The version of events that Jesus wanted to happen in his life were very different to what the father's version . Because he says if it is possible , take this cup from me , because what he was referring to was the Passover cup . He was , and the Passover cup , as we know , is referring to the blood , the blood of the lamb , and he is the lamb , the unblemished lamb . So what we find in this text that we are looking at , job says in Job 23 , verse 10 , once I had been tested , once we realized that I have to go through the test , suddenly , as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil , for you are with me , your rod and your staff , they comfort me . You prepare a table in the presence of my enemies .
Speaker 2The issue that we have is that we are scared of our enemies . Who is our enemy . Our enemy could be the one in front of you at home . The enemy could be the one sitting on the sofa , the one at the other end of the desk . The enemy could be someone in your culture , someone in your life . It could be your family . It could be certain people that you are kin to . We got to be careful who we are kin to . Business partners the Bible says don't be unequally yoked . We've got to be extremely careful of the circle of people that we keep . Just because we was birthed and pressed into a situation doesn't mean to say that that situation is meant for me , christ . When Christ was birthed , when Christ came into the world , the Bible says that his mother Mary and his earthly father Joseph was given instruction to take him into Egypt . He was kept in Egypt , in enemy's territory , and he was hidden . There are many people that are hidden in enemy's territory for a set time , for a set purpose , for a set reason .
Speaker 2Quickly turn to the book of 1 Peter , 1 Peter , chapter 5 . When you understand who you are , understand who you are . Less is best of self . We have to be stripped back of self . I cannot be the best version of me . There are Christian and I will use the word Christian motivational speakers out there . I will use that because that's what they are referring to and you can find them very , very quickly and they will tell you to be the best version of you . You can't be the best version of you because when I'm the best version of me , I'm in flesh . I've got to be stripped back of flesh . I've got to be stripped back of certain things and certain situations , but this is what the Bible says . This is what the Bible says . This is what the Bible says , chapter 5 , 1 Peter , chapter 5 . And as we pick it up in , we're going to pick it up in verse 6 . Humble yourself . Humbling yourself is being stripped back . Humbling yourself is not being the best version of me . Loving myself is not being humble . Humble yourself , therefore , under the mighty hand of God , that he may lift you up in due time . Go back . I'm going to stay in this text , but I'm just taking us back through our thought pattern at this moment .
Speaker 2Go back to Psalm 23 . Even though I walk through the darkest valley , verse one says the Lord is my shepherd . I shall not be in one . There are many of us frightened of the people in our lives . What do you mean , people , that terminology ? There are many of us frightened of the people which are enemies to us . Even though I walk through the darkest valley , I shall not fear because you are with me , your rod and your staff . They comfort me . You prepare a table in the presence of . We've got to understand that God will take you to the face of Goliath , he will take you to Jericho . He will allow Satan to roam on the outside of your life , but you will find that you can't be harmed . You will be taken to the wire and beyond the wire .
Speaker 2And let me talk about scripture in this time what we find in the book of Joshua . It says very clearly when you go to the river's edge , when you go to the river Jordan , don't stand back and watch it . Stand in the issue . Sometimes we've got to be so close to the problem it feels like the problem is going to wipe us out . The Levitical priesthood had to go and stand in the River Jordan to feel the pressure before the miracle comes . So often we've got to feel the pressure and the pressure feels so strong that the current could wipe our legs out . Strong that the current could wipe our legs out . The Levitical priesthood had to stand in the river Jordan and feel the pressure of the stream . It wasn't just a stream , it wasn't just a river , it was a full flood stage . Do you feel like that ? There is full flood stage in your life .
Speaker 2What do you mean , pastor Ben ? What I mean by that is that there is everything breaking stage in your life . What do you mean , pastor Ben ? What I mean by that is that there is everything breaking out in your life . There is nothing else can go wrong because everything else is going wrong . There is a reason why everything is going wrong Because , firstly , we are living in the end times . We understand that at the end times , the atmosphere , the spiritual temperature , everything will change . But also God is refining the chosen .
Speaker 2If you've got serious troubles breaking out in your life , you're okay . If you've got stuff breaking out in your life that is out of control , it's okay . You've got stuff breaking out in your life that is out of control , it's okay . If you are in control of your life and you've got it all wrapped up and you're looking forward to Christmas , there's a problem . If you've got everything wrapped up , zizzled up , bowed up , wrapped up like a lovely Christmas present in your life . I would check are you born again ? Because if you are born again , spirit filled , blessed and highly favoured , you will find out that Lucifer has been let out of the cage and you will find that you are spinning more plates so you can handle . You are tired beyond tired . You are exhausted beyond exhausted .
When you look at that great New Testament writer , when Paul came into Macedonia , when he came in , it says we are exhausted , we are tired , we are run down , we have enemy on the outside . I can't cope with the outside of life . And then he says not only am I tired , I've got fear within the greatest writer the world has ever seen aside to Jesus , because he is the living word , paul wrote we came in to that city tired , broke , weary , scared , not sure of the future . If you can put those labels on your life , start to smile . Even though I walk through the darkest valley , I will fear no evil because you are with me , your rod and your staff . They comfort me . So when we look at Job and I got as quick as I could away from Job because that is a harrowing text but what he says very clearly in Job 23 , verse 10 once I come through the test . Once I come through the valley , I'm going to come out like gold . We're going to come to the table in just a few moments .
Speaker 2It says therefore , under the mighty hand of God . I'm in 1 Peter , chapter 5 , verse 6 . Let me start the reading again . It says humble yourself , therefore , under the mighty hand of God , that he may lift you up in his timing . Don't lift yourself up , don't elevate yourself . That is what the motivational church is telling us to do . Big yourself up , blow yourself up , expand yourself . The Bible says humble yourself under the mighty hand of God . The motivational preachers will tell you love yourself , elevate yourself , your self-worth . We've got to be extremely careful what we listen to . This is critical . This is what it says , verse 6 humble yourself , therefore , under the mighty hand of God , that he may lift you up in due time , because there is a season , but there are many still walking through the valley of the shadow of death and the enemy . You can smell the breath of the enemy , you can feel the pressure of the darkness and it feels like you can't escape . You can't escape the environment and the season and the atmosphere , and you're trying to make it work . Hold on a moment , because in God's timing . God's timing is critical . He will take you through the refiner's fire . He will take me through the refiner's fire for us to be completely relying on God , not on me , not on our brothers and sisters in the church , not on Elim , not on the building .
Speaker 2Look at the state of the Church of England at this moment in time . Look at the mess . It's across the newspapers , it's across the media . Look how the church is failing . But God will never fail . You Don't rely on the bishop , don't rely on me , don't look to the pastors , don't look to the deacons , don't look to the eldership , don't look to the ministry . Look to God . God has you and you are in the refiner's fire .
Speaker 2Look at these scriptures before we come to the table . Therefore , under the mighty hand , god , that he may lift you up in due time , cast all your anxiety . If you are anxious , you are in a great place . If you are tired , you are in an amazing place . If you are weary and you can't walk and you are tired and your legs are aching and you don't want to see another day , god has you , it says . Cast all your anxiety onto him because he cares for you . Be self-controlled . Here we go . Be alert in your tiredness and your anxious thoughts and weariness , and the enemy is pounding at the doors of life . Hold your place . Don't turn to alcohol , don't turn to drugs , Don't turn to human beings , don't turn to the church , turn to God . Hold it in the valley of darkness . Be self-controlled and alert for your enemy . Let me tell you there is an enemy that is trying everything against you . Your enemy , the devil , prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour .
Speaker 2I don't like these scriptures . Who called you to his eternal glory in Christ after you have suffered a while ? I don't like these scriptures . Jesus , actually , lord , I want to tell you sometimes I wish the Bible was never written , because what that woke church , what those motivational preachers , what those celebrity men and women are trying to do through church , is trying to tell me to elevate self , elevate me and big me up . It is the complete opposite to what the scripture says . God says you're going to go through trials , ben .
Speaker 2God says you're going to go through trials , ben . The door of trouble is going to be open on your life and if we try to run from him , what's he going to do ? He's not going to forget you and he's not going to forget me . He's going to bring a storm . And in the book of Jonah you will find very , very clear Lucifer isn't mentioned . It's not Lucifer I've got to be worried about . It's God . Am I where God wants me to be ? Is this a strip back of God ? Is all these trials because I'm not listening to the Father , the Son , the Holy Spirit ? Every one of us are in a different place to each other , but Jonah resisted and God brought a storm . Job was righteous . God released hell .
Speaker 2Paul was the greatest New Testament writer . He was imprisoned . He was shipwrecked . He was beaten . He was sawn asunder . He was starving . He was scared . He was shipwrecked . He was beaten . He was busted . He was broken . He was left for dead . He was busted , he was broken , he was left for dead .
Speaker 2That's the true gospel of Jesus Christ , because at the end it says , in verse 10 , as we come to the table and the God of all grace , who called you to his eternal glory in Christ , after you have suffered a little while , will himself restore you , make you strong , firm and steadfast . It's a test . It's a place that none of us want to be . Check the people in your life , check your culture , check your family . Check the people at work . Check the people at school . Check the people on your social media feed . Are these people encouraging me or are they holding me back ?
Speaker 2If people and situations are holding us back , pray the prayer . Cut them off back . Pray the prayer , cut them off . If I don't cut them off , if you don't cut them off , if I'm not extracted from certain areas of business , of life , of culture , of church , they're going to distort your vision . They're going to dress you in a suit that's not fit for you . Again , as we come to the table , the suit that Saul wanted for David wasn't fit for purpose .
Speaker 2Let's close in prayer . Father , in the name of Jesus , you've got to trust God in all your troubles . You've got to trust God in all your troubles . You've got to trust God in every situation . You are in the face of adversity . We are in the enemy's territory . Everything is breaking out in our lives , but it's a good place to be , because God has us in the refiner's fire . The Psalmist writes in Psalm 66 , verse 10 , refine us like silver , put us in the fire , because when I come out , the fire , my God , the devil better run . God has you , god is with you , god is not leaving you nor forsaking you , but we're all in a strip back and that church out there , that happy , clappy , weak , woke , feeble , pink gay church , is not fit for purpose . Ask God that he will put people around your life that have gone through the refiner's fire , that have come out , that have found freedom . John 8 , 32, . You know the truth and the truth will set you free .
Speaker 1We're at the table . Thank you for listening to us today on Reverend Ben Cooper's podcast . We hope you found inspiration and guidance in today's audio . Remember the journey of faith is a continuous one and your questions and thoughts are important . You can send us a text or an email and we will get back to you . So , wherever you are around the world , thank you for listening to our podcasts and radio ministry . For more information about our ministry , please find us on pastorbencoopercouk . Please support us with prayer . Also , you can sow a financial seed into this ministry . You can also leave us a legacy to support and continue the work of this radio ministry . If you enjoyed this episode , please subscribe and share it with others who might benefit . Until next time , stay blessed .