Inside Beauty Inspires
Inside Beauty Inspires takes on real life experiences and introduces the Word of God to help believers to navigate peaks and valleys fearlessly. Real, raw, & relevant, Inside Beauty Inspires seeks to unleash a fresh anointing in the atmosphere. Our goal is to connect our listeners to “the plug”, Christ Jesus, a savior who has paid the price for all of our sins and wants nothing more than to see His children win!
Inside Beauty Inspires
Embracing Spiritual Renewal: Overcoming Doubt, Trusting in Divine Provision, and Embracing New Beginnings
Picture this: you're standing at the beginning of a new year, 2025, eager to start fresh and align your life with a higher purpose. That's the journey we're embarking on together today. I'm Stephanie L Harrison, and we'll explore the profound insights from Psalms 111:7, focusing on trustworthiness and spiritual alignment. Through my personal journey and the unwavering support of the Iron Sharpens Iron group, who have been faithfully seeking God every morning for the past eight years, we tackle how doubt can be the stumbling block to spiritual growth and the transformative power of aligning our goals with divine purpose.
We also tackle the intense challenges of spiritual warfare, using the story of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness as our guide. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, Jesus' experience after fasting for 40 days serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual nourishment and obedience to God. We draw comparisons to the trials faced by Elijah and Elisha, delving into stories of miraculous provision and the battle against skepticism and pride. These narratives not only highlight the power of faith and divine intervention but also offer lessons on the strength found in obedience to God's word.
Our discussion wouldn't be complete without addressing Jesus' profound proclamation of Jubilee and His mission of liberation and transformation. As we reflect on the enduring challenges of skepticism that Jesus faced, we realize that faith and forgiveness are the cornerstones of living a life aligned with God's word. Through the lens of Israel's vine imagery, we emphasize the essential act of trusting Jesus to lead us. As we step into 2025, it's about embracing new beginnings with faith, allowing Him to drive our lives towards purpose and fulfillment. Join me on this journey of faith, trust, and spiritual renewal.
New, new, new, everything new, new, new, new, new, new, everything new. I'm ready to go. Hello, hello, it is Stephanie L Harrison and you're now listening to Inside Beauty Inspires, where we motivate, encourage and inspire through biblical principles. Happy New Year, once again, 2025. New year, new you, new year, new. You Can't wait to see what your New Year's resolutions are. You know, we all make them. We don't always keep them, but we always make them.
Speaker 1:Also want to shout out the ladies of ISI, shout out to the ladies of Iron Sharpens, iron. Proverbs 27, 17 is a real thing. Me and these ladies get up each and every morning and we do what Matthew 6, 33 tells us to do seek first the kingdom of God. And because we do that, the Bible tells us if you draw closer to him, he will draw closer to you. So let's kick this day off, let's kick this word off, with trustworthiness. Trustworthiness, everything he does is good and fair. All his orders can be trusted. All of his orders can be trusted. This is Psalms 111, verse 7.
Speaker 1:In today's world, maybe more than ever before, doubt is everywhere. Doubt is everywhere. We suspect everyone and everything. It's no surprise, then, that our view of God's word and his call to us as believers is also met with hesitation. Yet scripture could not be clearer about the trustworthiness of God and his call to us as believers is also met with hesitation. Yet scripture could not be clearer about the trustworthiness of God and his word.
Speaker 1:Imagine knowing someone who always did what was right and good, brought comfort in the midst of trial, found the good in every situation and followed through on every single promise. That is our God, that's our daddy. He is completely good and his word is entirely trustworthy. Is he asking you to do something about which you have been uncertain? Is he calling you to do something which you've never done before? Has he called you to action but you've been doubtful that he'll see you through? Hesitate no more, friend. Hesitate no more God. Thank you that I can trust you completely. Forgive me for doubting your word. Help me to learn to depend upon your goodness to lead me through my days. Let me not delay in obeying your commands. Let me not delay in commanding and obeying your commands. Trustworthiness, trustworthiness.
Speaker 1:Well, I can speak to this. I can speak to this so like. This is my word, because I trust him with every fabric of my being. I do. I trust God, I trust his word. I trust that this Bible, this book, is packed, jam-packed full of hidden treasures. And you know, the most important thing that I've come to realize is that most people won't know the truth, the truthness of God, because they won't open their word, they won't get into the word, they won't read their Bibles.
Speaker 1:And one of the things that I can honestly say to you is that the reason why I shout out the ISI group is because we trust him. We get up each and every morning and we seek his face and you know, being that this has been going on for the past eight years, we're in year eight. Imagine how much we've learned. We've grown so much you know, and it's evident, it is evident that his word will not return void. God is a way maker, a miracle worker, a light in the darkness. That is who he are, who he is, that is who he is to his children. He has no problem showing himself mighty in the land of the living. But are you in alignment? Your spiritual alignment matters. Whether you believe that or not. The things that you cannot see are really doing what you can. So we're talking about doubt, and this is something that we need to really, really need to digest. We need to get into, and I'm excited about this word today because God has been speaking. God has been speaking, he's still speaking and you know, I want to ask the question what if aligning your spiritual goals with divine purpose could transform your life in 2025? That's what I want to help you guys do. I want to help you get from where you are to where you want to be, and the only way that I can do that is the way that he did for me. It was through his guidance, it was through seeking his word. We have a divine purpose, whether we realize it or not, and when we start to prioritize our father and when we start to prioritize his word, he starts to prioritize us. It is written. So today we're going to get into this word. We're going to be in the book of Luke. Today we're going to actually be in Luke, first King, second King, and then we're going to come back to John eight. But I'm excited about this word today because, as I was reading with the ladies this morning, the Holy Spirit spoke to me about Luke 4. So, if you got your Bibles, follow along with me, luke 4. Here we go, verse 1. And I'm reading the New International Version.
Speaker 1:Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. International Version. Tell the stone to become bread, jesus answered. It is written man should not live on bread alone. The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world, and he said to him I will give you all their authority and splendor. It has been given to me and I can give it to anyone I want. If you worship me, it will all be yours. Jesus answered. It is written Worship the Lord, your God, and serve him. Give it to anyone I want. If you worship me, it will all be yours. Jesus answered. It is written worship the Lord, your God, and serve him. Only. The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. If you are the son of God, he said, throw yourself down from here. For, it is written, he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you carefully. They will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against the stone. Jesus answered. It is said do not put the Lord, your God, to the test when the devil had finished all this tempting. He left him until an opportune time. He left him.
Speaker 1:So what do we learn by this passage here? Number one Satan knows the scripture. Yeah, that was one takeaway for me. He knows the word because he said you know, he said it in his word. Let's go back up here, and I believe it's in Matthew, matthew four. Let's read Matthew four Very similar.
Speaker 1:Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting for 40 days and 40 nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said if you are the son of God, tell these stones to become bread. Jesus answered it is written man should not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God, from every word that comes from the mouth of God. Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the highest point of the temple. If you are the son of God, he said, throw yourself down, for it is written he will command his angels concerning you and they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against the stone. Y'all know that since Psalms 91. Yeah, he know the scripture. Jesus answered him. It is also written do not put the Lord, your God, to the test Again. The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. All this I will give you, he said, if you will bow down and worship me. Jesus said to him away from me, satan. For it is written worship the Lord, your God, and serve him. Only Then the devil left and the angels came and attended to him.
Speaker 1:So I knew that this was written in Matthew. It wasn't in Luke. You know every. You know what he said back to him. So I knew that this was written in Matthew. It wasn't in Luke. You know every. You know what he said back to him. But I wanted to make sure that that was one of my takeaways, because anytime that I read it I'm always wondering. Like you know, luke 4, matthew 4, they say very similar things, but you get a little bit more detail in different gospels. But let's keep going, let's keep going. So you know, for that, just that little area right there.
Speaker 1:We know that the devil knows scripture. We also know that he had no problem tempting Jesus. He had absolutely no problem tempting Jesus. Why? Why did he tempt Jesus the way that he did. You know what made him tempt Jesus the way that he did. I feel like when I read that, when I read that passage, I'm going to tell you what comes to mind. I feel like when I read that passage, I'm going to tell you what comes to mind. I feel like he didn't know if Jesus knew who he was. I think he wanted to know if Jesus knew who he was.
Speaker 1:It says here, when I go back over here to the beginning, it says after his baptism, jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led. He was led. Now, you know, sometimes in life, you know we don't really understand what God is doing. We don't know where he's taking us. What are you doing? Where are we going? But the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the devil. Don't miss that.
Speaker 1:When Jesus' ministry began, he was full of the Holy Spirit. We should not be surprised then that Christians are extorted to be filled with the Spirit, by the Spirit. Paul contrasts this to being filled with wine. We are not to be intoxicated with alcohol, but intoxicated with the Spirit, coming under the influence and governance of God in our daily lives. This will not happen if believers merely sip from the Spirit on Sundays. Such limited engagement will not lead to changing lives. Such limited engagements will not lead to changed lives.
Speaker 1:Notice also that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Evidently, being under the influence of the Spirit does not mean uninterrupted peace and tranquility. Jesus was in the middle of the Judan wilderness, a completely barren place. He was hungry, having not eaten for 40 days, and he was under spiritual attack by a Satan. No one would volunteer for this assignment. Nevertheless, he was full of the Spirit. You cannot measure your spiritual condition by your circumstances. Jesus' circumstances were bleak, but he was in the center of God's will for him. Likewise, just because your external circumstances appear to be smooth, it doesn't necessarily mean you are spiritually healthy. It doesn't mean that you're spiritually healthy. But why was Jesus in the wilderness? He was led there. He was led into the wilderness.
Speaker 1:The devil tempted the first Adam and succeeded in having him kicked out of the garden into the wilderness. The first Adam was on defense and lost, but the second Adam played offense. The second Adam played offense. Now I am referring to Genesis 3, verses 1 through 24. When you get a chance. Read the story. Okay, he got kicked out, and that's another thing I want us to understand. When you don't do what your father is asking you to do, when you rebel against him, there's consequences to everything. Ok, god is both kind and severe. It's in Romans. When I read it I was like whoa, because he is, he's the living God. Well, let's keep going. It says Adam played offense in part by the Holy Spirit. He went into the wilderness to face the devil so that he might bring humanity back to the garden. Though he was physically hungry from a lack of food, he was spiritually nourished for a spiritual battle. He was spiritually nourished for a spiritual battle.
Speaker 1:Satan spoke three temptations to Jesus, but they were all driving at the same point. Would Jesus act independently of God? This is also a question that we face in each wilderness experience we encounter. Will we act independently of God? And I'm here to tell you that's the problem. Yep, that is the problem. You act independently of God. You don't act like you need him. So the devil want to see, says. The devil urged him if you are the son of God, tell this stone to become bread.
Speaker 1:The if clause doesn't mean he was tempting Jesus to prove that he was the son of God. He was not saying if you're the son of God, because I'm not sure that that's who you are, then then do this. The devil knows who Jesus is. Satan was well aware of Jesus' unique eternal relationship to the Father. The if clause assumes the reality of the statement. In other words, he was saying since you are the Son of God, here's what the Son of God should do.
Speaker 1:Satan had been watching Jesus and he knew his weak spot hunger. Therefore, satan attacked his point. Therefore, satan attacked at his point of crisis, at his point of need. He will do the same to you. You need to be aware of your weaknesses and vulnerabilities, because you can be sure that Satan is aware of them. You can be sure that Satan is aware of them.
Speaker 1:But wait, there's more. Though Satan had identified a genuine need in Jesus's life, he tempted him to fill that need in an illegitimate way. How many of us have done the same thing? We have, if we're honest with ourselves, we've done the same thing. He questioned God's willingness to provide for him. He questioned it, and I'm here to say that that's what we do today. We question God's ability to provide.
Speaker 1:But Jesus wasn't fooled. He responded by quoting scripture man must not live on bread alone. If the son of God faced the devil while full of the spirit and armed with the word, why would you do otherwise? Why would you do otherwise? Jesus quoted Deuteronomy, chapter eight, verse three, in which Moses reminded the Israelites who were in the wilderness that they hadn't survived merely because they ate manna. They survived because of the source of the manna.
Speaker 1:Jesus refused to act independently of his father. He trusted in his provisions. We must not seek to meet legitimate needs in illegitimate ways. We must not seek to meet legitimate needs and in illegitimate ways. This is a problem in America. This is a problem in our hometown. This is a problem in our family. This is a problem in our family. This is the problem. We act independently of God and then we say God, where are you? We make things happen on our own. Then we say God did it? Yes, we do. It's true, it's true, but Jesus told Satan that man don't live on bread alone, but out of the word that's spoken by God. This is the same truth to us today, y'all. Now, here we go.
Speaker 1:Next, the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. He claimed that all this authority had been given to him and he could give it to anyone he wanted to. Therefore, he offered it to Jesus If he would worship him. And, of course, this raises some questions. How did Satan obtain this authority? Who gave it to him? Adam was called to rule the world on God's behalf Genesis 1, verses 26 and 28. By rebelling against God and not doing what he told him to do, he handed his role over to Satan, who is now the God of this age or of this world, and the ruler of the power of the air. The devil offered Jesus what he had come into the world to claim. He had come to be a king over a kingdom, and if he listened to Satan, he would have to work. He wouldn't have to work so hard. All Jesus had to do was worship the one who could give it to him immediately Instant gratification, microwavables, yep.
Speaker 1:This generation wants instant gratification. They don't want to go through anything, they want it to just appear, and Satan operates in that arena. Here you go, but when you do things the way the Father says, life, you have life. You have it abundantly. Let's keep going. Again, however, jesus answered with the bible worship the lord, your god, and serve him.
Speaker 1:Only jesus didn't need satan's offer. The father had already promised his son all the kingdoms of the earth. I will make the nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possessions. Psalms, chapter 2, verse 8. But obtaining that would require the fulfillment of a mission that included perfect obedience to the Father and a sacrificial atoning death for sinners. Anything less will result not in the redemption of the world, but would deliver Satan a victory. Jesus was destined to be king, but he would only pursue it in submission to the father. Worship is reserved for the one true living God. Finally, the devil took him to Jerusalem, stood him on the pinnacle of the temple and tempted him to jump. Since Jesus liked using scripture, satan decided I can play that game too. Be warned, beware.
Speaker 1:The Bible has been used many times throughout the century to lead people astray. Satan knows the Bible better than many Christians do and he uses it to his advantage. He quoted Psalms 91, verses 11 and 12, assuring Jesus that if he threw himself off the temple, god would send his angels to protect him. This would be the spectacular, supernatural way to conceive the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah, and it will result in a safe landing no suffering required no cause. Once again, jesus relied on God's word. Do not test the Lord, your God. To say it another way, don't back God into a corner. We are not to intentionally create the need for a miracle. God would create miracle opportunities on his own. Jesus was determined to be God's messenger, god's Messiah, in God's way, according to God's timetable, for the glory of God. After this, the devil departed from him. This demonstrates a very important principle for waging spiritual warfare Satan is allergic to the proper use of scripture. Three strikes and he's out. Three strikes and he's out.
Speaker 1:Now, satan did this to Jesus and here we are walking around. Like Jesus don't matter. Like Jesus isn't the reason for the season. Like what he done on the cross was not for you and for me, it was, it is, he is still the way, the truth and the life. But I'm speaking about this because you know the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me about something in Luke 4. And I know me. I always like to the way I like to do it. I like to read it in its entirety Because, again, one service on Sunday is not going to get you close to your Father. This is a daily walk.
Speaker 1:It's important to read Scripture. It's important to get into your Bible. It's important to know scripture. It's important to get into your Bible. It's important to know your father. After all, that's the only way you're going to know the plans he has for you. Yeah, jeremiah 29, 11 says I know the plans I have for you. How are you going to know the plans God has for you? We plan God last. Why does he laugh? Because his plans are going to prevail, no matter what it is written. Let's keep going.
Speaker 1:Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit and news about him spread throughout the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth where he had been brought up. On the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue as was his custom. He stood up to read and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it, where it is written the spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendants and sat down the year of the Lord's favor. Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendants and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.
Speaker 1:He began by saying to them today, the scripture is fulfilled. In your hearing, all spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. Isn't this Joseph's son, they asked. Jesus said to them surely you will quote this proverb to me Physician, heal yourself. And you will tell me, do it here in your hometown, what we have heard that you did in Capernaum. Truly, I tell you. He continued no prophet is accepted in his hometown. Let's stop right there for a minute, because when I read this earlier today, I was like, okay, god, speak, your servant is listening, speak, your servant is listening. Okay, let's talk about this for a minute. Let's talk about this for a moment here. Jesus goes into this place, into the synagogue, and he tells them straight up you know, this is exactly what the scripture says. Today, the scripture has been fulfilled, but let's go back. Let's go back because this is the beginning of his ministry, having spent time at the Jordan river for his baptism in the Judah wilderness.
Speaker 1:For his temptation, jesus returned to Galilee. His battle with the devil had not left him spiritually drained, but full of power of the spirit. As a result, his public ministry began and his popularity grew. Then Jesus went to Nazareth, his hometown where he'd been raised. On the Sabbath, he went into the synagogue so that he could read scriptures, like he could read the scripture. Luke says that this was his usual activity. So, whereas Jesus' public ministry had just begun, his spiritual practice of engaging with God, god's word and God's people had always been a regular pattern of his life.
Speaker 1:Now the synagogue attended, handing him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, and Jesus chose to read from Isaiah 61, verses 1 and 2. When he finished, he informed everyone in the synagogue that the passage that had been read was fulfilled. As they listened, he was claiming that the words were about him. What did the words say? The Spirit of the Lord had anointed him At Jesus' baptism. The Holy Spirit had descended on him. From that moment, he had been full of the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1:Led by the Spirit and ministering in the power of the Spirit, jesus was claiming to be the Lord's anointed one In Hebrew, messiah In Greek, christ, the king whom Israel had been longing for, had finally come. His mission was to preach the good news of God's kingdom to the poor. He had come to set the captives free, open the eyes of those who are blind, set free the oppressed and proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. The year of the Lord's favor is another time, another name for the year of Jubilee Every 50 years, when Israel was instructed to set slaves free and release people from their debts, as well as allowing them to return to their family property, jubilee is a symbol of the social and economic liberation of God's people. The key, however, to understanding the year of Jubilee is that it was inaugurated by the Day of Atonement, when the issue of sin was addressed. Thus, spiritual transformation is the foundation for a legitimate social, political and economic restructuring of society.
Speaker 1:The reconstructing, the restructuring of society. Jesus' preaching, then, addresses both the content of the gospel Jesus' coming death, burial and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. In the content of the gospel, jesus' coming death, burial and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. In the scope of the gospel, the impact this good news should make on issues of political, biblical justices, the equitable and impartial applications of God's moral law in society. This is good news for those in economic crisis, the poor, in political crisis, the captives and social crisis, the oppressed. The gospel of the kingdom that Jesus preached saves us from hell, but it should also save us from making a kingdom impact on this world through our good works that brings glory to God and benefit to the people. Jesus, then, is offering his people and us a new jubilee. Jesus, then, is offering his people and us a new jubilee.
Speaker 1:Initially, people responded positively to the gracious words that he had spoken, but then someone said isn't this Joseph's son Meaning? Hey, this is the carpenter's kid. He's a local. Who does he think he is Anticipating their unbelief? Jesus quoted a proverb saying doctor, heal yourself. In other words, if you really think you're the Messiah, give us some proof, do something mesetic. He knew they were unwilling to receive him. He knew they were unwilling to receive him. Truly, I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. You see, these people thought that they knew him. He was, to them, nothing special. He couldn't possibly be the Messiah. These people told Jesus to his face that he wasn't exactly who God told them that he was. It still happens today, but this is what struck me this morning. It struck me this morning to the point where I had to come in here and give it to y'all.
Speaker 1:Jesus knew that performing a miracle to prove he was the Messiah would not help those who are inclined to skepticism and unbelief. He cited two Old Testament examples, elijah and Elisha, who were rejected by the Israelites in spite of the miracles they performed. As a result, gentiles received God's benefits instead, because they were willing to act in faith at the word of God given to them through the prophets. Elijah provided for the widow and Elisha healed Naaman of leprosy. Let's talk about it. Let's talk about it for a moment. Go to 1 Kings 17. Let's go to 1 Kings 17.
Speaker 1:Now Elijah is the Tishbite from Tishbe, and Galad said to Ahab as the Lord, the God of Israel lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years, except at my word. He knew who he was and whose he was now, because he said unless I say it's going to rain, it ain't going to rain. Until I say it's going to rain. He was pretty confident. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Carith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there. So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to Gareth ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. Sometime later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.
Speaker 1:Then the word of the Lord came to him Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food. So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked would you bring me a little water in a jar so that I may drink, as she was getting it? He called and bring me, please, a piece of bread.
Speaker 1:You asking for too much. That's probably what Elijah wanted to say. That's probably what the lady wanted to say to Elijah. You asking for some water, but listen to what the lady said. As surely as the Lord, your God, lives. She replied I don't have any bread, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I'm gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.
Speaker 1:Elijah said to her don't be afraid, go home, do as you have said, but first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me and then make something for yourself and for your son. Pause. If somebody told us to do that today, we'd probably say I can't do it, I cannot help you. I only got enough for my child. I only got enough for me. But Elijah gave her instructions.
Speaker 1:Who is Elijah? Elijah is a prophet. Don't be afraid, go home and do as I have said. But Elijah is a prophet. Don't be afraid, go home and do as I have said, but first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says. The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land. That's somebody's word. It looks like you don't have but a little. Take the little and sow. Sow whatever it is that you need, because look at what God just did for this lady. Why wouldn't God do this for you? But do you trust him and do you trust the prophets that he brings into your life? Are you obedient to the word of God? She went away and did as Elijah told her. So there was food every that.
Speaker 1:Jesus spoke this to the people. He made sure they knew certain things. Jesus spoke this to the people. He made sure they knew certain things. Number one I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was set for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow in Zarephath. Why didn't God send him to the other? Why didn't the others get a chance with Elijah? God sent him to Elijah. God sent Elijah to her.
Speaker 1:Now we can make our own assumptions, but wait, there's more. There were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elijah the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, only Naaman, only Naaman. Let's look at. Let's look at second Kings, second Kings, chapter five.
Speaker 1:Now, naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded. Because, though because through him, the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. Now, bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress if only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy. Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said by all means go. The king of Aram replied I will send a letter to the king of Israel. So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. The letter that he took to the king of Israel read with this letter, I am sending my servant Naaman to you that you may cure him of his leprosy.
Speaker 1:As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robe and said am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be careful of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me. It's packed full of beautiful man. Listen, I love the word of God. Just keep reading.
Speaker 1:When Elijah, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his robe, he sent him this message why have you torn your robe? Have the man come to me? Have the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan and your flesh will will be restored and you will be cleansed. But Naaman went away angry and said I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord, his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abner and Phafferah, the rivers of Damascus, better than the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed? So he turned and went off in a rage.
Speaker 1:When God asks you to do something, you feel like I know. You didn't just ask me to do that. A prophet is a messenger of God. He went off in a rage because he felt like I know. I did not just come to this man's stove. He sent his servant to tell me what to do. He didn't even come out and greet me himself and then, out of all the rivers and waters, you want me to go and wash in the nastiest one of them all. Are you serious? So yeah, he went off in a rage. He felt offended, he was offended. Boy, that offense is a real thing. Naaman's servants went to him and said my father and I need y'all to hear me by the spirit of the Lord If the prophet had told you to do something great, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you have not done it?
Speaker 1:How much more than when he tells you wash and be cleansed? Yeah, somebody had to come in, literally. What are you doing? If the prophet told you to do something? Literally? What are you doing? If the prophet told you to do something? Why? Why wouldn't you listen to the prophet? Naaman's servant went to him and said my father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you have not done it? How much more than when he tells you to wash and be cleansed? So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God told him and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young man, a young boy.
Speaker 1:Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept the gift from your servant. The prophet answered as surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing. And even though Naaman urged him, he refused. If you will not, said Naaman, please let me your servant be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifice to any other God but the Lord. But may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing when my master enters the temple of Raymond to bow down and he's leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also when I bow down in the temple of Raymond, may the Lord forgive your servant for this. Go in peace, elisha said. Go in peace, elisha said.
Speaker 1:After Naaman had traveled some distance, gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself my master was too easy on Naaman, this Ahriman, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him. So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running towards him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. Is everything all right? He asked. Everything is all right. Gehazi answered my master sent me to say two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Euphraim. Please give them the talent of silver and two sets of clothing. By all means, take two talents, said Naaman. He urged Gaza to accept them and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants and they carried them ahead of Gehazi.
Speaker 1:When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servant and put them away in his house. He sent the man on the way and they left. When he went in and stood before his master, elisha asked him where have you been, gehiza? Your servant didn't go anywhere. Gehiza answered. But Elijah said to him was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or accept clothes, or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves. Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever. Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and his skin was leprous. It had become as white as snow. Why did Jesus make this point? What kind of point was Jesus making when he spoke of 2 Kings 5 and 1 Kings 17? Let's go back over here to see Now.
Speaker 1:I thought it was important to give you guys those stories because they make the difference. They do being sent. Jesus was sent, but listen to how the people responded to the truth. All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built in order to throw him off.
Speaker 1:Why do we doubt God? Why do we doubt God? Why do we doubt his prophets? If we go to Luke 24, when Jesus saw the two men walking, this is what happened. See, let me just give you a little word here.
Speaker 1:You know, on the road to Emas, jesus had died and was rose on the third day. So he done came back. He back, and they were walking with each other about everything, and they were talking to each other about everything that happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, jesus himself came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them what are you discussing together as you walk along? They stood still with their faces downcast.
Speaker 1:One of them, named Cleopas, asked are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that have happened here in these days? What things he asked About Jesus of Nazareth? They replied he was a prophet powerful in word and deed. Before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death and they crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel and what is more is it is the third day since all of this has taken place.
Speaker 1:In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it, just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus. Listen to what Jesus says to them. How foolish you are and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? And, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself. He explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself. Let's go to James, james 1. Now James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes scattered among the nation, that would be us too. So I'm talking to my brothers and sisters out there.
Speaker 1:Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its works so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all, without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high positions, but the rich should take pride in humiliation, since they will pass away like a wildflower, for the sun rises with scorching heat and withers, the plant it blossoms falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test. That person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Speaker 1:When tempted, no one would say. No one should say God is tempting me, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desires and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from God above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.
Speaker 1:My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. What do what it says? Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says? It's like someone who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it, not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it they will be blessed in what they do, blessed in all they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves and their religion is worthless. Religious that God, our Father, accepts as pure and faultless is this to look after orphans, widows and their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world that we live in. To keep oneself from being polluted by the world that we live in. So this has been some some pretty interesting things today. You know um reflecting on the word and reflecting on who Jesus is. Let's go to John, chapter eight John, chapter eight. We're going to close it out with John, chapter eight, verse one.
Speaker 1:Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the temple. A crowd soon gathered and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking to teachers of the religious law, and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd, teacher. They said to Jesus, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say? They were trying to trap him to saying something they could use against him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his fingers. They kept demanding an answer. So he stood up again and said All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone. Then he stood up again and wrote in the dust Let me just pause right here. We all are sinners. We all done fell short of the glory of God, all of us. He without sin cast the first stone. Who's never sinned before. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman were your accusers didn't even want to condemn you? No, lord, she said. And Jesus said neither do I go and sin no more.
Speaker 1:Jesus spoke to the people once more and said I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness because you will have the light that leads to life. The Pharisees replied you are making those claims about yourself. Such testimony is not valid. Jesus told them. These claims are valid, even though I make them about myself, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don't know this about me. You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect, because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness and my father who sent me, is the other. Where's your father, they asked? Jesus answered since you don't know who I am, you don't know who my father is. If you knew me, you would also know my father.
Speaker 1:Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the temple known as the treasury, but he was not arrested because his time had not yet come. Later Jesus said to them I am going away. You will search for me, but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going. The people asked is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean? You cannot come where I am going.
Speaker 1:Jesus continued you are from below, I am from above. You belong to this world? I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins. Who are you, they demanded. Jesus said the one I have always claimed to be. I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won't, for I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.
Speaker 1:But they still didn't understand that he was talking about his father. So Jesus said when you have been, when you have lifted up the son of man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he. I do nothing on my own, but say only what the father taught me and the one who sent me is with me. He has not deserted me, for I always do what pleases him. Then many who heard him say these things believed in him. Many who heard him say these things believed in him.
Speaker 1:Now Jesus said to the people who believed in him you are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings and you will know the truth, and the truth will do what absolutely Absolutely set you free. But we are descendants of Abraham, they said. We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean? You will be set free. Jesus replied yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. The family but a part. But a son is part of the family forever. So if the son sets you free, you are truly free.
Speaker 1:Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham and yet some of you are trying to kill me because there's no room in your hearts for my message. I'm telling you what I saw when I was with my father. But you are following the advice of your father. But you are following the advice of your father. Our father is Abraham. They they declared no. Jesus said, for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. No, you are imitating your real father. Yikes, uh-oh, they replied. We aren't illegitimate children. God himself is our true father.
Speaker 1:Jesus told them if God were your father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I'm not here on my own, but he sent me. Why can't you understand what I am saying? It's because you can't even hear me, for you are the children of your father, the devil. You love to do with the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. So when I tell you the truth, you just naturally don't believe me. Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I'm telling you the truth, why don't you believe me?
Speaker 1:Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God, but you don't listen because you don't belong to God. But you don't listen because you don't belong to God. The people retorted you, samaritan devil, didn't we say all along that you were possessed by a demon, told them he was a demon. No, jesus said I have no demon in me, for I honor my father and you dishonor me. And though I have no wish to glorify myself, god is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. I tell you the truth Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die.
Speaker 1:The people said now we know that you're possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and this prophet died. But you say anyone who obeys my teaching will never die. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are? Jesus replied if I want to glory for myself, it doesn't count. But it is my father who will glorify me. You say he is our God, but you don't even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as a great liar as you, but I do know him and obey him. Your father Abraham rejoiced, as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.
Speaker 1:The people said you aren't even 50 years, john 8. God is speaking. He's speaking his word and his word will not return void. His word will not return void. The Bible says who do you say I am? He asked Peter that who do you say I am? He says I am who I say I am. There are so many statements in the Bible for us to doubt that he is who he says he is. He says I am the bread of life In John 6, 35 and 48,.
Speaker 1:In identifying himself as such, jesus references the bread from heaven that the people of Israel ate in the wilderness, yet eventually they still died. Jesus says believers will have endless life if they eat with him, meaning believe in and follow him. I am the light of the world John 8, verse 12. Again, I am the light of the world John 8, verse 12. Again, jesus references the people of ancient Israel and the pillar of fire that they followed through the wilderness. It is fitting that Jesus makes the statement in the temple course during the festival of the tabernacles, which commemorates Israel's sovereign in the desert with the display of bright lights. Jesus is a better and eternal light. Whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. I am the gate for the sheep John 10, verse 7 and 9. And I am the good shepherd. In these statements, jesus is likely referencing Jerusalem's sheep gate and the shepherd of Psalms 23. The sacrificial sheep and lambs were brought through the sheep gate to the temple for sacrifice, providing a way for sins of the people of Israel to be covered. But Jesus is better. But Jesus is a better gate and a better shepherd. He is the gateway to eternal forgiveness and salvation for all people and he is the ultimate good shepherd who restores the souls of everyone who believes in him.
Speaker 1:John 11, I am the resurrection of life. Jesus' word follows Martha's reference to the final resurrection of the body that Daniel prophesies. Jesus explains that the resurrection in life is found in more than just an event. It is found in a person, more specifically in him. And then my favorite one to quote I am the way, the truth and the life. In John 14, verse 6, as the only sinless human ever walked the earth, only Jesus was able to keep all the decrees, commands and laws of God, thus walk into the way and truth of God that leads to life. And the last one, he says I am the vine. In John 15, I am the vine as the only senseless human ever to walk the earth.
Speaker 1:Jesus drew on the many of the Old Testament references as Israel as a vine, though Israel was the vine God transplanted from Egypt and planted on the hillside. It became a vine that was cut down, corrupt and ultimately destroyed. Jesus, however, is the true vine. He fulfills Israel's promise to obey the commands of God and bear fruit on her behalf. Whoever is connected to him will have life and bear much fruit. Whoever is connected to him will have life and bear much fruit. Hear me by the Spirit of the Lord. He's speaking. Don't doubt him. Trust him.
Speaker 1:There are many plans that we plan in our hearts, but whose plans are going to prevail? Whose plans matter? In all fairness and all truthness, submit your ways to the Lord and he will establish your ways. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him, who called us by his own glory and goodness. Where do we get, where are we to get the knowledge from? Though His word, his word.
Speaker 1:Even though rulers sit and speak against Jesus, his servant meditated on his statutes. He was called by God. How many of us know? The fear of God is the first sign of wisdom. The fear of God is the first sign of wisdom, and let me leave you with this.
Speaker 1:People may make plans in their minds, but the Lord decides what they will do. That's Proverbs 16. All we want in life is smooth sailing, with ourselves in the policy, and Jesus is the co-pilot. We'll go together, lord, but I'll make the calls. Perhaps we don't say that out loud or even consciously think about it, but honestly, sometimes we wish Jesus would just stop changing or influencing our own strategy.
Speaker 1:Here's the thing, though Jesus loves us too much to let us invest in plans which we will benefit our egos. To let us invest in plans which we will benefit our egos, our egotistical, individualistic, sinful selves. That might sound harsh, but bear with me. Jesus allows chaos in our lives to deter us from self-infatuation, creating plans and reaching goals that will cause us to think we did it, I did this. He knows that dependence on him will only come if we are shaken out of the daydream that we can accomplish things on our own. It is his great love and mercy that swipes the world out from under our feet the next time everything starts breaking down. Thank Jesus for for taking the wheel.
Speaker 1:You know what I want to say to this in 2025? Let let your daddy drive. Yeah, in 2025, let Jesus drive. These are my words of encouragement to you all. Have an amazing day on purpose Peace, new, new, new, everything new. I'm ready to go, ready for more, I'm ready for new, like a straight up start. You already know I'm ready to flow, I'm ready to move. The hold is through. I'm in public.