Video link: https://youtu.be/PGsC2ErianY


We are in the earth in the world

The scripture never said be in the world but not of the world. It says in
JOHN 17:14 “I have given them Your word; and  the world has hated them, because  they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
JOHN 17:15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.
JOHN 17:16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

We must be in the world  but do not live in with the same belief system as the world

But associate with the world
We are to shine in the midst of darkness. Be smack dab in the middle relating to the world by shining as light in darkness one belief system brighter than another belief system.

So we associate with the world not cut ourselves off from the world.

Question
Are we to cut ourselves off from immoral people? How are we going to be light in darkness if we cut ourselves off from those who are in darkness?

Paul says cut yourselves off from immoral believers.
1COR. 5:9  I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;
1COR. 5:10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with  idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
1COR. 5:11 But  actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called  brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or  an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler — not even to eat with such a one.

Whose truth are you embracing?

The phrase "in the world but not of the world" is a theme in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) that appears in John 15:19. The phrase is interpreted to mean that people should live in the world to achieve their eternal destination, but should avoid the world's sins, materialism, and immodesty. Instead, they should: Dress modestly, Keep the law of chastity, Put God's kingdom first, Act as lights to the world, and Set an example for others.


 

### Ten Examples of Misunderstandings or Misinterpretations in Christian Doctrine

1. **"God helps those who help themselves."**
   - **False Teaching:** Often cited as biblical wisdom.
   - **Reference:** Not found in the Bible.
   - **Truth:** Proverbs 28:26 - "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered."
   
2. **"Money is the root of all evil."**
   - **False Teaching:** Money itself is the source of all evil.
   - **Reference:** Commonly misquoted from the Bible.
   - **Truth:** 1 Timothy 6:10 - "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."

3. **"Cleanliness is next to godliness."**
   - **False Teaching:** Often cited as a biblical principle.
   - **Reference:** Not found in the Bible.
   - **Truth:** While cleanliness can symbolize purity, there is no specific verse. James 4:8 calls for purity of heart.

4. **"This too shall pass."**
   - **False Teaching:** Attributed to the Bible as a source of comfort.
   - **Reference:** Not found in the Bible.
   - **Truth:** While not a direct quote, principles of enduring trials can be found in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

5. **"God will never give you more than you can handle."**
   - **False Teaching:** God won't give us more than our personal strength can bear.
   - **Reference:** Misinterpretation of biblical teaching.
   - **Truth:** 1 Corinthians 10:13 - Talks about temptation, not life burdens. God provides a way to endure it.

6. **"Love the sinner, hate the sin."**
   - **False Teaching:** Commonly attributed to the Bible.
   - **Reference:** Not found in the Bible.
   - **Truth:** General biblical teaching on love; Psalm 97:10 calls for hating evil.

7. **"We are all God’s children."**
   - **False Teaching:** Often used to describe all humanity.
   - **Reference:** Not specific in the Bible.
   - **Truth:** John 1:12 - Children of God through receiving Christ.

8. **"God wants you to be happy."**
   - **False Teaching:** Misconception that God's primary goal is our happiness.
   - **Reference:** Not found in the Bible.
   - **Truth:** Pursuit of holiness is the biblical focus; 1 Peter 1:16.

9. **"God doesn’t care about your struggles."**
   - **False Teaching:** Suggests God is indifferent to human hardship.
   - **Reference:** Misinterpretation.
   - **Truth:** Psalm 34:17-19; Matthew 11:28-30.

10. **"Faith can create physical wealth and well-being."**
    - **False Teaching:** Prosperity gospel claims material wealth as a sign of favor.
    - **Reference:** Misapplication of biblical principles.
    - **Truth:** 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Matthew 6:19-20.



 

### Five Misunderstandings/False Teachings with Biblical Corrections

1. **Lie: "Good works can earn you salvation."**
   - **False Teaching:** Some believe that performing good deeds or following religious rituals can earn one's place in heaven.
   - **Insight:** This belief undermines the doctrine of grace.
   - **Scriptural Reference:** Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
   - **Biblical Truth:** Salvation is a gift from God received through faith in Jesus Christ, not by means of our own works.

2. **Lie: "God wants to punish you for your mistakes."**
   - **False Teaching:** The belief that God is primarily punitive and seeks to punish us for every sin.
   - **Insight:** This perception distorts the nature of God's justice and love.
   - **Scriptural Reference:** Romans 8:1 - "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
   - **Biblical Truth:** God is just, but He is also loving and merciful. Through Christ, believers are not condemned for their sins but are forgiven and given new life.

3. **Lie: "You can live any way you want as long as you believe in Jesus."**
   - **False Teaching:** Some argue that faith in Jesus excuses a person from living a holy and righteous life.
   - **Insight:** This undermines the call to discipleship and sanctification.
   - **Scriptural Reference:** James 2:17 - "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
   - **Biblical Truth:** True faith in Jesus produces a transformed life that seeks to follow His teachings and live in a manner that honors God.

4. **Lie: "God does not care about your suffering."**
   - **False Teaching:** The belief that God is indifferent to human pain and suffering.
   - **Insight:** This can arise in the midst of intense personal trials.
   - **Scriptural Reference:** 1 Peter 5:7 - "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
   - **Biblical Truth:** God deeply cares about human suffering and invites us to cast our burdens upon Him. He promises to be with us and provide comfort and strength through our trials.

5. **Lie: "Faith in God will exempt you from troubles and hardship."**
   - **False Teaching:** The notion that becoming a Christian will remove all life’s problems and ensure a trouble-free existence.
   - **Insight:** This belief leads to disillusionment when difficulties arise.
   - **Scriptural Reference:** John 16:33 - "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
   - **Biblical Truth:** Jesus Himself warned that His followers would face trials and tribulations. However, He also promised His peace and victory over the world, providing hope and strength to endure hardships.



Season of sowing

We have been in a season of sowing and reaping not just sowing.

IAm
Increase your expectation. You are not to rely on your strength to sow but rather my ability to provide seed for you. Now raise the level of your expectation. Don’t look for strength, courage and faith to sow for this is an action of obedience. Look for workers to help you collect the harvest.

Don’t be stuck in the place of obedience looking to settle simple issues. On the others of obedience is the accomplishment of my will in and for your life and so it is with all things.

As long as you contemplate your natural obedience to my Word your faith is being worked in the wrong areas. Faith that is working is alive and faith that is absent of works is dead. Obedience is first. Once you obey my word you have activated faith. Now keep faith alive by the actions required to acquire what you do not possess.
Possess the land by moving onto the land like Abraham who first obeyed and aligned his life with the prophetic word of being the father of many nations with offspring like the sands of the sea and he obeys the word to kill his only son and in turn began a journey of faith that breathed faith that was kicking and alive with every step he made after his act of obedience.

Moses said yes I will go tell pharaoh to let my people go. This was his act of obedience and that activated faith.  Now he must continue to keep faith alive by acting upon it.

You see Mary the soon to be mother of Jesus and Joseph the soon to be father obeying the Lord God by staying together and not being separated because of a supernatural pregnancy. Every action after the activation of faith is to keep faith alive and not dead.

Dead faith is the non active non demonstration of daily aligning with what you heard that made you believe and obey.

Obedience is tripping up to many in my church says the Lord.
You are not my children if you do not obey me. For my sheep hear, listen for my voice and another voice they will not follow.
Jesus says, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.’’ John 14:23


We obey not as an act of faith but rather an act of love.

John 14:21 TPT - Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands. Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love him in return and will reveal myself to him.”

Three things three actions take place.
You must love Jesus by demonstrating obedience

Question: are you willing to do what Jesus commands you to do?

God will love you because you love Jesus through the showing, the action of obedience.

Thirdly Jesus will love you passionately because of your obedience and will reveal himself, more of Jesus, to you.

If you are not obeying what Jesus asks you to do, you should not expect to be given more revelation of Jesus.

Manifest
to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words): - appear declare (plainly) inform (will) manifest shew signify.

If you are stuck at the door of obedience your faith has nothing to do with it.
You only need to fall in love with Jesus and start obeying him.
There is no obedience without relationship.
There is no faith without works
There are no works without love

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. Love never gives up.

1 Corinthians 13:3-7 MSG


Your faith is not a word that describes you but rather faith describes a belief system.
Faith is made alive by actions.
Following commands of Christ says I’m obedient to Christ because I’m in love with Christ. Now the Father is in love with me and Jesus is showing me more of who He is.

So again the question: are you in love with Jesus or just doing things that look good, sound good and feel good as a believer system?

If Jesus can get you to love him and respond by obeying him you will have everything you need because you will obtain what you have not seen with your eyes nor heard with your ears nor has your heart known.

We are putting the cart before the horse

We are doing works
We are saying the right words and prayers and declarations

But without a love relationship that is demonstrated through obedience we are broken. The system we have built upon is broken.

Sowing is an act of obedience, obeying what Jesus commands. Reaping is an act of faith, believing that you will obtain what you’ve sown as fruit that needs to be collected.
Expectation produces more fruit than naturally required as you hire more hands to collect the harvest you are yet to see.

You expect to feed the five thousand because you are sowing five fish and two loaves of bread that will be multiplied in the hands of Jesus who you are obeying when he says feed my sheep.

So reaching into the basket to find fish and bread is working your faith. Your faith was activated by the obedience to the command of Jesus which is to feed my sheep, feed the people.

Jesus is asking you to do anything it’s because he desires to grow the love from you to him where it becomes passionate. Passion means you will do anything for the other person. All you see is them. All you hear is their voice, their ask.

We are constantly being asked for our allegiance. Who do you  serve?

John 8:28-59

Embracing a system is embracing the author of that system whether it be God, satan or man.

You embrace God you embrace truth
You embrace Satan you embrace lies
You embrace man you embrace foolishness
http://www.relevantbibleteaching.com/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=140036825&sec_id=140001239


Whose truth are you building a belief system around?


Turned truth into a lie
Romans 1:25
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen


Who is your father?

What have you embraced?
Whatever you have embraced as truth has an author who is gathering that truth and all those who believe it.

John 8:44 KJVS
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

A lie is falsehood
A liar is a falsifier, one who breaks faith

Satan the devil, diabolos
Does not believe in any system. He has no faith. The devil is a faith breaker. He’s not replacing one belief system for another.

He speaks his native tongue - this means he speaks of himself, he speaks to support himself only, pertaining to one's self, one's own, belonging to one's self

John 8:44
New International Version
44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.


A belief system of faith must speak of someone else other than self.

Jesus speaks of His Father not of himself.

John 5:19 American Standard Version (ASV)
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner
Jesus therefore is Truth

Holy Spirit speaks of Jesus and not of himself

The Holy Ghost testifies of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught that “when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26).

When Satan speaks to Jesus in the wilderness he is lying to Jesus. He is not speaking truths to tempt Jesus. He is speaking lies to tempt Jesus.

Jesus in turn answers the lie with truth each time. He answers according to the belief system of faith that he has embraced.

Jesus therefore is declaring his obedience to the Father and his love for the Father by answering according to truth.

Our words
Align with truth = good
Be the actual truth = best

1. A mother is an integral part of the first proclamation of the Gospel (Genesis 3:15).

The first promise of salvation mentions a mother and her son—

I will put hostility between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and her offspring.

He will strike your head,

and you will strike his heel.

A mother will be fundamental to this plan.

2. A mother is a specific object of satanic hatred (Genesis 3:15).

The Lord puts enmity between the serpent (Satan) and this mother. Satan will hate her (and the mothers to follow) because the One who will defeat him will be born of a woman.

3. A mother speaks the first recorded words of faith (Genesis 4:1, 25).

The first recorded words of faith are those of a mother and relate to motherhood—"I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord." Though conceived through normal means, Eve knows that her son is by God's gracious help. She believes God's promise to provide an "offspring," a second Adam ("a man").

4. A mother is the first recorded to speak the name "Yahweh" and influences a line of Yahweh-worshipers (Genesis 4:1, 26).

In her profession of faith, Eve speaks "Yahweh," and is the first to do so in Scripture.[1] Genesis 4, bookended by her confessions of faith, concludes by noting that Seth's descendants "began to call upon the name of [Yahweh]."[2] This mother's faith continues in a righteous line for generations to follow.

5. A mother is the first person to whom the angel of the Lord appears and the first to confer a name on God (Genesis 16:7, 13).

The "angel of the Lord" is a regular and important figure in the Old Testament. His first appearance is to pregnant Hagar, who fled from Sarai due to mistreatment. The angel is Yahweh himself, who saw this mother and heard her weeping.

In response, Hagar "called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, 'You are a God of seeing.'" She becomes the first human to confer a name on God.

6. Mothers repeatedly act to rescue and preserve the line of the promised redeemer.

Righteous Tamar (Genesis 38:26). Defiant Jochebed.[3] Deborah, “a mother in Israel.”[4] Shrewd Naomi.[5] These are a sampling of the mothers who act to rescue the line of the redeemer.

7. Mothers are to be honored; dishonoring mothers is strongly condemned.

The Law counted honoring mothers (alongside fathers) amongst the greatest of commands.[6] Dishonoring one's mother through violence, cursing, or rebellion was punishable by death.[7]

In the New Testament, honoring one's mother is a core command for children.[8] Disobedience to parents continues to serve as an example of the worst of evils.[9] Financially supporting one's mother (and grandmothers) is an act of godliness. A failure to provide for them is considered a denial of the faith.[10]

8. Mothers were one of God's means for imparting wisdom to kings.

King Solomon was the wisest man on earth.[11] Even so, he commended his wife's teaching as integral to the wisdom of their son.[12]

The mother of King Lemuel was not only a wise woman but a skilled artist. She crafted a remarkable poem to impart wisdom to her son, the king, and all who read it today.[13]

9. Mothers illustrate the compassion, attentiveness, and tender care of the Lord.

The way of a mother with her children illustrates God's way with his people.[14] Such "motherly" qualities are a model for those who care for God's people.[15]

10. A mother-to-be is the first person in both the Old and New Testaments to hear the Lord's ability to do the "impossible."

Both unbelieving Sarah and faith-filled Mary, hearing that an elderly woman will conceive, are told that "nothing is impossible with God." They are the first in each testament to receive this assurance.[16]

11. Two mothers-to-be are the first in the New Testament to believe and speak about the conception of the Messiah and his forerunner, John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-38).

Zechariah was struck silent for his unbelief.[17] But both Elizabeth and Mary believe and speak of these promised children.

12. Two mothers are the first to recognize and announce the arrival of the Messiah in the world (Luke 1:39-45).

Elizabeth and Mary are the first to recognize and announce the arrival of the Messiah.

13. A mother wrote the first hymn of the New Covenant era (Luke 1:46-55).

In her joy, Mary composes the first song in the New Testament, which we know as "The Magnificat." As with Hannah before her, Mary's song finds use in Christian worship and instruction today.[18]

14. A mother is the first to expect and ask for a miraculous sign in the ministry of the Messiah (John 2:1-11).

Mary's request demonstrates early insight into and faith in the Messianic ministry of her son.

15. Mothers are encouraged to find their ultimate worth beyond their relationship to their children (Luke 11:27-28).

A woman shouted to Jesus, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!" She, like other Jewish women, measured her worth by the status of her child.[19]

Jesus replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" Instead of finding their status in biological offspring, Jesus invites mothers to relate directly to God through his word. A mother finds true blessedness when she knows the Word-Made-Flesh and follows him.

16. Mothers' hardships are acknowledged by Jesus as he goes to his own crucifixion (Luke 23:26-31).

The most important work of Jesus is his death and resurrection. He suffered God's wrath for the sin of the world and rose from the dead to redeem those who trust in him. As he went to his death, he noticed a crowd of women who mourned and lamented for him. He told them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'"

Jesus spoke of Jerusalem's coming destruction. In those days, its citizens would need to flee. But pregnancy or care of children would slow or prevent such escape. Mothers would have to watch their children suffer. Amid his own pain, Jesus recognized, acknowledged, and expressed compassion toward the unique hardships of mothers.

17. Mothers were among the last to be with Jesus at the cross when all but one disciple fled (John 19:25).

At least two mothers, along with some other women and John, were the last to remain with Jesus at the cross. Like our mother Eve, they remained faithful, even during painful loss.

18. A mother is the final person to whom Jesus ministered directly, even while dying (John 19:26-27).

The final act of ministry Jesus performed before his death was to provide care for his soon-to-be bereaved mother.

19. Mothers are recognized for their contribution to the faith of church leaders (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15; Acts 16:1).

Paul celebrated the influence of Lois and Eunice in passing on the faith to their grandson and son, Timothy.

20. Mothers are New Covenant blessings promised to those who follow Jesus (Mark 10:29-30; Romans 16:13).

Mothers are not merely good gifts. Mothers are a necessity—a blessing that the Lord does not expect his people to live without. Jesus promises that we will not be left motherless, even if following him requires us to leave our mothers. Even then, we will receive "a hundredfold" of mothers in this life.

As though to illustrate this, Paul called Rufus' mother, "a mother to me as well." She was not likely his biological mother. But this older Christian woman cared for Paul, perhaps with hospitality and practical support. This caused him to view her as a mother—a beautiful picture of the new family we find in the church.

Conclusion

What can we learn from these things?

1. God cares about and speaks frequently of mothers.

The Bible highlights mothers from Genesis through Revelation. The Holy Spirit inspired the Bible's authors to notice, include, and celebrate mothers. We would do well to do the same.

God hears their cries, sees their pain, and pities their suffering. He welcomes their prayers, honors their faith, and prospers their efforts in all manner of work. He calls them to his service (from domestic to spiritual), equips them for the task, and sends them on mission. God loves, values, and celebrates mothers. So should we.

2. The manifold contributions of mothers matter.

The impact of mothers on children (biological, adopted, and spiritual) is undeniable; it should not be diminished. But the Scripture does not limit the significance of mothers to their child-raising. Mothers made remarkable (and necessary!) contributions to the advance of God's redemptive purposes. We must see, welcome, and celebrate such contributions in the same way Scripture does.

3. We cannot grasp the significance of mothers in the moment.

These mothers often did not know the significance of their actions in the grand scheme of redemptive history. They were simply believing God’s promises and exercising covenant faithfulness in the moment.

So, mothers, be content with faith and faithfulness. Believe the Gospel. Be faithful with what God has given you to do. Don’t measure whether you “matter” by what you can see happening; that is out of your hands



[1] English translations used "the LORD" in small caps to designate the translation of Yahweh, the personal, covenant name of God.

[2] This may refer to public, organized worship of the Lord.

[3]  Exodus 2:1-10

[4] Judges 5:7

[5] Ruth 3

[6] Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:3; Deuteronomy 5:16; Proverbs 23:22

[7] Exodus 21:15, 17; Leviticus 20:9; Deuteronomy 21:18-21; Proverbs 20:20

[8] Ephesians 6:1-3

[9]  Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2

[10] 1 Timothy 5:3-8

[11] 1 Kings 4:29-30

[12] Proverbs 1:8; 6:20

[13] Proverbs 31

[14] Isaiah 49:15; 66:13; Matthew 23:37

[15] Galatians 4:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:7

[16] Genesis 18:14; Luke 1:37

[17] Luke 1:20

[18] 1 Samuel 2

[19] See also Matthew 20:20-21

I Remember

I remember Dinah and Joseph, children of Jacob and Rachel, burying their mother on the way to Bethlehem and leaving her grave behind. I know too many children who have faced this day, suddenly without their mother.

I remember Rachel, Sarah, and Elizabeth, and I have celebrated with every friend who held her newborn child and found it to be simultaneously the greatest gift and the hardest task.

I imagine the hundreds of women who never merited a name in Scripture because they were unable to bear children to pass on the family faith. I know too many women facing miscarriage, infertility, and loneliness.

I remember Rahab, Deborah, Joanna, and Phoebe — women whose work surprisingly outweighed the need to record whether or not they had children. Were they childless by choice, by circumstance? Were the names of their children lost to a history that found them unimportant? Were they shamed in their lifetime for putting work ahead of family?

I remember the unnamed mother of Moses and the daughter of Pharaoh, linked and yet so separate. One gave up her child to save her child, and one took in a child despite the risks. I remember all the women who have given up their children in the hope of better life for them. And, as one who may one day join their ranks, I remember every woman who has made family through adoption, who has taken in a child “not her own,” because bone of bones is not always how a family is made.

I remember Naomi, demanding, “Call me ‘bitter.’” I remember the unnamed wife of Job. I know too many women who buried their children, lives lost unbearably early.

I remember Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and Tamar, the daughter of David. I know too many women whose bodies, sexualities, marriages, and children should be a source of joy, instead corrupted by someone else’s sin.

I remember Hagar, and Tamar the wife of Er, women whose only hope for protection and care lay in having a child with a man who was not married to them. I remember that Hagar was sent into the wilderness to die, her son Ishmael at her side. I know too many women raising their children alone, and remember the women whose destruction has become a footnote while the men made history.

I remember Rebekah, and her twins Esau and Jacob already at war within her. I remember she chose a favorite son, just as her husband had. I know too many children who bear the trauma of parents who, perhaps, did what they thought was right and did the best they could, and scarred their children’s hearts for life.

MAY THE GOD WHO MOTHERS EACH OF US BE A SOURCE OF LIFE FOR ALL WHO LONG FOR HOPE.
I remember Hannah, her heart so wounded by the abuse of her husband’s other wife that she wept at the altar of God until she could not speak — and how Eli, the holy priest, assumed she must have been drunk to pray so hard. I know too many women whose heartbreak has been turned into a weapon against them.

I remember the woman at the well, silenced and shunned by divorce. I know too well the wretched freedom found in divorce, the messiness of new life with a broken heart.

I remember the foreign women described in Ezra and Nehemiah, the wives of God’s people, who came home with their husbands to rebuild the temple only to be cast aside by men claiming to be righteous and pure. I remember how many mothers have been made homeless or landless, often for reasons beyond their control, and how powerful men have turned them into pawns to be manipulated and ostracized.

I remember the Syrophoenician woman, alone, unsupported, and persistent beyond comprehension on behalf of her dying child. I know too many women whose demands were mocked or pushed aside, whose insistence on justice and equality meant others soured their lips.

I remember Mary Magdalene, the first preacher of the resurrection, soiled by centuries of slander that turned her from wide-eyed witness to reformed harlot. In her testimony, she gave birth to the church. I know too many women whose gender, sexuality, history, and bravery has been used against them and the gospel they proclaim.

I remember Mary the virgin, a teenage girl, cradling her stomach with wonder, answering the shock of a miracle and the sureness of societal judgment with a simple and determined “Yes.”

And I remember Eve, the mother of all, bone of the bones of the man of dust, her name a reflection of the Hebrew word for life.

Jesus is being lifted and honored
Many eyes are seeing and hearts are turning towards the true Lord Jesus

What has troubled your heart today?
What are you clinging to that is hindering your reach into new and greater things?
I say to you today to release the old habits the old ways and cling to the new.
Let go of the comforts of yesterday that allowed you to rest in peace. Todays comforts are ready to be experienced as you allow the new to be poured into new mindsets, new heart beats and new hands. For you are ready for the new so let go of the containers and pots and other vessels you’ve held the old in hoping for a reversal day where you can walk in yesterdays glory. Yesterday has passed and todays sun and moon requires a new flow of my Spirit that flows through you.
The new wine and the latter day work together to equip you. You shall go out being led with peace. So go out and come in. Stop hanging in and hanging on with a safety net of little faith that looks like relationship building with ABBA but in reality it is your relationship with fear that is keeping you from forward progress that leads to being poured out and poured into.

You speak of pain and slowness of heart from the Father. Where is God? Why is God? You question the moments, questioning God.
I say to you son and daughters do not rely on your sight in approaching the Great I Am.
Do not approach Almighty based on what you have seen and heard with your eyes your sight nor with your hearing sense.

You must come to IAm with faith not senses. Move away from small small thinking that allows you to believe you have gained understanding because of what you’ve seen or become mature because of what you have sensed.

For without faith it is impossible to please God
He that comes to God must come in Faith believing that God exist and that God will reward those who seek for him diligently.

You have thought you know God because of what you’ve seen, sensed and discovered.  But you have moved by the flesh you have reaped only corruption. You are destined for growth towards greatness when you stop responding to your sight. For the Lord says to you this day, I Am bigger than your view, your thoughts and your experience. What I have in plan for you has not been seen or heard by yourself yet.

The wilderness
When you enter the wilderness you are entering the refiners pot. Here is where IAm will expose you to the fire that will burn away the old and make way for purity. For you shall come forth coming out of the wilderness experience with purity and power to do.
It is not what you put your eye towards nd focus but rather what you allow to be touched by the fire of my spirit as I burn away the chaff. The unlocking of you, before you were formed, and known before you were experienced is being revealed within the wilderness.

Three wilderness experiences.

Elisha
runs into the wilderness in fear running from Jezebel 1 Kings, chapter 19, verses 4 – 7
John the Baptist
Is preparing the way of the Lord. Announcing the coming Messiah and making disciples. Living in the wilderness and wearing wilderness clothing and eating from the wilderness. Matthew 3

Jesus
After Jesus is baptized  he is led into the wilderness where he he is fasting forty days and is tempted by the devil in three areas. Matthew 4

The wilderness
Elijah uses the wilderness to hide and rest
John uses the wilderness to separate himself and prepare the people.
Jesus used the wilderness as a womb to be birthed from. Entering in the flesh and spirit after a water baptism and having a spiritual experience within the depths of the wilderness and exiting the wilderness having been tested and ready.


 The voice of the wilderness
Elijah 40 days
Hears the whisper of God
John
Is the voice crying in the wilderness
Jesus 40 days
Hears the voice of the devil tempting him

Moses 40 yrs
David 1 Samuel 23:14-29 Amplified Bible (AMP) fleeing from Saul
Abraham Genesis 13:10-13; 18).

You are coming out of the place of the wilderness or going into a wilderness or outside of the transition.

The preparation I have brought you into is for the obtaining of promise and purpose. Don’t discredit your experiences for a small beginning leads to bigger purpose. I have destined you for growth and from the disharmony in your life I will release a sound of those emerging from the wilderness.
Many wilderness walkers are coming out of the place of darkness and hiding and being released into the light. They will signify the return of righteousness to my church says the Lord. For my heart is grieved over the condition of my bride. Today you will see her washed and strengthened by the wilderness walkers release. Up from the grave and into the light. The tomb dwellers shall see and be changed in a moment by the glory on the wilderness walkers.  
You have been transformed and reconfigured. Don’t rely on old manna. Don’t look for the past to be a crutch for your brokenness for I have done a new thing within you and will lift you emotionally as I have spiritually. Your spirit has been made new and you are whole holy and ready to tread out the will of IAm.
Don’t search out the cocoon the place of transformation and release that was comfortable for a moment. This is transition. This represents yesterdays preparation. Today is the wind over your wing and my breath under your wing to lead you into all truth. You are leaving preparation and walking new and freshly into a dawning sun.

### Outline:
1. **Elijah in the Wilderness**
   - Reference: 1 Kings 19:1-18
   - Significance and Events: Flight, revelation, and renewal.
2. **John the Baptist in the Wilderness**
   - Reference: Matthew 3:1-3; Mark 1:2-4; Luke 3:2-6
   - Significance and Events: Preparation, prophecy, and baptism.
3. **Jesus in the Wilderness**
   - Reference: Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13
   - Significance and Events: Temptation, spiritual confrontation, and affirmation of mission.

### Detailed Analysis:

#### 1. Elijah in the Wilderness
- **Scripture:** 1 Kings 19:1-18
- **Events and Significance:**
  - Elijah flees to the wilderness to escape Jezebel's threat after defeating the prophets of Baal.
  - In the wilderness, he experiences despair but is met by God not in dramatic phenomena (earthquake, wind, fire) but in a still small voice, symbolizing a profound personal revelation and spiritual renewal.
  - The wilderness is depicted as a place where God reaffirms Elijah’s mission and provides direction at a time of great personal crisis.

#### 2. John the Baptist in the Wilderness
- **Scripture:** Matthew 3:1-3; Mark 1:2-4; Luke 3:2-6
- **Events and Significance:**
  - John, described as a voice calling in the wilderness, emphasizes the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 40:3-5).
  - His role was to prepare the way for Christ. His ministry in the wilderness, away from the trappings of civilization, underscores a call to spiritual preparation and repentance.
  - The wilderness symbolizes a place apart, conducive for spiritual clarity and transformation, preparing people for the advent of Jesus’ ministry.

#### 3. Jesus in the Wilderness
- **Scripture:** Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13
- **Events and Significance:**
  - Following His baptism, Jesus retreats into the wilderness, where He fasts for 40 days and is tempted by Satan.
  - This period marks a time of both physical and spiritual testing, which Jesus overcomes, thus reaffirming His readiness and resolve for His public ministry.
  - The wilderness, once again, serves as a backdrop for profound spiritual engagement and confrontation, highlighting the strength and commitment of Jesus to His divine mission.

### Significance of the Wilderness in Scripture:
- **Symbolism of Testing and Dependence:** The wilderness often represents a harsh environment that tests faith and dependence on God (Deuteronomy 8:2).
- **Place of Revelation:** It is a setting for divine encounters and spiritual clarity, stripped of distractions and societal influences (Hosea 2:14).
- **Transformation and Preparation:** It prepares individuals and groups for significant spiritual and communal tasks, serving as a crucible for transformation (Ezekiel 20:35-36).