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The message of grace that empowers you to stand as an overcome beleiver.

  1. قبل ٦ أيام

    One Coin - Two Sides | Trent Tombs | Jun 28, 2026

    The Full Picture of the GospelThe Two-Sided Coin of the Gospel: The Gospel is the ultimate power of God to save, but to experience its full impact, we must grasp it in its totality. Much like a coin with two distinct sides, the complete picture of the gospel involves both the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of Grace. While Jesus' earthly ministry heavily emphasized the Kingdom and the Apostle Paul’s letters championed Grace, they are not two separate messages, but one unified gospel. Understanding both sides is crucial; it prevents us from becoming comfortably stagnant on one end or burning out through legalism on the other, ultimately empowering us to step fully into our royal identity. The Gospel of the Kingdom: When Jesus began His earthly ministry, His central declaration was clear: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). This was not a harsh threat, but a joyful, royal announcement that the King's domain had finally arrived on earth. As believers, we are no longer subject to the broken systems of this world; we have been transferred into the Kingdom of God's beloved Son. This means we are royalty—joint-heirs with Christ—who carry the delegated authority to bring heaven's standard of healing, peace, and dominion into our homes, our workplaces, and our city. The Unshakable Foundation of Grace. Before we can effectively expand the Kingdom, we must be completely secure in the Gospel of Grace. The cross of Calvary is our unshakable foundation. Through Jesus' finished work, our sins have been entirely dealt with, and we are no longer defined as just "sinners saved by grace," but as the very righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! The enemy desperately wants us to doubt our salvation to keep us immobilized. However, grace assures us that our standing with the Father is based entirely on Jesus' perfect, finished sacrifice, not on our own flawed performance. Empowered to Reign in Life: When we successfully bridge the Gospel of Grace with the Gospel of the Kingdom, we are activated to truly reign in life. Romans 5:17 reveals that those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness will reign in life through Jesus Christ. Grace is the glorious means to a Kingdom end. It radically transforms our nature and secures our adoption as sons and daughters, enabling us to step out with the King's authority. Free from the heavy burdens of worldly worry and anxiety, we are fully equipped to take dominion over the circumstances we face. The Mission of the Local Church: God's ultimate design is to express this powerful, dual-sided gospel through His bride, the local church. We were not merely saved to get a ticket to heaven; we were saved for a divine, world-changing purpose right here on earth. As a living embassy of heaven, the local church is the place where broken people encounter the healing power of the Kingdom and the unconditional embrace of Grace. As we fully accept our royal identity and rest in the finished work of the cross, we will naturally multiply, advancing the King's domain and preparing ourselves as a bride ready for His triumphant return. Key Scriptures: Matthew 4:17Colossians 1:13Matthew 6:33Romans 5:17

  2. ٢١ يونيو

    The Spirit of Adoption | Jun. 21, 2026 | Pastor Raph

    The Spirit of Adoption This past week, I’ve had several deeply moving, providential, divine-appointed conversations with brothers and sisters in our congregation. And a beautiful, recurring theme kept surfacing in those talks: the adopting heart of God. As a church, we believe deeply in fostering and adopting. We believe it is how we become an answer for our broken community, stepping in to love and guide the next generation. Recently, a dear friend of mine, Pastor Sam Todd from Sanford, Florida, came down to Fort Myers and treated me to lunch. By the way, if you ever want to invite me to lunch, I am exactly like Jesus with Zacchaeus—I am always ready to say yes. In fact, if you don't invite me, I might just invite myself! Jokes aside. As we sat at the table, Sam shared the powerful story of his own adoption. His late parents had struggled with infertility, but they felt a profound calling from God to be parents to multiple children. To confirm this calling, they bought a stuffed bunny, placed it in their bedroom, and named it Samuel—because in the Bible, the phrase "asked of God" directly translates to the name Samuel in Hebrew.  That bunny became a daily token of their prayer. It was a “Gedeon fleece” before God, saying, "Lord, if you do not bring a child to our family in 12 months, we will understand that we were just emotionally moved, and we will let it go." For 11 months, they prayed. No child came. But exactly 11 months and three weeks into that year of prayer, the phone rang. It was an adoption agency. A young, unmarried girl had just released her baby boy for adoption. That was Samuel. In that single moment, the Todd family broke a generational curse and completely changed the trajectory of that little baby's life forever. Fast forward to today. Pastor Sam Todd has two biological sons. At our lunch this week, I sat with his youngest son, Phil. We had the most incredible time talking about Legendarios and about Godly, heavenly things. But his oldest son wasn't at the table with us. He was busy taking care of his own daughter—a beautiful little girl he adopted from India. Think about the staggering odds of that. There was perhaps a one-in-300-million chance that a little orphan girl from India would end up in an American family. But she ended up in a family whose very foundation was built on the adopting heart of God. She was chosen. Pastor Sam Todd was chosen. And this morning, on Father's Day, I want to remind every single one of you of this truth: You are chosen. We have a Heavenly Father who looked at us in our brokenness, called us by name, and elected to adopt us into His eternal family. (Romans 8:14-17) 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For many, the idea of "God the Father" brings up a mixture of emotions. If we are honest, sometimes our view of our Heavenly Father is tainted by our earthly experiences. That is a problem. I remember that in one of my Bible studies, I learned that the only way I could relate to God appropriately was by first fixing my relationship with my earthly father. Again, the problem was that I was unable to fix that relationship perfectly, and it goes back to the thought that the Christian life is centered on what I can do, not on what Christ has done. It is the other way around. Be loved, receive the mercy of the heavenly Father. Allow the truth of adoption to take your heart completely. And from this new identity as beloved, you will have a healthy, healed relationship with your earthly father and with everybody else. The finished work of Jesus Christ entirely defines our relationship with the Father. He is not demanding you earn your keep; He is inviting you to rest in His grace. The name Revealed: Father When Jesus stood on the brink of the cross, He prayed what we call the High Priestly Prayer. He did not say, “I have manifested Your name as Elohim or El Shaddai."  The entire context of John 17 is Jesus speaking to His Father. He revealed God’s name by demonstrating His perfect, unconditional love as a Father to His children. Jehovah-Jireh, our provider, or Jehovah-Rapha, our healer. Yet, of all the magnificent titles and redemptive names God revealed throughout history, Jesus came to emphasize one above all others. The name that the Lord Jesus came to reveal to us is "Father". (John 17:6) 'I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.'  (John 17:11) 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. Father — Patēr — The word carries a meaning of nourisher, protector, upholder. (Matthew 6:9) 'Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”' We do not relate to our early dads primarily through a title. With God, Jesus is teaching that we pray through an intimate relationship of grace. When you cry out "Father," you are assuming the position of an heir. Today, in Christ, the Father loves you just as much as He loves Jesus. If you always come before the Father saying "God, God," it is no wonder you might struggle to feel His love or find faith released in your heart. But when you say, “Father," the Holy Spirit fills you with His love and faith. When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He did not give them a complex religious formula. He handed them the keys to intimacy. (Matthew 27:46) 'And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”'  Our access to the throne room is not based on our good behavior, but on our family status. You are a child of God, and you have a Father who delights to hear your voice. Think of it this way: If you go to a large corporation, employees address the head of the company as "Mr. President" or "CEO."  They interact with him based on his title and their performance. But at the end of the day, a little boy can run right past the reception desk, burst into the corner office, and yell, "Dad!" The CEO drops everything for his son.  The world knows God by His titles—Creator, Judge, Elohim. But because of the finished work of Christ, you do not stand in the lobby of heaven as an employee hoping for a good performance review. You burst into the throne room as a child. The only time the Lord Jesus called His Father "My God" was on Calvary. On the cross, He took on our sins and proved for us our separation from the Father. Jesus was forsaken so that you and I would never be. He cried out, "My God," experiencing the cold distance of judgment and the full penalty of the law, so that today, as born-again believers, we can cry out, "Abba, Father". Because of His sacrifice, our position is eternally secure. ἀββά The term ἀββά occurs in the NT only 3 times: Mark 14:36 (Used by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, expressing agonizing intimacy and submission to God's will) In Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6. In each case, it is used to call on God in prayer. The Apostle Paul (in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6) and Mark deliberately chose to write the Aramaic word into their Greek texts using Greek letters (Ἀββᾶ). A transliteration. English translators maintain this by transliterating the Aramaic word into English letters, honoring the bilingual construction of the original authors. Biblical scholars conclude that New Testament authors used bilingual expressions to strategically bridge Christianity’s Judean roots with its expanding Gentile audience. Historically, retaining the exact syllables of Jesus’s native language captured his authentic voice (ipsissima vox) during intimate healings (Mark 5:41: Talitha koum — translated as, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!”; Mark 7:34: Ephphatha — translated as, "Be opened.") and his traumatic crucifixion (Mark 14:36) 'And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”’). Also, the immediate Greek translations following Aramaic transliterations dispelled pagan notions of magical incantations and clarified narrative misunderstandings. John and Paul used this dual-language technique to prove Jesus fulfilled Jewish prophecy and to emphasize that Greek-speaking Gentiles were fully adopted into the same familial relationship with God. An act of cultural and theological bridge-building. And maybe even as a password to protect the early persecuted believers. A vital liturgical function, as untranslated Aramaic words like Abba, Maranatha and Hallelujah. functioned as sacred, unifying passwords of worship that connected the broader Greco-Roman churches back to the mother church in Jerusalem. (Galatians 4:6) 'And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”' According to Moisés Silva in the New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis (NIDNTTE), Abba has absolutely no childish character. Jewish writings demonstrate it was the standard word used by adult offspring It was also a respectful title for scholars, like "rabbi". In Greek philosophy, the term patēr signified the supreme deity who is the creator, parent, and sustainer of the entire cosmos. The Cry of the Spirit The Spirit does not point you to your own works to establish your identity; He points you to your Father. Psalms 103:11-14 11 For as high as the heavens are above the e

  3. ٣١ مايو

    Be Fervent in the Spirit | Pastor Raph | Jun 7, 2026

    Be Fervent in the Spirit Romans 12:9-13 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Today, we will start a series of “The Heart of God for Us”.  In the next weeks, I would like to share what God has intended us, as His people, to be known. The qualities that would make us distinct in our families, workplace, school and community. We will not follow an order here. But we will try to share what the Lord wants us to be like and how He empowers us to respond to this identity. Today, we land on Romans 12:11 Romans 12:11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  “be fervent": a primary verb; to be hot. The image is to boil, of liquids; or glow after you heat up a metal, of solids. That is, be fervid, earnest, be fervent. Thomas Edison tested thousands of bizarre filament materials—including carbonized bamboo and even human beard hair—scientists finally settled on tungsten because it has the highest melting point of any metal on Earth. To make it work, they take about six feet of microscopic tungsten wire, tightly coil it up to fit inside that oxygen-free glass bubble, and let it burn at temperatures rivaling a star's surface, all without ever actually turning to ash. Be a burning bush Exodus 3:2-4 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Moses’ calling and his usefulness were about the fire in his life. That is why God called Him out of the burning bush.  True usefulness to God relies entirely on the fire of His presence rather than human capability. We Are "Common Bushes": God did not choose Moses for his intellect, charisma, or strength. A desert bush is a rough, ordinary, and unimpressive plant. God does not seek out our natural attributes; He chooses us despite who we are. Our beauty and uniqueness do not come from our natural "wood," but from the fire of God resting upon us. The Fire Sustains the Work, Not the Bush: If a physical fire burns a bush, the wood is eventually reduced to ash. But in this vision, the fire did not consume the branches. God’s heart for us is fervor without burnout. To be set on fire by god without being consumed by the demands of the work. Many leaders fall into the Messiah trap—the belief that they must convert people, save people, fix marriages, heal broken lives, or deliver someone from addiction. But we can’t. Those things are far beyond what any human being can accomplish on their own. We can preach the gospel, disciple people, pray, counsel, encourage, and walk alongside them. We can plant and water the seed, but only God can bring the growth. We can create an environment for transformation, but only the Holy Spirit can transform a heart. When leaders take responsibility for outcomes that belong to God, they eventually become exhausted, discouraged, or controlling. Our calling is faithfulness, not sovereignty. Jesus is the Savior, not us. He is the one who changes hearts, restores marriages, breaks chains, and brings true freedom. So, we should not rely on human strength to accomplish His work. If you try to carry God's work on your own shoulders, you will burn out. True spiritual fervor means allowing God to work through you, so that He sustains the energy, provision, and impact. The Fire Attracts: Moses could not resist the fire (vv. 3). When we are fervent in the Spirit and clothed in Christ, people no longer see our natural limitations; they see the glory of God. There is a famous saying often attributed to John Wesley: “I set myself on fire, and people come to watch me burn.” Fire and Usefulness How could a fearful and cowardly Peter be used by Jesus? Before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter denied Jesus. Matthew 26:69-70 69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter and the other apostles were afraid of persecution and purposeless. They went back to their old life as fishermen.  John 20:19 (ESV) "On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.’" John 21:1-3 (ESV) "After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.' They said to him, 'We will go with you.' They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing." They needed something else. They needed the fire. Acts 1:4-5 (ESV) "And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'" Remember, they were already with the Holy Spirit within them. Jesus, on the occasion of appearing to them in the locked house, had breathed over them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:21-22 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If a police officer is assigned to direct a massive crowd at a Fourth of July parade, it is not enough for him to have completed training, carry a badge, or hold the title of officer. He may possess the identity of a police officer, but to exercise authority effectively, he must also be clothed as one. The uniform visibly represents the authority behind him. People respond not merely to who he is, but to the authority resting upon him. Scripture speaks of being clothed with power from on high, being baptized in the Holy Spirit, and being filled with the Spirit. This is not about receiving a new identity; it is about receiving divine empowerment. The Holy Spirit within gives us life. The Holy Spirit upon us gives us power. The Spirit within produces character; the Spirit upon enables ministry. Just as the officer needs both his identity and his uniform, believers need both the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit resting upon them. God's work is accomplished not merely by who we are in Christ, but by the power of the Holy Spirit operating through us. They needed special clothes for the great commission they were receiving. That is why we understand the covering, suiting the dressing of the Holy Spirit. Or, as the baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire.  Acts 2:1-4 1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." In only moments after that event, the same Peter and the same apostles changed completely.  Acts 2:14 (ESV) (Bold Peter) "But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: 'Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.’” They were on fire. Fervent. Boiling. Fuming. And the result was amazing. Acts 2:41 (ESV) (Three thousand added) "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” The Fire Combination  So the question now is how to keep the fire burning. Every physical fire requires three essential elements to exist: fuel, oxygen, and heat. Heat is the ignition source. It raises a material to the temperature where combustion begins. Fuel is any combustible material. Fire is essentially a rapid oxidation reaction—combustion. For combustion to continue, all three components must remain present simultaneously.  If you want to quench a fire, it is just a matter of removing one of these elements. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (ESV) "Do not quench the Spirit." Similarly, spiritual fire has a triad to sustain the fire within our hearts. Faith, Hope, and Love 1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV) "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Just as a natural fire needs three elements. In order to keep the fire, in order to abide, one must keep the three.  “abide” - μένω - Menō. to last, endure of persons, to survive, live, to remain as one, not to become another or different. The fire within us requires faith, hope, and love. Remove any one of these, and the fire goes out. They must all be deeply connected. Faith and Love. For me, God's love for us is the activator: Faith does not operate in a vacuum; it is activated by love. Galatians 5:5-6 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.  6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. There is no trust if one does not know they are loved. Faith comes from first knowing

  4. ٢٤ مايو

    My cup overflows | May 24, 2026 | Pastor Raph

    My cup overflows At least once a year, a pastor should pass by Psalm 23 with the church. Why? Because that is the Psalm that reminds us to whom we belong. People today live with anxiety, insecurity, and fear of lack or danger. Because God is our good, faithful, steadfast shepherd, we can live without fear or lack, even in life’s darkest moments. Know that we are not part of a movement or an organization. Some sort of membership club or religious sect. We are Jesus’ very flock. This is one of David's Psalms that does not tell us the situation he was involved in ( compare with Psalm 51, 56, 59 or 142). These are historical prefaces, technically called a historical superscription in their opening lines.  Charles Spurgeon said that David could not have written these words given his temporal or earthly circumstances, as his life was marked by great trouble, from his days as a shepherd to his time as a hunted exile, and later as a king beset by war and family tragedy. Psalms 23 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. David, a former shepherd himself, writes not as a detached observer—but as someone who knows both sides. He knows what it means to lead sheep… and he knows what it means to be one. Jesus can be our perfect good shepherd because He is the Lamb of God. He became like us John 10:10-11 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. When God called Moses, he added Aaron to his ministry, because Moses never experienced what the people, as slaves, had suffered.  However, our deliverer knows what it is to suffer.  Hebrews 2:18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. John 10:14-15 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. Shepherding was not a clean, serene, or glamorous job. It involved a grueling, twenty-four-hour-a-day commitment of living in the dirt with the flock, fighting off wild animals, and guiding stubborn animals through hostile terrain. I shall not want Psalm 23:1 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” That statement changes everything. David does not say, “The Lord gives me some help.” He says, “The LORD is my shepherd.” This is personal. Not "a" shepherd. Not "the" shepherd in general. My shepherd. And because of that relationship: “I shall not want.” This does not mean we never face difficulty. It means we will never lack what we truly need. It does not mean a life free from hardship, financial struggle, or physical pain.  It does mean the Creator of the universe takes full, personal responsibility for the care, feeding, and protection of His flock. He makes, He leads, He restores. Psalms 23:2-3 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Sheep don’t lie down easily. They are anxious animals. The work of the Holy Spirit today is to convince you about your righteousness, so we can lie down and be still. John 16:8-11 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. concerning sin, because they do not believe in me: it is “one sin”. Unbelief. That is the only sin that condemns a person to hell. Once you believe, that conviction is fulfilled. - concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father: That is what the Spirit is working on us now.  The Holy Spirit came into your heart to constantly remind, reassure, and convince you that you still possess the gift of righteousness through Christ—even when you make a mistake. He wants to lead us to new levels of this revelation. Romans 5:17 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. The shepherd provides all of that. 2 Corinthians 5:21 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Unless we are fully convinced of God’s righteousness in us, there is no Psalm 23:5. Psalms 23:5 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. cup overflowing. The very end of the Psalm,  Notice the relation of John 16:11. John 16:11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. How can you sit at a table in the presence of your enemies? Only if the Spirit fully convinced you that "the ruler of this world is judged." He is the Restoration and Provision The place of provision, restoration and rest is Jesus Himself. Psalms 23:3 He restores my soul. Life drains us.  Sin distorts us.  Stress exhausts us. Comfort in the valley Psalms 23:4 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. David does not say “…if I walk through the valley". He says, “…even though I walk through the valley".  A devastating medical diagnosis, the grief of losing a loved one, or intense relational betrayal. The rod in Psalm 23 symbolizes God's strength and protection, used to defend the flock from predators and to count sheep (Leviticus 27:32). The staff represents God's guidance and love, used to direct and rescue wandering sheep, especially when they are trapped or in danger.  A staff identifies the shepherd as a shepherd. Used for the care and management of sheep—and only sheep. It will not do for cattle, horses or pigs - W. Philip Keller This “valley” could refer to deep ravines where predators lurk, and shadows hide danger. It represents anything that threatens us: Fear, loss, suffering and death. “I will fear no evil…” Why? Not because the valley is safe. Not because the danger is gone. “For you are with me.” Did you notice the shift? Earlier, David said, “He leads… He makes… He restores…” Now he says, “You are with me.” You are completely known, entirely forgiven, and eternally secured. You do not have to earn the Shepherd’s love; you simply have to yield to it. John 10:28-29 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. For most of us, it is in the valley that theology becomes personal. Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. The Hebrew word for "follow" means to actively pursue or chase down. How do "goodness and mercy" relate to the "rod and staff"? His rod points to His goodness. His staff points to His mercy. His goodness pursues us; His staff pulls us close.  You do not have to exhaust yourself chasing after God’s approval. Psalms 138:7-8 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. 8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.  God does not always remove the valley— but He always enters it with you. “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The same God who corrects you is the God who comforts you. A hospital hallway feels cold and overwhelming. Nothing seems to have changed about the situation… But once a close friend comes and stands close to us, everything feels different. His presence changes everything. God not only provides and protects… He stays with us. My cup overflows Psalms 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. He blesses us in the presence of enemies. In the ancient Near East, hospitality carried profound weight. When a weary, dust-covered traveler arrived at a host's tent, the host would anoint their head with fragrant oil as a lavish sign of extreme honor, refreshment, and favor. God treats us as His honored guests, serving us a feast of grace even while the spiritual battle rages all around us.  John 10:9-11 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Spourgen also said, "The phrase, ‘my cup overflows,’ represents the pinnacle of the Psalmist’s experience. David realized that God’s grace provided an abundant, immeasurable, and excessive measure of blessing. Why Some Cups Never Overflow? Have you tried to fill a cup for someone who is constantly running?  Doubt: Doubting God’s promises makes us uneasy. Makes us “Overfunctioners.” They feel that if they don’t "do it all" (or "fix it all"), things will fall apart. They are constantly running around, stressed, and exhausted.  While being a “fixer" can be a positive trait, when it is driven by anxiety and leads to burnout when they try to dictate the outcome of every situation.  The truth is that we don’t have control over everything, and powerlessness is a stressful trigger for many. So they hover, they interfere, they critique, and

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  5. ١٧ مايو

    Joy in times of unpredictable days | May 17, 2026 | Pastor Raph

    Joy in times of unpredictable days - by Pastor Raph Habakkuk 3:17-19 (17) Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail, and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, (18) yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. (19) GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places Habakkuk and the Psalmists made perfect biological sense when looking at the ibex, or mountain goat. When an ibex or mountain goat climbs a vertical cliff, its back hooves step exactly into the precise spot where its front hooves just were. It only needs two tiny rock ledges—fractions of an inch wide—to securely scale a mountain. Habakkuk’s world was crumbling. God will give him the spiritual traction to stand firm on treacherous ground without slipping into despair. An ibex doesn't wait for the mountain to become a flat, easy plain; it is simply equipped to handle the cliff face as it is. God might not instantly fix our terrible circumstances, but God will give us the strength and agility needed to rise above them. Every single human being was born into a natural condition of absolute spiritual bankruptcy. In our fallen state, we are completely unable to pull ourselves out of the pit of our own failures.   We only move forward by faith Habakkuk 2:4[…] but the righteous shall live by his faith. We should not speak what we see, but what we wish to see. The righteous live by faith because Christ lived a life of perfect trust on our behalf. Imagine if Genesis began not with a declaration of authority, but with God looking out over the formless void, sinking into despair, and saying, "Wow, look how incredibly dark this is." If the Creator of the universe had merely agreed with the condition of the chaos, the earth would have remained empty, broken, and void. But God did not describe the darkness; He spoke into it. He commanded, "Let there be light," God lives in the dimension of faith. That is why Jesus is the author of faith. Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. The physical principle that prevents you from pulling yourself upwards is Newton's third law of motion. It states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. We walk by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. So speak faith. Speak the gospel. Speak life. There are people who think that, first, they should be filled with the Spirit, and then they would speak, pray and sing. But the order of God is the opposite. You speak first, then you will be filled. Ephesians 5:18-21 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. The healthy Christian life is a continuous practice of hearing, believing and speaking. When someone is drunk on wine, the substance controls their speech, their steps, and their perspective. Paul says, " Don't let the world or your heavy circumstances intoxicate you into despair. Instead, let the Holy Spirit control your atmosphere.”Actively speak and sing—not just to ourselves, but to one another. When we speak the scriptures, sing hymns, and declare God’s praises, you will be filled. Anxiety: the primary engine that burns life fuel. Chronic anxiety is the primary engine that drives, sustains, and amplifies physical disease in the body (Satsangi & Brugnoli, 2018; Sheleg, 2026). The mind alters physical tissue; the connection is undeniable. Anxiety triggers a constant flood of cortisol and chronic inflammation because the brain is stuck in an "uncertainty loop.” It is anxiety that brings all sorts of fears and traumas. Philippians 4:11-13 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. There is joy and contentment, a perspective and thankfulness that can fill our hearts more than anything that this world would ever give us. Contentment doesn't mean you don't desire change or improvement; it means your inner peace isn’t held hostage by your external circumstances. The moment you say, "I am content right here," you pull the plug on the body's primary neuroendocrine stress response system. You signal to your nervous system that you are safe, cutting off the survival hormones that drive psychosomatic illness. Contentment isn't found by changing the scenery, filling the barns, or fixing every problem. It’s found in a baseline relationship with the One who gives us the "hinds' feet" to stand firm on steep ground. The emptiness that found love Salomon experienced the banquet of pleasures a man can crave. Wealth, fame, power, sex (700 wives and 300 concubines), entrepreneurship, substance abuse and intellectual knowledge. Ecclesiastes 5:10 10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. No book in scripture exposes the emptiness of pure materialism quite like Ecclesiastes. King Solomon had unprecedented wealth, absolute security, and every earthly pleasure at his fingertips. Song of Songs 6:3 3 I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies. The reason why nothing the world could give satisfied Solomon is because we ultimately have a void of eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Therefore, all the philosophical questions a man’s heart can ask, “Where do I come from? Why do I exist? Where am I going?” are ultimately answered in God. I came from God. I exist for His glory, and I will meet Him in eternity.  Riches create an illusion of substance, but they leave the soul completely hollow because they cannot provide identity, purpose, or ultimate security. Fulfillment is found not in what you possess, but in who possesses you. Whether you are brought low or abounding, the true treasure is Christ Himself. When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, He intentionally broke through deep cultural, religious, and gender barriers to reach a thirsty soul. She was drawing water alone during the hottest part of the day. Jesus shifted their conversation from physical water to an entirely different dimension.  Earthly "wells" of relationships, status, and material desires she had been pursuing would always leave her hollow and thirsty.  Her brokenness was the evidence. But Jesus, when he pointed that out, he did not condemn her. He showed her his true existential thirst, revealing that he knew everything about her and yet still offered her unconditional belonging and a covenant relationship. By introducing her to a higher dimension of faith—worshiping the Father in spirit and truth—Jesus revealed Himself as the long-awaited Messiah who plants an unshakeable, life-giving fountain directly within the believer's heart. She was looking to be loved. She tried five times. Her sixth partner was not even a husband. But Jesus came as the seventh, perfect one who eternally satisfies. The woman completely abandoned her water jar, leaving behind the symbol of her old, exhausting cycles of lack. "Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.'" — John 4:10 (ESV) Come to Jesus What are you thirsty for today? Jesus is the answer in times of crisis. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Come to Jesus. It is not a matter of going to religion, rituals or ceremonies. The obligation of pleasing God in an absolutely perfect way. That is the law. Matthew 11:28 MSG “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Despite us asking and expecting the blessing, not because of you but because of Christ.

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    The Shunammite Woman | Mother's Day | Pr. Juliana | May 10, 2026

    The Shunammite Woman – Activating the Anointing Juliana (Pastora) Date:  May 10, 2026 Occasion: Mother's Day  Happy Mother's Day! Today I want to share about a woman who perceived and activated the anointing of God. I will be brief and cover this in four points. For the men and the youth in the house: you can apply this to all areas of your life — your workplace, your calling, your school, or whatever you are facing right now. The story of the Shunammite woman is amazing. She was not just a woman; she was a mother whom God called. As Pastor Jaius mentioned, she could not have children, she prayed, and she received a child. Scripture references: 2 Kings 4 & 2 Kings 8 POINT 1 – HONOR THE PRESENCE OF GOD Scripture: 2 Kings 4:9–10 "She said to her husband, 'Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.'" The Shunammite woman perceived that the prophet was passing by and prepared a room for him. The prophet Elisha then called her and said: "At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace your son." (2 Kings 4:15–17) And she conceived and bore a son. Key truth: When you honor the presence of God and bring His presence into your house, you release miracles — over your children, over your marriage, and over the people around you. The Four Furnishings and Their Meaning:  BED → Rest. We are called to be women who walk in rest. Our minds race and      overthink. We can only truly rest when we pray and have a daily      devotional — stopping, reading at least one verse, meditating,      declaring, and saying, "God, help me today."  TABLE → Feeding on Christ. In Scripture the table always points to sitting      with Jesus. Every resource, all wisdom, and every strategy you need      has already been placed on the table by God. Ask, and receive.      (Personal testimony: Feeling anxious before the end of the semester,      the speaker prayed, declared God's victory, and received deep peace      and rest.)  CHAIR → Authority. You have authority in your mouth. Open your mouth and use      it. Declare: "Devil, you are not allowed in my house. You are not      allowed in my workplace. You are not allowed in my life."  LAMP → Being led by the Holy Spirit. Be intentional in the presence of God. Practical application — honoring the church: Teach your children to honor the church. The way you speak about the church, the leaders, and the pastors tells your children whether the presence of God is important. They will always honor what you honor.  • Children of athletes naturally pursue sports because they see their parents   honor it.  • Children of parents who honor the church and prayer grow differently.  • Pastor's kids who see their parents speak badly about the church learn not   to honor it. Honor the church. Honor the leaders you walk with. POINT 2 – INTERCEDE PERSISTENTLY (THE DEAD SON) Scripture: 2 Kings 4:18–37 The son the Shunammite woman received died suddenly. She laid him on the prophet's bed, closed the door, and went to find Elisha. Her husband asked why she was going, and she answered simply: "It is well." Even in crisis, she refused to speak death. She grabbed Elisha's feet and held on. Gehazi tried to push her away, but Elisha said: "Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress." She persisted until Elisha came. He stretched himself over the boy — once, twice — and the boy was restored to life. Key truth: When the enemy comes against what God has given you, go back to the source. Grab the feet of God and do not let go. Intercede with persistence. Speak life, not death. POINT 3 – KNOW YOUR IDENTITY Scripture: 2 Kings 4:13 Elisha asked: "What can be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?" The woman answered: "I dwell among my own people." She was content. She knew who she was. She did not crave position or recognition. She was grounded in her identity. Key truth: Know who you are in God. You do not need to strive for titles or approval. When you are secure in your identity, you carry the presence of God with peace and authority. Children's ministry testimony (Foster Village Life Group): The speaker opened a life group for foster children while their foster parents met. Rather than a complex message, God said: "Just tell them how I love them — they are rejected." She repeated: "You are loved. You are chosen. God chose you in the belly of your mother. Jesus loves you." A six-year-old boy, experiencing rejection for the first time, jumped into her arms, gave her a kiss, and said: "Thank you for telling me I am loved." Additional testimony (five-year-old boy): A boy in children's ministry who struggled with self-control stopped the speaker one day and said: "Pastora, I can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives me strength." — Philippians 4:13. He was five years old. The power of speaking identity over children cannot be underestimated. Movie recommendation: "Beyond the Next Mountain" — a story of generational faithfulness in missions. Note on grandmothers: Your words carry extraordinary power in your grandchildren's lives. Speak destiny over them. (Personal story: The speaker's grandmother was the first in her family to be saved through American missionaries. She always said: "You do not belong to this earth — you are called, chosen, and loved." That declaration shaped the speaker's life and ultimately brought her to the United States to preach the gospel.) POINT 4 – OBEDIENCE BRINGS MULTIPLICATION Scripture: 2 Kings 8:1–6 The prophet told the Shunammite woman to leave her land for seven years because a famine was coming. She was rich. She had her home, her belongings, her life. Yet she arose and obeyed — without questioning, without complaining. "So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years." After seven years she returned. The king asked her to tell him about the great things Elisha had done. While she was telling him, Gehazi confirmed her story. The king then appointed an official for her and restored everything that was hers — including all the produce of the field from the day she left until that day. "When the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, 'Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now.'" (2 Kings 8:6) Key truth: Obedience brings multiplication. What she gave up in obedience, God restored with increase. Let your children see you obey:  • Say out loud to your children: "God told me we are going in this direction."  • They learn to obey the Holy Spirit by first learning to obey you.  • Give an instruction once. Train them to respond right away — because when   the Holy Spirit speaks once, He expects immediate obedience.  • Do not feel accused; you are training them. Many of us struggle today to obey the Holy Spirit because we lacked practice in obedience during childhood. You are building that foundation now. CLOSING PRAYER The speaker invited all mothers to stand for prayer, asking God to activate this anointing over their lives across all four points:  1. Honor the presence of God  2. Intercede persistently  3. Know your identity  4. Walk in obedience "God wants to bring multiplication in your motherhood. He wants to bring you the right message. He wants to make you a woman full of the Holy Spirit — not walking by your emotions or your soul, but walking by the Spirit." KEY SCRIPTURES REFERENCED  2 Kings 4:9–10 – The Shunammite prepares a room for Elisha  2 Kings 4:15–17 – Elisha prophesies a son  2 Kings 4:18–37 – The son dies and is restored  2 Kings 4:13  – "I dwell among my own people"  2 Kings 8:1–6  – Obedience and restoration  Philippians 4:13 – "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

  7. ٦ مايو

    Voice- Activated Victory | May 3, 2026 | Trenton Tombs

    Voice-Activated Victory By Trenton Tombs Sunday is easy. The worship is flowing, the message hits deep, and faith feels unshakeable. But Monday’s coming — and Monday is where faith gets tested. The real question isn’t how we feel in the pew, but how we stand when life hits back. This message is a practical and biblical call to carry the Word beyond the church walls and into the battles of everyday life. Logos and Rhema. The Logos is the written Word of God — the Bible. The Rhema is the spoken, revealed Word — alive, personal, and active. The Sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6 is specifically called the Rhema of God, not the Logos. That means the weapon God has given us is not just a Bible on a shelf, but the Word declared out of our mouths with faith. From Genesis 1, the Law of First Mention reveals that the very first attribute God shows about Himself is that He is a speaking God. He didn’t strategize in silence — He spoke, and creation obeyed. Since mankind is made in God’s image, that same creative power lives in our words. The Word is meant to travel from the mind, sink into the heart, and come out of the mouth — and it is only at that final step that real transformation takes place. James 3 and the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4 bring the message into focus. When the devil came against Jesus, he twisted words. And Jesus didn’t fight back with strength or strategy — He responded with three simple words: “It is written.” That is the model for every believer. The enemy is comfortable with Bible reading — he only fears the moment the Church learns to declare it. Whatever test is coming this week, find the scripture for it, meditate on it, and speak it out loud. Trials are not meant to destroy — Romans 8:28 promises they conform us into the image of Christ. The gates of hell are defensive, which means the Church is always on offense. The weapon is ready. The victory is voice activated. Open your mouth and declare what is written.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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    Abiding and Multiplying | Apr. 26, 2026 | Pr Raph

    Abiding and Multiplying This week, I was reading the story of Samson. It is such a tragic story because you learn about this young man who had everything to be mighty and used by God in his generation, but instead, the plot follows Samson as he continually rejects the anointing on his life. He was an anointed man from birth, but he allowed the immediate cravings of his flesh, such as hunger, sexual desire, pride, and self-reliance, to lure him out of God’s provision to make him a powerful and useful instrument to deliver God’s people from the oppression of the Philistines. Judges 16:19-21 19 She made him sleep on her knees. And she called a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. 20 And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him. 21 And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison. Because he leaned on his own flesh, he failed to stay under grace. He missed out on the fullness of what God wanted to work through him. What is anointing A simple magnifying glass alone cannot generate heat. But when you align it with the sun, it focuses that light to start a raging fire.  We are the glass. We do not generate the power. The anointing focuses the Son of God through our lives, igniting supernatural multiplication in our families, our workplaces, and our ministries. Once, a young man approached an elder and asked, "Brother, what is the anointing?" And the man asked: "Do you see that ox grazing over there?" "Yes." "That is not the anointing." "Do you see that little bird sitting on the power line?" "That's not the anointing either." "But when you see the ox up there singing like a bird — that is the anointing.” The anointing is when the Spirit of God moves in your life, and you do what you could not do before. It is when you say what you wouldn't say before — you are moved by a supernatural power. That is the way the Lord wants us to live. It is the anointing of the Lord that makes all the difference.  It is the anointing of the Lord. It is His presence. It is His life. It doesn't matter how we refer to it — it's all the same thing. It is the action of God's Holy Spirit. χρῖσμα - chrîsma, khris’-mah - anything smeared on, unguent, ointment, usually prepared from oil and aromatic herbs.  It is the root word for "charm". Over time, the term shifted to denote a more general "personal leadership magnetism. But our charisma is something else, way more attractive and meaningful. It is the manifested presence. Exodus 33:15-19 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”  …  19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. Moses recognized that without God’s presence, the Israelites were just a massive crowd of wandering former slaves. Consider a blank piece of paper and a hundred-dollar bill. Physically, they are both just paper. But one carries the seal, the signature, and the backing of the treasury.  God's presence is the signature upon your life. When you walk into a room, you do not walk in with just your resume or your natural limitations; you walk in carrying the weight of His abiding presence. What makes us different is not our power, our morality, or our resources. It is God Himself going with us. Jesus is our Anointing Matthew 26:36 'Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.”’ It is no coincidence that the night before Jesus went to the cross, He entered a garden located on the Mount of Olives—the garden of Gethsemane.  To extract oil from an olive, the fruit cannot merely be plucked; it must be placed under a heavy stone and crushed. Jesus was stepping into the ultimate press. He was entirely crushed under the weight of the sins of the world, absorbing the full penalty of our guilt so that we would never have to experience it.  His crushing became our anointing. We possess the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit today only because Jesus was willing to be the olive pressed into oil. He was pressed in the darkness so that the oil of the Holy Spirit's permanent power could abide in every born-again believer forever. (Isaiah 53:5) 'But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.'  The crushing was His; the peace is ours.  The agony was His; the anointing is ours.  Jesus endured in Gethsemane and on Calvary. The anointing He provides is entirely secure. The Holy Spirit now applies this finished work to us. That is why we can say we have an abiding anointing. You have an abiding Anointing  Under the Old Covenant, human inability was and is constantly exposed. Remember, that is the very purpose of the law. The law sets the standard, but it provides no power to meet it. In the OT days, the Holy Spirit would come upon individuals for a specific task, like in the case of Samson. But then His presence would lift. They operated under temporary power. But praise God, the New Covenant is completely different. 1 John 2:20 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 1 John 2:25-27 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. (everlasting, unending life) 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. Under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit does not just visit; He moves in permanently.  The anointing abides—meaning it stays, rests, and makes its home in every born-again believer. The anointing is not an emotional feeling or a temporary spiritual high; it is the permanent seal of the Holy Spirit over your life, marking you as Christ’s own. That seal is a brand over us. It is a mark of grace upon your life. Anointing makes us Priests and Kings Anointing was the inaugural ceremony for priests. Because of God's anointing, our identity is completely transformed. We are not just saved from hell; we are selected for a heavenly purpose. (1 Peter 2:9) 'But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.' The anointing is what seals and selects us as a holy nation and a priestly people. This is not a status we earn by showing up or trying really hard to be good. It is a royal identity gifted to us entirely by the grace of God. When you are issued a passport from a powerful nation, you immediately gain the right of entry and the full protection of that government while traveling abroad. You didn't build the country, but you enjoy all the benefits of its citizenship. You also gain the antipathy, the aversion of the enemies of that nation.  This anointing is your spiritual passport, guaranteeing your standing before the Father. (Revelation 1:5-6) ’and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.' Notice the past tense: He has freed us. He has made us a kingdom.  Our foundation is unshakeable. You cannot lose your salvation, your anointing or your calling because you did not earn them; Jesus purchased them perfectly. Under the Old Covenant, the priesthood was restricted to one specific tribe, and they operated in a limited capacity, subject to strict adherence to the law.  Under the New Covenant, Jesus has unilaterally made us a kingdom of priests. We did not earn this title. 1 Samuel 16:13) 'Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.’ David received the anointing before he faced the giant, and this anointing is what empowered him to defeat the lion and the bear. In the biblical timeline, Samuel anoints David here in chapter 16, and the famous battle with Goliath takes place later in chapter 17. 1 Samuel 17:34-36 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” When David recounts killing the lion and the bear to King Saul, he is describing the supernatural strength he had already been experiencing as a shepherd since the day the Spirit of God rushed upon him. David was a teenage shepherd. In the natural, he had no business fighting a lion, a bear, or a seasoned warrior like Goliath. But the Spirit of God multiplied David's natural ability. The Holy Spirit takes ou

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