Episodes
Sunday Dec 26, 2021
Sunday Dec 26, 2021
Jesus the Christ Is Our Hope In Life and Death and He Is “Hope” for the Wave of Loneliness and Uncertainty Sweeping Our World Today
MESSAGE SUMMARY: In Covid-19, we are isolated, both physically and emotionally. The human interaction, which we crave in our worship, business, school, and families is limited or nonexistent. This interaction has given way to fear and a wave of loneliness, uncertainty, and darkness that are sweeping across our world today. Online communications have been helpful, but they are not a replacement for interaction and “hope”. Today, we feel all alone. And we feel that there is no way out – “hopeless”. For “hope’ we must turn to Jesus whose birthday we celebrate again this Christmas. “Christmas” reminds us that God is still in the World, and we are reminded that we are not alone!
As the Apostle John tells us in John 1:4-5: In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”. In Luke 2:11, the Angels further solidify Jesus as a source of our “hope”, by telling us of God’s promise and Grace: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”. As Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 1:15-16: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.".
But God did not stop with providing “Christ Our Hope In Life and Death”; Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as a 24/7 “helper” and a “counselor”, in John 16:13,15:26, to all Followers of Jesus: “When the {Holy}Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come . . . But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the {Holy} Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”.
With God’s great gift of the Holy Spirit, you are never alone, and we have a never-ending source of “hope” – if you just call out to Him, “Jesus! Jesus!”, in your darkness and loneliness and you have “hope” because “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”. In the great song of “hope”, Christ Our Hope In Life and Death (performed by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Matt Papa), which brings us into the great “hope” that we are given as Followers of Jesus. As a Follower of Jesus, God’s great gift of the Holy Spirit provides a reinforcement and “hope” because Christ is here to walk with you through all your loneliness and uncertainties – you are never alone or without “hope”.
TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 1:1-18; Luke 2:1-21; John 16:13; John 15;26; Romans 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:15-16; John 3:16-17.
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “For a Jesus Follower in Difficult Circumstances, God: “is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster””: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Good News for All People
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Good News for All People
MESSAGE SUMMARY: The birth of Jesus the Christ has impacted the world more than any event in world history. However, this world event is personal. This event has and is transforming each of our lives – whether or not we have accepted Him as our friend and the governor of our lives. With our acceptance and faith comes hope and eternal life; without it, we forgo our relationship with Jesus and the peace that passes all understanding.
TODAY’S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Insensitivity. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Gentleness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers, Are Given the Holy Spirit as “Counselor and “Helper”, and the Spirit Is, Also, a “Caller; but are you “Listening”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Dec 19, 2021
Sunday Dec 19, 2021
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 4: The King of Assyria – A Sign from the Lord
MESSAGE SUMMARY: Introduction to Series: Why is important now, in this season of Advent, to look to Isaiah from so long ago? It is intellectually encouraging to see how God acted, within a strategy, to connect the human race, over time, through the coming of Jesus the Messiah.
TODAY’S MESSAGE: in this fourth Advent sermon referencing the prophecies from Isaiah, the focus is more on the first coming of Jesus. In Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah prophesied: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel {God with us}.”. All of these Old Testament prophecies, regarding the coming of the Messiah, provide a compelling context for the Advent of Jesus and His birth. Who among us chose what family we were born into? Who among us chose the city of our birth? Who among us chose the time period in which we would be born?
As we prepare for Christmas, let us remember “why Christmas” and whose birth we are celebrating. Let us praise God because of the one God has given us whose name is above all names – Immanuel, God with us.
TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Isaiah 7:2-14; Matthew 1:21-24; Genesis 3:15; Micah 5:2-8.
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers Are Given the Incredible Gift of the Holy Spirit - “your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way’”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Dec 12, 2021
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 3: The Glory of God; the Way of Holiness
Sunday Dec 12, 2021
Sunday Dec 12, 2021
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 3: The Glory of God; the Way of Holiness
MESSAGE SUMMARY: Why is important now, in this season of Advent, to look to Isaiah from so long ago? It is intellectually encouraging to see how God acted, within a strategy to connect the human race, over time through the coming of Jesus the Messiah.
In Isiah 35:1f, Isaiah tells us, in this prophecy, that: “They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.”. The phrase “glory of the Lord” speaks to God’s physical presence; His essence. Isaiah is promising that, in the future, we would see the glory of the Lord.
When we become followers of Jesus, we are given the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. In 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Paul writes: “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”. As followers of Jesus, we reflect the glory of the Lord; and we are to reflect God’s essence in a world that needs Him so desperately. In Isiah 35:8, Isaiah speaks to “. . . a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness.”. There is a way set for the followers of Jesus that is made Holy; only the saved are on this Highway (Isiah 35:9). As followers of Jesus, we are referred to by Paul as saints – -- because we are traveling, in our lives, on this Highway, the Way of Holiness.
God desires for us to walk this Way of Holiness and to reflect His Glory and essence to others and the world.
TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 2 Corinthians 3:12-18; Isiah 35:1-9; Exodus 33:12-23; Exodus 40:34-37; Luke 2:9-10; John 1:14.
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers Are the Enemy’s {devil’s} Target to Mess You Up and To Destroy Your Relationship with God”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 2: The Stump of Jesse and the Root of the Lord
MESSAGE SUMMARY: The central theme, that begins today’s teaching, is God’s call of Isaiah, in Isaiah 6, in a context in which God is very disappointed in the people of Israel. The teachings today will focus on the prophecies of Isaiah that point to the coming of Jesus.
In Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah prophesied that “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.”. The “stump of Jesse” refers to Jesse’s son, King David. Therefore, Isaiah’s prophecy indicates that the Savior will come from the lineage of David. However, by the time of Isaiah, most of David’s assembly of the tribes of Israel had been cut down – hence, a “stump”, a remnant; but the prophecy says that “a shoot from the stump of Jesse” will “come forth”. Jesus is the “shoot”.
In Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah prophesied: “And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.”. When David was first anointed, by Samuel, to be King, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David; therefore, Isaiah is prophesying that the Messiah will be enveloped with God’s Spirit in His life on earth and in His ministry. In Luke, Jesus, as the Messiah, claims this “Spirit of the Lord”; but, as His followers, the “Spirit of the Lord” has been passed to us on the Day of Pentecost.
TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:12f).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Isaiah 6:1-13; Isaiah 11:1-2; Isaiah 4:2-5; Isaiah 11:10-12; Matthew 3:1-12; Isaiah 61:1-10; Luke 4:16-30.
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Letting God Be Lord Over Your Finances, which Are His but He Entrusted to You, Will Liberate Your Life!”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB