S10E9 - Come To Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
When Jesus appeared on earth He engaged 100% in His mission. He was sent by His Father (Father-Son-Holy Spirit) to buy back the lost souls of mankind and to offer escape to every son of Adam and daughter of Eve. He extends Kingdom partnership to any and all who see the need and live out the same heart of rescue Jesus embraced. This is the nature of deep connectivity with the purposes of our King. Let's break down Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-29. These words give us incredible practical insight into experiencing...
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S10E8 - Believe In Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Knowing Jesus is very personal. Even though millions have and will believe in Him, every relationship is individual. Unique. Filled with potential for personal honor. Jesus' disciple John watched all of this unfold with his own eyes, and several decades later wrote down his gospel so that we, too, could experience belief that would be able to sustain us in this life and carry us into the life to come. This growing belief (faith) helps us to interact for our own personal spirituality. John used the word "believe" to describe this in his gospel and his letters. Believe means to entrust...
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S10E7 - The Mysteries
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
How do you navigate true mysteries? What things are already known? What is becoming known as the story unfolds? While the Word of God is plain concerning most things, there are also aspects of God's will which are filled with unfolding mystery. This occurs on a global scale (no man knows the hour or the day) while throughout time things continue unfolding personally - generation after generation (such as people awakening to God). About God mystery: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8/the first...
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S10E6 - Eyes to See
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
What does it mean to see with spiritual eyes? Because we are created in God's image we have body, soul, spirit, heart, mind, and conscience. From this amazing mixture comes our ability to live out His greatness. When Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord God we dishonored Him. Our inherent greatness would now become a millstone of self-perpetuation and arrogance. We would no longer see the world through our God-eyes. Paul summarized this well: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which...
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S10E5 - I Am Here/Turn to Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
For many the image of the word "repent" has negative connotations. Finger pointing. Judgment. Fear. But what if the original word itself is consulted? We then find that repent means a change of mind. A change of purpose. A new perception. John the Baptist: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2 Jesus the Son: "From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 So it appears that our turning away results in a freedom of turning toward. We leave one focus and begin to turn the eyes...
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S10E4 - Kingdom Roots
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Probably the best Kingdom example we have from history is found in King David's story from the Bible. David was a "type" of the One Who was to come. This is why his story prepares us not only for the arrival and nature of Jesus - the King of the earth, but also for the Kingdom His followers will share with their king. We will reign with Him! There are many specific prophecies and words that prepare the Jews (and the entire earth) for the coming King. What is cool about this is that David experienced a heart unique in scripture and among the world of kings. This is why so many of his...
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S10E3 - The Kingdom and Me
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
If you look up the meaning of the word organic you will find “living, animated, and authentic.” The word Kingdom means “a realm of influence - both of living organisms or groups of people.” Over the last several years we have learned some things we would have preferred to experience in a tech download. It appears, however, this part of our journey was meant to occur in order to acquire deeper wisdom. Those who read the words of Jesus and His Father know that knowledge is a life-long journey gift, but wisdom arrives through deep testings of the soul and many experiences. Challenges...
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S10E2 - What Is Kingdom Organic?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
This podcast season may be a stretch for you. It is for many. For context we must keep in the forefront what we learn from Jesus in His gospels about His Kingdom. Church is only mentioned a couple of times in the four gospels while the Kingdom is spoken of over 100 times. So everything Jesus said and did concerning the church flows from this pattern: King First - then Kingdom - then Church. Kingdom Organic traces the unfolding roots of the calling out and purifying of the Bride of Christ. The King of the earth has arrived to save the souls of mankind. Mankind had failed. God's people (the...
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S10E01 - What Am I Looking For?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
What am I looking for right now? What is it that is not working? In what ways am I disillusioned? Hungry? Thirsty. Fearful? At peace? THIS IS BIG: How do hope, fear, and faith overlap? √ Where does true hope originate? It is a supernatural gift given by God. √ In what ways does fear kill hope? We are predisposed (our human nature) to choosing fear - which consumes our hope. √ In what ways does faith unlock personal peace of mind? There is a time-tested and quite effective mechanism for people to find hope. It can help settle fears, find clarity, and stimulate freedom...
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S9E14 - Song Of The Wind
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) There are reasons Jesus uses this descriptive analogy. If we are to find God we must do so through God's wind - His Holy Spirit. This God Story thread begins in Genesis 1:1,2 and completes in Revelation 22:17. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." "The...
info_outlineAs mentioned before, the trinity is in many ways a mystery to us. It is not to our Creator. In Genesis 1 "the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." The Father created and the Spirit moved. From His mind to His hands. And where was the Son while this unfolded? Apparently creating right along with Him.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." Colossians 1:15-20
There is no doubt that this is the Son mentioned in Psalm 2 and the One named Jesus according to hundreds of years of incredible prophecies.
Now move forward to the "last" chapter of God's Word - Revelation 22:12-17:
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost."
Do you see it? The Biblical thread of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) is found from chapter 1 through chapter last. He is the hands and feet of God. And His shelter extends to our souls as well, because if God wills it, the Spirit does it. And this is very personal to every disciple of Jesus.
“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning." John 15:26-27
Also note Proverbs 8 regarding the wisdom of God!
So the shelter of the Holy Spirit is everything because He IS the shelter of the Father and His dear Son. The Father is the mind Who creates, the Son is at His right hand to bring Him honor, and the Holy Spirit creates and animates the Wisdom of God. Does this make sense?
As with all areas of the threads of truth from the Word of God, God weaves together what we need to understand His mind and heart - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! There is much to say on this subject but let's summarize with how the Holy Spirit specifically gives us shelter.
√ He discloses Jesus to us.
√ He cleanses our conscience and heals our heart.
√ He leads us in truth when we do not know what to do or where to go.
√ He brings us into the peaceful presence of God Himself.
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you." John 16:13-15
Peace in the Spirit to you friend!
Dave and Burnadette