S10E12 - What Is The Real Battle?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
PURITY IN HONOR AND SURVIVAL AND VICTORY IN LIFEWARNING - THIS IS A LONG AND INVOLVED CONVERSATION - BUT WORTH YOUR TIME! “I am in my early 70’s. Much has changed in the realm of what is pure and what is impure during my lifetime. But then, of course, information has exploded (Daniel 12:4). We struggle like never before when it comes to our sexuality, our intimacy, and our oneness as a man and a woman. You know this. Those with open eyes understand. There are several anchors in God’s Word which are able to help deliver us from being consumed by impurity and lust. This is tricky. But take...
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S10E11 - Will You Reign With Me?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Throughout the entire Word of God the idea of reigning means God has, does, and will always have dominion. Rulership. He IS the King. His Kingship was displayed throughout all of history and humanity when King Jesus arrived on earth to conquer death. Paul explains to Timothy that the following statement can be counted on because it represents the truth expressed throughout the Word of God - a "thread" if you will. "It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are...
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S10E10 - What Is Real First Place?
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Doesn't it feel great to come in first place? And it so seldom happens! There is only one first place in any event or competition. Has this happened for you? Exhilarating. Rewarding. For most of us (such as myself) a never experienced event. No matter how attainable it is the promise of the prize that motivates. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run...
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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...
info_outlineWhen 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 connectivity with the King of the earth. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29
COME TO ME
Walk toward me and follow my ways. Walk WITH me. Choose daily to leave futility and move toward meaning.
WEARY & HEAVY LADEN
Move beyond the tough work of being human and the weights of the accumulations of this life. Beyond toil, loss, fear, anger, and hopelessness into the "light" of God.
REST
I give you upward satisfaction and hope for an unburdened forever. The meaning you long for is found in following Me, My example, and living out your own faith, hope and love.
MY YOKE
Come and lift with me and share (and relieve) the weight of never-ending toil - knowing you are not alone and your strivings have purpose. Together we plant seeds, cultivate the Kingdom crop, and prepare for an incredible eternal harvest.
GENTLE & HUMBLE IN HEART
I have come to where you are. I understand you. I forgive your weaknesses and your sin. I AM grace. I bring you your freedom.
EASY & LIGHT
My yoke is offered to help make the load bearable. "A yoke is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two." I am pulling with you and for you.
As we follow Jesus' example we become a community of light: "...for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light."
Ephesians 5:8
THE BIG PICTURE WE SHARE IN:
Because of the mercies of God we have been included and invited to things beyond our wildest dreams. Paul discusses this in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28. In His resurrection, (has any other religious figure in all of history accomplished such a documented feat of conquering death? - No), we find what no one else can offer. It is in the death of death we find our greatest hope.
"But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him (the Father). When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all."
Following Jesus is all about connectivity. We find the way, the truth, and the life by following in His teachings and His footsteps. We come to Him and invite others to do the same. And there is no pressure in this. "So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:7
Come to Me. This is peace, meaning, and rest to the fullest extent!
Dave and Burnadette
More:
Come to Me
Bridge of Light