Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Why is there so much chaos? In this teaching, Dave explores how Scripture gives clarity about the chaos in the world, the human heart, rebellion, pride, idolatry, and God’s purpose in all things. • Good and evil in a chaotic world • Redefining truth by lies - Isaiah 5.20 • Rejecting God as King - 1 Samuel 8.7 • The pride of human power - Leviticus 26.19-20 • The father of lies - John 8.44 • Idolatry and the depraved mind - Romans 1.28-32 • God’s purpose in bringing all things under Christ - 1 Corinthians 15.28 • Walking worthy of His kingdom and glory - 1 Thessalonians 2.12...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
What are woven threads? In this teaching, Dave explains how the Bible’s 60,000-plus cross-references, Spirit-given authorship, context, and original language help us let the Bible interpret itself. • The prophetic Word made more sure - 2 Peter 1.19-21 • Eyewitnesses of Jesus’ majesty - 2 Peter 1.16-18 • The Bible as God’s supernatural instrument for speaking • Why Scripture is not a matter of private interpretation • What woven threads are and why they matter • The Spirit of God from Genesis to Revelation - Genesis 1.1-2 and Revelation 22.17-19 • Context, original language,...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Why purity? In this episode, Dave explores purity as a question of freedom, bondage, honor, marriage, self-denial, and God’s design for human intimacy. • Purity, freedom, and bondage - Romans 1 •Sexual drive, marriage, children, and intimacy •Pride, arrogance, and impurity entering the human story - Genesis 3 and Genesis 6 •Sin crouching at the door - Genesis 4 •Truth that sets us free - John 8 and John 16 •Purity, honor, and the body - 1 Corinthians 6.18-20 •Sharing in God’s glory - Revelation 4.11 and 1 Peter 5.1 •The purity thread - Matthew 5.28, Mark 7.21-23, Acts...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
What is truth? In this episode, Dave follows an amazing biblical thread through Jesus’ words to Thomas, His conversation with Pilate, and the repeated phrase, “I tell you the truth.” • Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life - John 14.1-6 •Pilate asks, “What is truth?” - John 18.33-40 •Before Abraham was born, I AM - John 8.58 •Jesus as the gate for the sheep - John 10.1 and John 10.7 •The kernel of wheat and new life - John 12.24 •The messenger, the Father, and greater works - John 13 and John 14 •Truth, grief, joy, and asking the Father - John 16 •Suppressing...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Is there only one true God? In this episode, Dave explores how God reveals Himself through creation, Scripture, the woven threads of the Bible, and ultimately through Jesus, the Word made flesh. Creation and the one true God - Genesis 1 No other gods before Him - Exodus 20 The prophetic Word made sure - 2 Peter 1 All Scripture inspired by God - 2 Timothy 3 The I AM and the Ancient of Days Jesus, Abraham, and the Father - John 8 Christ reigning until all things are subject to Him - 1 Corinthians 15 The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit revealed through Scripture God speaking through His Son -...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Where did the Jews Come From? In this episode, Dave walks through the biblical story of Israel, Abraham, the written Word, the Messiah, and why the Jewish people matter in God’s purposes for the nations. • Genesis 1-11 and the human story before Israel • Abraham chosen and the promise of faith - Genesis 12 • God swearing by Himself - Genesis 15 and Hebrews 6.13-14 • The Jews entrusted with the oracles of God - Romans 3 • The righteous branch of David - Jeremiah 33.15 • The apple of God’s eye - Zechariah 2.8 and Psalm 17 • Israel, covenant, and mercy - Ezekiel 16 •...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Am I a Kingdom Scribe? In this episode, Dave explores Jesus’ words in Matthew 13 and what it means to become a scribe, a disciple of the Kingdom, and the head of a household who brings out treasure both new and old. • King first, then Kingdom, then Church •The Bride of Christ and the Kingdom of God •Every scribe who becomes a disciple - Matthew 13 •Becoming a disciple of the Kingdom of Heaven •The head of a household and spiritual responsibility •Bringing out treasure, things new and old •Doing good, sharing, and building up the Kingdom - Hebrews 13 •Inheriting the Kingdom...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
What are kingdom rewards? In this episode, Dave explores how kingdom reward is not a spiritual lottery or self-centered prize, but something inseparably linked with honor, faith, humility, and the promises of God. Adam and Eve, dishonor, and death - Genesis 3 The promise given to Abraham - Romans 4 The promise by faith in Jesus Christ - Galatians 3.22 God swearing by Himself - Hebrews 6 Partakers of the divine nature - 2 Peter 1 Faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love - 2 Peter 1.5-11 The promise of eternal life - 1 John 2.25...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
Why submission of self? In this episode, Dave explores why humility, decreasing, and surrendering first place are central to living in the kingdom of God. John the Baptist and "He must increase" - John 3 The fear of the Lord and the hatred of pride - Proverbs 8.13 Pride, dishonor, and wisdom with the humble - Proverbs 11.2 Pride before destruction - Proverbs 16.18 The lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life - 1 John 2.16 Nebuchadnezzar humbled before the King of heaven - Daniel 4 Jesus as first place over all creation - Colossians 1 Choosing humility instead of self-kingship Watch next:...
info_outlineFourthstream - Finding Hope
What is kingdom courage? In this episode, Dave explores how courage is not self-generated strength, but something formed in us through the power and presence of God. God revealed as warrior — Exodus 15 Courage flowing from the Father — Luke 12 Waiting on God for strength — Psalm 27 Jesus as victorious king — Revelation 19 Spiritual warfare and the armor of God — Ephesians 6 Fighting with purity, truth, patience, and love — 2 Corinthians 6 Paul finishing the fight faithfully — 2 Timothy 4 To read the full notes and learn more:
info_outlineIt is one thing to know ABOUT someone but we go much deeper when we connect through personal knowledge and shared experiences. What are the keys to finding personal connection with God? Is it indeed possible to "hear God's voice" as some people talk about? Are we truly able to walk side by side with God?
This is key:
“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 11:28-30
Knowing God is both easy and complex. The more we choose to honor Him the deeper our relationship with Him becomes. By walking side by side with Jesus we find connectivity with our Father.
The Bible appears to indicate that honor, transparency, and fluidity in sharing myself with Him is huge. Our connectivity grows as we choose to honor Him more than we choose to honor ourselves. Easier said than done. And yet this is exactly what Jesus showed and taught us. The more focused we are on honoring Him the more truthful and transparent we become. Think about it. It is kind of dumb to try to hide things from the One Who sees everything. If we choose honor and transparency, we live in a fluid relationship with God. Everything to learn. Nothing to lose. An endless life process of spiritual growth.
We are meant to mature in our faith:
"When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:11-13
Pursuit of personal connectivity results in spiritual maturity:
"Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." Hebrews 5:11-14
Can you see the thread?
Jesus spent much time explaining this connectivity to His disciples. To know and follow Jesus is to re-connect with our Father. Honor was everything to Jesus. Transparency with His Father was His complete pursuit. When this becomes a back and forth fluidity we can know we are hearing the Voice of God - just as Jesus did.
Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.” John 7:28,29
To think about:
What is the difference between "knowing about" and finding connectivity?
What is the nature of personal knowledge that comes through friendship?
In what ways is it possible for us to share experiences with the Father?
How deep is your desire for honor?
In what ways are you open to being transparent with God, and what brings this about for you?
What are the fruits of connectivity?
(Things like Acceptance, Confidence, Peace of mind, and Reassurance.)
Is there any reason this should not be a clear choice for one who is serious about God?
Dave and Burnadette
Related Links (this is deep):
From Jesus Centric Series
Kingdom Connectivity: The Ultimate
Connectivity With Our King