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Chapters 8-11 now go onto to describe Ezekiel’s second vision. It has been estimated that some 14 months had elapsed between the prophet’s first and second visions. Wickedness in the Holy Temple God reveals to Ezekiel in detail via the angel just how utterly evil the practices of specifically the elders have become having previously dealt with the evil practices of the whole people of Israel i.e. rank and file in his first vision as described in Chapter 1. 1. And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord God fell upon me there. 2 Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire—from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire, and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, like the colour of amber. 3 He stretched out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. 4 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain. On a specific year, a specific month and specific day a delegation of the Jewish elders had come to Ezekiel seeking a word from the Lord and certainly looking for some crumb of comfort. However, they were in for a big disappointment, and no sooner had they come to prophet when the hand of the Lord fell upon Ezekiel and there appeared a heavenly being who fitted the description of the first angelic being in Chapter 1:27. The angel stretched out his hand and took the prophet by a lock of his hair and transports him supernaturally into a vision of Jerusalem and specifically to the inner court of the Holy Temple where a detestable idolatrous image had been set up and was provoking the Lord to an angry jealousy. However at that time the glory of the Lord had not departed from the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. 5 Then He said to me, “Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north.” So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance. The prophet is now permitted to take a tour of the Holy Temple to see the various idolatrous practices being conducted there. These abominations get progressively worse. The angel leads Ezekiel in successive steps from the outside of the HT in towards the Holy of Holies. The first of the four abominations is that mentioned in verse 5 the image of jealousy at the entrance to the temple. Some commentators think that this idol was an Asherah or pagan fertility Goddess in the form of a woman. This idol was located where those guards who should protect the Holy Temple should stand. How ironic this idol could offer no protection against whomsoever the Lord’s sends in judgement. 6 Furthermore He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations.” 7 So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall.8 Then He said to me, “Son of man, dig into the wall”; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door. God tells Ezekiel that in effect He is being driven out of His Holy Temple by the wicked abominations being practiced inside it. Ezekiel’s attention is now drawn towards a hole that someone has started digging in the Temple Court wall. The prophet is instructed to enlarge the hole until he finds a secret door. 9 And He said to me, “Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there.” 10 So I went in and saw, and there—every creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls. 11 And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up. 12 Then He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’” Ezekiel is instructed to open the door where to his horror he sees a room full of despicable idols which are also depicted on the walls of the room. The idols are different in nature including those depicted as insects and others depicted as animals. He sees 70 of the elders of Israel whose job it was to protect all the Holy Things in Judaism offering incense to these evil idols. Shockingly, one of the elders Jaazaniah was from a priestly family and a righteous line. These 70 elders think that God has departed and that He can longer see their heathen worship. 13 And He said to me, “Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing.” 14 So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord’s house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz. Ezekiel is given a further instruction to move towards the northeast corner of the Temple and discover even more vile abominations being practiced in the Lord’s House. The prophet now sees women weeping for the Babylonian nature god called Tammuz. This pagan practice celebrated the seasons of nature believing that the weeping would resurrect Tammuz the spring God to go on a produce a good crop harvest in summer. What an insult to the Creator God and yet another clear breach of the 10 commandments. 15 Then He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these.” 16 So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east. The prophets tour now reaches its very lowest point in the inner court of the Lord’s House he sees between the porch and the altar and with their backs to God 25 men who were worshipping the sun. Again, an abomination clearly forbidden in the 10 commandments. They are rubbing the Lord’s nose into their sins in a place where He promised to dwell. 17 And He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose. 18 Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.” Should such abominations ever occur the Temple of the Living God? These sinful people thought it was no big deal to profane God’s own Temple. Not content with all their violence and other sins outside the Temple they had to come to do worse in the face of God. The party is over their judgment is knocking at the door. In summary these Jews had worshipped every type of creature including humans or part humans even the heavenly bodies and celebrated the Gods of many other lands such as Babylon, Egypt, and others. Each act of idolatrous worship violates the 10 commandments given to them via Moses. It is now the Lord's time for payback.

Do you believe in miracles? Well you ought believe in miracles if you are a Christian. Because the greatest miracle we ever experience, is the miracle of the new birth. How can it be that we who were spiritually dead have been made alive unto God, how can it be that our hard and stony selfish heart has been replaced with a loving tender heart. How can we who lived to please only ourselves, now live to please our heavenly Father. It is a miracle. It is the power of the living God entering and miraculously changing our lives. It is a miracle. Do you believe in miracles? Well, you will if you read and believe the bible, it is packed from cover to cover with miracles, signs, and wonders. Remember, all that God did as he brought the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, the plagues, the pillar of fire/cloud, opening the red sea, water from the rock. Or what about the the miracles of Elijah/Elisha and many, many more right through to the time of Jesus and his disciples. If you study the miracles in the bible, you will notice something surprising, God never breaks his owns rules, never does anything un-natural. Matthew 14:15-21 Feeding the 5000 He may multiply loaves and fishes, but he does not turn a fish into a bird that is magic where supernatural power is used to act in an unnatural way like voodoo or witchcraft. God is the one who naturally causes fish and grain to multiply since he is the life source of all nature. This miracle was in a sense a miracle of timescale. In the same manner if God is not healing all of our human bodies every day we would just die. I want you to see that God is the only healer. Doctors can only help set the right conditions for healing, but it is the life force given by God which heals. No doctor can heal a corpse. When Jesus performed many healings. He was just doing what God did normally with only difference being the time scale i.e. the healing was instantaneous. The miracle was in a sense of timescale. John 2:1-11 Water to wine Who gives power for yeast to convert water in wine normally? It is God. Again we see a miracle in sense of time scale. It seems at least some miracles are things that God does routinely but can happen instantaneously or much faster than normal. The miracles of change as we grow into Christian maturity Who produces spiritually maturity in you? It is God (the Holy Spirit) working through the word of God you read, who changes your life, your thoughts, your actions, and your character. Ephesians 4:11-13 The five-fold ministry gifts Jesus gave the five ministry gifts to his body to prepare God’s people for works of service, to build them up, to bring them into a unity of the faith and in knowledge of the Son of God, i.e. to bring the believers into maturity and fullness of Christ. The Holy Spirit works through our leaders in their teaching, preaching, exhortation, correction, and last but not least by their example. There is no substitute for the word of God and prayer in the sense you, yourself can determine how fast you will grow. Where we experience problems in our spiritual growth, God is gracious and is ever-willing to help you. God can provide deliverance from our obstacles and hindrances, so that we are free to mature. I believe in miracles. I believe God has sent this message as a vessel through which He will work miracles of timescale. Can you believe that God can do things in your heart now that would otherwise have taken years. Will you ask to be delivered from specific hindrances even now? Others may receive a miracle of growth in a certain area. God will still require you to be diligent in bible study, prayer and attending church fellowship but today he can do a miracle for each one of you personally. Could this be his special opportunity for an instant work that will produce and encourage maturity in your life. Do you believe in miracles? We don't want to limit God. Amen Personal prayer

Ezekiel 6 The Lord gives Ezekiel an over-view of the sins the Jews are committing against Him and what results his tailored judgements on them will be. Judgment on Idolatrous Israel 1 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 2 “Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them, 3 and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God! Thus says the Lord God to the mountains, to the hills, to the ravines, and to the valleys: “Indeed I, even I, will bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places. 4 Then your altars shall be desolate, your incense altars shall be broken, and I will cast down your slain men before your idols. 5 And I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones all around your altars. 6 In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, your idols may be broken and made to cease, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished. 7 The slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am the Lord. Now that the Lord has pronounced His judgement of Jerusalem, He turns his attention to the mountains and high places of Israel. Ezekiel is told to set his face in judgement against these. A devastating judgement is coming on these places and especially since these were place associated with God’s presence thus showing that it was bad enough the idolatry being performed but worse still in His face as it were. The Lord will destroy the idolatrous alters, groves with their asherim and any other desecrated areas. Many people will be slain for participating in this pagan worship and once again there will be no doubt that the Lord has instigated this. 8 “Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries. 9 Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations. 10 And they shall know that I am the Lord; I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them.” Such idolatry has broken God’s heart and his wrath is fast approaching to bring great calamity on the nation yet as ever God chooses to spare a small remnant of His chosen people (as ever). 11 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Pound your fists and stamp your feet, and say, ‘Alas, for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! For they shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. 12 He who is far off shall die by the pestilence, he who is near shall fall by the sword, and he who remains and is besieged shall die by the famine. Thus will I spend My fury upon them. 13 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when their slain are among their idols all around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, under every green tree, and under every thick oak, wherever they offered sweet incense to all their idols. 14 So I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land desolate, yes, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblah, in all their dwelling places. Then they shall know that I am the Lord. The Lord instructs the prophet to be very emphatic including his body language when he delivers these messages of the upcoming judgments declaring woe upon all the abominations of Israel. They shall surely die by the sword, famine, or disease. Disease will get those at a distance from Jerusalem, those around the city shall die by the sword and those inside the city will starve to death during the siege. God will make it plain to all that He has instigated all these severe judgements. Those idolaters on the mountains and high grounds will fall at the very places of their pagan worship where they offered sacrifices to their idols. When the Lord kills them all this will make the land desolate thus suggestions that all the local populations had participated in the various forms of idolatry. Everyone will know sadly too late that this is from God.

Chapter 5 The Lord continues to instruct Ezekiel to give prophetic enactments to the Jews to show His upcoming judgements upon Jerusalem. A Sword Against Jerusalem 1 “And you, son of man, take a sharp sword, take it as a barber’s razor, and pass it over your head and your beard; then take scales to weigh and divide the hair.2 You shall burn with fire one-third in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are finished; then you shall take one-third and strike around it with the sword, and one-third you shall scatter in the wind: I will draw out a sword after them. 3 You shall also take a small number of them and bind them in the edge of your garment. 4 Then take some of them again and throw them into the midst of the fire and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will go out into all the house of Israel. The Lord commands Ezekiel to do another unseemly thing for a priest by telling him to shave off all his hair. The shaved hair is to be carefully weighed and split into three portions and reflects the careful planning by the Lord when he is about to execute his judgements on the disobedient. The first third of the hair represents those people who will be destroyed during the siege of Jerusalem. The second portion of hair represents those people who will survive the siege of Jerusalem but only die beyond the city. The last third represents those who will be scattered to the nations. The small number of hairs hidden in the prophet’s garments represents a small remnant that will survive under the protection of God and will go onto to rekindle the fire of God’s love in the hearts of the rest of Israel. 5 “Thus says the Lord God: ‘This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her. 6 She has rebelled against My judgments by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against My statutes more than the countries that are all around her; for they have refused My judgments, and they have not walked in My statutes.’ 7 Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have multiplied disobedience more than the nations that are all around you, have not walked in My statutes nor kept My judgments, nor even done [1] according to the judgments of the nations that are all around you’— 8 therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Indeed I, even I, am against you and will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations.9 And I will do among you what I have never done, and the like of which I will never do again, because of all your abominations. 10 Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments among you, and all of you who remain I will scatter to all the winds. God explains to Ezekiel that the reason his judgments will come upon Jerusalem and Israel are that despite the great favour that the Lord has shown to Jerusalem and Israel in terms of exalting them before the nations they very openly rebelled against his commandments and in a way that the Lord considered to be worse than the pagan nations around them. Now because of their great provocation of God He is going to judge them very publicly in full view of the surrounding gentile nations. So great are the abominations perpetrated by the Jews that the Lord is going to permit cannibalism within families to occur and whoever survives these judgements will be scattered to the nations. 11 ‘Therefore, as I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘surely, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you; My eye will not spare, nor will I have any pity. 12 One-third of you shall die of the pestilence and be consumed with famine in your midst; and one-third shall fall by the sword all around you; and I will scatter another third to all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them. 13 ‘Thus shall My anger be spent, and I will cause My fury to rest upon them, and I will be avenged; and they shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it in My zeal, when I have spent My fury upon them. 14 Moreover I will make you a waste and a reproach among the nations that are all around you, in the sight of all who pass by. God great patience and grace towards the Israelites has now run out and now having had enough of them is preparing to release the above judgements on them. Once these judgments are completed God’s wrath will be pacified but no one will be in any doubt that it is the Sovereign Lord who has instigated these judgements. The same God will now openly humiliate the once exalted nations of Israel. 15 ‘So it [2] shall be a reproach, a taunt, a lesson, and an astonishment to the nations that are all around you, when I execute judgments among you in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I, the Lord, have spoken.16 When I send against them the terrible arrows of famine which shall be for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, I will increase the famine upon you and cut off your supply of bread. 17 So I will send against you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword against you. I, the Lord, have spoken.’” The Lord will use his judgements on Israel as an object lesson to the nations round about them showing that it is a terrible thing to come under the judgement of the Living God. This chapter concludes with God reminding Ezekiel and his hearers that his judgements will include famine, death by wild beasts and death at the hands of their enemies. The Lord has spoken so it will certainly happen. Footnotes: Ezekiel 5:7 Following Masoretic Text, Septuagint, Targum, and Vulgate; many Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac read but have done (compare 11:12). Ezekiel 5:15 Septuagint, Syriac, Targum, and Vulgate read you.

Chapter 4 The Siege of Jerusalem Portrayed The unrighteous Jews thought that Jerusalem would be safe since the Lord’s Holy Temple was there. God gives them two warnings through Ezekiel of exceedingly tough times ahead for the Israelites. In the prophetic enactments of Ezekiel the prophet represents God Himself working invisibly behind the scenes but instigating the calamities coming on the unrighteous Jews. 1 “You also, son of man, take a clay tablet and lay it before you, and portray on it a city, Jerusalem. 2 Lay siege against it, build a siege wall against it, and heap up a mound against it; set camps against it also, and place battering rams against it all around. 3 Moreover take for yourself an iron plate and set it as an iron wall between you and the city. Set your face against it, and it shall be besieged, and you shall lay siege against it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel. The Lord now instructs Ezekiel to take a clay brick and draw on it a model of Jerusalem. Ezekiel is further instructed to add details to the model including siege walls, an attack mound, an enemy encampment and battering rams being deployed against the city walls. Ezekiel also sets up an iron wall between him and the model of the city showing how isolated the city would become. The Lord then commands Ezekiel to set his face against the city laying siege to the model as a picture of how God was about to judge the Israelites. 4 “Lie also on your left side and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it. According to the number of the days that you lie on it, you shall bear their iniquity. 5 For I have laid on you the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days; so you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. 6 And when you have completed them, lie again on your right side; then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days. I have laid on you a day for each year. The next warning sign to be given by the prophet is that he is told to lie down on his left side for 390 days signifying this is how God feels bearing the sins of his people. When this time has elapsed, he must do another forty days this time on his right side and for the people of Judah. Each day that Ezekiel lies on his side represents one year of God’s judgement on the Israelites based in Jerusalem and on the tribe of Judah. The significance of the days is that the 390 represents the years of the upcoming exile for the Israelites and the 40 days representing 40 years in exile for the Judahites. It is of note that the total exile comes to 430 years the exact same period the Israelites were held captive in Egypt. 7 “Therefore you shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem; your arm shall be uncovered, and you shall prophesy against it. 8 And surely, I will restrain you so that you cannot turn from one side to another till you have ended the days of your siege. Ezekiel is to set his face against the model and prophesy against Jerusalem And will be unable to change his posture whilst the days of his lying down are to be completed. 9 “Also take for yourself wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them into one vessel, and make bread of them for yourself. During the number of days that you lie on your side, three hundred and ninety days, you shall eat it. 10 And your food which you eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day; from time to time you shall eat it. 11 You shall also drink water by measure, one-sixth of a hin; from time to time you shall drink.12 And you shall eat it as barley cakes; and bake it using fuel of human waste in their sight.” The meaning of this poor bread portion for Ezekiel indicates there will be a serious shortage of food upcoming for the Israelites and not only a shortage but the bread would be defiled in some way. During his 430 days of lying on his side the prophet is only allowed inadequate quality starvation rations of bread and water. 13 Then the Lord said, “So shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, where I will drive them.” God is showing the Jews how unclean their sins are to Him feeding them unclean food for their unclean hearts. Jerusalem is going to be emptied of people in what will then be a third exile from Jerusalem, and they will end up eating starvation rations that are unclean in a foreign exile. 14 So I said, “Ah, Lord God! Indeed I have never defiled myself from my youth till now; I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has abominable flesh ever come into my mouth.” 15 Then He said to me, “See, I am giving you cow dung instead of human waste, and you shall prepare your bread over it.” The prophet cannot bare to eat unclean bread cooked over human excrement as it would be unclean. The Lord concedes this point and allows him to cook over cow dung. 16 Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, surely, I will cut off the supply of bread in Jerusalem; they shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and shall drink water by measure and with dread, 17 that they may lack bread and water, and be dismayed with one another, and waste away because of their iniquity. Jerusalem is fast heading for a siege with only siege rations of bread and water available to them. Though the rations are short ironically there will be plenty of fear and terror about and the inhabitants will start blaming each other for the calamities knocking on their door. Their sins will surely catch up to them. Amen Personal prayer

And the fragrance of the Holy Spirit Many years ago, I attended a Christian conference in Brighton, England. The main speaker was Bill Subritsky who posed the question of how do we recognize the anointing of the Holy Spirit? One perhaps surprising answer is that we might recognize him by his fragrance. Bill said that sometimes believers could smell the fragrance of God and backed up his claim by giving a fascinating example! To smell the fragrance of God is not a common experience but it is scriptural. We do need to be careful about our experiences on their own without scriptural precedent, nevertheless we walk by faith and not by sight like other people. More recently we did a study on the wise men’s (magi) gifts to Jesus. Particularly the frankincense and myrrh because of their fragrances seem to be pertinent to this study. So, does God have a fragrance? Here is what the scripture says. Exodus 30:23-38; In the Tabernacle we find the incense altar. The myrrh and cassia were prepared with olive oil and this was a perfume for sacred use only (common use was forbidden). Anointing anything with this holy oil, imputes holiness to whatever is anointed by it. Oil, as you know, is a type of representation of the Holy Spirit. Aaron the high priest was consecrated with such fragrant oil. Matthew 3:16 and Hebrews 4:14-16; Jesus Christ our High Priest received the Holy Spirit without measure at his water baptism. It is both scriptural and logical to infer Jesus as our high priest would be scented by myrrh, aloes and cassia (see Psalm 45:8). In John 12:3; we find the woman performing an act of anointing Jesus for burial lead prior to his death. In John 19:38-39; Jesus our high priest was embalmed in myrrh and aloes. Psalms 45:6-8. All his garments are perfumed with myrrh, aloes and cassia and we are identified with his fragrance. In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 which suggests that because we know Jesus Christ, we have his scent! We are the fragrance of Christ to those who are being saved, but the stench of death to them that are perishing! No wonder we believers sometimes get up some people's’ noses! The fragrance of the Holy Spirit A missionary in Japan tells the story of how he went into a room and immediately asked if a member of the royal family been in the room. His host was surprised but answered yes and asked the missionary how he knew. The missionary answered that he recognized the fragrance of the perfume only worn by the Japanese royal family. It would be lovely if we could recognize the fragrance of the Holy Spirit when he was present! Some years ago a bible teacher (the late Roger Price) claimed to smell freesias sometime when the Holy Spirit is moving. Would you recognize the scent of freesias? Important to remember if you want your fragrance released Incense must be burned, and herbs/spices need to be crushed to release their fragrance. Perhaps we will need some burning or crushing in our lives to release the fragrance to God? Amen Personal prayer

FREEDOM IS ONLY FOR BRAVE HEARTS JESUS IS THE BRAVE HEART Picture the scene [1], William Wallace standing before the ramshackle Scots army, when they see their formidable enemy, some begin to break ranks and leave. Wallace addresses the men, “Which of you when you are old and about to die in your beds would not rather know that you had fought today and even died for freedom?” He inspires them and they fight for successfully for freedom. Also, you may consider the reputed address of King Robert the Bruce to his army before the battle of Bannockburn (1314) : Scots wha` hae wi` Wallace bled Scots wham Bruce has often led Welcome tae your gory bed Or to victorie Concludes We shall drain or dearest veins But they shall be free! The human heart cries for freedom Freedom from Oppression Freedom from Slavery Freedom from Bondage But it is not the English who are the enemy today It is not the Irish who are the enemy today It is not the Russians who are the enemy today Jesus never came to defeat the Romans. The true enemy of every man, whatever his race or nationality is Satan. For it is he who comes to steal, kill, and destroy every human being, those who been made in the image of the Living God. He enslaves them in sin. He takes them captive at will, with lies, deceit, and temptation. Human beings have few natural defences against the devil and his wiles. Half of the people today do not even believe he exists! What a lie, what a deception. He just binds them in his chains. Winston Churchill said, “We shall fight them (The Germans) on the beaches, air, sea, and land.” But the real battle in life for freedom is not fought with tanks, guns, or aircraft. It is a fought in the hearts, minds of men, women, and children against a supernatural foe, who knows our every besetting sin and weakness Who can deliver us from such bondage (to have to keep on committing the same sins)? Praise the Lord for Jesus Christ the Braveheart. He came, he saw, he died He rose and lives forever No one else was worthy No one else was able No one else loved the Father like He did Jesus Christ the Braveheart willingly surrendered himself to false judgement, to lies and to extreme brutality. His skin was flayed, his beard plucked, he was wearing a crown of thorns and yet willingly gave his life on that cruel cross. Yes, even the humiliating death of the cross, that you and I might be set free from the penalty of sin and eternal death. What a Braveheart to live and to die for freedom, not for himself, for he was, is and for evermore is free. But freedom for you and me today, and to all who would receive Him, they would become the free children of God. Jesus the Braveheart came to set us free, God anointed Jesus Christ of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power to preach the gospel to the poor, to open blind eyes and deaf ears, to set the captives free, to bind up the broken hearted. Jesus the Braveheart mends the broken-hearted. Jesus is the Gospel. And what is this gospel of Jesus Christ Romans 3:23 We are all sinners Acts 4:10-12 Only Jesus can save you Acts 2:34-36 We all need to repent (turn around completely) Romans 10:9-10 We all need to confess Jesus Christ with your mouth and believe in your heart You Christians Jesus Christ the Braveheart stands before you His army tonight and calls each you to inspire each other to victory. To overcome the sin in your life, to keep our eyes on Him. He was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Our captain was willing to shed his blood for the remission of our sins. Shall we shrink back from the cross? Lord, make us willing to the drain our dearest veins for the freedom not only of this nation but for all peoples. Brave hearts are willing to die for freedom, including dying to sin, to self, to selfish pleasure, to your own hopes, plans, and ambitions but alive to Christ, his will, his Word, and his Spirit. We are God`s freedom fighters We will need to fight mighty powers and principalities over this land, for it is they who hold the people in bondage through the fear of death. We must make every sacrifice that God requires. 1. Prayer, fasted prayer 2. Going the extra mile 3. Loving your enemies 4. Sacrificing for others 5. Forgiving Jesus the Braveheart has led the way, we must follow Him into the thick of the battle and bring his freedom to all people starting at our own doorsteps. To you an unbeliever Definition: People who have never taken Jesus as their personal saviour. Are you brave enough today? 1. To admit you are a sinner. 2. To be willing to turn from your sins with God's help. 3. To believe in Jesus Christ and confess him as your Lord? (see prayer and advice on next page) Now is the day, Now is the hour, to let Jesus Christ the Braveheart break your chains and shackles of your sins and bondage. Today is the day of to finally stop being Satan’s slave. Find out how by clicking the link below The bible is clear in Romans 10:9-10 it says v9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. v10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. We now need to turn this belief into a prayer spoken from your heart. Dear Jesus , thank you for taking my punishment on the cross, which I deserve for all the wrong things I have done in the past. Help me turn away from the ways of this world and all its the false promises. I ask now for your forgiveness and a fresh start in my life. I invite the Holy Spirit into my heart and mind to show me how to live from this time on. Amen You now need to start praying, reading your bible and find a church where they teach and believe the bible. Bless you , the angels in heaven are rejoicing over your decision to turn to God. [1] As in the movie Braveheart starring Mel Gibson. https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/jesus-our-braveheart

The fruit of the Spirit Part 2 Jesus says ‘by their fruit shall ye know them’ referring to the character of the false prophets. We need to know what good fruit is like to be able to spot the false prophet. This is important in these last days of increasing deception. Or how about a marriage, business, or ministry partner or even a leader in the church, it is all about character. We need to be able to compare the lusts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit to recognise whether we are walking in the flesh or in the Spirit. This provides a measure of our growth and maturity as we mortify the deeds of the flesh and walk in the Spirit. If any of the lusts of the flesh are still present in our lives, we need to repent and forsake them. The fruit of the Spirit being manifest in a believer’s life is a much more accurate way of assessing maturity than to consider their operation in the gifts of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit in your life will draw those who are open to salvation to you and will cause those who hate God to hate you. Fruit in the natural sense contains seeds for reproduction. When an unbeliever tastes or sees the fruit in your life, a seed of love is sown in their hearts which God can bring to life or you might say, love reproducing love. The battle between the spirit and the flesh Galatians 5:16 This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. that are Christ's v.16. To walk in the Spirit means to live your life constantly in the truth of the word of God, listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and being led and guided by them working together. This involves being constantly aware of the reality of all the promises of God to you and of the reality of all the spiritual blessings we have in Christ Jesus. It also involves constant refusal to yield to selfishness, unforgiveness and all other forms of sin. Love must always be our motive to please God. See also below 'How to walk in the Spirit' v.17 From the moment that we are saved there begins a lifelong battle between the flesh and the spirit. Our flesh has the old sin nature in it and is selfish, sinful, and indulgent and always insists on getting its own way. The regenerated human spirit has been made in the image of God and its nature is the selfless love of God. The flesh seeks to dominate and rule over the spirit whilst the regenerate human spirit seeks to crucify the flesh. The victory in any given situation is decided in the mind of the believer when we decide to obey God or yield to the flesh v.18 Jesus Christ completely fulfilled the Law and when we are led by His spirit, we are not under the Law but are at liberty by the grace of God. We are free to choose to obey His royal law of love which is written in our hearts. We are free to choose life, that zoe abundant life! Amen Personal prayer For full text for printout and access to Part 1 of 'The fruit of the Spirit' please click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-part-1 For a specific teaching on how to walk in the Spirit please click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/how-to-walk-in-the-spirit-part-4-of-4

The battle between the spirit and the flesh Our key text is Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. As we study the fruit of the Spirit you will begin to see that we are really studying is the character of God. We must become Christ-like and therefore it is essential that we know what he is like, so we know what we are aiming at in our lives. Jesus says ‘by their fruit shall ye know them’ referring to the character of the false prophets. We need to know what good fruit is like to be able to spot the false prophet. This is important in these last days of increasing deception. Or how about a marriage, business, or ministry partner or even a leader in the church. It is all about character. We need to be able to compare the lusts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit to recognise whether we are walking in the flesh or in the Spirit. This provides a measure of our growth and maturity as we mortify the deeds of the flesh and walk in the Spirit. If any of the lusts of the flesh are still present in our lives, we need to repent and forsake them. The fruit of the Spirit being manifest in a believer’s life is a much more accurate way of assessing maturity than to consider their operation in the gifts of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit in your life will draw those who are open to salvation to you and will cause those who hate God to hate you. Fruit in the natural sense contains seeds for reproduction. When an unbeliever tastes or sees the fruit in your life, a seed of love is sown in their hearts which God can bring to life; love reproducing love. The battle between the spirit and the flesh Galatians 5:16 This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. that are Christ's v.16. To walk in the Spirit means to live your life constantly in the truth of the word of God, listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and being led and guided by them working together. This involves being constantly aware of the reality of all the promises of God to you and of the reality of all the spiritual blessings we have in Christ Jesus. It also involves constant refusal to yield to selfishness, unforgiveness and all other forms of sin. Love must always be our motive to please God. See also below 'How to walk in the Spirit' v.17 From the moment that we are saved there begins a lifelong battle between the flesh and the spirit. Our flesh has the old sin nature in it and is selfish, sinful, and indulgent and always insists on getting its own way. The regenerated human spirit has been made in the image of God and its nature is the selfless love of God. The flesh seeks to dominate and rule over the spirit whilst the regenerate human spirit seeks to crucify the flesh. The victory in any given situation is decided in the mind of the believer when we decide to obey God or yield to the flesh. v.18 Jesus Christ completely fulfilled the Law and when we are led by His spirit, we are not under the Law but are at liberty by the grace of God. We are free to choose to obey His royal law of love which is written in our hearts. We are free to choose life, that zoe abundant life! Amen Personal prayer For full text for printout and access to Part 1 of 'The fruit of the Spirit' please click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-part-2

Can your tongue be tamed? In Part 2 we saw from James Chapter 3 how powerful the tongue is, both for good and for evil. We looked at several pictures of our tongues; like a bit in a horse’s mouth, like a small rudder on a big ship, like a spark that sets a forest on fire, or a fire that corrupts our whole life, although a small body part it makes great boasts, the tongue is all but impossible to tame and is full of deadly poison, we bless the Lord with tongue and curse our fellow man…. If your lips would keep from slips, five things observe with care: To whom you speak, of whom you speak, and how and when and where (William E Norris- journalist). Today we consider how we go about trying to tame our tongues. Since it is impossible for man to tame the tongue, we must look to God for the strength to do this. Matthew 12:33“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. What your heart is full of, is what comes out of your mouth! Put only that which is good into your heart. Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Did you know that the Holy Spirit is continually pouring the love of God into your heart? Let it flow into good deeds and words. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. As we develop the fruit of the spirit, particularly self-control, we are in a better place to tame our tongues. Here are some practical suggestions to help you tame your tongue whilst waiting for the fruit of self-control to develop; a) Count to ten before responding in high-risk conversations b) Robert Murray M’Cheyne resolved that if he could not say anything good about someone, he would say nothing at all c) Jonathan Edwards always tried to include something that would bless others when he spoke d) Resolve to set a watch over your mouth. e) Resolve to be constantly quick to hear, slow to speak (James 1:19). May the Lord help us in this matter! Amen Closing Prayer For full text and access to other parts of 'The power of your tongue' please click on the link below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/the-power-of-your-tongue-part-3

Thoughts by Christine Scobie For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. 1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. v1-4 God my Heavenly Father sees me, He knows me through and through. What a sense of wellbeing and contentment! 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. v5 I am covered and protected by my Heavenly Father. What security and safety! 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. v6 How wonderful that the Almighty God, the God of all creation is mindful of me and is watching over me. Too amazing! 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. v7-10 My Heavenly Father is always with me, my hand held securely in his. What an assurance! 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. v11-12 Even in the darkest night I need not fear. God sees me and is with me. What a comfort! 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. v13-16 God has made me on purpose, for his purpose. May I live all my days for him. What a privilege! 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, [1] God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you. v17-18 How wonderful, that I can know God's ways and thoughts, by His Holy Spirit, through His Word and prayer. What fellowship! 19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. v23-24 Thank God that he loves me enough to teach me, correct me and change me, forgive me. What mercy, what grace! Thank God for Jesus, who loves me and gave himself for me, to make it all possible. Such Love! Footnotes 1. Psalm 139:17 Or How amazing are your thoughts concerning me

Uplift someone today In Part 4 we considered why is it necessary for afflictions to come into the believer’s life. Today in the 5th and final part we are purposing to uplift people. Definition: to uplift: lift (something) up; or to boost, raise, buoy up, elevate, inspire, cheer up, perk up, brighten up, gladden, encourage, revive, or restore etc. etc. To uplift someone is a way of encouraging them (be like Barnabas). Can you recall any times in your life you felt uplifted? Perhaps it was when you were going through a rough patch? Someone showed you enough kindness and thoughtfulness to make you feel a bit better. Sometimes a story of kindness can be uplifting, so can the sharing of a relevant scripture or perhaps being reminded of God’s promises. Think of the Good Samaritan, he went well out of his way to take care of someone from a rival tribe, he was willing to get his hands dirty, he gave his time, materials and even money to take care of a wounded stranger. What about you…and me? In the workplace, everyone can use a little encouragement on a regular basis. Very often it does not take much more than a kind word of concern or a simple statement of appreciation to boost our feeling of accomplishment to exuberant levels. Research has found that people are much happier on the job if they feel appreciated for their work. This factor is more important in day-to-day job satisfaction than the amount of one's salary. On the other hand, a well-deserved raise in pay is like your boss saying, "I appreciate your work!" We can develop an idea of purposing to uplift people such as when we visit the sick at home or in the hospital, the elderly, the disabled, those down on their opportunities, and those in prison etc. Basically, anyone who is going through a difficult time would likely appreciate you uplifting them in some way. When we recognise a possible opportunity to uplift someone, we should pray saying something like ‘Lord when I visit ‘Joe’ today I pray you will give me words of life for him, words that will uplift him in his present situation and that these words will remind him that the season of suffering will soon be over, and Your plan will be fulfilled in his life. If you cannot visit in person then phone the individual that is on your mind (or is it heart)? To uplift someone, is to encourage them to keep going, and at its best restores hope and renews faith, so contact, or call someone today. Closing Prayer Amen Can you recall any times in your life you felt uplifted? Perhaps it was when you were going a rough patch? Someone showed you enough kindness and though