"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:16-25

Now that we have laid the foundation—that identity becomes calling—we move into the first and most essential expression of our response: surrender. Identity without surrender becomes theory. Identity with surrender becomes transformation. Knowing who you are in Jesus must lead to a yielded life, because the Spirit does not shape what we withhold. He forms what He fills, and He fills what is fully surrendered. Paul lays out this Kingdom reality in Galatians 5:16-25, calling us to walk by the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the desires of the flesh. The flesh pulls us downward; the Spirit sends us heavenward. The flesh moves us toward self; the Spirit moves us toward Jesus. The flesh demands control; the Spirit demands surrender. And the two are at war within us -- not because we are weak, but because we are being transformed. The presence of conflict is not a sign of failure; it is a sign of transformation. To walk by the Spirit is not a one-time choice—it is a daily yielding, a moment-by-moment surrender of our will. Every day we lay our preferences, our impulses, our reactions, and our desires before God and acknowledge that His way is better. Every day we choose the voice of the Spirit over the voice of the world, the voice of truth over the voice of impulse, the voice of obedience over the voice of convenience. For when we yield, the Spirit produces His fruit in us—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not the results of human effort; they are the evidence of divine occupancy. They are proof—not of our discipline—but of His dominion. The fruit of the Spirit is the fragrance of a surrendered life. And as we yield daily, the inner war begins to shift. Desires change. Reactions soften. Thoughts align. And slowly, the life of Jesus becomes visible within us. To surrender is not to lose yourself—it is to discover who you truly are. It is to allow the Spirit to bring your Kingdom identity into full expression. It is to give Him access to every hidden corner so that nothing within you resists His shaping hand. True identity always leads to Spirit-led obedience, and true calling always flows from Spirit-filled surrender. Brothers & Sisters, this is the hour to yield. Lay down the illusion of control and break agreement with every impulse that resists the Spirit. Open the gates of your will and let the King of Glory come in. The Spirit cannot fill what you clutch, nor form what you refuse to surrender. Yield—fully and fearlessly—until the old nature loses its grip and the fruit of the Spirit burns within you. This is the divine exchange: your will for His, your strength for His power. Step into the river of surrender and let the Spirit carry you into the fullness of your calling. THE SURRENDERED WILL: YIELDING TO THE SPIRIT!

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2

If you’re just joining us on this journey, welcome. I’ve just completed a month-long series exploring our identity in the Messiah -- who we are because of His finished work, His love, His calling, and His transformative grace. We discovered that identity is not something we earn; it is something we receive. It is not fragile; it is rooted. It is not changing; it is anchored in the eternal purposes of God. But now we turn a corner, because identity is never meant to be the destination. It is meant to be the foundation. Identity is not the finish line -- it is the starting gate. And now that we know who we are in Messiah, we step into the next essential revelation: identity becomes calling. Paul urges us in Romans 12:1–2 to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. He calls us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so we may walk in the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Mercy comes first -- God reveals who we are; surrender follows -- we offer Him our whole lives; transformation unfolds -- our minds are renewed; and calling emerges -- we step into His will. Identity is the soil; calling is the fruit. You cannot live out your purpose until you’ve embraced your identity, and you cannot fully walk in your identity until you surrender to your calling. Identity demands a response. When God reveals who you are, He is inviting you into something greater. If you are beloved, live loved. If you are chosen, walk set apart. If you are redeemed, stop living like a captive. If you are His workmanship, step into the works prepared for you. If you are a temple of the Spirit, honor the Presence you carry. If you are a new creation, walk as one whose old life has died. Identity is a holy summons -- calling you away from the patterns of this world, into the renewing power of the Spirit, into a life of worship expressed not merely in song, but in surrender. Brothers & Sisters, your identity in Jesus was never meant to sit unused like a forgotten gift. It was meant to shape how you think, how you speak, what you pursue, what you refuse, and how you live your life before God and before the world. In the Kingdom, identity is always connected to assignment. You are not just saved -- you are sent. You are not just forgiven -- you are formed. You are not just redeemed -- you are recruited into God’s purposes. And now begins the journey of walking this out in practical, daily obedience, letting the truth of who you are ignite the life you are called to live. WHEN IDENTITY BECOMES CALLING!

"Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7 ; "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25-27

Every journey of identity culminates in this: you are the Bride of Messiah. Not merely a servant, not merely a disciple, not merely a child — but a Bride being prepared for eternal union with the King. Revelation declares, “The bride has made herself ready,” and Paul reveals how: Messiah “loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify her… and present her to Himself a glorious church.” Your identity is rooted in love — not human love, but covenant love, eternal love, bridal love. The Bride is not chosen because she is perfect; she becomes perfect because she is chosen. The Bride is not radiant because she strives; she is radiant because she is loved. The Bride does not prepare herself in fear, but in affection — responding to the One who laid His life down for her. Identity becomes destiny when love becomes union. You are being made ready — washed by the Word, strengthened by the Spirit, adorned with righteousness, purified by His presence. And the more you understand who you are to Him, the more your life aligns with the purity and passion of the Bride. Brothers & Sisters, awaken to the love that chose you before time began. Respond to His pursuit with your whole heart. Let His affection become the measure of your worth, His gaze the fire that purifies you, and His voice the invitation that draws you deeper into intimacy. Shake off every lesser identity and rise into the one He has spoken over you. You are the Bride of the Lamb — desired, cherished, pursued, and destined for unbreakable union with your Bridegroom King. And with the Spirit burning within you, lift your voice in harmony with heaven’s deepest cry: “Come, even so, come Lord!” THE BRIDE MADE READY -- IDENTITY IN CONVENANT LOVE!

"When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." Colossians 3:4 ; "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2

Your identity is grounded in the present, but its fullness is revealed in the future. John writes, “Beloved, now we are children of God,” but also, “when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” Identity begins now, but destiny is unveiled then — at the moment you behold the Bridegroom in glory. Colossians echoes this truth: “When Jesus, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Your life is hidden with Him now, but one day it will be revealed in brilliance. Everything you have become in the secret place will shine openly. Everything He has formed within you will rise in splendor. The identity we discover by faith today will be seen in fullness on that Day. Your destiny is not merely heaven — it is union. Every moment of your journey is preparing you for the unveiling of eternity. You are being fashioned as a Bride adorned for her Bridegroom — radiant, pure, and filled with the very glory of God. The Spirit is shaping you, refining you, and clothing you with splendor for that holy moment when the heavens open, the Bridegroom calls, and you appear with Him in glory. Redemption, transformation, adoption, sanctification — all of it is leading to one breathtaking revelation: you, fully restored, fully radiant, fully like Him. Brothers & Sisters, so set your hope with unwavering certainty on that glorious day. Let every heartbeat lean toward His appearing. For when you behold the Bridegroom in His glory, you will step into the fullness of who you were created to be — perfected in love, crowned with light, and united forever with the One your soul loves. DESTINY AND ETERNAL GLOTY -- WHEN WE SEE HIM. WE BECOME LIKE HIM!

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18

You become like whatever you behold. Identity is not shaped by striving but by seeing -- by gazing upon the glory of Jesus. Paul writes that as we behold "the glory of the Lord," we are "being transformed into the same image from glory to glory." Identity begins with revelation, but it matures through beholding. Transformation is not self-improvement -- it is spiritual metamorphosis. Just as Moses' face shone when he encountered God on the mountain, your inner life shines when you behold the face of Jesus. Beholding Him is not a moment; it is a posture. It is fixing your eyes on the One whose glory redefines your own. Every glimpse of His love transforms your heart. Every revelation of His truth renews your mind. Every encounter with His presence reshapes your identity. This is why the enemy fights to distract your attention -- because whatever captures your gaze eventually captures your nature. But when you behold the Lord, you rise into the identity He prepared for you. Brothers & Sisters, lift your face and fix it upon Him day after day, moment by moment. Do not let the distractions of this world dim the radiance of His presence. Let His glory wash over you like a consuming fire and a cleansing river — reshaping your desires, renewing your mind, and awakening your spirit to who you truly are. For as you behold Him — deeply, consistently, intentionally — you will become like Him. His nature will mark you, His light will fill you, and His beauty will be reflected through your life. Behold Him… and watch His glory transform you from the inside out. TRANSFORMED FROM GLORY TO GLORY -- BECOMING WHAT WE BEHOLD!

"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Revelation 12:10-11

From the beginning, the enemy’s strategy has never been raw power — it has always been accusation. The serpent did not overpower Adam and Eve; he distorted their identity. He didn’t attack their strength; he attacked their perception of who they were and who God is. The battle has never changed. Revelation calls Satan “the accuser of our brethren,” whose weapon is the distortion of identity, shame, and fear. But it also declares his defeat: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” The blood answers every accusation. The testimony establishes who you now are. The accuser speaks from your past, but the blood speaks from your redemption. The enemy whispers, “You are what you did,” but heaven declares, “You are who He made you to be.” Overcoming happens when you refuse to agree with the lie and stand firm in the truth — that you are forgiven, cleansed, righteous, beloved, and sealed by God. The accuser seeks to remind you of who you were, but the Spirit reminds you of who you have become. Every time you declare your identity in Jesus rather than your identity in the flesh, you strike a blow against the kingdom of darkness. Overcomers silence the accuser not by shouting louder, but by agreeing with the blood that speaks a better word. Brothers & Sisters, rise up and stand unshakable in the identity the Lamb purchased with His own blood. Let His voice define you and silence every lie of the accuser. The blood speaks a better word — let that word thunder through your spirit. The enemy has no authority over what God has redeemed. So claim your victory, walk in that victory, and live from that victory — for you are redeemed, you are made new, and you belong wholly to Him. OVERCOMING THE ACCUSER -- STANDING FIRM IN YOUR TRUE IDENTITY!

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Romans 8:16-17

One of the most breathtaking truths of your identity in Jesus is this: you are not merely forgiven — you are an heir. Not a servant in the house, not a distant relative, and not an outsider tolerated at the table, but a co-heir who shares the inheritance, authority, and destiny of the Son Himself. Paul declares, “If children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Messiah” (Romans 8:17), a truth that reshapes everything about who you are. You do not inherit from God; you inherit with the Son of God, and whatever belongs to Him He joyfully shares with you. This is not poetic imagery but heaven’s legal decree — you are written into the Father’s will because you are united with His Son. In ancient times, to be a co-heir meant full equality of inheritance, shared rights, and shared access. The Father placed everything in Yeshua’s hands and then placed you in Him, meaning you share in His life, His promises, His authority, His righteousness, His destiny, and even His glory. You are not standing outside the gates; you are seated at the table of royalty. Your inheritance is both future and present — you walk in the Son’s authority today, steward His Kingdom on earth now, and carry the Spirit as the down payment of what is to come. Scripture says, “We will reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12), revealing that your destiny is royal and your life is meant to reflect His rule. Being a co-heir crushes every lie of insufficiency; you are not lacking, powerless, or insignificant. You carry the wealth of heaven, the authority of the Son, and the destiny of the Kingdom. Everything you need for your calling has already been placed in your inheritance. Brothers & Sisters, lift your eyes — you are royalty. You are not striving to earn blessing; you are learning to steward it. You are not begging for access; you are living from it. You are not trying to create a destiny; you are stepping into the one He already prepared. Walk with the confidence of a son, stand with the authority of a royal heir, and live with the expectation of one who shares the destiny of Messiah Himself. You are not merely in the Kingdom — you are a co-heir with the King, sharing His inheritance, His authority, and His glory. CO - HEIRS WITH MESSIAH -- SHARING HIS INHERITANCE AND DESTINY!

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." Revelation 2:17

All throughout Scripture, when God called someone into a new destiny, He gave them a new name. A name wasn't merely a label -- it was an identity, a calling, a destiny spoken into being by the mouth of God Himself. When the Almighty changes a name, He is not describing who you were -- He is declaring who you are in Him. Abram became Abraham -- exalted father became "father of many nations." Sarai became Sarah -- barren became "mother of nations." Jacob became Israel -- deceiver became "one who prevails with God." Each new name carried divine purpose and heavenly authority. It was God's way of rewriting a person's story, breaking the identity of the past, and revealing their destiny in the Kingdom. And beloved, the God who renamed them also renames you. In Jesus, you are no longer called by the names your past gave you -- sinner, broken, rejected, unworthy, forgotten. Heaven calls you by a name that reflects who you are in Christ, not who you were in Adam. God does not speak to your failures; He speaks to your future. Revelation 2:17 unveils this mystery: "To the one who overcomes... I will give a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it." Think of this -- heaven has a name for you that no one else knows. A name whispered from the heart of God, spoken in love, tailored to your identity, your calling, your story. A name that only your Father can give. A name that carries your destiny. Jesus Himself promised that His sheep would be called by name. "He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out" (John 10:3). He does not lead you with labels -- He leads you with identity. The world may call you one thing, but the Shepherd calls you by the name heaven has written over your life. In Jesus you have been given names that reflect your true nature: Chosen. Redeemed. Beloved. Son. Daughter. Priest. Overcomer. Bride. But these are only the beginning. Above all of them, the Father has spoken something personal, unique, eternal -- a name no one else knows but you and Him. This name carries your identity, your purpose, your calling. It breaks the power of every false name spoken over you -- every insult, every wound, every lie the enemy ever used to shape your identity. The new name God gives is not earned -- it is received. It is the fruit of intimacy, identity, and transformation. As you walk with Him, the more clearly you hear it. The closer you draw, the more deeply it shapes you. Heaven's name over you is stronger than every label the world has tried to place on you. It is louder than the voice of shame, bolder than the wounds of your past, and more enduring than any earthly identity. Brothers & Sisters, lift your heart today and ask the Father to speak His name over you. Silence the voices of the past, the accusations of the enemy, and the labels of men. Listen for the whisper of heaven -- the name spoken from the throne, the name written on the white stone, the name that reveals who you are in Him. You are not who you were. You are who He says you are. You carry a new identity, a new destiny, a new name. Let heaven's declaration define you -- for the Father has named you, and His word is final. A NEW NAME: IDENTITY DEFINED BY GOD'S DECLARATION!

"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9

From the very beginning, God’s intention for humanity was not simply to live before Him, but to work with Him. In Genesis, before sin ever touched the world, the Lord placed Adam in the garden “to tend it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). This was not a curse or a burden — it was a sacred partnership. God formed the garden, but He entrusted its cultivation to man. From the start, heaven and earth were designed to operate together, united in purpose, reflecting divine collaboration rather than human independence. This reveals something profound about your identity: you were created to co-labor with God. You were crafted to steward what He creates, cultivate what He plants, expand what He initiates, and manifest what He desires. The very first commission ever given to humanity was not to rest, nor to escape responsibility, but to join God in His work and extend His order across creation. Partnership wasn’t added later — it was built into your design. And even when the fall fractured humanity’s ability to steward creation, the design itself was never lost. In Jesus, it has been fully restored. Paul declares this stunning reality: “We are God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Not spectators on the sidelines. Not passive observers. Not servants who only obey commands. Fellow workers — partners in the Father’s business, sons and daughters trusted with Kingdom responsibility. Salvation did not rescue you from purpose; it restored you to purpose. The cross didn’t remove your calling; it redeemed it. The Spirit wasn’t given so you could stand still; He was given so you could co-labor with heaven on earth. Just as Adam was entrusted with a garden, you have been entrusted with a field — the field of your calling, your influence, your relationships, your gifts, your assignments, your ministry, and the sphere of authority God has given you. Stewardship was humanity’s first mandate in Genesis, and in Messiah it becomes the first expression of your true identity. What God entrusts to you, heaven expects you to cultivate. What He places in your hands, He intends to multiply. What He plants in your heart, He desires to see bear fruit. To co-labor with God means you are carrying His heart into the world, working with His strength rather than your own, building what He initiates, planting what He provides, watering what He entrusts, and harvesting what He brings to maturity. Every step, every assignment, every act of obedience is divine partnership in motion. Your stewardship today is preparation for your stewardship in eternity. Jesus said, “You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many” (Matthew 25:21). Earthly faithfulness becomes heavenly authority. Co-laboring now becomes co-reigning later. You tend fields in this age so you can receive kingdoms in the next. You are not called to wander aimlessly through this world. Rather, you are partnering with the Creator of the universe. Heaven does not see you as weak, insignificant, or incapable. Heaven sees you as a trusted steward of divine assignments — one worthy of receiving tasks that carry eternal weight. God does not need you to accomplish His will — yet He chooses to accomplish His purposes through you. This is an honor beyond comprehension: the God who spoke galaxies into existence calls you His co-worker. And you do not labor alone. The Spirit empowers you from within, the Son works through you, and the Father guides you alongside His own purposes. Your labor is not striving — it is synergy. It is a divine partnership unfolding in real time. You carry heaven’s resources, heaven’s authority, and heaven’s mandate into every task you undertake. Brothers & Sisters, rise and take your place in the story God is writing. Lift your head and recognize that you are entrusted, empowered, and anointed to build with Him. Do not minimize the field God has given you, and do not bury the gifts He has planted within you. Everything He entrusts to you carries eternal purpose and Kingdom significance. Work with heaven’s strength, steward with heaven’s wisdom, labor with heaven’s love, and build with heaven’s authority. CO-LABOURERS WTH GOD - IDENTITY IN DIVINE PARTNERSHIP!

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3

One of the most powerful truths of the gospel is this: when you came to Jesus, God didn’t upgrade your old life — He ended it. Salvation is not renovation; it is resurrection. Your old identity didn’t get repaired — it got crucified. Scripture declares, “If anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is not a metaphor — it is heaven’s legal record of your life. The day you believed, the old you died. Your past was buried with Messiah, and your new identity was raised with Him. “For you died, and your life is hidden with Messiah in God” (Colossians 3:3). You didn’t just receive forgiveness — you received a completely new nature, born from resurrection life, not from your past story. Your heavenly identity is no longer tied to old wounds, old patterns, old labels, or old failures. Those belonged to a version of you that no longer exists. The enemy can only whisper to the corpse of your old self — but heaven speaks to the new creation you have become. The accuser calls from the grave; the Spirit calls from the empty tomb. To walk as a new creation is to stop digging up what God buried. You cannot carry grave clothes while trying to live in resurrection life. The renewed mind doesn’t try to fix the old man — it awakens to the new one. “It is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Your identity is now found in His life, His Spirit, His power, His righteousness. Heaven sees Christ in you — and sees you in Christ. You are not a sinner trying to be righteous — you are the righteousness of God learning how to walk. You are not a prisoner trying to escape — you are the free learning how to live free. You are not an orphan searching for home — you are a son or daughter discovering your inheritance. You are not the old creation striving into the new — you are the new creation shedding the memory of the old. Your identity is not the sum of your past — it is the fruit of His resurrection. You are new because He is new. You live because He lives in you. You are whole because He has restored you. Heaven does not see you as improving — heaven sees you as reborn. Brothers & Sisters, stop wrestling with a ghost — the old you is gone. Step out of the graveyard of who you once were and into the resurrection life you have been made new to walk in. Let the Spirit renew your mind until every thought, every word, and every step flows from the truth of who you are in Him. So rise and walk in resurrection life — alive with His power, clothed in His righteousness, and radiant with His image. The old has passed away, the new has come, and heaven rejoices over the new creation you have become in Him. THE NEW CREATION: IDENTITY BEYOND THE OLD SELF!

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him." 1 John 3:1

One of the most neglected truths in the Body of Messiah is also one of the most transformative: You are the Father’s delight. Not His burden, not His disappointment, not His afterthought -- His delight. Identity does not begin with what you do for God; it begins with how God feels about you. Before you lifted a hand in worship, prayed your first prayer, or took your first breath, the Father loved you with an everlasting love. His delight in you is not based on your performance but on your position in His Son. At Jesus’s baptism, before He healed a single person, preached a single sermon, or performed a single miracle, heaven opened and the voice of the Father thundered: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) Notice this divine pattern: Identity first, assignment second. Belovedness first, ministry second. Delight first, destiny second. The Father speaks the same identity over you. Because you are in Jesus, the words spoken over Him are now spoken over you. Heaven’s declaration over your life is not, “Do better.” It is: “You are My beloved child, and My delight is in you.” Many believers live their entire lives trying to earn what God has already given -- love, approval, acceptance. But you cannot earn what was freely bestowed before your beginning. You didn’t enter God’s love through your behavior; you entered through your birth -- your spiritual birth into His family. Identity rooted in love is unshakable. It silences shame, heals wounds, and crushes the orphan spirit. When you know the Father delights in you, fear loses its voice, striving loses its grip, and insecurity loses its power. You no longer live to be loved -- you live from love. You no longer fight for approval -- you move from approval. This love is not fragile or fleeting. It is eternal, unchanging, anchored in the very nature of God. "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1). The Father doesn’t love you minimally -- He lavishes love upon you. He pours it out in abundance. His pleasure rests on you, not reluctantly, but joyfully. The Father’s heart is not distant or guarded. He rejoices over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). He has engraved your name on the palm of His hands (Isaiah 49:16). He numbers every hair on your head (Luke 12:7). His thoughts toward you outnumber the grains of sand (Psalm 139:17–18). You are not merely accepted -- you are celebrated. And when the Father delights in you, He speaks blessing over you. In Jewish tradition, fathers bless their children weekly -- not based on behavior, but identity. The heavenly Father does the same. He speaks life over your destiny, affirmation over your identity, and joy over your future. The enemy attacks where identity is unclear because he knows that a son or daughter convinced of the Father’s love is unstoppable. You will never walk in your full identity until you know the Father’s heart for you. You will never walk in confidence until you know you are cherished. And you will never walk in freedom until you receive the love that sets you free. Brothers & Sisters, let the striving cease. Let the fear dissolve. Let the orphan spirit be silenced. You are not fighting for a place in the Father’s heart—you already have one. Stop measuring His love through your failures and start receiving it through His faithfulness. Lift your eyes and let His delight wash over you until every lie of unworthiness breaks. You are His beloved child. You are His delight. You are His joy. Rest in the embrace of the Father who loved you first, loves you now, and will love you forever. Let His delight define your identity -- because the One who formed you has called you His own. THE FATHER'S DELIGHT: IDENTITY ROOTED IN HIS LOVE!

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." Philippians 3:20-21

When you came to Jesus, everything about your identity shifted -- even your citizenship. You may still walk upon earthly soil, but heaven has become your true homeland. Paul reveals this profound reality when he writes, “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Messiah” (Philippians 3:20). This is not poetic language; it is a legal and spiritual identity. The limitations, systems, or identity markers of this world no longer define you. You belong to another Kingdom -- a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, governed by a King who cannot be dethroned, and marked by a glory that cannot fade. Heaven is not simply your future destination; it is your present identity in Messiah. You were born from above, sealed by heaven, filled with heaven’s Spirit, and assigned heaven’s purpose. You carry the DNA of the Kingdom. You operate under its authority. This means you live differently because you see differently. While earth reacts, heaven rules. While earth fears, heaven trusts. While earth clings, heaven releases. While earth fights for position, heaven walks in purpose. While earth seeks recognition, heaven rests in identity. When the reality of your heavenly citizenship truly takes hold, everything begins to shift. You stop striving for human approval and begin walking in divine assignment. You stop being shaped by culture and instead become one who shapes culture. You stop interpreting your life through the pressure of earthly circumstances and start seeing from the perspective of heaven. As Paul exhorts, "Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Messiah in God" (Colossians 3:2–3). To live as a citizen of heaven means your viewpoint rises to where your spirit already sits -- with Him in heavenly places. You no longer view life from the valley but from the throne room. You no longer interpret identity through adversity but interpret adversity through identity. As citizens of heaven, we are also ambassadors of heaven on earth -- representatives of divine justice, peace, authority, and reconciliation. Heaven has assigned you to reveal its values, express its culture, carry its power, and demonstrate its heart. This world does not shape you; you are sent into it with the culture of another Kingdom. And as a citizen of heaven, you live under heaven’s protection. Earthly kingdoms may rise and fall, but your citizenship is eternal. Earthly identities may shift and change, but your heavenly identity is immovable. Earthly nations may be shaken, but the Kingdom you belong to stands forever. This world is not your home; it is your assignment. Your loyalty is to your King. Your identity flows from above, not below. Your destiny is shaped by eternity, not time. Brothers & Sisters, lift your eyes and live from where you truly belong. Once you realize that you are a spiritual being having an earthly experience — not an earthly being trying to reach heaven — everything changes. You begin to live as a heavenly citizen with a divine purpose for this brief and temporal world. Let heaven define your priorities, decisions, values, and vision. Do not let the noise of this world drown out the voice of your King. Walk with the dignity of one who belongs to a royal Kingdom; speak with the authority of heaven’s ambassador; live with the purity of one set apart; and move with the confidence of one protected by His reign. You are not simply journeying toward heaven — you already belong to it. So live as a citizen of the Kingdom that cannot be shaken, for the King Himself lives within you. CITIZENS OF HEAVEN: LIVING FROM A HIGHER KINGDOM!

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:19-20

When you were born into the Kingdom of God, you were not placed into a position of spiritual survival — you were placed into a position of spiritual authority. Jesus didn’t merely save you from darkness; He empowered you to overcome it. Your identity in Messiah includes not only love, adoption, and righteousness, but also kingdom authority to tread on the powers that once tried to destroy you. Jesus declared this authority plainly: “Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). Authority is not a feeling — it is a position. It is not something you earn — it is something you receive. It flows from who you are in Him, not from what you do for Him. Heaven sees you seated with Messiah in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). From that position, all forces of darkness are under your feet because they are under His feet — and you are in Him. This is why you do not fight for victory; you fight from victory. You do not strive to overcome; you stand in the One who already has. Many believers walk in fear because they do not understand the authority they carry. The enemy knows what you have been given — he only hopes you do not. But the moment a son or daughter of God recognizes their authority, hell trembles. When you speak in the name of Jesus, demons must flee. When you resist the devil, he must run. When you stand in faith, darkness loses its grip. You are not a victim of spiritual warfare — you are equipped for it. The same Spirit that empowered Jesus in the wilderness now empowers you. The same authority that silenced demons, healed the sick, and crushed the works of darkness is the authority placed upon your life. For Scripture says, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). But kingdom authority is not harsh or arrogant — it is rooted in identity, steeped in intimacy, and expressed through love. Kings rule; priests intercede — and you are both. You carry the authority of a king and the heart of a priest. Authority without intimacy becomes cold; intimacy without authority becomes timid. In Messiah, you are called to walk in both — the tenderness of the priest and the boldness of the king. When you speak forgiveness, the shackles of guilt break. When you speak truth, deception is shattered. When you speak life, death loses its voice. When you speak the Word, darkness bows. And you do not fight alone — heaven fights with you. The Captain of the Lord’s host stands behind your decree. Angels are sent forth on assignment when you pray according to His will. You are not swinging earthly weapons — you are wielding heavenly authority. Authority is not the absence of battle — it is the guarantee of victory. The enemy will challenge you, but he cannot defeat the One who lives within you. You carry the name above every name, the blood that silences accusation, and the Spirit who cannot be overcome. Brothers & Sisters, rise up in the authority given to you by your King. Do not shrink back when darkness presses — advance in the power of the Spirit. Speak the Word. Stand your ground. Take dominion over every lie, every attack, and every shadow. KINGDOM AUTHORITY: POWE TO OVERCOME DARKNESS!

"The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." Exodus 34:6-7

When Israel fell at Sinai with the golden calf, it could have marked the end of their story. But instead, God called Moses back up the mountain for another forty days. According to Jewish tradition, this second ascent began on the first day of Elul. For forty days and nights, Moses interceded for a rebellious people, pleading for mercy and the renewal of the covenant. During this time, God revealed Himself in a new way. He passed before Moses and proclaimed His Name: "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..." (Exodus 34:6-7). When God revealed Himself and His attributes to Moses, it shattered the common picture many hold of the “God of the Old Testament” — a stern, vengeful, and ready-to-destroy deity, far from it. What He revealed was mercy, grace, patience, steadfast love, and forgiveness. This was more than words; it was God unveiling His very character. And this revelation became the heartbeat of Elul. That is why Elul is remembered as a season of teshuvah — return. Each of the forty days is a step deeper into repentance, mercy, and intimacy, culminating in Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement. Kippur means "covering," the reminder that in His mercy, you are not exposed but covered by Him. The forty days of Moses point us forward to the Messiah. Just as Moses stood on the mountain interceding for Israel, Jesus now intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34). Elul is not only about our repentance; it is about His unceasing mercy and His covenant love that does not let go. Brothers & Sisters, the shofar blast in Elul is the sound of mercy — the voice of a God who proclaims Himself merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and forgiveness. Each blast is His invitation: “Return to Me — My mercy is greater than your failure, My love deeper than your shame, My covenant still stands.” The King is in the field, near and compassionate, extending His hand. Do not waste this season — every day is an open door to mercy, every moment a chance to be restored. The shofar is sounding — the God of mercy is calling you now. THE FORTY DAYS OFMERCY!

"Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written. 16 The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. 17 When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is a noise of war in the camp.” 18 But he said, “It is not the sound of shouting for victory, or the sound of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing that I hear.” 19 And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain." Exodus 32:15-19

Two great collapses mark Israel’s journey in the wilderness. The first instance occurred at Sinai, when impatience led to idolatry and the golden calf was raised. Moses descended with the tablets of the covenant, only to see the people dancing around an idol. In grief and holy anger, he shattered the Ten Commandments at the base of the mountain (Exodus 32:15-19). The second came at Kadesh Barnea, when the twelve spies returned from the Promised Land. Ten brought back a bad report — focusing on the giants instead of the promise of God. Fear spread through the camp like wildfire, and the people refused to enter the land (Numbers 13–14). That unbelief cost a generation their inheritance, as they were turned back into the wilderness. Failure and rebellion marked Israel’s story — yet God did not abandon His people. Instead, He invited Moses back up the mountain. According to tradition, Moses ascended Mount Sinai again on the first day of Elul and remained there forty days, interceding for Israel. By Yom Kippur, he descended with the second set of tablets and the assurance that the covenant was renewed (Exodus 34). That’s the heart of Elul: when man fails, God extends mercy. When we break covenant, He invites us into repentance and offers restoration. Elul reminds us that our failures do not have the final word. The shofar blast each day declares: “It is not too late. Return, and live!” Brothers & Sisters, perhaps you feel like Israel — stuck in regret, ashamed of past mistakes, or paralyzed by fear. But hear the call of Elul: the God of Israel is the God of second chances. The King is in the field, and He is inviting you to draw near. Do not let your failures define you; let His mercy rewrite your story. This is the season to return, to repent, and to receive His forgiveness. The shofar is sounding. Do not harden your heart. Rise, for the Bridegroom is calling you to begin again. HE'S THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES!

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8

Elul is a month when the distance between heaven and earth seems to shrink. The rabbis used a picture to explain this: "The King is in the field." Normally, when a king resides in his palace, his people must pass through gates, guards, and endless protocol to gain an audience. Few are admitted, and even then, only with fear and trembling. But during Elul, the King is said to leave His palace and walk among His people in the open fields. He is close, approachable, and available to anyone who desires to draw near. This picture captures the essence of Elul. God does not wait for us to ascend to Him by our own efforts; instead, He bends low, stepping into the ordinary places of our lives. He comes near where we labor, where we wrestle, where we sow and reap -- and in His nearness, He invites us to turn aside and approach Him. To "draw near" in this season means more than a fleeting prayer or a moment of religious duty. It is an intentional turning of the heart. James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." Elul reminds us that God is already moving toward us -- He is in the field, waiting for our response. To draw near is to make space, to set aside distraction, to step out of our routines and meet Him in the openness He has provided. Even the name Elul hints at this intimacy. Its letters (Aleph-Lamed-Vav-Lamed) form the acronym for "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li" -- "I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine" (Song of Songs 6:3). Elul is covenant love in action -- not distant, not unreachable, but near and personal. Brothers & Sisters, beloved, the King is in the field. He is not behind walls or palace gates. He is walking where you walk. This is the time to stop, to look up, and to respond. Do not miss His nearness. Do not let the shofar sound without awakening. The Beloved is calling His Bride to Himself -- to intimacy, to repentance, to readiness. The King is in the field ... and He is waiting for you. THE KING IS IN THE FIELD!

"And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day." Deuteronomy 5:15 ;"He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young." Isaiah 40:11

We have come to the final meditation in this journey through the Z’roah, the Arm of the LORD. From the Arm that redeemed Israel out of Egypt, to the Arm that pierced the dragon, to the Arm that is coming with reward — all of these revelations lead us here: the Arm that brings His people into rest. Redemption is not complete until rest is secured. God’s arm not only broke Pharaoh’s power; it also gathered His people into covenant fellowship. Shabbat is the covenant sign of this rest — not a burden to bear, but a gift to receive. Israel was commanded to stop striving, not because they had accomplished enough, but because God’s Arm had already done the work. Sabbath is God’s weekly reminder: “You are not slaves. You are Mine, and you are carried.” Isaiah’s vision shows the same truth: the Arm that split seas and struck empires now cradles lambs and carries them close. This is not a contradiction, but a completion. The Warrior Arm clears the way so the Shepherd Arm may gather His flock. In Messiah, the fullness is revealed: He conquered death, and then He spoke the invitation — “Come to Me… and I will give you rest.” Every Shabbat, every quiet surrender to His finished work, is a rehearsal of eternity. It declares to the world and to our restless hearts: “The battle is already won. The Arm has finished the work.” And one day soon, when He returns, that rest will be eternal — the final Sabbath of God, where His people dwell in His embrace forever. Brothers & Sisters, this is the last word of the Arm: Rest. Not a legal duty, but a covenant delight. Not striving, but surrender. Not fear, but being held. The Arm that shattered your enemy is the Arm that now carries you home. Stop struggling. Rest in His embrace — for you are not only redeemed, you are kept. THE ARM THAT BRINGS REST --- THE FINAL WORD!

"Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him." Isaiah 40:10

Isaiah’s vision looks ahead — not only to the Arm of the LORD revealed in the Exodus or even in the cross, but to the day when that same Arm will come again in glory. The Z’roah — the Arm of the LORD — comes clothed with strength to establish His rule, and He does not come empty-handed. His reward is with Him, and His work is before Him. The promise is sure: He is coming, and He is rewarding. “His reward is with Him” speaks to the faithfulness of God’s covenant. The Hebrew word sakar carries the sense of blessing, vindication, and fulfillment of promise. The Lord does not forget His people. When He comes, He comes with restoration, with vindication for the righteous, and with the joy of fulfilled hope. The Arm that rules does not bring only judgment; He brings blessing for those who have trusted Him. “His work is before Him” reminds us that nothing is left unfinished. What He begins, He completes. The story of redemption is still unfolding, and the Arm of the LORD carries it forward without delay or distraction. Creation itself testifies to His completed word, and redemption will likewise be brought to perfect fulfillment. The work of salvation is not a project abandoned halfway — it is always before Him, and He will see it through until the end. Messianically, Isaiah’s prophecy echoes into Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” The Arm revealed in weakness on the cross will return in glory, not only to reign, but to reward. The Lamb who was slain will return as the King who repays justice for the wicked, and eternal blessing for the faithful. For us today, this shifts our perspective. We live not as those scrambling under the chaos of the world but as those awaiting the certainty of His appearing. His work is still unfolding — and we are caught up in it. His reward is already secured — and we are heirs of it. Every act of obedience, every step of faith, every burden carried in His name will be answered when the Arm comes. Brothers & Sisters, the Arm that once stretched wide to save you is the very Arm that will soon split the heavens and come for you. Lift your eyes — your King is coming clothed in power, crowned with justice, and carrying blessing for His people. Stand unshaken, for His work includes you, and His reward will surely be placed in your hands. THE ARM THAT IS COMING AND REWARDJING!

"who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name, 13 who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble. 14 Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name." Isaiah 63:12-14

Isaiah recalls the Exodus as the supreme display of God’s Z’roah, His Arm of glory. Though the people saw Moses raise his staff over the Red Sea, it was not Moses’ power that split the waters. Behind the prophet’s hand was the Arm of the LORD — majestic, glorious, and unstoppable. The sea parted not to honor Moses, but to exalt the Name of the God who sent him. The Red Sea became a stage for God to reveal His glory, so that His Name would echo through generations as the Deliverer of His people. The text emphasizes that this act of deliverance was for a greater purpose: “to make Himself an everlasting name.” The miracles of the Exodus were not random interventions; they were deliberate revelations of God’s character and covenant faithfulness. By cutting a highway through the sea, the Arm of the LORD was inscribing His Name into Israel’s memory and broadcasting His power to the nations. Pharaoh’s pride was crushed, Israel’s hope was restored, and God’s reputation as Redeemer was forever secured. This same truth is repeated throughout Scripture. Every act of salvation magnifies His Name. When Abraham’s barren household was given Isaac, when David stood before Goliath, when Elijah called down fire on Mount Carmel — it was the LORD Himself making His Name known through human weakness. The Z’roah moves not to glorify men but to reveal the God who rules history. In Messiah Jesus, this reaches its climax. John’s Gospel declares that Jesus' greatest hour of glory was the cross. There, the Arm was revealed in ultimate weakness and ultimate strength — suffering to redeem, dying to conquer, rising to reign. Philippians 2 tells us that because of this, "God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name above every name." The parting of the sea pointed forward to the tearing of the veil and the breaking of death’s power, all for the glory of the everlasting Name. For us today, Isaiah’s words remind us that the miracles in our lives are never just about us — they are about Him. When God makes a way where there is no way, when He divides the seas of impossibility before us, it is so His Name might be glorified in us and through us. Our deliverance is His testimony. Our freedom is His witness. Every act of salvation is the Arm of the LORD writing His Name upon our story. Brothers & Sisters, the glorious Arm that split the sea is the same Arm stretched wide at the cross. He still leads, He still delivers, and He still makes His Name known through His people. Lift your eyes from your own strength to the One whose Name is everlasting. The waters before you will part, not for your glory, but for His — and in your deliverance, the nations will know that He alone is God. THE ARM THAT MAKES HIS NAME KNOWN!

"Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You." Jeremiah 32:17

Jeremiah uttered these words when everything around him looked hopeless. Babylon’s armies surrounded Jerusalem, the city was on the brink of destruction, and yet God told Jeremiah to buy a field as a prophetic sign that restoration would come. The prophet responded in awe: the God who created the heavens and the earth by His outstretched arm is not bound by human circumstances. The same God who set galaxies in place and boundaries for the seas is the God who still moves to redeem His people. Truly, nothing is too hard for Him. The testimony of Scripture confirms this over and over. When Abraham and Sarah were old and barren, God promised a son. Sarah laughed at the impossibility — yet God replied, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14). Isaac’s birth was living proof God brings life where none is possible. What was beyond human ability was accomplished by the Arm of God. Centuries later, that same Arm walked among us in the person of Jesus. The gospels show us His mastery over the impossible: blind eyes opened, lepers cleansed, the dead raised. Even the wind and the sea obeyed His command, for the One who set their boundaries at creation still held them in His hand. At His word, storms were silenced and chaos was calmed — a living demonstration that nothing is too hard for the Arm of the LORD. The cross and the resurrection are the ultimate proof. Sin and death — the greatest impossibilities — were shattered by the Arm stretched wide for us. Where humanity could not rescue itself, the righteousness of God sustained His Arm to finish the work. And in the empty tomb, we see that no grave is too deep for His power to overcome. Brothers & Sisters, let Jeremiah’s declaration be your anthem: “Ah, Lord GOD, there is nothing too hard for You!” No siege of fear, debt, sickness, or oppression can stand against the Creator of heaven and earth. The God who gave Abraham a son in his old age, who calmed the raging seas with a word, who broke the power of the grave through His Son, is the same God who stretches out His hand over your life today. Lift your eyes from the impossibility before you and fix them on the One who speaks worlds into being. Rest in His strength, declare His power, and stand in faith — for truly, nothing is too hard for Him. THE ARM THAT DOES THE IMPOSSIBLE!

"Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon?" Isaiah 51:9 ; "You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them. 10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm." Psalms 89:9-10

Isaiah’s words summon one of the most dramatic images of God’s saving power: the Z’roah — the Arm of the LORD — cutting Rahab in pieces and piercing the dragon. Here, Rahab is not the woman of Jericho but a poetic name for Egypt (Psalm 87:4), often symbolizing arrogant nations and the dark spiritual powers behind them. In Hebrew poetry, Rahab also evokes the sea monster of chaos, a stand-in for the forces that oppose God’s order. To say the Arm “cut Rahab in pieces” is to recall how God shattered Egypt’s pride and broke the grip of the powers that enslaved His people. The dragon, or serpent, is another layer of this imagery. Behind Pharaoh’s cruelty and Egypt’s gods was the same ancient serpent that slithered into Eden — the chaos-bringer, the deceiver, the enemy of God’s purposes. When the Arm of the LORD struck Egypt with plagues and split the Red Sea, it was not only Pharaoh who was defeated; it was the serpent himself who was pierced, exposed as powerless against the covenant God of Israel. The Exodus was more than political liberation — it was a cosmic showdown, and the Arm of God prevailed. The cry “Awake, awake!” is not a suggestion that God has grown weary or inattentive. In Hebrew, "lavesh oz" — “put on strength” — means to clothe oneself for action, to rise up ready for battle. The exiles were invoking the Arm that once destroyed Rahab, pleading for Him to act again in their day. This was a declaration of faith: the God who pierces the dragon once will pierce him again. Yet the Arm does not only strike; it saves. The same Arm that shattered Egypt also carried Israel safely through the sea, making a way where there was none. The battle was never for spectacle but for the flock’s safety. Every sword-thrust against the dragon clears a path for God’s people to walk in freedom. His piercing blow is always for the sake of deliverance. Prophetically, this piercing of the dragon finds its ultimate fulfillment in Messiah (Jesus). At the cross, the Arm of the LORD struck the serpent’s head, disarming principalities and powers (Colossians 2:14-15). In His resurrection, He proved that the dragon has no final claim over His people. Revelation picks up the same imagery, declaring the final defeat of the great dragon, Satan, who is cast down forever (Revelation 12:9; 20:10). The Arm that pierced in Egypt pierced again at Calvary — and will pierce once more at the end of the age. For us today, Isaiah’s cry becomes our own. In seasons when chaos swirls and the enemy’s roar seems loud, we call upon the Arm of the LORD — not as if He were asleep, but as an act of faith that He will rise and act again. The dragon still snarls, but his fate is sealed. The Arm has already pierced him, and His victory is our inheritance. Brothers & Sisters, the Arm that pierced the dragon is the very Arm stretched wide at the cross for you. Call upon Him, and remember that He has already given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:18–19). He will carve a way for you through raging seas, opening a path where there seems to be no way. So stand firm — for the dragon’s roar is nothing more than the echo of his defeat, and his end is already sealed. The same Arm that cut Rahab in pieces, that split the waters, that crushed the serpent’s head, is the Arm that now holds you secure and will carry you all the way home! THE ARM THAT PIECED THE DRAGON!

"Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. 2 The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 4 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises." Psalms 98:1-4

Psalm 98 is a victory psalm — a call to lift up a “new song” because the Z’roah, the holy arm of the LORD, has brought decisive triumph. In Hebrew thought, the arm is the active extension of the will, the power that brings intention into reality. To call it “holy” is to declare that it is set apart, dedicated fully to God’s purpose, incapable of corruption. The psalmist celebrates that salvation is not a hidden act, but an open demonstration — God’s righteousness revealed before the eyes of the nations. The Z’roah here is not simply about a moment in history; it is the ongoing, covenant-keeping power of God. The psalm ties His victory directly to His mercy and faithfulness toward Israel — reminding us that every act of deliverance is anchored in His unchanging promises. His arm moves in perfect alignment with His covenant love, ensuring that His people’s salvation is never an afterthought but the goal of His mission. The imagery points forward to the Messiah, the Arm of the LORD revealed in human form. Jesus' death and resurrection were the ultimate “marvelous things” — the victory that disarmed the powers of darkness and opened salvation to every nation. The psalm’s vision of “all the ends of the earth” seeing God’s salvation finds its fulfillment in the global proclamation of the gospel and will reach its climax when He returns to reign openly. This psalm also shows us that God’s victories demand a response. We are not called to observe quietly but to join the chorus — to “shout joyfully,” “rejoice,” and “sing praises.” The Z’roah has acted, the victory is won, and the whole earth is summoned to celebrate. Worship becomes the public testimony of the redeemed, declaring to the world what God has done. For us today, Psalm 98 is both a celebration and a prophecy. We sing because the Z’roah has already secured our salvation, and we sing because we know the day is coming when every voice will join the song. This is not just Israel’s story; it is the world’s invitation. Brothers & Sisters, the holy Arm has accomplished what no power on earth or in hell could ever do. His salvation is not hidden in shadows but blazes in the light for all to see. Lift your voice now in praise, for the Arm that won the victory is the Arm that upholds you still. And just as He rested when His work was finished, so you are invited into His Shabbat — the rest secured by His triumph. This rest will be your song now, and His victory will be the anthem of eternity. THE ARM THAT WIN THE FINAL VCTORY!

"He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him." Isaiah 59:16; "I looked, but there was no one to help, And I wondered That there was no one to uphold; Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; And My own fury, it sustained Me." Isaiah 63:5

This is one of the most intimate revelations of the Z’roah in Scripture. God looks for a human intercessor but finds none. No man can bridge the gap. So His own Arm accomplishes the work. In Hebrew, v’tosha lo z'roah — “His arm saved for Him” — reveals that salvation originates from within God Himself, not from any outside help. Isaiah adds that His own righteousness sustained Him — it upheld His resolve to save — and His fury upheld Him, a holy passion that would not rest until justice was accomplished. This truth is central in the Passover picture: Israel did not fight her way out of Egypt; she was carried out. The Lamb’s blood and the Arm’s power worked together without Israel lifting a weapon. In the same way, at the cross, Jesus — the Arm of the LORD — bore the full weight of salvation without human assistance. His righteousness sustained Him through the agony, and His righteous fury burned against sin and death until they were utterly defeated. Theologically, this leaves no room for pride. We bring nothing to redemption but our need; we do not earn it, we receive it. Just as the Arm moves only at the Head's command, Jesus obeyed the Father's will flawlessly -- even to the point of death. His saving work was solitary, unstoppable, and completely sufficient. His righteousness was far more than a moral attribute; it was the unwavering strength that kept Him on course to fulfill the mission His Father had ordained for Him before the foundation of the world. (1 Peter 1:19-20) Prophetically, Isaiah 63:5 echoes this: “My own arm brought me salvation, and my fury upheld me.” This is God ensuring that the work is perfect, untouched by human failure. His fury was not uncontrolled rage, but holy determination — the fierce love of the Redeemer refusing to let His people perish. The Arm finishes what the Head purposes, and nothing in heaven, earth, or hell can stop it. For us, this means resting in the finished work. We add nothing to the cross but our surrender. The same Arm that saved alone is the Arm that sustains continually. The righteousness that held Him to His mission is the same righteousness now covering us, and the same holy passion that upheld Him is the passion that guards and keeps us until the end. Brothers & Sisters, stop carrying burdens you were never meant to bear. Salvation is His work from start to finish — rest in it, and you will discover a strength you could never produce on your own. For His Arm accomplishes all that the Father commands, His righteousness will never fail, and soon that same Arm will lift you up and carry you all the way home. THE ARM THAT SAVES ALONE!

"The LORD has made bare His holy arm In the eyes of all the nations; And all the ends of the earth shall see The salvation (Jesus) of our God." Isaiah 52:10; "But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?" John 12:37 -38

To “bare” the arm means to roll up the sleeve and reveal the full readiness for action. In Isaiah’s prophecy, this is a global unveiling — no longer hidden, the Z’roah is on display for all nations to witness. This speaks directly of Jesus' public ministry and, ultimately, His crucifixion. In the Passover seder, the shank bone sits exposed on the plate — not hidden, not clothed — a visual reminder of God’s bare arm that brought deliverance. The imagery moves from private covenant to public testimony. In Jesus’s death, the Arm of God was laid bare, revealing salvation to all who would see. This revelation is not merely about what the Arm can accomplish — it is about who the Arm truly is. The nations are shown not only the works of God’s power but the very identity of the One through whom that power is revealed. Isaiah 53, one of the clearest and most profound prophecies of the Messiah, opens with the piercing question: “To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” The answer is deeply prophetic — it is unveiled to those whose eyes have been opened to see that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the living embodiment of the Arm of the LORD. In the Gospels, every healing, every word of authority, every act of compassion was the Arm being revealed. And at the cross, the fullness of that revelation came — strength manifested in weakness, victory in apparent defeat. For us, the revelation of the Z’roah demands a response. To see the arm is to acknowledge the One who sent it. The nations are invited to not just witness but to believe and be saved. Brothers & Sisters, the Arm of God has been uncovered before your eyes — not simply to display His power, but to reveal His heart. At the cross, love in its purest form was clothed in flesh, stretched wide to gather the nations, and draw you into His embrace. Do not stand afar as a distant onlooker — step into the reach of that Arm. The Arm laid bare to save will never let go of what it has claimed. You can rest fully and forever in His embrace. THE ARM REVEALED!

"Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him (v'zroah moshel lo); behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. 11 He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those with young." Isaiah 40:10-11

The Hebrew phrase "z'roah moshel lo" paints the picture of an arm that governs with both strength and care. The same Z’roah that brought Israel out of Egypt in power now establishes righteous order and sustains His people in love. Deliverance without rulership is incomplete; the Redeemer becomes the King — and the King rules as a Shepherd. The Arm does not act independently but moves in perfect submission to the Head, carrying out the will of the Father. In biblical thought, true rulership is never mere domination; it is covenantal stewardship. The Z’roah carries the full authority of the One who sends it, wielding the power to judge the oppressor while protecting the weak. Messiah, as the Arm of the LORD, executes justice, defends the vulnerable, and leads His people in righteousness — not by coercion, but by faithful, sacrificial love. Isaiah’s vision joins two images often separated in our minds — the scepter of a king and the staff of a shepherd. The Warrior Arm that struck Egypt is the same Shepherd Arm that gathers lambs into His bosom. His rulership aligns creation under divine order, restoring peace where chaos once reigned. When His arm rules, shalom is not an ideal — it becomes reality. In the ministry of Jesus, this rulership took tangible form: demons fled at His command, storms obeyed His voice, and His touch healed the sick and raised the dead. These were not random displays of power, but the King’s arm setting creation back into harmony with heaven. And in the Messianic age to come, this rulership will be universal, with every nation under the care of the Shepherd-King. For believers, submitting to the rulership of the Z’roah means embracing both His authority and His embrace. We cannot receive Him as Redeemer without acknowledging Him as Ruler. The arm that delivers us from bondage must also guide us on the path of life. His reign is our refuge, and His bosom is our resting place. Brothers & Sisters, the Z’roah of God is not only the arm that saves you from the enemy’s grip — it is the arm that takes you to the throne. Let the Arm that delivered you also direct you, for where His rule is established, no enemy can endure and no chaos can survive. He is the Shepherd-King, whose scepter is a staff, whose power is wrapped in tenderness. Under His care, the path is certain, the journey is guarded, and the destination is sure — for His reward is with Him, and He will not rest until He has led you safely home. THE ARM THAT RULES!

"Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7 I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians." Exodus 6:6-7

I’ll be doing a series on the "Arm of God," beginning with this first message — The Arm that Redeems. The Hebrew Z’roah (זְרוֹעַ) means "arm" or "strength," and in ancient Hebrew culture, the arm symbolizes active power in motion — strength applied for a purpose. In the Exodus account, God tells Moses He will redeem Israel "with an outstretched arm" (bizroa netuyah). This was not poetic metaphor; it was God’s declaration of decisive intervention. The Z’roah is the covenant-keeping arm that moves history, enforces promises, and breaks oppression. Every Pesach (Passover), during the seder — the festive meal of remembrance — the roasted lamb shank bone, the Z’roah, rests on the plate as a silent yet powerful witness to God’s mighty deliverance. Israel was powerless under Pharaoh’s grip. The people could not free themselves, and their cries seemed swallowed by the weight of slavery. But God’s arm was not shortened; He reached into the darkness, crushed Egypt’s false gods, and led His people out. The Exodus was not won by Israel’s might but by God's own decisive action — the Z'roah moving in history. Prophetically, the Z'roah is twofold: it brings judgment to the oppressor and salvation to the oppressed. Egypt was struck while Israel was shielded. This dual action foreshadowed the cross, where God’s judgment against sin and His mercy toward His people met in one act. The blood of the lamb on the doorposts and the outstretched arm of God are inseparable. In Messianic fulfillment, Jesus is the Z’roah revealed in human form. He is the arm by which God’s eternal plan was executed. On the cross, His arms were stretched wide — not in defeat, but in victory. His blood marked the doorway of our souls, and His resurrection became our Exodus from death. Brothers & Sisters, for us today, redemption is not a distant memory but a present power. The same Z’roah that shattered Egypt’s grip still moves with unstoppable strength to break every chain and silence every enemy. Each Pesach, the shank bone proclaims without a voice: You are here because His arm reached for you; you live because the Lamb was slain for you. This is not mere history — it is the living story of the Arm that redeems, the blood that speaks, and the Shepherd who still carries His people toward the final rest. So stand in faith, lift your head, and walk in freedom — for His Arm still fights for you, and His embrace will never let you go. THE ARM THAT REDEMS!

"The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalms 118:27-29

These closing verses of Psalm 118 begin with an unshakable proclamation: “The LORD is God.” In Hebrew, it’s emphatic -- God, He is El -- the declaration that all authority, holiness, and sovereignty belong to Him alone. Yet this is not just a statement of who He is -- it’s a testimony of what He has done: “He has made His light to shine upon us.” This light is more than the glow of the sun -- it is the revelation of His presence, the warmth of His favor, and the piercing truth that chases away every shadow. His light doesn’t simply illuminate -- it transforms. The psalmist then calls for a radical act of worship: “Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!” This is the language of the Temple, of worship that is both celebratory and costly. During Pasover, this verse was read on Hoshana Rabbah, as worshipers circled the altar, praising God and crying out for salvation. The horns of the altar were the place of atonement and covenant -- the very spot where the blood of the sacrifice was applied. To bind the sacrifice was to fully dedicate it to God, with no option of taking it back. This is no ordinary offering -- it is a festal sacrifice, brought with joy, not reluctance. In the light of God’s revelation, the only reasonable response is full surrender. It’s as if the psalmist is saying, “I will not just bring my gift to the altar -- I will bind myself to it. My worship will not be convenient -- it will be complete.” This points us directly to Jesus, the ultimate festal sacrifice, who willingly allowed Himself to be bound and led to the cross, the final altar, so that His light could shine on all who believe. From this place of total surrender, verses 28 and 29 overflow with thanksgiving: “You are my God, and I will give thanks to You… Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” The heart that has encountered God’s light and laid itself on His altar cannot help but worship. These words also carry a Shabbat rhythm -- just as Shabbat closes each week with blessings and praise, so this psalm closes with the eternal refrain of God’s goodness and enduring mercy. Shabbat reminds us that our worship flows from rest, not striving, and that our surrender is not loss, but delight. Brothers & Sisters, your light has come, the altar is before you, and the cords are ready. Will you be a casual observer of His goodness, or will you bind yourself to His purposes with joy? This is the moment to go beyond convenience into consecration. Lay yourself down -- not as a reluctant offering, but as a willing one. Let the light that has shone on you ignite a life of thanksgiving. Tie your heart to the altar of His will and let your praise rise like incense. The LORD is God -- acknowledge it with your life. He is good -- declare it with your lips. His mercy endures forever -- live in it with every breath. THE LIGHT, THE ALTAR, AND THE ETERNAL SONG!

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD." Psalms 118:24-26; “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Matthew 23:37-39;

Psalm 118:24 is not merely about enjoying a new day -- it is a prophetic declaration of a divinely appointed moment. "This is the day the LORD has made" speaks of a kairos moment in history when heaven and earth converge. It points to the day when Messiah would be revealed, salvation would walk into Jerusalem, and God’s covenant plan would take a dramatic step forward. This is not the casual celebration of a sunrise -- it is the joyful response to God's redemptive unfolding. Verse 25, “Save us, we pray, O LORD!” -- Hoshiana na! -- is the cry that echoed through the streets of Jerusalem as Jesus rode in on a donkey. The people cried out for deliverance, quoting this very verse, though many did not realize that salvation had already come to them in the flesh. That same cry is lifted every year on Hoshana Rabbah, the final day of Sukkot, when worshipers encircle the altar pleading for salvation, rain, and revival. It is followed by Simchat Torah, the rejoicing in the Word of God -- a celebration Jesus embodied as the Word made flesh. Tragically and prophetically, on October 7, 2023, as Jews around the world danced with the Torah scroll on Simchat Torah, Israel was struck by war. And before the IDF entered Gaza, soldiers were praying Psalm 118:25: “Hoshiana na -- Save us, we pray, O LORD! Grant us success!” The cry of the ancient psalm became a modern wartime prayer. It was not staged -- it was spiritual. The plea of the people of Israel in their hour of need echoed the same cry once shouted before Jesus in Jerusalem. But the story is not over. Jesus’s words in Matthew 23:37–39 reveal a prophecy yet to be fulfilled. After weeping over Jerusalem’s rejection of Him, He declared: “You shall not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” That’s Psalm 118:26 -- the very next verse. The world has heard Israel cry out verse 25. Now, all creation groans, waiting for her to declare verse 26 -- the key that unlocks His second coming. When Israel cries out in recognition of Jesus as the One sent by the Father, heaven will respond, and the King will come. Brothers & Sisters, we are standing between verses -- between the cry of “Save us, O LORD” and the declaration “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” The first has already been spoken. The second is coming -- and it will shake the heavens. This is not a time for passive faith. This is the day the LORD has made -- not just for rejoicing, but for revelation. The gates are open. The cries are rising. The King is near. Join the cry. Prepare the way. And pray with urgency that Israel will finish the song she began. When she sings verse 26, the sky will split, and Jesus will come -- not as the rejected cornerstone, but as the crowned King. THE DAY OF THE LOED -- A CRY, A KING, AND COMING GLORY!

"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." Psalms 118:22-23

These verses capture one of the most profound Messianic truths in all of Scripture. What man cast aside, God exalted. What the builders saw as flawed and unfit, God chose as the foundation of His eternal plan. Jesus, the rejected One, is the very cornerstone upon which salvation, identity, and destiny are built. This is more than a theological concept -- it's a divine reversal that reveals the heart of redemption. Rejection by man does not disqualify--it often qualifies you for God's greatest purposes. Throughout history, humanity has consistently misjudged what matters most. The religious leaders of Jesus's day, the "builders," were entrusted with God's house, yet failed to recognize the cornerstone when He stood before them. But the plans of men never override the purposes of God. The same Jesus who was crucified outside the city became the foundation stone of a heavenly kingdom that will never be shaken. And this wasn't a last-minute adjustment -- it was "the LORD's doing", and it is still marvelous in our eyes. The Hebrew word for "stone" is אֶבֶן (evan) -- a compound of אב (av) meaning father and בן (ben) meaning son. Hidden within this one word is the mystery of the Gospel: the Father and the Son, united in purpose and identity. The cross was not an accident; it was the place where the Father gave the Son to become the foundation of our faith, our lives, and the coming Kingdom. The cornerstone is not just about structural strength -- it's about divine relationship. This truth demands a response. If Jesus is the cornerstone, then every part of our lives must align with Him. He is not an add-on or a side pillar -- He is the first stone laid, the standard by which all other stones are set. Your identity, your calling, your future -- everything must be built on Him. If you've experienced rejection, know this: your value is not determined by the builders of this world, but by the One who makes all things marvelous in His time. Brothers & Sisters, It's time to rebuild -- on the Rock. Stop trying to fit into structures God never called you to belong to. You may have been rejected, overlooked, or cast aside -- but that doesn't disqualify you. In fact, it places you in perfect alignment with the One who was rejected before you. Let Jesus be your cornerstone -- not just in word, but in foundation. Tear down what was built on sand. Lay Him down as the first and final authority in your life. Align your identity to the Father through the Son. What man rejected, God is ready to use. What the enemy tried to discard, God is setting in place. The cornerstone is secure -- now build. THE REJECTED STONE BECOME GOD'S UNSHAKEABLE FOUNDATION!

"Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation." Psalms 118:19-21

These verses are far more than ancient lyrics -- they are a spiritual invitation. The psalmist doesn’t just admire the gate -- he pleads for it to open. “Open to me the gates of righteousness...” This is the cry of a heart that longs for access to God, not by merit, but by mercy. In Hebrew thought, gates represent transition points -- thresholds between the common and the holy, the outside and the inner court, the temporal and the eternal. These are not man-made doors -- they are divine entrances into the presence and promises of the LORD. Verse 20 declares, “This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.” But who can enter? Psalm 24 asks, “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” The truth is, none of us are righteous by our own strength. But here lies the mystery revealed in the Gospel: Jesus is the Gate. He declared in John 10:9, “I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved.” He is both the way in and the One waiting on the other side. Prophetically, this passage also points to the moment Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey (Matthew 21), greeted by shouts of “Hosanna!” The gates of the city -- and of salvation -- were opening, and many missed it. But the righteous, those who discerned the moment, welcomed the King. This moment foreshadowed the greater entry Jesus would make through the gates of heaven after His resurrection, carrying the victory of the cross and the promise of our access to the Father. Verse 21 brings the worshiper full circle: “I thank You that You have answered me and have become my salvation.” In Hebrew, “You have become my Jesus.” The cry at the gate has been heard. The way has been made. And the only fitting response is worship. Not just thanks for what God has done -- but for who He has become. Brothers & Sisters, the gate is open. Jesus didn’t just open it -- He is it. Don’t stand outside when the way has been made. Don’t admire the threshold -- walk through it. Enter boldly. Enter with thanksgiving. Enter clothed in His righteousness, not your own. The time for hesitation is over. The blood has been shed. The veil has been torn. The call has been made. Step through the Gate of the LORD and declare with all your heart: “You have become my salvation!” Let your praise shake the courts of heaven. The door is open—go in! THE GATES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - ENTER IN AND GIVE THANKS!

"I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. 18 The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death." Psalms 118:17-18

As we continue our study in Psalm 118, I want to take a deep dive into verses 17-18, where the psalmist makes one of the boldest declarations in all of Scripture: "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD." This isn't the voice of someone untouched by pain -- it's the cry of someone who has been through the fire and come out declaring God's faithfulness. This statement is not a denial of suffering; it's a defiance of death. It's the resolve of a heart that's been chastened, refined, and pressed, yet remains confident in the God who preserves life -- not just for survival, but for purpose. The Hebrew word for "declare" is סָפַר (saphar) -- meaning to proclaim, recount, or record in detail. It's the same root used for a scribe or storyteller. This isn't about vague gratitude -- it's about vocal, specific testimony. When God raises you up, He doesn't do it just for your comfort -- He does it so you can bear witness. Your life becomes a scroll on which His faithfulness is written, line by line, miracle by miracle. This verse carries profound prophetic weight. It prefigures the resurrection of Jesus, who was chastened unto death yet not abandoned to the grave. On the third day, He rose -- not in silence, but declaring the works of the LORD. And because we are in Him, His resurrection becomes the pattern of our own. We, too, are raised -- not just to walk out of tombs, but to walk into testimony. Not just to breathe -- but to proclaim. Verse 18 reminds us that the Lord may chasten, but He does not abandon. Discipline is a sign of sonship, not disfavor. There are seasons where we are pressed, pruned, and purified -- but they are not the end. In fact, they often precede the greatest declarations. What was meant to break you becomes the stage from which you testify. You are not just a survivor--you are a witness. So what will you do with the life He has preserved? This is your moment to speak. To recount the works of the Lord in the land of the living. Your scars tell stories, and your survival is sacred. Don't waste your breath on fear. Use it to testify. You are alive for a reason. Rise up and declare it. Brothers & Sisters, you weren't just rescued -- you were raised. And you weren't just raised -- you were commissioned. The enemy came to bury you, but God brought you through the fire so you could speak with authority. Don't stay silent. Don't shrink back. Open your mouth and tell the world what God has done. Stand on your feet, even if they're trembling. Speak through tears, if you must. But speak. Declare His works boldly. Hell lost when Jesus rose -- and it loses again every time you refuse to die in your trial and choose instead to live and declare. Let your life be a trumpet. Let your voice shake the grave. You shall not die -- you shall live! YOU SHAL NOT DIE, BUT PROCLAIM!

"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:37-39

Over the past two devotionals, we heard the song of the redeemed and stood at the wells of salvation. We saw how strength, song, and salvation flow from Jesus Himself -- how the joy of drawing from His presence is not just a poetic promise but a lifeline for our day. Yet today, we stand at a prophetic threshold. Something has shifted. Something has broken open. We are not only being refreshed -- we are being awakened and called. On October 7, 2023, the world changed. As Israel danced with the Torah on Simchat Torah, and the remnant celebrated the final outpouring of Sukkot on Hoshana Rabbah, war erupted. The enemy struck not only on a feast day -- but on Shemini Atzeret, the eighth day, a day biblically symbolic of new beginnings, covenant consecration, and resurrection. Eight in Hebrew marks that which goes beyond the natural -- into the realm of the supernatural. On this eighth day, while the people of God rejoiced around the Word, the heavens shook -- and we must discern the hour. This was not merely a geopolitical war. It was a prophetic turning. On the very day we traditionally cry out, “Hoshiana! Save now!” -- a demonic backlash was unleashed. But as in ancient times, God is not surprised. He is not shaken. And neither can His people be. The same Messiah who cried out in the Temple on Hoshana Rabbah, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink!” (John 7:37), is still standing in our midst, calling us to draw from Him, not just for comfort, but for power. This is not a time for passive devotion -- it’s a time for Spirit-empowered purpose. The joy we draw from the wells of salvation is not merely for survival, but for assignment. The water that flows from the throne is meant to empower you -- to stand, to speak, to shine. What has broken open in the natural must now break open in the Spirit. You were born for this moment -- not to shrink back, but to rise up as one filled, overflowing, and ablaze with purpose. The eighth day cry is not just “thank You for what was,” but “Lord, empower me for what is now!” Brothers & Sisters, do not waste the moment. The shaking is not random. The eighth day is not just symbolic -- it is prophetically strategic. You are not meant to walk in yesterday’s strength. Come again to the well. Drink again of the Spirit. Let the joy of salvation become the fire of boldness. Let the ancient cry of Hoshiana become your anthem -- not just for rescue, but for release. You are being empowered for this hour. Now it’s time to rise, filled with living water, and become the vessel through which God births His purposes on the earth. Drink deep this weekend -- your assignment awaits. THE EIGHTH DAY CRY -- EMPOWERED FOR THE HOUR!

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. 15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly, 16 the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!” Psalms 118:14-16; “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:2-3

Yesterday, we heard the anthem of the redeemed rise like a trumpet blast: “The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” We explored how this was more than personal -- it was prophetic, Messianic, and generational. We saw Jesus not only as our Deliverer but as the very embodiment of God’s strength, the melody of our praise, and the fulfillment of every promise. We stood in awe as tents of rejoicing rose in the midst of warfare, and households became sanctuaries of celebration. But today, we go deeper -- we step to the well. Isaiah 12 picks up where Psalm 118 leaves off, repeating that same triumphant cry: “the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.” But then it adds something profoundly spiritual: “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” These wells are not shallow. They were dug in eternity past and opened at the cross. And the joy we draw with is not emotional hype -- it is the deep gladness of a soul that knows the Source. The same Jesus who brings salvation now invites you to draw daily from His endless supply. During the Feast of Tabernacles, the priests would pour water from the Pool of Siloam upon the altar with joy and dancing. Psalm 118:14 was sung aloud as crowds celebrated God's provision. And on the final day of that feast -- Hoshana Rabbah -- Jesus Himself stood in the Temple and declared, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink!” (John 7:37). It was more than a dramatic moment -- it was a fulfillment. He is the salvation Isaiah had prophesied, and Psalm 118 had celebrated. So now, the call is clear. You’re not just meant to survive in the wilderness -- you’re meant to draw joyfully. You’re not called to wander parched -- you’re called to drink deeply. The same strength that stood firm yesterday, the same song that rose from battle, is now calling you to a well that never runs dry. This is a lifestyle of praise and drawing. Rejoicing isn’t a response to circumstances -- it’s a result of connection. And when you drink from Jesus, living waters will flow not just into you but from you (John 7:38). Now that the prophetic anthem has taken root—“The Lord is my strength and my song”—it’s time to go deeper. It’s time to come to the well. Don’t settle for yesterday’s echo—encounter the living source today. Let joy awaken as you draw from the depths of His salvation. Stir the waters of your spirit. Lift your voice and proclaim with courage: “Behold, God is my salvation!” Brothers & Sisters, if you're weary -- draw. If you're parched -- draw. If you’re down and out --draw. Jesus is not only the melody of your past victory -- He is the fountain of your present power. Drink until rivers surge from within. Praise until walls tremble. Rejoice until the heavens break open over your home. Your Redeemer lives—and the ancient wells are open. Come thirsty... and leave overflowing. DRAWING FROM THE WELLS OF SALVATION!

"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. 15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly, 16 the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!” Psalms 118:14-16

There’s a reason this verse resounds like a national anthem of the redeemed. It’s not just a personal declaration—it’s a generational cry that echoes back to Moses at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:2) and forward to the final deliverance of Israel. The Hebrew word for salvation—Jesus—makes this verse unmistakably Messianic. It isn’t a vague deliverance. It is the revelation of Jesus, the Deliverer, who embodies strength, becomes our song, and stands as the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. The passage points to His strength as the power to stand firm in the midst of battle. His song speaks of victory that comes after the struggle. His salvation is the rescue only a true Savior can bring. But their tents resound with joy because salvation has visited them. This isn’t distant theology—it’s immediate reality. When Jesus enters your life, your entire household becomes a dwelling place of rejoicing. What the enemy meant for destruction, God transforms into a testimony of praise. This verse is filled with prophetic revelation. The rejoicing in the tents is not just about Israel's past victories but a foretaste of a future kingdom when the Messiah returns and tabernacles among His people once again. The Hebrew “ohel” (tent) also evokes the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)—the appointed time when the nations will worship the King in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:16). Could it be that God is preparing your tent now to become a place of prophetic rejoicing before the nations? If your strength is gone, if your song has faded, and if salvation feels distant, lift your eyes! Your strength is not your own. Your song is not of this world. And your salvation is not in a system, a government, or even your own resolve. Your Jesus has come. He stands mighty in your midst, and He is doing valiantly on your behalf. Brothers & Sisters, let your tent shake with praise! Declare Jesus as your strength, your melody, your rescue. Speak it aloud until the atmosphere shifts. The enemy cannot occupy the space where praise rises. Lift your voice. Let your home become a tent of rejoicing. Let your spirit catch fire again with the song of the redeemed. For the LORD has done valiantly—and He has become your salvation. LEARN THE PROPHETIC ANTHEM OF DELIVERANCE!

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?" Psalms 22:1

The cry that shattered the stillness of Golgotha—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46)—was not a random cry of despair, but the deliberate voice of Jesus pointing to Scripture. As He hung on the tree, bearing the sin of the world, He invoked the ancient words of David—not only identifying Himself as the righteous sufferer, but signaling that Psalm 22 was unfolding before their very eyes. In that moment, heaven and earth bore witness to a divine mystery: the Holy One, seemingly abandoned, was fulfilling a prophecy written a millennium earlier. Jesus did not merely suffer—He fulfilled every word, every shadow, every stroke of divine prophecy. The prophetic parallels are nothing short of astonishing. “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people” (Psalm 22:6). “All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, ‘He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him’” (Psalm 22:7–8). These taunts were hurled at Jesus by mockers as He hung on the cross (Matthew 27:39–43). “They pierced My hands and My feet… they divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots” (Psalm 22:16-18). What David penned in anguish became literal history at the crucifixion. The Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus’s garments; His hands and feet were nailed to wood. Whether David knew it or not, he was painting a divine portrait of the crucified King. But Psalm 22 does not end in torment. A holy reversal begins in verse 22: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You.” The writer of Hebrews affirms this as a prophecy of Jesus, “who is not ashamed to call [us] brothers” (Hebrews 2:11-12). The suffering Servant rose in victory! He praises God in the congregation, shares His triumph with His people, and destroys the power of death. “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD… for the kingdom is the LORD’s, and He rules over the nations” (Psalm 22:.27–28). The cross gave way to the crown; the Lamb became the reigning King! And when Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He echoed Psalm 22:31: “They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has done this.” In Hebrew, it can be rendered: “He has accomplished it.” The prophecy ends not in defeat, but with the shout of finality. Jesus didn’t die a victim—He died a Victor. Every line of Psalm 22 came to life, and every drop of blood was part of a divine transaction. The Messiah was pierced, but He was also raised, and He will reign forever. Brothers & Sisters, let this truth grip your soul: what God begins in suffering, He finishes in glory. The cross was not the end of Jesus’s story—and it is not the end of yours. You may feel forsaken, but you are not forgotten. He was pierced, so you could be healed. And since He was vindicated, you too shall be raised in victory. The grave has no claim. The mockers have no power. The darkness has no dominion. So rise up in faith and declare with boldness to the next generation: He has done it! HE HAS DONE IT!

"I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption." Psalms 16:8-10 ; "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him: 'I FORESAW THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE MY FACE, FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, THAT I MAY NOT BE SHAKEN. 26 THEREFORE MY HEART REJOICED, AND MY TONGUE WAS GLAD; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL REST IN HOPE. 27 FOR YOU WILL NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HADES, NOR WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION. 28 YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE.' 29 "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear." Acts 2:22-32

King David wrote these words generations before the empty tomb shook the foundations of death. At first glance, Psalm 16 reads like a personal prayer of trust -- a yearning for security and closeness with God. But beneath the surface, the Spirit was revealing something deeper, something eternal: a promise not just for David, but for all of us. David dared to hope for more than just a long life; he looked beyond the grave and glimpsed the eternal. He trusted that God would not leave him in Sheol -- the realm of the dead -- and would not let His “Holy One” see corruption. Yet David did die. His tomb, Peter boldly proclaimed at Pentecost, was still present and known to all. So, how could David sing such a song of confidence? David was a prophet. He saw the resurrection -- not merely of himself, but of the One who would come from his lineage. The phrase, "You will not let Your Holy One see corruption," was not about David, but a Messianic Psalm about Jesus, who broke the power of death by rising on the third day. And because Jesus rose, so shall David -- and so shall we. What David saw in part, we now see in full. His hope has become our anchor: resurrection is not a wishful dream, it is a guaranteed reality through the Risen One. Jesus is the firstfruits of the resurrection, the forerunner of a new creation where death holds no power. Because He lives, we will live also. This is not just a future promise -- it is a present power. Death no longer has the final word. Brothers & Sisters, let this awaken your soul and ignite your spirit: long before Calvary, God whispered the promise of resurrection through a shepherd king -- but in Jesus, that whisper became a thunderous cry that shattered the silence of the tomb. The grave is broken, death defeated, and the pit stripped of its power. This is not mere theology -- it is the cornerstone of our faith. As Paul declared, if Messiah had not been raised, our faith would be in vain --but He has been raised! (1 Cor. 15:12-17) And because the apostles grasped this truth, they were transformed from fearful men into bold witnesses who faced death without flinching. Let that same resurrection power burn in you today. Proclaim the truth with fire -- for the tomb is empty, death has lost its sting, and Jesus is alive — Amen! THE HOPE BEYOND THE GRAVE!

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." Isaiah 9:6-7 ; "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." Hebrews 4:9-10

The majestic Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 9 culminates in a powerful declaration: “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Not might. Not maybe. Not if we work hard enough. It will be done -- because God Himself is passionate to see it through. The Hebrew word for “zeal” here is קִנְאָה (kin’ah), which also means jealousy or burning passion. This is not passive interest -- it’s the fiery determination of the LORD of Hosts to establish His Kingdom. The same fiery zeal that struck Egypt with plagues—shattering the power of false gods, that parted the Red Sea and made a way where there was none, that birthed a nation from the womb of slavery, and that drove the Son of God to the cross at Calvary -- is the very zeal that will fulfill every promise declared in Isaiah 9. This kingdom of justice, righteousness, and peace is not the result of human effort or religious striving. It is divinely initiated, sustained, and completed. That’s why the passage ends not with a command to act, but with an invitation to rest -- an echo of Shabbat, the seventh-day rest established at creation and later given as a covenant sign to Israel. And yet, that weekly rest was always pointing to something greater: a future, eternal rest in the Messiah, our Prince of Peace. The Book of Hebrews tells us there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9-10). This isn’t merely about a day off -- it’s a prophetic promise that in Jesus, we cease from striving, just as God did from His works. In Messiah, the striving to earn your salvation is finished. The striving to prove, to fix, to control is silenced by the finished work of the cross. Jesus didn’t just observe Shabbat -- He embodies it. He is our rest. Our stillness. Our restoration. He is the Lord of Shabbat! Every Shabbat you observe becomes more than a tradition -- it becomes a prophetic rehearsal of what is to come: a world restored, a people redeemed, a King enthroned, and a kingdom at peace. In a world of exhaustion, He offers rest. In a world filled with confusion, He offers divine wisdom. In the midst of chaos, He reigns peace. Brothers & Sisters, so lay down your burdens, beloved. The Kingdom will not rise by your striving -- but by the zeal of the Lord of hosts. Rest in Him. Worship Him. Trust in Him. Let Shabbat be more than a ritual -- let it be your weekly return to the heart of heaven. For your King has come, and His zeal is accomplishing what no man can. He is your Shabbat. He is your Peace. He is your eternal Rest. And in Him, every storm will cease and every striving soul will find peace. Our Prince of Peace is coming on the clouds of heaven! THE ZEAL OF THE LORD!

"Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David…" Isaiah 9:7a

Hebrews 12:27-28 Now this, "YET ONCE MORE," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. In a world weary from political upheaval, moral confusion, and fleeting peace, Isaiah offers us a vision of something profoundly different—an ever-increasing kingdom ruled by a King whose justice is not compromised, whose peace is not fleeting, and whose throne is eternally secure. The phrase "of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end" speaks not just of duration, but of expansion—a kingdom that doesn’t plateau, doesn’t weaken, and doesn’t shrink back in the face of darkness. Instead, it advances, multiplies, and transforms. The reference to the throne of David anchors this kingdom in covenant promise. In 2 Samuel 7, God swore that David's lineage would produce a ruler whose reign would be everlasting. This wasn’t fulfilled in Solomon or any earthly king. It pointed forward to Messiah, the Son of David, who would reign not only over Israel, but over all creation. His authority is both royal and redemptive—restoring the fractured order of the world, not through force, but through righteousness. The word shalom—often translated “peace”—goes far beyond the absence of war. Its Hebrew root (שׁ־ל־ם) implies wholeness, completeness, and restoration. Under Messiah's reign, broken things are made whole, relationships are healed, and creation itself is brought into harmony. His kingdom doesn’t just address surface problems; it restores the human heart, society, and even time itself. Every injustice that history could not fix, every wound left unattended, every cry for truth—finds its answer in His unending rule. When the kingdoms of this world shake—and they are shaking—this verse becomes an anchor for our souls. Presidents, empires, and movements come and go, but you belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). You are not at the mercy of headlines or elections. The government of your life rests on the shoulders of the King whose dominion grows even in dark days. And the peace He brings is not escapism—it is victory rooted in eternity. Brothers & Sisters, so lift your eyes above the crumbling thrones of this world and fix them on the King whose name is Faithful and True. His justice will not fail. His peace will not fade. His government will not end. The increase is already happening—in hearts awakened, in nations stirred, in broken places healed by His Word. Let every fear flee. Let every doubt yield. Let every broken place be restored under the weight of His glory. For the government is His, the peace is His, and the throne is His forever—and most importantly, you are His. HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED .....