Trauma-Responsive Pulpit Series: Right Living in the Church and Society

Welcome to today's teaching and message. I'm Tammy Toney-Butler with Reflective Spaces Ministry. We're going to dive right into our teaching today. But of course, we're going to invite the Holy Spirit in because it's all about him, his teaching, his word, and his message. Thank you to everyone who is joining us today and for all those who will listen to this later. May it bless you and touch you. Holy Spirit comes. Have your way during this time together. Oh, Holy Spirit, help me to deliver the truth as Lord Jesus gave it to me. For it's only about him and seeing him, his glory, his mercy, his love, his compassion, his goodness. Oh, Father, Open spiritual eyes so they can see and ears so they can hear our Jesus. Give them clarity where there's been confusion. Belief where there's been doubt. Peace where there's been fear. And joy where there's been sadness. Lift them up as they draw strength from your wellspring of living water and sustenance from the bread of life as they eat from your word today as you give it to them. In your glorious name, Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen. Now I will add a PowerPoint to the stage here. And today's teaching is going to be on right living in the church and society. Worthy is the lamb. Again, I'm Tammy Tony Butler with Reflective Spaces Ministry. Today's scriptural references. Luke 3, Titus 2, Titus 3, and Revelation 5. We're going to begin with Luke 3. John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus. And again, this teaching is part of our trauma-responsive pulpit series. You can go to our YouTube channel. You can also go to our podcast to get recordings of this study and of the past studies that we've done. So, like and subscribe to our YouTube channel at reflectivespacesministry.com. Also, Reflective Hour with Tammy Toni Butler. That is a trauma-focused healing ministry link, and we often bring on individuals who offer their insight into pathways to healing for survivors of human trafficking, childhood trauma, and sexual assault, all forms of trauma. And it is through Reflective Hour that you can learn to look inward and heal by using faith in the power that Jesus Christ and knowing him brings to your healing pathway. And that is reflective hour with Tammy, Tony, Buck. Today I will be reading Luke 3. I will be reading out of the Life Application Study Bible, the New International Reader's Version. I do enjoy and like the Tree of Life Version and the King James Version. Recognizing that you do have to be careful with which version you choose to make sure that you are not diluting the word of God way too much. And that is why I really enjoy these particular versions. And again, I follow the Holy Spirit as he's been teaching and educating me. And those are the versions with which he had me place and look up in several of the episodes of Reflective Hour. And so that's what I do. I just plug into the source, which is Jesus. So now we'll start Luke 3, the life application study Bible. So grab your Bibles if you have them. We will begin with today's teaching and message. I know in some places they stand for the reading of the word, but I'm not sure if you guys are capable of doing that where you are. But we honor and respect our Father. John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus. In the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod Tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip Tetrarch of Etyria and Trachonitis, and Lysanias Tetrarch of Abilene. During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah, the prophet. A voice of one calling in the desert. prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked road shall become straight, the rough way smooth, and all mankind will see God's salvation. John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, you brood of vipers who warned you to flee from the coming wrath, Produce fruit in keeping with repentance and do not begin to say to yourselves, we have Abraham as our father. For I tell you that one of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. What should we do then, the crowd asked. John answered, the man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same. Tax collectors also came to be baptized. Teacher, they asked, what should we do? Don't collect any more than you are required to, he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, and what should we do? He replied, don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely. Be content with your pay. The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, I baptize you with water, but one more powerful than I will come. The thongs of whose sandals I'm not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn. But he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. And with many other words, John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. Herod puts John in prison. But when John rebuked Herod the Tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all. He locked John up in prison. John baptizes Jesus. When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven. You are my son whom I love. With you, I am well pleased. The ancestors of Jesus. Now, Jesus himself was about 30 years old when he began his ministry. He was a son. So it was thought of Joseph. And I hope that I pronounced these correctly. The son of Heli, the son of Matat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Yonah, the son of Joseph, the son of Matthias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Nagai, the son of Maith, the son of Mattathias, the son of Simeon, the son of Joseph, the son of Jodah, the son of Jonan, the son of Reza, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shaltiah, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Adi, the son of Kosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Ur, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Joram, the son of Matath, the son of Levi, the son of Simon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Elalchum, the son of Mele, the son of Mena, the son of Mathea, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nashon, the son of Ammonita, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Sarub, the son of Ro, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Canaan, the son of Epheseth, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalah, the son of Canaan, the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, and the son of God. And he wanted me to read that. So I did, because I always obey, even if I don't understand or even if I didn't necessarily want to try to pronounce all those names. In Luke three, we see John the Baptist answering God's call on his life through faith in action. John was carrying out God's assignment to prepare the way for Jesus's arrival. John's message to the people was a simple one, yet full of power. While serving God and spreading this message, John faced many trials, including imprisonment and death. John went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John called out the sins of the people and the religious leaders for not bearing fruit for the kingdom of God. John spoke of giving to the poor and the needy food and clothing and not being selfish and prideful. Feed my sheep. John told the tax collectors not to steal from the people, but to collect the required amount from them. Do not rob or steal from God's people. John spoke of being content with what you have instead of always desiring more. John spoke of fire and judgment. John baptized them with water and preached the good news to build up or strengthen their faith. John spoke of the coming Messiah, Christ. John baptized Jesus. Jesus starts his ministry at age 30. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus. God spoke to his son Jesus from heaven. Luke describes the ancestors of Jesus in the genealogy. Jesus was from David's family line, the root of David. fulfilling the promises of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament. Luke showed Mary's genealogy and was known for giving women prominence in the gospel. Women are powerful servants of the Lord Jesus. In Luke, we see Mary's enduring sacrifice for God. The steadfast faith in God and complete surrender and obedience to his will and not hers led to the restoration and redemption of many. Let's not forget her sacrifice. What would have happened if Mary had not obeyed God Mary had free will, as we all do, and needed to make a conscious decision to follow God at all costs to her personally, recognizing without God, she was nothing. Let's look more closely at Mary's sacrifice for God. Let's read Luke 1, 26-38. the new international version, the birth of Jesus foretold. In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said greetings and, You who are highly favored, the Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of the most high. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father's David. And he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever. His kingdom will never end. How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin? The angel answered, the Holy Spirit will come on you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age. And she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail. I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled. Then the angel left her. Mary was the only person present at Jesus's birth who also witnessed her son's death. Jesus was born of Mary, her beautiful baby boy. Mary watched him be born and watched him die a horrific death on the cross. Mary had a good life before being called to serve the Lord in this capacity. She was about to be married to Joseph. When Gabriel the angel came to Mary and gave her an assignment from God, she did not doubt or have unbelief. Mary did not doubt the message, only how this could be possible. We all know God is the God of the impossible. Mary's answer to the call from God is the answer he wants all of us to have. Jesus was her son and savior of the world through his birth and through his death. Blessings. How difficult was it for Mary to endure the pain of losing her beloved son on the cross? Yet, if there is no cross, many have no life. Mary had to keep the faith during many trials while serving God. Mary exhibited true faith in action. Now we're going to read Titus 2, right living in the church. And we'll be reading out of the Life Application Study Bible, the New International Reader's Version. Right living in the church. What must be taught to various groups. You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate. worthy of respect, self-controlled and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderous or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind and to be subject to their husbands, that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled, and everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. teach slaves to be subject to their masters and everything, to try to please them not to talk back to them and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted so that in every way that will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age. While we wait for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all weakness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These men are the things you should teach. I'm sorry, these then are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. And that's Titus 2. Right living in the church in the body. Teach sound doctrine. Teach older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-control, sound in faith, love and endurance. Teach older women to be reverent, not drink too much wine, not to be slanderers or gossip. Teach what is good. Right living in the church, the body. Older women can teach younger women to love their husbands and children, be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, kind and subject, obedient to their husbands. Older men encourage younger men to be self-controlled and everything set them an example by doing what is good. Again, this is the theme in Titus. While teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech cannot be condemned because those who oppose you will have nothing wrong to say and be ashamed. Guard your tongue. Slaves obedient to their masters. Employees do the right thing, even if your employer is not watching. And remember, slavery was common in Paul's day. So, you know, we have to look at our world now and take that into consideration with who we are called to minister to. And so that is why even this version is taught, you know, we added in about the employers, but just recognize that we are called to minister in the times that we are in. And some of this message and wording can be quite triggering, actually, which I'm going to get into in a little bit about that. While teachings show the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men Christ. Grace, the work on the cross, teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions. Grace teaches us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age. While teachings show how can we wait patiently for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. And again, I was referencing out of the Life Application Study Bible, the New International Reader's version of pages 2210 to 11. Jesus Christ gave himself as a living sacrifice, a lamb, to redeem us from all wickedness. Jesus is coming again for his purified bride, the church, the body, eager to do what is good. And again, remember, obedience is better than sacrifice. Remember to exercise the believer's authority over Satan. Speak with the authority you have been given. Rebuke evil with all the authority you have been given. Do not let anyone despise you. Live and practice what you teach. Be a doer of the word like Mary and John. Remember to exercise the believer's authority over Satan. Do not have fear when teaching, encouraging, or correcting others. Fear is easy to feel when others are older, like church elders, or people are more influential in the community than you are, or if you're trying to minister to the wealthy. But don't show fear. There's no fear in perfect love. You have the power and authority to deliver the truth to them. Provide that much needed church leadership without fear or compromise. And again, when we're looking at Titus in this particular part, we need to bring in the trauma responsive pulpit. We need to recognize many of us had no parents to guide us or teach us God's way to abundant whole life. Instead, they opened us up to victimization, abuse and addictive tendencies as coping mechanisms. God's word can be your loving and compassionate mother or father, giving you a roadmap and guide to wholeness and abundant life that you can pass on to multiple generations, creating a legacy of wisdom anchored in the scriptures of truth. Seeking kingdom living, kingdom wisdom and understanding can be a complex daily process of transformation and renewal. You must follow Christ's example of love and humility daily. Say no to the world's value system. Recognizing that scriptures such as these containing words like women obey your husbands can trigger those of us who have suffered violence at the hands of an abuser, often a spouse or intimate partner. We have set healthy boundaries and freed ourselves from this traumatic, controlling, abusive environment despite numerous obstacles. Therefore, to preach about this type of obedience, you must recognize we may become triggered and shut down depending on the subject matter, delivery method, and manner of content. You must have a gentle, loving spirit when ministering to us in sections of scripture such as these. A trauma trigger when you have post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, or complex PTSD, or have suffered ongoing exposure to trauma can cause your symptoms to come and go. You might feel fine until you hear a car backfire loudly, fireworks going off, or smell the cologne of your abuser. Suddenly, you become terrified. Images of your time fighting in a war, hiding in a closet, or of sexual assault flood back. Specific triggers can set off your PTSD. They bring back strong memories. You may feel like you're living through it all over again. Triggers can include sights, sounds, smells, or thoughts that remind you of the traumatic event. Some PTSD triggers are apparent, such as seeing a news report of an assault. Others are less clear. For example, if you were attacked on a bright, sunny day, a beautiful day out, seeing a blue sky might even make you upset or full of anger or cause a tsunami of emotions to just kind of, you know, just start flooding you. Reading or hearing phrases that were often spoken within the confines of your abusive situation or environment can cause a cascade or rush of emotions. We can enter fight, flight, freeze, or fawn mode, and our short-term memory is affected. We cannot learn or take in a message sermon or teaching. Seeing the pews of a church or altar can bring it all back. We must be cognizant of the effects trauma has on individuals we minister to and look through a trauma-focused, loving, compassionate lens. We must use words of warning when triggering phrases or sections of scripture are being referenced. With time... love and compassion as we grow in christ transformed in mind body and spirit we will reach the point of surrendered obedience reference in titus and throughout the scriptures we will recognize that god is a loving compassionate father who keeps his promises and will never leave or forsake us hebrews 13 5 is a reference there Our relationship with Abba Father will be a loving, beautiful one that will transform our lives and lead us into that fullness and abundance discussed in the Word of God. John 10.10 is a reference there. We will be like Mary and John, being doers of the Word, faith in action. Now let's look at Titus 3, right living in society. Doing what is good. remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another, But when the kindness and love of God, our Savior, appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ, our Savior, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law. Because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful. He is self-condemned. Final remarks. As soon as I send Artemis or Tichius to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis because I have decided to winter there. Do everything you can to help. Zanus, the lawyer, and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. And that was Titus 3, and I was reading out of the Life Application Study Bible, the New International Reader's Version. Right living in society, doing what is good. Teach the people. Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities. Be obedient. Be ready to do what is good. Slander no one. Be peaceable. Do not incite violence. Be considerate and gentle towards everyone. Compassionate. Teach the people to devote themselves to doing what is good so that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. We are called to produce fruit for the kingdom. Teach the people. Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law. These do not serve or profit anyone. Teach the people. Warn a divisive person once and if needed, warn him or her a second time. After that, if still causing division in the body, have nothing to do with them. This divisive person is warped, self-condemned, and sinful, hard-hearted. They will not repent. They have that antichrist spirit. They're sent to kill, steal, destroy, or distract. You've got to really guard the church about this divisive spirit. Titus 3, 3 through 8, the New International Version. Saved in order to do good. I wanted to put this in here and just read this again. And I love when it said you're saved in order to do good. At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God, our savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ, our Savior, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. See that we're heirs. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to stress these things so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Revelation 5, the scroll and the lamb. And again, these scriptures are given to you in the order in which they were downloaded and given to me. I did not choose them. The Holy Spirit did. And he did in this order. Revelations 5. The scroll and the lamb. Then I said in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. Let me read that again. And again, I'm reading out of the Revelation 5, the life application study Bible, the new international reader's version, the scroll in the land. Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, do not weep. See the line of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. Then I saw a lamb looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes. which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. It came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the lamb. Each one had a heart and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song. You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain. And with your blood, you purchase men from God, from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God. And they will reign on the earth. Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels numbering thousands upon thousands and ten thousands times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders in a loud voice. They sang worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in them singing to him who sits on the throne and to lamb. and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever. The four living creatures said, Amen, and the elders fell down and worshiped. Powerful, powerful, powerful. The scroll John sees contains the complete account of what God has in store for the world. The seven seals represent the importance of its contents. Who can open the scroll? Only Christ is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. The lion, Jesus, was proven worthy to break the seals and open the scrolls because he led a life of perfection to the obedience of God. Who can open the scroll? Christ is the only one who conquered sin, death, hell, and Satan himself. Only Christ can be trusted with the world's future. The root of David refers to Jesus being from David's family line. thus fulfilling the promise of the Messiah in the Old Testament. Life Application Study Bible, the New International Reader's Version, page 2308 is what I was referencing there. And also remember, we spoke of the genealogy in the reading that I previously gave. Who can open the scroll? Jesus was called the Lamb of God by John the Baptist. In the Old Testament, lambs were sacrificed to atone for sins. The Lamb of God died as a final sacrifice for sins. Life Application Study Bible, New International Readers Version, page 2308 is the reference there. People from every nation are praising God before his throne. God's message of salvation and eternal life is for everyone, regardless of race, culture, country, or gender. Anyone who comes to God in repentance and faith that he exists, that Jesus Christ exists, is accepted by him and will be grafted into his kingdom. Life Application Study Bible, New International Reader's Version, page 2308 reference. Praise for Lord Jesus. Jesus was slain. We know that by the evidence of his body, all the bruises, everything that he bore by his stripes, you were healed. Jesus purchased us with his blood. Jesus gathered us into his kingdom. Jesus made us priest. Jesus appointed us to reign on the earth. Jesus already died and paid the penalty for sin. A glorious future awaits those who believe. Moment of reflection. All creatures in heaven and on earth will praise and honor God because he is the creator and sustainer of everything. It's so many people say the universe and use that terminology. It's God. God created everything. All creatures in heaven and earth will praise and honor God because because he is the creator and sustainer of everything. Jesus Christ is pictured as a lion, symbolizing his authority and power, and a lamb, symbolizing submission, complete surrender to God's will. Again, referencing the Life Application Study Bible, the New International Reader's Version, pages 2308. Christ's death made all believers priests of God, The channels of blessing between God and mankind. The channels of blessing between God and mankind. We get to, as believers, show people the power of Christ. We literally get to bring heaven to earth as that power, as that grace, as that love and mercy is channeled through us, flowing like rivers of living water. The gospel is alive. And I am a living testament to that fact. Jesus Christ is in control. You may feel that everything going on in the world right now or any in the uncertainty, even around this election, even around so many things, the economy, you name it. But no. And Jesus Christ is in control. Jesus Christ is in control. There's no fear in perfect love. There's nothing to fear. There's nothing to be afraid of. And we don't go by feelings. We go by the infallible word of God and the promises of God that run true, that are proven. You don't go by your feelings. God is the God of the impossible, as we just learned about. He meets you where you are. He meets you where you are. And it was only in my complete surrender and obedience to Christ that I was able to go to further depths with him. And it was a process because again, I'm a survivor of child sex trafficking, lost my dad to suicide. You know, I had a, abusive relationships, a marriage before. I have an amazing marriage now, but I had a marriage before that there was abuse in there. And I just need individuals to understand that I've lived this, I've walked this. And that's why it's important when individuals are ministering to those of us who've had trauma to understand that the words that you speak in the pulpit can be very triggering and they can actually cause us to shut down and we can't learn, we can't process, we can't hear the message because we are traumatized. And so I think that that is something that is very important for us to understand and to recognize that our words matter, our choice of words matter. And we know, we know that we've sinned. We know that we need help. the love of Christ, the healing. But sometimes we may feel too dirty, full of shame to accept it, but it is there waiting. He's waiting for you. You're never too dirty. You're never too full of shame. He will set you free. He will set you free from mental illness. He will deliver you from all those lies spoken over you in the past. And he who he sets free is free indeed. He's waiting like he was waiting for the woman at the well. The lady with the issue of blood. He's such a good father. Now let's look at the prophetic word that I received on 8-7-2024. And again, I only follow the Holy Spirit. And I was to put this in every PowerPoint that I put out for him until he tells me to stop. Thus saith the Lord. They must turn from evil. The scales have tipped. The time is now. Repent and turn. I am a God of love and mercy, but also judgment. They openly sin and blasphemy me. Thus saith the Lord, repent and turn back to me before my judgment is certain. Turn back to me. Turn back to me. Woe to the one that does not heed this word. Thus saith the Lord thy God. And that is today's PowerPoint, today's teaching. his message that he had for you. And I just want to take this opportunity to pray and to sit for just a minute and see if there's something specific he is giving me to minister to individuals. Um, I see you guys there, everything, everyone that is watching everyone that is online watching. I'm so grateful for you. So grateful for your support. It's never easy for me to, to come live on here. Um, but of course I draw from his strength and not mine. Um, I want to just hide on my ranch and, and sit with my cows and my cats and sit by the lake and But that wouldn't be fair to anyone, right? Because he set me free and I need to let others who've experienced childhood trauma, childhood rape, any type of sexual assault, any type of abandonment, anything that you're coping with along that scale. Some people it's historical trauma. Some people it's generational trauma. The uncertainty of poverty. Many people have gone through so many things in their life and they even police officers, even soldiers, nurses working in the trenches. You experience trauma when you go to work and you're in that fast paced environment. I mean, I was an ER nurse for almost 30 years and and. It is traumatizing and you release that stress and, you know, you get in fight, flight, freeze and bond mode yourself and you may not even understand it. I do recommend Pete Walker's book from Survive and Thrive. And I put the link on one of the slides. It's a really good book. I also recommend the Believer's Authority book put out by Kenneth Hagan, Room of Bible College. And that's a really good book. And those are some that I had referenced. I like the Life Application Study Bible. I also compare it to the King James Version and the Tree of Life Version. And I like it because it relates it to life and it helps me in the notes and it makes it personal for someone like me. who I was triggered by the gospel. I mean, I used to read the Bible in my bathroom and huddle in there and, you know, not want to come out because the evil was on the other side of the door and wondering where God was and why he didn't deliver me. from that situation. But again, I realize my own mother had free will and she could have chosen a different path because I know she was warned by the Holy Spirit. I know it because we get warned. We have that intuition. We have that knowing in our spirit. Don't go this way. Don't get into that relationship. That's not going to end well. But our flesh kicks in and we obey and we go and we choose that path instead of the path of righteousness for his name's sake. And I know that his grace and mercy was on my life because there's many times that I should have maybe I was in the wrong place at the wrong time doing something I shouldn't. And I could end up in jail. I could have end up hurt. You know, there was times that I avoided that. My accidents that I know was a hand of God on. There was one when I was boating and I didn't see a pylon that was there. I was new to boating and and I had a split second. I turned the boat and I don't know why, but something said turn the boat. And I did and I obeyed and it saved us because I could have killed us all. And it made me a better boater after that. I really stopped to think about things. But anyway, that's kind of my story there. And I just want you guys to know there's hope, there's healing. And just heed the stuff when I'm talking about the trauma-informed pulpit and how you minister to folks like us, recognizing that some of us can be triggered just from walking in a church and just being around a church pew anywhere to where we can walk up to an altar just going in sometimes even in the parking lot because some of our abusers have been members of the church even and you know God kind of got a bad rap and it wasn't God that did those things it was people who said yes to the world and flesh and their desires instead of using that believer's authority and rebuking Satan when he tried to come at you and say, I'm not going down this road. And we pray for those people. You know, we pray for individuals. We need to walk in forgiveness, which can also be difficult to do. But unforgiveness and bitterness and anger, that only hurts you. And it only allows that abuser, that controller to win. Because you stay miserable and you stay dead on the inside. And that's never good for anyone. And the gospel, Jesus Christ is what set me free and took away the icky, the shame, the guilt, the fear, the regret and the weight of it all. And he can do that for you as well. Holy Spirit, I just lift him up. I lift everyone up that's listening to this Lord Jesus. And I just pray that the seeds that were planted fell on the fertile soil, Lord Jesus. And that any rocks that are in the soil, any hindrances, any lies spoken from the past, that we just break those off now in the name of Jesus. And that they can see clearly and hear clearly and know the truth and the truth shall set them free, Lord Jesus. Give them the strength to go into a house of worship, to maybe listen to a sermon, to seek out help if they're struggling with addiction, Lord Jesus. Seek out counseling if they need to. There is no shame in getting help and assistance, Lord Jesus. And we just ask that you give them that strength and that your will be done in their lives, Lord Jesus. May they see you and not me. May they know you and your truth and the words that have spoken here, that it penetrated their spirits, that it penetrated bone and marrow. and that literally it is sustaining them, lifting them up and giving them strength to where they were so weak before. They were in that wondering how they were gonna get up and how they were gonna even do the dishes. And you saw them and you met them where they were and they were able to get up out of that bed and not only to do the dishes, but do the laundry. And you know what? That's a step, that's a first step. And Lord Jesus, we applaud you in the small steps that we take each day as we struggle to say no to flesh No to this world and yes to Jesus. In your mighty name, Lord Jesus, we pray all these things. We exalt you, we glorify you, we praise your holy name. Amen. Amen, everybody. Well, that's today's teaching. Don't forget to like and subscribe. Follow us everywhere you can. Help us to get this message out. All of our services are free. You know, if you want to sow into that and donate so that we can reach more folks. Hallelujah. Amen. That's something between you and God. I don't get in the middle of all that. I just keep following him and keep swimming and knowing that he provides every day. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. God bless you. Jesus loves you. And I love you. Take care. Bye, everyone.