Sunday Words of Encouragement May 7, 2023 - Battling Evil Spirits

We shared prayer requests as always this morning. Then our guest Sunday School speaker from last week finished his lesson from Luke 18 and 19.  God wants us to trust Him.

Our church service started with lovely worship and a move of individuals to praise and give thanks to an Almighty God who has no equal.

Pastor’s sermon was titled “Battling Evil Spirits”. It started in Ephesians 6:12 but included many other scriptures. Sometimes our lives seem like we are on a roller coaster. We are up and down with good and trouble. We need to remember that we are fighting a spiritual enemy. The enemy wants to divide us by attacking each other. This is true in families, church, and nations.

A big area that Satan takes advantage of is the anger and bitterness of unforgiveness.  2 Corinthians 2:10-11. Jesus tells us to forgive as God has forgiven us. We are to pray for enemies. We need to give forgiveness before asked, not just when we are asked. Unforgiveness can cause resentment against church members, the church at large and even against God. Unforgiveness can damage the church.

Make sure you are forgiving. Remember that love keeps no grudges. 1 Corinthians 13:5.
Set your mind on things of God not of the world. Peter tried to rebuke Jesus for telling what he would suffer, but Jesus called Peter ‘Satan’ because he was thinking on human concerns. Mark 8:31-33.

We won't always understand. Jesus rebuked his disciples when they wanted to punish a town for rejecting him. He said to his disciples: “But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.” Luke 9:55.

There are times we do the right thing with the wrong attitude, because it is from a wrong spirit.
A friend admonished our pastor once because he noted he was preaching from frustration instead of compassion. The message was right but given in a wrong spirit.

There are many improper spirits such as anger, immorality (Revelation 2:12-20), and imposters (2 Timothy 3:12-13) . “…[E]vil doers and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” There is an antichrist spirit that appears to be right but is evil. Matthew 7:21-23. We must ask the Holy Spirit for discernment so that we can judge leaders by their fruit not just by their appearance. Those who are not repentant for trouble and are always blaming others may be deceived by their own pride.

Then there are people who are oppressed by those evil spirits. This can occur when the church or people tolerate the spirit of the imposter, Jezebel. Our inner beings need to be aligned with God so we can know if a situation is being directed by a wrong spirit. Division is not of God.

There are many spirits to avoid and here are three evident in our world today:
The Spirit of Jezebel: a manipulative spirit more interested in controlling the process than caring for the person. (The church needs to return to modesty.) This spirit undermines the authority of God.
The Spirit of Absalom: This spirit possesses a desire to be in authority, but not with any kind of purity of heart. It typically harbors camouflaged bitterness, unresolved offenses, disappointments, and anger. It thrives on hidden agendas and wars against leadership.
Absalom was the third son of King David. Absalom took offense to the wrong done to his sister Tabor and instead of allowing proper justice, he went into rebellion. He wanted to take over the kingdom so he stole the hearts of the people away from King David. He presented himself to the people as a servant but really brought anarchy.

The Spirit of Python: Pythons constrict their prey, cutting of their breath and suffocating them. This spirit is revealed in the story of Paul meeting a girl with a spirit of divination. Acts 16:16-24. She was exhorting the public to listen to Paul but her actions were muting his message - restricting the breath of the Holy Spirit. This spirit can be seen in outside voices speaking to teens but stealing the voice and impact of their parents.

Remember to forgive and clothe yourself in spiritual armor.

I had a song in mind but couldn’t find the one.
So I found this and it fits today’s message:
Now It’s Our Turn.

Verses for Today:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.


Lord, please fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me to be discerning of spirits around me.

Audible Book Review: Oracle by Andrew Pyper

This is a little raw and perfect for fans of dark thrillers.

Oracle
By: Andrew Pyper
Narrated by: Joshua Jackson

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 08-17-21
Publisher: Audible Originals
Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Oracle is a psychological thriller audiobook following Nate Russo, an FBI psychic who helps solve abductions and homicides by touching those close to the missing persons. His unique gift comes with a terrible price: He sees the horrific moments before the victims disappeared. This high-stakes mystery, written by best-selling author Andrew Pyper and performed by Joshua Jackson, combines crime investigations with supernatural elements and killer instincts.
©2021 Andrew Pyper Enterprises, Inc. (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Nate Russo consults with the FBI in a very special way. He is able to touch a loved one of a missing person and see the terror and fear of the victims as they are taken. He and the two agents he works with try to respond quickly in hopes of finding victims before they are dead. It is a source of anger and frustration that they find the bodies but too late. The cost of reading the loved ones and then failing to bring back a survivor comes at a great cost to Nate.

How Nate got this “gift” or curse is a big part of his past. This becomes an element in his struggles as the latest victim draws the team back to his boyhood town. Tensions increase as Nate finds his brother has returned home too and authorities in the town scorn Nate’s skills.

Nate’s background and feelings are well developed as he is the pivotal character in the story. His partners are not as deeply developed but still have distinct features that add to the team. Nate’s skill of seeing the victims last minutes draws the reader in a macabre fascination.

I generally like to read horror and dark stories in October. I pulled this into my reading/listening queue because it showed it would no longer be available after May 14. There is a sequel and I may add it someday for an October read. I recommend this to fans of dark, psychological thrillers.

Audio Notes: Joshua Jackson does an interesting and good job with narration. He delivers the rather creepy vibe quite well. I am glad I had the chance to listen to this.

Source: 8/2/2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Instructor by T.R. Hendricks

I enjoyed the military survival training in this suspenseful story.
The Instructor
By T.R. Hendricks
Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Series: Derek Harrington, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
Release date: 04-11-23
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Military, Suspense, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Derek Harrington, retired Marine Force Recon and SERE instructor, is barely scraping by teaching the basics of wilderness survival. His fledgling bushcraft school is on the cusp of going out of business and expenses are piling up fast. His only true mission these days? To get his ailing father into a full care facility and to support his ex-wife and their son.
When one of his students presents him with an opportunity too good to be true―$20,000 to instruct a private group for 30 days in upstate New York―Derek reluctantly takes the job, despite his reservations about the group's insistence on anonymity. But it isn't long before the training takes an unexpected turn―and a new offer is made.
Reaching out to an FBI contact to sound his concerns, Derek soon finds himself in deep cover, deep in the woods, embroiled with a fringe group led by a charismatic leader who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. When what he wants becomes Derek's head, the teacher is pitted against his students as Derek races against time to stop what could very well be the first attack by the domestic terrorist cell.

Review:
Derek is a retired expert teaching the basics of serious wilderness survival. At the end of the most recent class, one man offers him a significant fee to come train his team. Derek goes reluctantly because he has to leave behind his ailing father and his son who expects him to attend his games. Derek has some concerns about the training when he is delivered blind folded to a compound that raises lots of questions. Especially when he is offered another significant sum for extended training.

On a very brief break from the compound training, Derek reaches out to a friend in the FBI. His friend agrees convinces Derek to go back undercover to gain more information. Derek has to do the training and increase the skills of the compound team over the weeks, or it would be suspicious, even though Derek fears that he may be training terrorists. He finds another undercover agent and they try to plan an exit before they are exposed. But things aren’t quite as they seem, and Derek really hasn’t managed to shelter those he should be protecting.

The story has a good bit of Rambo action. It is filled with wilderness training that I did find interesting. The full-on action and suspense are a great element. Unfortunately, there were some obvious flaws as Derek fails to take some protective steps and falls into some obvious traps. Overall, I did enjoy the action and I would try the next book. I recommend this to fans of military action.

Audio Notes: Jay Snyder does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and emotional feelings to fit the text. I appreciate getting to listen to this audiobook.

Source: 2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post April 30, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 1, 2023

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

The week was full of work but controlled so there was limited tension. My new employee is learning well and being helpful.

We had a Woman's Club Orientation today that was fun.
I have some pictures coming up but none to post today.

My Bear dog got his summer hair cut this week and looks pretty comfy.

I am a little worried about Princess (my Rat Terrier) as she was very subdued today. I hope she will be better tomorrow or I'll be taking her to the vet.


My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations, a calmer social atmosphere, and for revival.


I know others have had bad storms this week as we did. There was hail in Panama City Beach and heavy rains here at home. A bad tornado caused damage in a small town 45 miles SE of us.

I finished three audios this past week and posted two reviews and my memes.

I visited 15 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to THE FANTASY PRINCESS. Jamie, like many of us, loves reading and talking about books.  Stop by and say hello!

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post April 23, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 24, 2023.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Renegades, Expeditionary Force, Book 7, by Craig Alanson; Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Fifth Victim, The Cherokee Pointe Series, Book 1, by Beverly Barton; Genre: Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 30, 2023 - Holy Places.
  

Finished Reading:
1. Audio Smartphone (NG2023)

The Instructor
By T.R. Hendricks
Narrated by: Jay Snyder
Series: Derek Harrington, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
This has lots of action and intrigue.
Source: 2023 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Oracle
By: Andrew Pyper
Narrated by: Joshua Jackson
Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
I was looking for my next 'listen' and saw that this was only available until May 14.
The genre is shown as "supernatural" but I would definitely add "horror".
Source: 8/2/2021 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
Oracle is a psychological thriller audiobook following Nate Russo, an FBI psychic who helps solve abductions and homicides by touching those close to the missing persons. His unique gift comes with a terrible price: He sees the horrific moments before the victims disappeared. This high-stakes mystery, written by best-selling author Andrew Pyper and performed by Joshua Jackson, combines crime investigations with supernatural elements and killer instincts.
©2021 Andrew Pyper Enterprises, Inc. (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Silver Dollar Duke
Written by Sally Britton
Narrated by Marian Hussey
Run Time 9h 37min
I picked this for my "color" goal and because it sounded like a nice listen.

I enjoyed the story and gentle romance.
Source: 3/14/2022 Purchases from Chirp $1.99.
Publisher Description
The last thing Dannie needs is a Victorian gentleman on her ranch, playing cowboy while she’s trying to save her family’s livelihood. Will high stakes and high emotions lead to heartbreak?
Evan Rounsevell, second son to the Marquess of Rothwell, is running as far from his family and responsibilities as he can. His fascination with cowboys takes him from English shores to the Arizona desert, but the days of showdowns are over, and Tombstone, Arizona, is a respectable town. With no funds left, and no desire to call on his affluent family for rescue, Evan seeks a position as a cowboy at a ranch on its last leg.
Daniella Bolton’s fiancé left when the drought of 1893 crippled the KB ranch, but that’s just fine by her. She doesn’t need a man to help her save her family’s land. Especially not an Englishman who looks down on her style of living, like Evan does. She loves her life on the ranch, and no outsider could ever understand what it means to be loyal to the land and her family’s way of life.
Being a cowboy is harder than Evan thought, but as he works to earn his place on the ranch, his heart opens up to the beauty of the desert… as well as that of Dannie Bolton. Watching Evan fight for the ranch she loves makes Dannie realize that not all men are afraid of hard work and troubled times, and loving Evan might be just the salve her wounded heart needs. But when Evan’s family summons him home right when Dannie needs him most, the feelings of betrayal from her former fiancé’s flight return tenfold.
Does Evan dare risk his tenuous relationship with Dannie to fulfill his family responsibilities? Or will leaving Arizona be the worst mistake of his life?

Currently Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Get Up and Grow: 21 Habits of Successful People
By Duke Matlock
I will be finishing this by the end of this week.
I am still enjoying the learning process.
Source: March 2023 gift from Pastor.
Get Up and Grow is about developing habits that foster personal and professional growth in four critical areas: spirituality, success, health, and margin. In six chapters, Get Up and Grow will enable you to shift your paradigm and create a culture of growth and investment in your life. By utilizing your mornings as opportunities for development, Get Up and Grow will change the way you view success and will create the space to see exponential growth.

2. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

Snow Melts in Spring
By Deborah Vogts
Narrated By: Emily Durante
Duration: 8 h 19 min
It's time for my "Spring" title and this looks nice.
Source: 5/8/2021 Two for One Credit Deal at Audiobooks.com.
Summary
She loves the land. Mattie Evans grew up in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Although her family has lost their ranch, she still calls this land home. A skilled young veterinarian, she struggles to gain the confidence of the local ranchers. Fortunately, her best friend and staunchest supporter is John McCray, owner of the Lightning M Ranch. They both love the ranch, and can’t imagine living anywhere but in the Flint Hills. He’s haunted by it.Gil McCray, John’s estranged son, is a pro football player living in California. The ranch is where his mother died and where every aspect of the tallgrass prairie stirs unwanted memories of his older brother’s fatal accident. Gil decides leaving the ranch is the best solution for his ailing father and his own ailing heart. But he doesn’t count on falling in love.Falling in love isn’t an option. Or is it?When Mattie is called in to save a horse injured in a terrible accident, she finds herself unwillingly tossed into the middle of a family conflict. Secret pain, secret passions, and secret agendas play out against the beautiful landscapes as love leads to some unexpected conclusions about forgiveness and renewal.

 Again, I expect to get to a third book (an audio), which I will pick when I get there.

April 30, 2023 - I have really been enjoying the book of Isaiah. There are so many prophesies regarding Christ and acknowledgment of God's creation, power, and mercy. I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen".
I am reading the paperback (above) instead of an App study.

I finished three audio titles and reviewed two so I remain up to date.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I still have one more audio and one newer ebook on my NetGalley shelf.
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles.

I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer. (I need to look back and see which one this is.)
(Plus a few that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me, and newest to the team, Emma at Words and Peace.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

No review titles and no wins last week.
I bought one Audible Daily Deal and picked out one Audio from Plus Catalog last week.
I got no free Kindle titles last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

4/28/2023 Audible Daily Deal $1.99.

A Proposal They Can't Refuse
By: Natalie Caña
Narrated by: Valentina Ortiz
Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
This looks really cute.

Free

4/29/2023 Audible Plus Catalog.

Why They Marched
Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote
By: Susan Ware
Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
This interesting looking book was on special deal at Chirp but free at Audible Plus.

No new titles added to Kindle library. 
Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 30, 2023 - Holy Places

We had a local guest minister for our Sunday School this morning. He shared some testimony as well as a Biblical lesson, The Importance of Having Faith in Jesus.

Our service started with lovely praise and worship and I was touched when our Pastor went to his knees during the worship time. His sermon, titled Holy Places, was based on Exodus 3:1-6.
When Moses saw the burning bush, he turned aside to “see this strange sight….”
God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and told him “the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

As a young man, Moses stepped in on his own to deliver a Hebrew slave, during which he killed the Egyptian overseer. Then Moses ran away into the wilderness, where he became his Father-in-law's shepherd.

The burning bush was a God moment for Moses. It is arguably a theophany or Christophany.
A theophany is a manifestation of God in the Bible that is tangible to the human senses. In its most restrictive sense, it is a visible appearance of God in the Old Testament period, often, but not always, in human form. Christophany is the manifestation of Christ.

In the Old Testament, there are frequent “theophanies” and “Christophanies.” The word theophany comes from the Greek word theos (meaning “God”) and the Greek verb meaning “to appear.” So a theophany is an appearance of God. And a Christophany is an appearance of Christ.

There can be a lot of life lived between God encounters. Even if we don’t have continuous God moments or encounters, He is still there. God shows up to change lives, not just to provide a good feeling. For example, Salvation is beyond what we feel. But it is a promise through knowledge and faith.

We need to be aware of God moments in our lives. Where these occur, there is a Holy Place. Sometimes we have tarried at the altar to see what God is doing.

It is a moment when we are not just a fan, but we know the place is Holy because God occupies the place. Often the God encounter is to change the direction of life. Jacob met and wrestled with God at El Bethel (a place of worship). Joseph had several God encounters to become the father of Israel. Job had heard of God, then personally encountered Him.

God moments are not just for you but to share with others. The encounter generally has to do with the future. We need to recognize when and where God speaks. God moments and Holy Places are also where our perspective of God changes. We are struck with awe and God reveals Himself.

God revealed Himself to Moses as the great “I am”, from which we get Yahweh, or Jehovah.
Pastor acknowledged that he sometimes lives his life ‘in high voice’. This is the result of zeal for God, a passion birthed out of a Holy place.

As a cautionary word, we must be careful not to be tempted to stay there. (Like Peter at the mount of transfiguration.)

If you want to stay, you are missing the message to go out with the mission. Holy Places are places of launching. The woman at the well goes into the city to tell others.

Holy Place encounters are for us to give the message to others. To mobilize and be a witness to influence those around us.
When God shows Himself mighty in the wilderness as fire and smoke, we are to go and bring others back. We are to lead others to see our awesome God.

I found this song which I think fits today! Evidence.

Verses for Today:
Exodus 3:1-6 NIV
Moses and the Burning Bush
3 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father,[a] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.


Lord, help me to remember all the God Encounters of my past. Help me to be open to more. And help me to share them, to lead others to You.