Aliens Look Different – Elder Jim Piekunka
Aliens Look Different
February 21, 2021
Elder Jim Piekunka
©2020 Praysers Ministries, Inc. d.b.a. River of Life Community Church
Note: Unless otherwise indicated all scriptures are taken from the NKJV
1 Peter 2:11-12 Aliens do good deeds to glorify God.
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. NIV
Alien = NT:3927 parepidemos (par-ep-id’-ay-mos); from NT:3844 and the base of NT:1927; an alien alongside, i.e. a resident foreigner:
KJV – pilgrim, stranger. (Someone just passing through – Just Visiting)
Ps 146:9
9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. NIV
Heb 11:13-16 Aliens admit that they are aliens. They are searching for a heavenly home.
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. NIV
A study found 5 Human Reactions to Confusing Information
- It makes people irritable.
- It makes people bored.
- You lose their attention – So What?
- They can’t respond to the information.
- There is no decisive action or decision made.
Acts 9:1-4 Aliens are recognized by Jesus and the world.
9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” NIV
Acts 19:8-9 Can others tell by your speech that you are an alien?
8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. NIV
Acts 19:23-24 Aliens cause others to speak out – They stir up others – Great Disturbance
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. NIV
Acts 19:25-27 Aliens teach others and lead others to Christ – To the Way
25 He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: “Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. NIV
Acts 11:25-26 Aliens attend classes and special meetings to receive an anointing.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. NIV
Acts 13:1-3 Aliens boldly go where they are sent
13:1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. NIV
Acts 16:13-15 Aliens are teachable and sensitive to the Lord’s Spirit.
13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. NIV
Acts 13:21-22 Aliens do everything God asks them to do.
22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ NIV
Acts 19:13-20 Aliens have special powers.
13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15[One day] the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way, the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. NIV
Rom 12:6-8 Aliens have heavenly gifts to share with the world.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. NIV
1 Cor 15:33-34 Aliens are careful who they hang out with.
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God — I say this to your shame. NIV
Rev 18:1-5 True aliens know it is time to separate from the ways of the world.
18:1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted:
“Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. 3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. NIV
Eph 4:29 Paul said Aliens should have a different language.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. NIV
The Vow of the Nazirite = Numbers 6 = A foreshadowing
- It was a vow of separation by males or females.
- It was a vow for life or for a specific period of time (30 days minimum).
- It was a vow of serving God and others, not a monastic life.
- It was a vow to be priest-like when you were not a levitical priest.
- Jesus was a Nazarene from Nazareth = He was already High Priest of all creation.
Num 6:3-4 3 he must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or from other fermented drink. He must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. 4 As long as he is a Nazirite, he must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. NIV
Num 6:6 Throughout the period of his separation to the LORD he must not go near a dead body. NIV
Ex 31:12-14 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. NKJV
Love for God and One Another
Love for God and One Another
1 John 4:1-21
February 14, 2021
Senior Pastor, Dr. Janet Cook
©2020 Praysers Ministries, Inc. d.b.a. River of Life Community Church
Note: Unless otherwise indicated all scriptures are taken from the NKJV
Love for God and One Another
4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess [a]that Jesus [b]Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Knowing God Through Love
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Seeing God Through Love
12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
The Consummation of Love
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love [c]Him because He first loved us.
Obedience by Faith
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, [d]how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
Invitation to Abundant Life
Invitation to Abundant Life
February 7, 2021
Elder Sylvia Garza
©2020 Praysers Ministries, Inc. d.b.a. River of Life Community Church
Note: Unless otherwise indicated all scriptures are taken from the NKJV
Isaiah 55
Ver.1 Everyone; The Servant’s redemptive work and glorious kingdom are for the benefit for all who are willing to Come.
He is saying Come, come If you are thirsty. Here he is taking about a spiritual thirst. The prophet Isaiah is inviting everyone to participate of the benefits we have with no money at no price. Benefits of the Kingdom are free because of his redemptive work.
Ephesians 2:8,9 Says: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not that of yourselves, it is a gift of God not of works lest anyone should boast.
Ver.2 Not bread This is the bread of deceit and not the bread of life.
Proverbs 20:17 Says: Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
John 6:32,35 says Jesus said to them. I tell you the truth it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my father who gives the bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Sir, they said, from now on give us this bread. Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
Ver.3 Everlasting Covenant – Sure Mercies of David
David had been promised and ending dynasty, one that would culminate in the Messiah assuring continuation of the nation.
God is calling to incline our ear, to sharpen our listening, to seek him. That promise he made David is the same for us God does not change or move away from us we are the ones that move away from him.
Ver. 6, 7 Seek the lord – Isaiah tells us to call on the Lord while he is near. God is not planning to move away from us, we erect a barrier between ourselves and him.
2Corinthians 6:1,2 says: We then, as workers together with him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says; In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.
Ver.7 Forsake Part of seeking the Lord is turning from sin. Now is the time to draw closer to God. Don’t wait until you have drifted to far from him that it’s difficult to get back to him.
Isaiah 44:22 says I have swept you away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you.
Ver. 8, 9 My thoughts, my ways Israel was foolish to act as if they knew what God was thinking and planning. His knowledge and wisdom are far greater than man’s. We are foolish to try to fit God into our mold to make his purposes and plans conform to ours.
Psalm145: 3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise: his greatness no one can fathom
Ver.10, 11 Rain, snow, Gods word moisture from heaven accomplishes it’s intended purpose in helping meet our human physical need. God’s word will likewise produce its intended results fulfilling God’s spiritual purposes.
Isaiah 41:19,20 Says I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together. So that my people may see and know, may consider and understand that the holy One of Israel has created it.
Ver. 12 Go out with Joy be lead with peace. Israel will return from her dispersion rejoicing in her deliverance and unbothered by her enemies.
Isaiah 54:10-13 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed says the lord who has compassion on you. O afflicted one city lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you with stones of turquoise your foundations with sapphires. I will make your battlements of rubies your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. Your sons will be taught by the Lord and great will be your children’s peace.
Worship in Spirit and Truth
PPT Worship in Spirit and Truth
January 31, 2021
Senior Pastor, Dr. Janet Cook
©2020 Praysers Ministries, Inc. d.b.a. River of Life Community Church
Note: Unless otherwise indicated all scriptures are taken from the NKJV
John 4:23 – 24 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
- Have you ever wondered if we are more concerned with what worship does for us and less concerned with the object of our worship?
- It seems like it’s more about what we get not what we give.
The time is now….
It is time to be aware of what God is seeking
Romans 12:1-3 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
- Worship is living a life that is sacrificial, holy and pleasing to God.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
1 Cor. 2:14 states that “the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God…because they are spiritually discerned.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 “As you come to him, the living Stone —rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
APOSTOLIC KINGDOM PRAISE
Kingdom Praise is about God’s will.
Matt. 6:33 – Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
- It is our primary purpose as the church of Jesus Christ to work in the Kingdom.
Our thinking must change from “How can God bless me today?” to “God, what do You want to accomplish in the earth today? What is the will of the King?”
Psalm 110:2 “The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!”
- When we praise the King He comes and He begins to rule in our worship.
The Prophetic Movement revealed to us the Warrior in Christ.
1 John 3:8 “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil.”
The Apostolic Movement is revealed the Ruler in Christ, The King of Glory.
Revelation 11:15 “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
The warrior nature and the ruling nature go hand in hand in possessing and ruling the land. “Thy Kingdom Come…”
Exodus 15:1-4 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.
Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
The Prophetic Movement – birthed in 1980’s has the Church moving from a passive Church of wilderness wanderers to a mighty Church of Canaan-land conquerors through the revelation of warfare praise. The understanding that praise is a weapon of war is helping the Church to possess the promises of God and tear down strongholds through the power of praise.
Ps. 8:2 “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength (Praise), because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger.”
Praise H5797 – From H5810; strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise): – boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong.
The Apostolic Movement – “Present Truth” currently underway in the Body of Christ is restoring the principles of godly Church government on the foundations of the apostles and prophets so the Church can demonstrate the Kingdom of God throughout all the earth.
God has restored the Prophets and Apostles to the Body of Christ
Ephesians 4:11-13 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
- The saints can take place and the Church can grow up into Her destiny of maturity and unity.
Do Not Grow Weary in Well Doing!
Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Biblical Justice Series Pt. 4 – Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
PPT Biblical Justice Series – Part 4
Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Senior Pastor, Dr. Janet Cook
©2020 Praysers Ministries, Inc. d.b.a. River of Life Community Church
Note: Unless otherwise indicated all scriptures are taken from the NKJV
What does the Lord require of you?
Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
In prayer this week the Lord said to me, “I will not ask you to do anything that I do not give you the strength, ability and resources to do. I will teach you and show you the way.” (JKC)
The Spirit of Truth
John 16:12-13 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (NIV)
God is faithful in all things and faithful at all times.
Duet 7:9 Know therefore, the Lord they God, He is God, the faithful God.
2 Timothy 2:13 “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”
- God cannot be unfaithful. He is faithful, it is His nature.
Psalm 89:8 Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?
You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
“Nothing can be compared to the faithfulness of God. He never forgets, never fails, never falters, never forfeits His word. God not only keeps his promises, but he is also faithful to keep his threats.” (JKC)
The Lord Loves Justice
Psalm 37:28 For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints;
They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
- God will not forsake His people
- God renders justice for His saints
Joshua took a definite stand for God.
Joshua 24:14-16 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! (NIV)
- We need to take a stand also and commit to do it God’s way.
The Lord Waits
Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you;
And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
- The Lord longs to have mercy on you so he waits on you.
- The Lord waits for you to do something so that he can justifiably do something on your behalf.
All His Ways Are Justice
Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.”
- This is the first time God is called “the Rock” in Scripture.
“The expression denotes that the Divine power, faithfulness, and love, as revealed in Christ and the gospel, form a foundation which cannot be changed or moved, on which we may build our hopes of happiness. And under His protection we may find refuge from all our enemies, and in all our troubles.” Matthew Henry Commentary
“God is true. He is faithful in His relationship to his people. We can safely rely upon God. Faithfulness is an essential part of God’s divine character. We can say we accept this divine truth, but His people need to act upon it. We can expect God to do all that he has promised He would do.” (JK)
Heb 10:23 says He is faithful that promised.
“There are seasons in our lives that are not easy. Still God is faithful. In the good times praise his name and in the bad times do the same. In everything give the king of king all the praise.” (JKC)
Romans 8:24-28 from The Passion Translation
24 For this is the hope of our salvation. But hope means that we must trust and wait for what is still unseen. For why would we need to hope for something we already have? 25 So because our hope is set on what is yet to be seen, we patiently keep on waiting for its fulfillment.
26 And in a similar way, the Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede[a] on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs[b] too deep for words.
27 God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings,[c] yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny.
28 So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.
Biblical Justice Series Pt. 3 – God Loves Righteousness and Justice
PPT Biblical Justice Series – Part 3
“God Loves Righteousness and Justice”
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Senior Pastor, Dr. Janet Cook
©2020 Praysers Ministries, Inc. d.b.a. River of Life Community Church
Note: Unless otherwise indicated all scriptures are taken from the NKJV
God Loves Righteousness and Justice
Psalms 33:5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
- The goodness of the Lord is His righteousness and justice.
Psalms 97:2 “Clouds and darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.”
- The Kingdom of God is established on Righteousness and Justice
Psalms 37:28 “For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints;
They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.”
- God will not forsake His people
- God renders justice for His saints
Psalm 103:6 “The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.”
- Execute – H6213 – a primitive root; to do or make
- Oppressed – H6231 – to press upon, that is to oppress, defraud, violate, to get deceitfully, deceive, do wrong.
God’s Justice for the Thief
Exodus 22:1-4 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.”
Proverbs 6:30-31 “People do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the substance of his house.”
The Lord Waits
Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you;
And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
- The Lord longs to have mercy on you so he waits on you.
- The Lord waits for you to do something so that he can justifiably do something on your behalf.
The Lord will not be Mocked
Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
- If you are sowing something that is against the will of God He cannot bring justice.
- God is waiting… He waits for us to repent, to get in alignment with His will.
When…Your Obedience is Fulfilled
2 Corinthians 10:6-8 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
What Are You Neglecting?
Matt 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
- Weightier matters of the law are to do justice and mercy and faith.
- But don’t leave anything undone. Give your tithe
Isaiah was watching the deterioration of a nation because justice was thrown out
What is justice? It is the legal process and procedures of upholding the law.
If there is no justice, there is nothing to stop evil from growing
Isaiah 59:4 “No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth.
They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.”
- Barnes Notes: “The sense is, that they form plans to injure others, and that they expect to execute them by fraud and deceit.”
Isaiah 59:13-16 “In transgressing and lying against the LORD,
And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt,
Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter.
So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.”
Psalm 7:14-17 “Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. He made a pit and dug it out and has fallen into the ditch which he made.
His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown. I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalms 37:28 “For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints;
Biblical Justice Series – Part 2
PPT Biblical Justice Series – Part 2
“The LORD is a God of Mishpat”
Senior Pastor, Dr. Janet Cook
Sunday, January 3, 2021
©2020 Praysers Ministries, Inc. d.b.a. River of Life Community Church
Note: Unless otherwise indicated all scriptures are taken from the NKJV
Righteousness and Justice
Psalm 89:13-15
You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Mercy and truth go before Your face.
Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
The word Justice = Misphat
וּ֭מִשְׁפָּט Strongs Hebrew 4941: judgment, justice, ordinance, act of deciding a case, place, court, seat of judgment, process, procedure, litigation case, cause (presented for judgment), sentence, decision (of judgment), execution (of judgment), time (of judgment) right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) privilege, due (legal) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Keep Praying and Never Give UP!
Luke 18:1-8 The parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge “that they should always pray and never give up” (NLT).
Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
Word of the Lord 2021
Apostle, Dr. Janet Cook
River of Life Community Church
2626 Prairie Street
Elkhart, Indiana 46517
The word we are hearing for 2021 is Justice. Justice and righteousness emanate from the nature and character of God. The Hebrew word for Justice is Misphat, and it is most often used to refer to restorative justice. It means to “make it right” for the person who has been wronged. I think of it as restoring a person to a place of peace.
The focus and direction the Lord has given us regarding justice is found in Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you, But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
In the midst of a nation full of chaos God has given us clear direction. We have our marching orders to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God. We hear the Spirit of the Lord say that walking in humility with God will open doors of opportunity.
The Lord reminded us that we are called to reach out to those who are down-and-out. When a living soul is being taken advantage of, we are to do more than talk about it. God has called us to active duty.
The Lord is inviting us to walk humbly with Him and join Him in what He is doing. He has anointed us to bring healing and restoration to weary souls. We show the Lord’s justice by pulling them up to a higher place in their natural and spiritual circumstances.
The Lord has assigned His Church, the Ecclesia, to establish Kingdom principles in communities that will demolish oppressive systems and structures. There are unjust works going on all around us and God is exposing them. We will see the justice of the Lord God Almighty demonstrated in our nation.
We decree according to Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.”
(Dr. Janet Cook)
Gods Heart Concerning You
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
Kingdom assignment vs Personal assignment
Romans 12:19 “Beloved, don’t be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous justice. For the Scriptures say: “If you don’t take justice in your own hands, I will release justice for you,” says the Lord. (TPT)
We Execute God’s Written Judgment – It is our HONOR
Psalm 149:6-9
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples;
To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron;
To execute on them the written judgment—This honor have all His saints.
Praise the LORD!
Biblical Justice Series “The LORD is a God of Mishpat”
PPT Biblical Justice Series
“The LORD is a God of Mishpat”
Senior Pastor, Dr. Janet Cook
Sunday, January 3, 2021
©2020 Praysers Ministries, Inc. d.b.a. River of Life Community Church
Note: Unless otherwise indicated all scriptures are taken from the NKJV
Justice and righteousness emanate from the nature and character of God.
Throughout the Bible it is presented that the people of God are called to abide in the character of justice and righteousness.
The word Justice = Misphat and is most often used to refer to restorative justice.
Genesis 18:19 “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”
- In the Bible, righteousness refers to a state of moral good in which you treat those around you with decency and fairness, recognizing that all of them are made in the image of God just like you.
- Restorative justice, in which those who are unrightfully hurt or wronged are restored and given back what was taken from them.
Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless; defend the orphan, plead for the widow”
Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good. Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless. (MSG)
What will you bring to the Lord?
Micah 6:6
“With what shall I come before the LORD,
And bow myself before the High God?
Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings,
With calves a year old?”
- When a man comes before the Lord and bows down before Him, there is an expectation from God.
What will please the Lord?
Micah 6:7
“Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
Ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
What does the Lord require?
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
Pure and Undefiled Religion
James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
The Foundation of God’s Throne
Psalm 89:14-15 “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Mercy and truth go before Your face. Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.”
God is Love
PPT “God is Love”
Advent – Week 4
Senior Pastor, Dr. Janet Cook
December 20, 2020
©2020 Praysers Ministries, Inc. d.b.a. River of Life Community Church
Note: Unless otherwise indicated all scriptures are taken from the NKJV
A New Commandment
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
- A new commandment – this is not a suggestion
- By this all will know you are My disciples
Love is a decision
Psalm 18:1 “I will love You, O LORD, my strength.”
- Have you made that decision?
- This love is from your inner most being
Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD,
Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
Corporate Love
1 John 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
- “Let us” indicates a corporate decision
- Everyone who loves is born of God
Fervently Love One Another
1 Peter 1:22-23 “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,”
- What purifies your soul?
- Fervent – G1618 – Intently, without ceasing
- “see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.” (KJV)
The Perfect and Royal Law
James 1:25 “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
2:8 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;”
- The Perfect Law of Liberty – The person who is totally free is the person that loves.
- The Royal Law of the Scripture
Jesus was moved with compassion
Mark 1:40-42 “Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.”
- Compassion – G4697 – to have the bowels yearn, feel sympathy, to pity
John 7:38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
The Same Love
Philippians 2:1-4 “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
- Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit
- Look out for the interest of others
- What is motivating you?
The Love of God is Never Ending
Jeremiah 31:3 “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”
The Source of All Joy
PPT The Source of All Joy
Advent Week Three
December 13, 2020
Senior Pastor, Dr. Janet Cook
©2020 Praysers Ministries, Inc. d.b.a. River of Life Community Church
Note: Unless otherwise indicated all scriptures are taken from the NKJV
The Source of Joy
Luke 1:41-45 “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!’” (Emphasis added.)
Joy – G21 –to leap, especially for joy, be (exceeding) glad, with exceeding joy, rejoice (greatly).
That Your Joy May Be Full
John 15:11-13 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
- Biblical Joy is relational
You are My Friends
John 15:14-17 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
- “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and your fruit should remain.”
Face to Face
2 John 1:12 “Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.”