Journey to see God: what God really wants from your fasting

Many Christians are fasting for Lent right now. Here is the appropriate message for all who seek God diligently during this utmost crucial time. The watchman prays that many more will see and understand the signs of the time just as Jesus has warned! 

(Luke 12:56 (ESV) You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?)

FASTING OPENS YOUR SPIRITUAL EYES THAT YOU MAY SEE WHAT GOD REALLY WANTS. YOU WILL SHARPEN YOUR SPIRITUAL EARS AND UNDERSTANDING AS YOU READ AND PRAY HIS WORDS. YOU WILL LEARN WHAT OVERCOMING REALLY MEANS IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM. YOU WILL HAVE A FORETASTE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, LIVING THE LIFE OF THE SON OF GOD!

_________________

Isaiah 58

English Standard Version (ESV)

True and False Fasting

58 “Cry aloud; do not hold back;
    lift up your voice like a trumpet;
declare to my people their transgression,
    to the house of Jacob their sins.
² Yet they seek me daily
    and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that did righteousness
    and did not forsake the judgment of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments;
    they delight to draw near to God.
³ ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
    Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,
    and oppress all your workers.
⁴ Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
    and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
    will not make your voice to be heard on high.
⁵ Is such the fast that I choose,
    a day for a person to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
    and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast,
    and a day acceptable to the Lord?

⁶ “Is not this the fast that I choose:
    to loose the bonds of wickedness,
    to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
    and to break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
    and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
    and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
⁸ Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
    the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
    you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
    the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
¹⁰ if you pour yourself out for the hungry
    and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
    and your gloom be as the noonday.
¹¹ And the Lord will guide you continually
    and satisfy your desire in scorched places
    and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
    like a spring of water,
    whose waters do not fail.
¹² And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
    you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
    the restorer of streets to dwell in.

¹³ “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath,
    from doing your pleasure on my holy day,
and call the Sabbath a delight
    and the holy day of the Lord honorable;
if you honor it, not going your own ways,
    or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly;
¹⁴ then you shall take delight in the Lord,
    and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;
I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

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English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Journey to see God: see Christ in me, my real life!

Today’s message is Galatians 2:20, a new song being sung over and over in the spirit of the watchman. This was the first verse from the Savior Lord, Jesus Himself, when the watchman was first converted and born again in the Spirit and in Word. This is the first love. The second set of verses is from Colossians 3:1-3. What a wonderful reminder and fresh revelation!


All verse in NKJV: ___________

Galatians 2:20 Crucified with Christ; Christ lives in me

2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Colossians 3:1-11 Raised with Christ and hidden with Christ in God!

(Psalm 91:9-10 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;)

3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.


Ephesians 2:1-6 We were dead in sins, but God made us alive together with Christ

2:1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,


Romans 6 Dead to Sin, Alive to God: the power of sin was broken by Christ in us, the hope of glory. All who have been united to Christ in His death have been set free from slavery to sin. We are free to live the New Creation Life (Christ is our real life).

6:1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Journey to see God: 20 hours of Bible reading

How did the watchman encounter the recent awesome presence of God? By joining with others who fervently sought God by reading His words (marathon way) day and night (from Friday 8am to Saturday 4am).


Twelve believers turned up for the 20 hours marathon (non-stop) reading of the Bible New Testament. The ages ranged from 7 years old (who did not read but sat through with his parents) to over sixty. There was at least one representative from every decade: ranging from below 10, teens, the twenties, thirties, forties, fifties and sixties. It was not planned that way. The Spirit of the Lord called and someone passed on this message. The volunteers just turned up.

Eight believers gathered at 8am on Friday morning. They started reading the four gospels chapter by chapter (each reading three or two chapters by turn), book by book at 8.30am. Two had to leave for their work for the morning after reading of the first six chapters. They returned and joined the rest in the afternoon. Despite the small number, the group persisted until 4.30pm. They took eight hours to finish the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. By 5pm they were ready to read the book of Acts onward. Another group of four joined them in the evening after work. The group continued without break.

During certain intervals individuals took short break to rest or have some food or drink. One brethren in his thirties fasted and sat through out the reading which took nearly 20 hours. He took nothing but water and did not even rest. The older and younger individuals had to take breaks. However, those who rested lied on the floor inside the same hall and could hear the word of God being read by others clearly.

By nearly 4am the group decided to stand up to read together the last four chapters of the last book, Revelation. It was very powerful in the cool morning air, with nothing but the word of God being read in unison by twelve (less the little boy who was sleeping by then) believers of Jesus Christ, all filled with the Holy Spirit. The room was flooded with heavenly light and everyone was flowing with the living water in each of them.

Then all knelt down and prayed and gave thanks to the Lord. From the prayers it was revealed that each individual had received different revelation from the Lord. For example, ‘Kingdom”, “Throne”, “Sword of the Spirit”, “Light” and the like.

The watchman suggested that they ended with the Lord’s Prayer and they did. In his spirit he was bursting with spiritual words and even songs. But he was just too tired to stay on. He walked home and continued to feel elated. God’s words had done a deep cleansing from within and he could feel the lifting of his soul and spirit. (Alas, he actually took one hour break in the afternoon from 5-6 pm to walk home to feed his two dogs! The dogs were happy and relieved.)

Nothing can compare with the reading of God’s word in one sitting of nearly twenty hours without break! He had never felt so refreshed and rejuvenated before! Later someone asked him about Abraham seeing his descendants as ‘stars’ in heaven.

He recalled the verse from 2 Peter 1:19 “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;” Indeed that was what happened over the last 20 hours of being led by the Holy Spirit in a marvellous journey in His words.


Revelation 4:2

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

Revelation 4:1-3 (in Context) Revelation 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Revelation 21:3

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Revelation 21:2-4 (in Context) Revelation 21 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Revelation 21:5

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:4-6 (in Context) Revelation 21 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Revelation 22:1

[ The River of Life ] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

Revelation 22:1-3 (in Context) Revelation 22 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Revelation 22:3

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.

Revelation 22:2-4 (in Context) Revelation 22 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Journey to see God: see the God Who tests

The word today is “test”. God tests. Do be prepared to pass the test.  keep His word about patient endurance, that He may keep us from the coming hour of trial!



Jeremiah 6:27 “I have made you a tester of metals among my people, that you may know and test their ways. Jeremiah 6:26-28 (in Context) Jeremiah 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Jeremiah 9:7 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do, because of my people? Jeremiah 9:6-8 (in Context) Jeremiah 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Jeremiah 12:3 But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter. Jeremiah 12:2-4 (in Context) Jeremiah 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Jeremiah 17:10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Jeremiah 17:9-11 (in Context) Jeremiah 17 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Lamentations 3:40 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! Lamentations 3:39-41 (in Context) Lamentations 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Zechariah 13:9 And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” Zechariah 13:8-9 (in Context) Zechariah 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


1 Corinthians 3:13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 1 Corinthians 3:12-14 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


2 Corinthians 8:2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:4-6 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


2 Corinthians 13:6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 2 Corinthians 13:5-7 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


2 Corinthians 13:7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 2 Corinthians 13:6-8 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Galatians 6:4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. Galatians 6:3-5 (in Context) Galatians 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:11-13 (in Context) James 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


1 Peter 4:12 [ Suffering as a Christian ] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:11-13 (in Context) 1 Peter 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Job 7:18 visit him every morning and test him every moment? Job 7:17-19 (in Context) Job 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Psalm 7:9 Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous— you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God! Psalm 7:8-10 (in Context) Psalm 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Psalm 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. Psalm 11:3-5 (in Context) Psalm 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Psalm 26:2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. Psalm 26:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 26 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


1 Chronicles 29:17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 1 Chronicles 29:16-18 (in Context) 1 Chronicles 29 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Exodus 16:4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. Exodus 16:3-5 (in Context) Exodus 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” Exodus 20:19-21 (in Context) Exodus 20 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Deuteronomy 8:16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Deuteronomy 8:15-17 (in Context) Deuteronomy 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Judges 2:21-23 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, 22 in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not. ” 23 So the Lord left those nations, not driving them out quickly, and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua.


Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:9-11 (in Context) Revelation 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

end times witnessing: Draw near to God

1. Hebrews 4:16
   Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
   Hebrews 4:15-16 (in Context) Hebrews 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2. Hebrews 7:19
   (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
   Hebrews 7:18-20 (in Context) Hebrews 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
3. Hebrews 7:25
   Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
   Hebrews 7:24-26 (in Context) Hebrews 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
4. 9:¹² he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God,purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
5. Hebrews 10:1
6. [ Christ's Sacrifice Once for All ] For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
   Hebrews 10:1-3 (in Context) Hebrews 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
7. ^{Hebrews 10:19} Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 
8. James 4:8
   Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
   James 4:7-9 (in Context) James 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
9. Hebrews 11:5-7 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. ⁷ By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
10. Leviticus 9:7
    Then Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and bring the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as theLord has commanded.”
    Leviticus 9:6-8 (in Context) Leviticus 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
11. Isaiah 29:12-14 And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.” 13 And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, 14 therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,     and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”
12. Isaiah 48:15-17 I, even I, have spoken and called him; I have brought him, and he will prosper in his way. 16 Draw near to me, hear this from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit. 17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.
13. Jeremiah 30:21
    Their prince shall be one of themselves; their ruler shall come out from their midst; I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare of himself to approach me? declares the Lord.
    Jeremiah 30:20-22 (in Context) Jeremiah 30 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
14. Ezekiel 43:19
    you shall give to the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who draw near to me to minister to me, declares the Lord God, a bull from the herd for a sin offering.
    Ezekiel 43:18-20 (in Context) Ezekiel 43 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8


New King James Version (NKJV)

Free from Indwelling Sin

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.



9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.



Sonship Through the Spirit

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.



From Suffering to Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.



26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[b] with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.



28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.



God’s Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:



“For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”[c]



37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Footnotes:

a.Romans 8:1 NU-Text omits the rest of this verse.

b.Romans 8:26 NU-Text omits for us.

c.Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:22


New King James Version (NKJV)

The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

End times witnessing: "Macedonia"

The word today is "Macedonia".

Can you hear the Lord Holy Spirit calling and sending? Arise, prophets and teachers of the Bible, fast and pray and ask the Lord for directions, just as the five men did in the Church of Antioch in Acts 13:1-4.

1. Acts 16:6
   [ The Macedonian Call ] And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
   Acts 16:5-7 (in Context) Acts 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2. Acts 16:9
   And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
   Acts 16:8-10 (in Context) Acts 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
3. Acts 16:10
   And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
   Acts 16:9-11 (in Context) Acts 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
4. Acts 16:12
   and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
   Acts 16:11-13 (in Context) Acts 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
5. Acts 18:5
   When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
   Acts 18:4-6 (in Context) Acts 18 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
6. Acts 19:21
   [ A Riot at Ephesus ] Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
   Acts 19:20-22 (in Context) Acts 19 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
7. Acts 19:22
   And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
   Acts 19:21-23 (in Context) Acts 19 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
8. Acts 19:29
   So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel.
   Acts 19:28-30 (in Context) Acts 19 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
9. Acts 20:1
   [ Paul in Macedonia and Greece ] After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.
   Acts 20:1-3 (in Context) Acts 20 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
10. Acts 20:3
    There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
    Acts 20:2-4 (in Context) Acts 20 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
11. Acts 27:2
    And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.
    Acts 27:1-3 (in Context) Acts 27 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
12. Romans 15:26
    For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.
    Romans 15:25-27 (in Context) Romans 15 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
13. 1 Corinthians 16:5
    [ Plans for Travel ] I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia,
    1 Corinthians 16:4-6 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
14. 2 Corinthians 1:16
    I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.
    2 Corinthians 1:15-17 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
15. 2 Corinthians 2:13
    my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.
    2 Corinthians 2:12-14 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
16. 2 Corinthians 7:5
    For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.
    2 Corinthians 7:4-6 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
17. 2 Corinthians 8:1
    [ Encouragement to Give Generously ] We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
    2 Corinthians 8:1-3 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
18. 2 Corinthians 9:2
    for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.
    2 Corinthians 9:1-3 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
19. 2 Corinthians 9:4
    Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident.
    2 Corinthians 9:3-5 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
20. 2 Corinthians 11:9
    And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
    2 Corinthians 11:8-10 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
21. Philippians 4:15
    And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
    Philippians 4:14-16 (in Context) Philippians 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
22. 1 Thessalonians 1:7
    so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
    1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
23. 1 Thessalonians 1:8
    For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
    1 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
24. 1 Thessalonians 4:10
    for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,
    1 Thessalonians 4:9-11 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations 


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