Awake Us Now Ministries
Awake Us Now is a body of believers who:
WORSHIP the Triune God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Praise Him with joy and thanksgiving for He is God and He is good;
WALK by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the clear teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and the clear declaration of the Scriptures. Such a daily walk is a far cry from mere religion or "church as usual;"
WITNESS to Jesus Christ our Savior in daily life situations. Take seriously His call to make disciples. Be alert to the opportunities God provides to encourage and mentor others in the Christian life. Utilize the developing technologies to reach a new generation with the timeless Gospel of Christ.
It is by God's power, it is by being strong in Him, it is in using the armor of God that you and I can not only stand against the devil's schemes, but also witness to others whom God is leading out from the power of the devil. Pastor Dodge also shares a personal testimony of spiritual warfare that shows the power of God to defeat the enemy, because God IS stronger! Ephesians 6:10-11 http://www.awakeusnow.com
Salvation in Jesus Christ is free - but there is a cost to discipleship. Jesus said, "If anyone desires to follow me, let that person take up his or her cross and follow me daily." Daniel and his companions remind us the the cost can be huge, but the reward is far greater!
In today's message, we see that it was God who gave Daniel the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream -- a dream sent to show that God alone knows the future and that though empires crumble, God's Kingdom will be established forever over the entire earth!
Jesus never promised His followers an easy journey. What He does promise is a great destination, and He assures us of the presence of His Holy Spirit to uphold, to guide, and to reveal, so that His people may be equipped to lead the nations back to Him!
After 18 months in Corinth Paul, Aquila and Priscilla sail from Corinth to Ephesus and Paul goes on to Antioch. Luke picks up the story in Ephesus. Acts 18:24-26. We are introduced to Apollos, who had been instructed about the Lord and taught accurately about Jesus. Priscilla and Aquila heard him speaking boldly in the synagogue and graciously invited him to their home and taught him even more. Acts 18:27-28 Apollos then wanted to go to Achaia and they encouraged him and wrote to disciples in that town to welcome him. When Apollos arrived in he was a great help and encouragement to the believers there and he vigorously refuted Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. We see God's incredible provision through Apollos in spreading the Good News. Paul comes to look upon Apollos as a co-worker. In 1 Corinthians 3:3-4 Paul writes "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere human beings." We are to be attacked to God and His Word not to teachers. Paul goes on in 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 saying, "What, after all is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." Paul cuts through the human emotions and gets to the heart of the issue: the heart is God Himself and the Lord Jesus Christ and faith in HIM. It's listening to the Holy Spirit and working in concert with the Spirit's guidance and direction. God produces the fruit and growth. It is all about God. Incredible holiness Amazing goodness Amazing grace Great love for each of us that He gave His son Great promise of a Savior fulfilled Amazing truth that Jesus, the Savior, is coming back! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For the full list of videos in this series, Dig Deeper, https://www.awakeusnow.com/dig-deeper For more check out our Sunday series, God ACTS! https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.
God calls His people not to blend in to society, but to stand out, to reflect the mercy and goodness of God, so that He may be exalted through all the nations!
The Book of Daniel is the story of the collision of two kingdoms, a spiritual war that is still being fought in the heavens and on the earth. In the end, the Kingdom of God wins!
What do the Scriptures teach us about anxiety and worry? Today we will See God's Provision in difficult and fearful times. Acts 18:1 Paul has traveled to Corinth and is worried about what God has in mind in bringing him to this ungodly city. FACING FEAR Strategic Friendships Then: Acts 18:2-3 Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla. Now: God will bring just the right people into our lives as well to assure us. Conviction and Direction Then: Acts 18:4. Paul preaches in the synagogue about Jesus. He has fresh strength from God - He has conviction and direction. God is giving Paul the strength and encouragement he needs to move forward even in the uncertainty. Now: God still today gives us the personal strength to do what He is wanting us to do even in challenging situations. Backup Support Then: Acts 18:5 Silas and Timothy join Paul. He now has trusted colleagues with him and he is able to continue to do the work the Lord has given him. Now: God gives us backup support in our lives as well. We can trust the Lord to supply everything needed in difficult times so we can accomplish God's plan for our lives. Renewed Boldness Then: Acts 18:6 We see that the people in the synagogue are rejecting Paul and becoming abusive so he says he will leave and go to the gentiles. This shows us God's provision in renewed boldness that he placed in Paul. We see that Paul is no longer living in fear. Now: we too receive God's provision of renewed boldness - giving us the ability to step out for Christ without fear. Reinforcements Then: Acts 18:7-8 Paul leaves the synagogue and goes next door to the house of Titius Justus, a wealthy gentile worshiper of God who has Paul usie his home as place for Paul to preach about Jesus. Then we read that Crispus, the leader of the synagogue next door that Paul left, and his entire family come to faith in Christ and are baptized. God's Word has power! The promised Deliver has come into the world in Christ. God's provision is reinforcements for Paul, the reinforcements of more believers. Now: Today God gives us the reinforcements we need to continue to do His will and plan for our lives. God's Clear Word Then: Acts 18:9-10 The Lord speaks to Paul in a vision telling him to not be afraid, to keep speaking and not be silent. God goes on to tell Paul that He is with him, no one will attack or harm him. (Paul has been brutally beaten in several cities, but The Lord speaks out that it will not be that way here.) Now: The Lord still speaks today. Have you ever had just the perfect Bible verse of encouragement come to mind or have a friend share just the right word of God with you when you need it most, or that your bible reading for the day was just perfectly timed. These and others are examples of how God gives us His clear word of direction, love and encouragement. We need to be in His Word, because that is how He speaks to us. He ministers to us in times of fear and anxiety. Vindication Then: Acts 18:11-16 Paul remains in Corinth one and a half years teaching the word of God. Then the Jews in Corinth attack him, bringing him to governor Gallio accusing him of persuading people to worship God in ways contrary to the law. Gallio responds that if this was about a misdemeanor or crime, then it would make sense for them to bring Paul to him but as the charges involve questions about their own Jewish laws, Gallio tells the jews in the crowd that it is their matter to settle themselves. The Lord rescues Paul from having to defend himself and instead he is vindicated! Now: We to experience God's provision through vindication. Surprise! Then: Acts 18:17 We read that at this point part of the crowd turns on Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and beat him. Now remember the original synagogue leader Crispis has become a believer and left the synagogue and is part of the group gathering next door to the synagogue at the home of Titius. So this is the synagogue leader who replaced Crispis. What we see is God working in surprising ways!! What happened to Sosthenes after this beating? And do you think Paul in his compassion of having experienced beatings in other cities, ministers to the battered man? Well here's the rest of the story - In 1 Corinthians 1:1-2a Paul writes that he is with his brother in Christ named Sosthenes! Sosthenes is a follower of Christ now, too! Now: Today we see God working in surprising ways in our lives and around the world. God provides in remarkable and surprising ways and we need to have eyes that are open to see that truth. This week's READING ASSIGNMENT: Acts chapter 18-19. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Video series at our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos Sunday Service https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service
There is a spiritual war raging around us. The Christian lfe is one of spiritual warfare. We can put on the armor of God to resist the enemy - the devil and all his forces - secure in the knowledge that Jesus has already won the final victory. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground (resist the Enemy), and after you have done everything, to stand. (continue to resisit him)" Ephesians 6:12-13 The enemy is not people the enemy is The Enemy, the devil. We are to NOT to resist those people who are against us, we are to pray for them and desire to reach them with the good news of Jesus, but we ARE to resist the devil. The struggle is real. The devil is evil but he is DEFEATED! And we are to resit him in God's power alone. http://www.awakeusnow.com
It is one thing to hear what Jesus says - it is another thing to live it. Real faith results in true, Christ-like living. Building one's life on any other foundation is like building a house on sand - the first real storm will sweep it away.
It is a good thing to call Jesus "Lord," but He warns us that faith is not just a matter of mouthing the right words, but of having the right heart.
Jesus warns us to be on the alert against false prophets - those eager to tell us pleasing things, while distorting the Gospel to avoid mention of sin and repentance. He bluntly calls them "ravening wolves" who wear "sheep's clothing" to disguise their predatory nature.
The world tells us we should not be "narrow minded," but Jesus says there is a time when "narrow" is not just good, but it is fundamentally good and absolutely essential!
The "Golden Rule," of doing to others as we would have them do to us, is not the way we measure up to God's standards. It is rather the way we show God's love to the world; a world increasingly troubled by fears and tumult.
Questions about the Trinity are often asked this way: • Is the word "Trinity" in the Bible? • Do Christians worship three Gods? • Was "Trinity" invented by the Church? • Isn't the notion of "Trinity" irrational? • Don't you think this is a minor issue? Pastor digs into the question of the Trinity by starting at the beginning, in Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." In Hebrew the word for God that is used in this verse is Elohim. Elohim is a plural noun. God is being described in plural terms! Genesis 1:2 "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." In Hebrew the Spirit of God is "Ruah Elohim". This is describing God as the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:3 "And God said, "Let there be light, and there was light." The word that stands out here is "said". Observation: Genesis 1 1. Plural noun for God the Creator 2. Spirit of God involved in Creation 3. God's Word brings forth the Creation This three-fold pattern continues throughout the Hebrew Scriptures: 1. Father - Deuteronomy 32:6 "Is He not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?" 2. Spirit - Job 33:4 "The Spirit of God has made me, the breath of the Almighty gives me life." 3. Word - Psalm 33:6 "By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." But the Old Testament also says there is but ONE God. Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel; The LORD our God, the LORD is one." And yet one God is describe in a multiplicity of terms. One God and three very distinct Persons. This pattern continues in the New Testament: 1. Father - 1 Peter 1:2 "…chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father." 2. Spirit - Acts 5:3-4 "…you have lied to the Holy Spirit…you have not lied just to human beings but to God." 3. Word - John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." In John 1:14 we read more about the Word, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." THE WORD is none other than Jesus, Himself. The Bible sets forth clearly that the One God has revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus says in Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…" The word that stands out in this verse is the word NAME - singular - yet THREE are named. 2 Corinthians 13:14 "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." This is clear Biblical teaching that the One true God has revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is complex!!! His ways are higher than ours! God who created us…. • Planned to Save us (God knew we would wander away from Him, but His plan from the beginning was save us) • Came to Save us (we cannot save ourselves, we need a divine rescue. Our Divine Rescuer is Jesus who came to earth taking on human flesh and enduring the cross) • Dwells in us to Save us (the God who created us dwells in us, brings us to faith, changes hearts, gives power and testifies to Jesus the Savior) God works as a unity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - each unique and distinct but also uniquely ONE. Is the word "Trinity" in the Bible? The word is not but "the Trinity" is found: Father, Son and Holy Spirit in both Old and New Testaments. Do Christians worship three Gods? No, there is but ONE God, but has revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We do not need to comprehend this to know God's power and presence and truth. Was "Trinity" invented by the Church? The term is invented but The TRUTH of THE TRINITY has been there since the beginning. Isn't the notion of "Trinity" irrational? This is a profound mystery, but not irrational. Pastor shares a lesson from Dr. Walter Martin and the Triple Point of Water where water is solid, gas and liquid all at one time. Three yet one. Is it irrational that the God of the universe can "three yet one." Don't you think this is a minor issue? No because when we start ignoring what God says about Himself and what the Bible teaches we go into false teaching and false testimony. This is where false religions come in. We're living in a culture that has walked from God and it is disastrous. This is NOT a minor issue - God is above ALL things and He is worthy of our worship and praise. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.
The truth of Jesus, the "Gospel Truth," is the heart of all truth, and without that we have nothing. Pastor opens with the words from the song, 'Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus." The story behind this song is an amazing one that sets the stage for today's entire message on the "Belt of Truth." Pastor also explores what truth is and takes us through Ephesians 4 as we discover several forms of truth. Ephesians 6:14 http://www.awakeusnow.com
Even in dark and difficult times, Jesus gives His followers this amazing promise: "A.S.K." - Ask, and it will be given to you - Seek, and you will find - Knock, and the door will be opened to you
Jesus warns his followers against the spirit of judgmentalism - the eagerness to condemn the sins and faults of others while excusing or even denying our own. His followers are to discern truth and falsehood, right and wrong, with humility, repentance, and honesty.
Chronic worry not only disorders the mind but can actually damage physical health. Treatments like massage, breathing exercises, and medicine can relieve the immediate symptoms - but Jesus provides another answer for worry; one that gets directly to the heart and soul of the sufferer.
Pastor Dodge opens today's teaching with a quote from St. Augustine, "The New is in the Old concealed, the Old is in the New revealed." Meaning what the New Testament teaches is already in the Old Testament scriptures and the Old Testament scriptures find their fulfillment in the New Testament. The Old Testament isn't to be sloughed off, it is at the heart of the New Testament teaching. In order to understand the New Testament we need to be well versed in the Old Testament. This is what we will see in today's study of Acts 17. Acts 17:1-3 - Paul and his companions come to a synagogue in Thessalonica and Paul explains that Jesus is the Messiah. Paul is showing them the Hebrew Scriptures and demonstrating how Jesus is the fulfillment of what the Jewish people have been longing for. Some ways the Messiah was mentioned in the Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures and revealed in the New Testament through the life and death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ: The New Adam The Seed of the woman Virgin born Immanuel Passover Lamb Heavenly Manna Son of David Suffering Servant New Covenant Divine Son of Man The King who enters Jerusalem The First and the Last King of Kings Acts 17:4-10 many believed but some did not and so the believers send Paul and Silas away to Berea where they went again to the Jewish synagogue. Acts 17:11-12 - The Berean Jews received their message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. And as a result many of the Berean Jews believed along with prominent Greek women and men. The Christian faith is a rational faith. It is not something uncovered by human reason but is entirely rational because God is entirely rational. God has done mighty things. He is the God of the universe and the God of human history and in His Word He reveals to us His Son - our Redeemer and Hope. Paul reasoned with them and we too need to confront the reasoning and the wisdom of God as revealed through ancient Hebrew prophets, through apostles and through His Son. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For the full list of videos in this series, Dig Deeper, https://www.awakeusnow.com/dig-deeper For more check out our Sunday series, God ACTS! https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.