Reverend Ben Cooper's Podcast
Reverend Ben Coopers podcast, offers an inviting space for listeners to explore Christianity and spiritual growth with wisdom, humor, and a deep commitment to biblical truth. Through Rev. Ben's engaging conversations with guests, the podcast not only explores the timeless wisdom of the Bible but also tackles the pressing issues of life, faith, and hope in a way that is accessible, thought-provoking, and enriching. Whether you’re seeking spiritual nourishment, answers to life’s big questions, or simply a place to reflect on your faith, the Rev Ben podcast is a valuable resource on your journey.
In each episode, Rev. Ben guides listeners through profound theological reflections, personal stories, and practical insights drawn from the Bible and the broader Christian tradition.
Reverend Ben Cooper's Podcast
Journey to a Healthier Spiritual Life (#1001 - Elim) 1-1-25
What if your faith could shield you from life's fiercest storms? Join us as we explore this powerful promise through the lens of Psalm 91, inviting you to embrace the enduring presence of God in your life as we step into 2025. This episode invites reflection on the inevitable challenges of human existence, from illness to adversity, and the comforting role of faith in offering refuge and strength. We share insights on living mindfully, spotlighting the Daniel diet as a beacon of healthier choices amidst today's consumption habits.
Moving from the crib to the cross, we delve into the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. Through riveting biblical stories, including those of Lot and Abraham, we emphasize the protective role of angels and the importance of making spiritual choices that transcend fleeting worldly pleasures. This conversation encourages embracing the cross of Calvary as a source of ultimate peace and salvation, while also guiding us in understanding spiritual reflection and preparation as we transition from one year to the next.
Our final chapter navigates the inner spiritual battles we all face, using biblical narratives like Lot's rescue from Sodom and Gomorrah and the Apostle Paul's internal struggles. We shine a light on the omnipresence of God's protection, a reminder of the constant guarding by heavenly hosts. Moreover, we discuss aligning our lives with the biblical calendar over secular traditions, urging a shift toward living by faith. This episode offers a genuine exploration of grace, redemption, and the hope found in God's timeless plan, as we break bread and commit to spiritual living.
Christian podcasts have become a powerful tool for spiritual growth and faith-based learning, offering a wealth of Bible study podcasts, Christian teachings, and biblical insights that reach millions worldwide. With the rise of Christian leaders and God-centered podcasts, listeners are finding new ways to deepen their understanding of the Bible and strengthen their walk with Jesus. These inspirational podcasts provide daily encouragement through prayer podcasts, Christian life, and personal testimonies that uplift and inspire. From Christian theology to Bible podcasts that explore the deeper meanings of Scripture, there’s no shortage of content that fosters spiritual growth and promotes a stronger relationship with God. Many of these Christian podcasts cater to diverse audiences, offering a mix of content that includes Jesus-centered content, Christian encouragement, and relevant topics for modern Christians. Whether you’re seeking answers, spiritual growth, or simply a way to incorporate faith into your daily routine, there is a rich variety of podcasts that cater to every need within the Christian community. Additionally, online ministry podcasts are becoming increasingly popular, connecting believers globally and fostering a sense of unity in Christ, regardless of geographical barriers. With the growth of the podcasting industry, Christian podcasts are truly a gateway to spiritual enrichment and a more profound understanding of the Christian faith in today’s world.
https://www.pastorbencooper.co.uk/
Welcome to Rev Ben Cooper's podcast. We are a radio and podcast ministry based here within the UK. Your support is vital through prayer and through sowing a seed of faith. We are so thankful to have so many people around the globe downloading and listening to our podcasts. Thank you hard-hitting, real-life conversations taken from our podcasts. Your financial gifts play a crucial role in supporting our radio ministry, helping us share the Gospel through these podcasts and providing free copies of the Gospel of John and Bibles around the globe.
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Speaker 2:Good evening, good evening. Where are you this evening? Where are you this evening? We're in the Lord's house. God bless every one of you, whatever your life is reflecting. What has the first day been like in 2025? How has it been? You know, it's certainly been trouble, but never mind. The Lord is good. Just remember what we said last night it's just a calendar date change, you know, but God is with us and whatever the year is, whatever the hour is, whatever the moment is, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, is with us. Come on, let's get straight into the Word of God. It's good to have you with us wherever you are across the world. We thank you for so many. That was online last night, new Year's Eve service. We were so blessed to have so many join us from across the world and everywhere that goes with that drumbeat. But we're going to turn to Psalm 91.
Speaker 2:I think this is a really good scripture to start with. As we stretch out, you know, and this is going to be a really powerful year, god's blessing all of our lives, god's healing our lives. God's with us. You know, it's good to see people in the Lord's house, good to see people online and wherever we are, you know? And yes, she is in the Lord's house. I just see that over there. Yes, don't worry, she's in front of me and we welcome everybody in the Lord's house at this moment in time, on this Wednesday evening, you know, the first Wednesday as we stretch our holy eyes, as we stretch ourselves into the word of God. But, but let's turn to Psalms 91. We're going to break bread in about 30 minutes time, 28 minutes time, but we're going to start in Psalm 91. I believe that this is a really beautiful psalm to start the year and to start every day and every moment. I think it's a great way to start our day, to start our movement, you know. And night times, evenings, you know. It's a great Psalm to get in your spirit. So let's just press it right now. So we're in Psalms 91, verse verse one.
Speaker 2:He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty, I will say of the Lord. He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. Surely, he will save you from the foulest snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness will be your shield and your rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If come on church, come on, brothers and sisters verse 9 if you make the the most high your dwelling, even the lord, who is my refuge, then no harm will before you. Say that to your spirit tonight, no harm will come near you. Nothing can touch you.
Speaker 2:You know the devil is a liar. Do we realize the devil is a liar? Do we realize that the devil is a liar? Yes, we might have sickness, we might have disease, we might have the fears, we might have all the drumbeat that goes with being a human being. Do we actually realize that being a human being is a troublesome walk on this earth? You know, we get ailments, we get sick, we get tired, we get weary. Don't listen to them, crackpots. You know, kenneth Copeland and all that lot where they're talking about you shouldn't be sick, you wouldn't be ill and you won't have this and you won't have that. Look at Lazarus. You can't get any more sick than Lazarus. He was dead. When you look at Lazarus, he was dead and there are so many people in the word of God that Jesus Christ healed. You know, if God wanted us healed a continuous walk there won't be no sickness on the earth. But we know where sickness has come and you know where a lot of the disease has come from. It's come from what we eat, the manufacturers, everything. You know we are not supposed to be eating what we eat. Our diets are not what God tells us. If you're looking for a diet, you look at the Daniel diet. You know what a powerful diet that is, the Daniel diet, that healthy diet, the diet of the Word of God. You know that's why there's so much sickness, disease and everything going on around the world, because we are putting so much chemical in our bodies. You know the Bible is so, so powerful and I pray that wherever you are across the world tonight and we thank you for joining us that we will realize that the devil is a liar. You are blessed, even if we've got aches and pains, will realize that the devil is a liar. You are blessed Even if we've got aches and pains, even if we're fearful. We are blessed because that's just called being a human being Living in the human race.
Speaker 2:You've got to just look at the disciples, look at every one of them. They was fearful, they was worried, they was tired, they was weary. Look at Paul. He said when we came into Macedonia. He said we was absolutely exhausted, worn out. He said fears was on the inside, trepidation on the outside, uncertainty to the left. That is the New Testament writer writing. You know, it's important to understand. We are human beings. We are human beings but by the power of God's grace and his mercy and his love, he keeps us, he keeps us pushing through and God is with you, even though you might be tired, you might be weary, you be carrying some real large uh ailments in your body, you might have a lot of mental health stuff going on, but Jesus Christ is with us.
Speaker 2:But when we look at these scriptures verse, verse 9 of Psalm 91. Psalm 91, verse 9 if you make the most high your dwelling, even the Lord, who is my refuge, then no harm will before you. No outside, no outside trouble. No, outside trouble. The devil is a liar. The devil is always trying to get us to stumble. The devil is always trying to get us to fall back. The devil is always trying to put doubt in our mind and fear in our bones, and he's always trying to tell us that we're not worthy. But we are worthy because God has called you. You are worthy and God loves you. But this is a great psalm to start your day. This is a great psalm to have in the middle of the day. This is a great psalm just to have around your mid-waist. You know to hold on tight to. And it says verse 11, for he will command his angels concerning you.
Speaker 2:How many times have we exegeted the text? How many times have we opened up this paragraph that we're in? How many times have we looked in this biblical example of Psalm 91? It's only 16 verses, but it is packed, it is rammed, it is jammed. It is the word of God, and the Bible says to all those that make God they're dwelling. What do you actually mean to be dwelling, lord? I want to live in the word. I want to be in the word, lord, I want to trust the word more. You know, we've crossed over from 24 to 25.
Speaker 2:There was a lot of auld lang syne going on last night. You could see sterile tour is being poured out everywhere, prosecco and everything was bubbling. You know, everything was rocking and in the small, in most, people woke up not feeling too good. If there's anybody in the house like that, forever. Hold your peace, sister. You know, brothers and sisters, we are human beings. We are human beings and what we've got to understand, the Bible says as it was in the days of Noah oh, I'm going to push this one tonight, sister.
Speaker 2:As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be like when Jesus Christ comes. What was they doing? They was eating and they was drinking and everything was. It was like New Year's Eve every day of the week when you go back in the Old Testament. But what we've got to being serious.
Speaker 2:Now, jesus Christ is coming, the Saviour is coming and, as I've said and you're probably really tired of me saying this every year across the world, everyone in the church and that you know, we can't lift up the crib. It's not about the crib. I've got the great respect for the crib, the great respect for all the nativity and all that I really honestly do with all my heart, but it's time now to leave the crib and it's time, it's time to get to the cross and let's make this year, let's make today, let's make every day a day where we get around the cross of Calvary and we say Jesus, lord, I come to you today and, lord, I believe that the word of God, I believe that the word of God has set me free because verse 11 of Psalm 91, for he will command his angels, do you realize that the angels don't have any choice. They don't have any choice but to protect you, to guard you, to lift you, to carry you, to get you to your destination. If God would just open our eyes and just see what is beyond this natural realm in which we look and which we live in, and just look into the to the heavenly realms and see that there are uncountable angels looking after and making a way, if we could really see what they do through the course of a 24-hour period, what they stop, what they, what they hold back. You know, because the Bible says God is and he has to look after us. You know are. Are you born again? Yes, I am a born again Christian. Yes, as we stretch from 24 to 25. Yes, the fireworks are finished, the beer has run out, the wine has gone, the headaches are still bubbling around, things are still going on, but we are still the same as we crossed over when we started last night till we are today. The only place that we'll find peace, the only place that we'll find that place to get to that ultimate crossover, is the cross of Calvary. So if you are online tonight in the Lord's house and wherever you sit spiritually, you know, the greatest place that we'll ever get ourselves is to the cross. And we're in Psalm 91 and it says in verse 11, for he will command his angels concerning you to guard you.
Speaker 2:In great biblical text, that fantastic text where God commanded two angels to come out of glory to go into Sodom and Gomorrah and literally to tear it to pieces. You've only got to look at what happened there and if you have a study of that righteous man called Lot, when you look at Abraham's family, you know Abraham said to Lot and they had a conversation before he finds himself a few weeks down the line, encamped in Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham and Lot said look, our families are growing, the business is growing. And Abraham said to Lot look, where do you want to go, lot? Wherever you want to go is yours. And Lot went. Do you know what? I think I'm going to go that way. And he turned around and he migrated. He made his way to Sodom and Gomorrah and the scriptures don't really explain why he decided to go to Sodom and Gomorrah and the scriptures don't really explain why he decided to go to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Speaker 2:But when you understand what was happening in Sodom and Gomorrah and what I'm getting at is good ways, bad ways, good, lovely ways, holy ways, sinful ways. Angels are commanded and they are released. In every action that we do, every action that we do, angelic beings have been released at God's command. So if you study Lot, you know two angelic hosts got him out of Sodom and Gomorrah, but he did not want to move. If you study that word, if you study that text and you look at that, it's really clear that the Bible says that the angel had to grab him by the wrist and drag him out of that hellhole. He wasn't going to move. The angel said look, if you don't get going, take your wife, take your daughters and get out of here. And Lot wasn't listening, he wanted to stay. There was something that attracted him to sin. There was something in his flesh that attracted him to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Speaker 2:The Bible doesn't elaborate it. The Bible doesn't open up the fabric. You don't see, for the tapestry of the scripture, exactly what it was. But he chose to, took his two daughters and his wife into a hellhole, a place full of sin and depravity, all what was going on. And Abraham must have scratched his head and thought what are you going over that way for the green pastures? Look, look over there, lot, look what's over there for you.
Speaker 2:But the Bible says that Lot was a righteous man. So just because we might be righteous, we might be faithful, we might be true, there is something in the fabric of the skin that we walk in, something in the makeup of us that seems to keep us like a magnet to certain worldly desires, certain worldly attractions, certain worldly things that keeps us akin to. But the Bible says, it's very, very clear. It says, lord, you've got to cut all ties. But you've only got to look at Paul, the great, great apostle Paul. He says something really profound and very powerful. He says why do I do the things I hate? Why can't I do the things that I know that I should do? And God was using him to write the greatest scriptures and bring in all this beautiful word together. And he was living outside of this faith place. He was living in the world, out the world, part of the world, non-world, faith-based, unfaith-based. He was a mixture of everything and he said why do I do? Why do I do? Why is there a drawing to do the things that I actually hate, but I do it. I despise some of the things that I do, but my flesh is drawn to that. Why can't I do the godly things that I know that I should be doing?
Speaker 2:So when we are talking about the dispatching of heavenly hosts, they don't just carry us to church on a Sunday or to a service. They're with us every moment of our day, because the Bible says look what it says in Psalm 91, verse 11, and we're not lifting up angelic hosts whatsoever. We are not in that realm of that occultic world that's out there where you talk and you speak to the angels and all that sort of stuff. We're not into that angelic worship. What we're talking about is what God says that he's going to do about you. What God says about you in all your ways, he will command Look what it says there For he will command his angels concerning you. But in what ways, god, are you going to allow these heavenly hosts to protect me In every way, ben, lord, when I'm sinning, they'll be with you. Lord, when I'm praising you, they'll be with you. When I'm sleeping, they'll be with you. When you're waking, they'll be with you, because they are to protect you in the good, the bad, the ugly, in every situation of life.
Speaker 2:We cannot escape the fact that we are a fallen race. We are fallen. The Bible says we are sinners, saved by grace. Yes, we are a new creation and we are changing from faith to faith. And the biggest battle that we ever have, where is the biggest battle that we would ever have? It's within ourselves. It's the temptations, it's the drawing of the world. It's that cheeky little drink. It's that cheeky little scratch card. It's that cheeky little bit of chocolate. We're going for a tonight. Lord, in the name of Jesus, you know, come on, let's be real brothers and sisters. It's that cheeky little fag behind the bike shed that no one knows. It's that cheeky little watch of the telly that we know is cutting it a bit close to the edge. It's that language that we might participate in when we're at work and we're at university and school and college, participating when we're at work and we're at university and school and college.
Speaker 2:We've got to get to the reality of the Word of God. We are human beings, we are brothers and sisters saved by grace. We are fallen. We are fallen. And you find the fall in Genesis, chapter 3, but you find the redemption plan in Genesis, chapter 3, verse 15. As soon as the human race falls, god says I've got you. As soon as the human race fouls him, he says I'm angry with you, but I've got you.
Speaker 2:Genesis, chapter 3, verse 15, it speaks about enmity. God puts this enmity, god puts this enmity, god puts this, this, this spiritual pressure between humanity and Lucifer, and it's this, this battle, this battle of, of, of pushing in. You know, god knows we got a battle on our hands. God knows that we may not have. Do we realize that? Every one of us? Do we realize let's take a rain check, do we?
Speaker 2:We all, we're all a rain check. We're all in agreement that we're all born again, spirit-filled believers. We're all in agreement that we believe from Genesis to Revelation. We're all in agreement that we love Jesus Christ and we know what the cross means. We're all in agreement that we know the basic, fundamental points of Christianity. But do we actually realize that we may have not had our greatest sin day yet in our lives? Do we realize that we may have not had the biggest fall in our lives yet? But do we realize whatever lies ahead of each and every one of us is now to that cross, the cross behind me and that cross over there? Do we realize that God sees every downfall from the breath given to the breath taken? Do we realize that God sees everything, but he still created each and every one of us?
Speaker 2:So when you look at this little scripture that is nestled in Psalm 91, verse 11, for he will command his angels concerning you, god is concerned over your life. God loves you. God loves you. God loves you. He loves us so much that he sent that John 3, 16. He sent the son. He sent the son in the likeness, in the shape of redemption, salvation. He loves us so much and he's calling each and every one of us, not for another time when we gather with family and friends and in the church and we're saying we got all these New Year's resolutions, because that doesn't work.
Speaker 2:What we've got to do is I just all we've got to say is Jesus, I'm going to follow you more, because if we start stacking up New Year's resolutions, we will fail because they're of the world. We will fail every New Year's resolution, 100%. But if last night or tonight or whenever it may be, if we take and we adopt this type of attitude and this understanding, lord, I'm not going to say what the world is saying, because the Bible says do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So, if we go, well, last night, lord, I was under the influence of the happy stuff and I made 15 resolutions and this morning all of them were busted. But what I'm going to do, lord, I'm going to do this. I'm going to say I'm going to follow you Because what I'm doing I'm following scripture. When I make a New Year's resolution, I'm looking at what the world expects me to be. But if I conform to the pattern of the world, I'm going against scripture. But Jesus says just come and follow me.
Speaker 2:And all those areas of our lives where we think well, I need cleaning up on the left, I need cleaning up on the right. I'll have a new year's resolution on that one. I'll do this and I'll do that. When I 2025, the 1st of January, I'll be all squeaky clean. Everything will be great and pure and wonderful. Let's not lie. Let's just say to Jesus Lord, every day, I want to follow you more. Every day, lord, I want to read the word more. Every day, lord, I want to tell you that I love you. Every day, lord, I want to get this word, I want to get this Psalm 91 and Psalm 23 in my spirit. Lord, I want to get this Psalm Because when you look at this Psalm, what is the Psalm?
Speaker 2:Psalm that we're in psalm 91 is is a psalm of praise, it's a form of worship. So we don't need any secular Christianity from any other, any other bands, psalm 91. If you get psalm 91 in your spirit, if you take psalm 91 we haven't got to listen to any other Christian music. If you take Psalm 91 and make that the melody, if you make that the rhythm of worship, if you put that, if you put that to vocals, if you put Psalm 91, you are worshipping any Psalm that you bring. If you bring any Psalm to your voice and you start bringing that and you start singing that and just start reciting that, that is worship. That is worship Because we know the greatest safeguard that we got in the Word of God is when we worship in the psalms, we are worshiping the Word of God.
Speaker 2:When we worship in secular rhythms that we have in every church, it's a very grey area. We're dipping in secular worship. Who we're worshipping the devil or Jesus? You know the music is trying to find out. That's why the redemption hymnal was so powerful. When you look at the redemption hymnal so powerful. When you look at the redemption hymnal, it was scripture based.
Speaker 2:But as time has pressed on, as time has started to move forward, what we have found is that we've come away from real biblical worship and we put our own wording into worship and it's become quite woke and quite loose. You, you can just you know. You know it hasn't got much depth to it. It might have a bit of meaning and it might have a bit of a rhythm, but we've got to be very careful of rhythms because then we could enter into a trance. Got to be careful that you don't get in in the rhythm of a trance, because that's what all the prophets done. That's what they was doing when they was bow worshipping. They got into a rhythm and they got into a trance. It's really important that I believe that we come back to basic, the rhythm of scripture.
Speaker 2:So, as we start this new year 2025, we keep in the word of God. So if you are looking to worship, use Psalm 91 and Psalm 23. Just keep singing it, just keep speaking it, because obviously it is complete word of God. So when you look at verse 11 that we're just expanding on at this moment. It says for he will command his angels concerning you in all of your ways. If God didn't want them angels to be in sinful activity when we was there, he would have made that clear. If God only wanted them angels to carry us in and out of church, he would have made that clear. But what does in all your ways mean? It simply means, in every breath, to the left, to the right, to the front, to the back, the back, in holiness, in sinful living. In a bit of a mixture, in a bit of both, there are angels concerned and there are angels that have been put out to carry you and they are responsible for you because it is not at their command, it is at God's command. God has commanded and God cannot lie. Something about God, something that God cannot do, is he cannot lie when you look at the attributes of God, when you look at the sovereignty of God, when you look at the power of God.
Speaker 2:So, as we enter into 2025 and we're getting through the first day already and we're waiting for the postman to deliver all them lovely credit card bills and all the overdraft and everyone's putting expanding foam in their letterbox, you ain't putting nothing through this letterbox for a few months, in the name of Jesus. You know, as we press into January, let's press into January in the power of the Word of God. The Bible says the just shall live by faith. So as we stretch out into the new year, 2025, it's actually irrelevant, because God does not go by the calendar that we go. He goes by His ways. His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are beyond our thoughts. His rhythm is completely different to our rhythm.
Speaker 2:So am I going to tie myself to this calendar that is focused on business and secularism? Have you ever noticed? Does the Bible ever move the crucifixion? It never moves. The month that the crucifixion was in. It stays in the month of the crucifixion. But have you noticed something about the calendar at Easter? Have you noticed that? We have noticed it. I'm saying something that we're all very, very aware of. Have you noticed that Easter moves backwards and forwards like a yo-yo? Why is it moving? It's moving because the school curriculum. Does Jesus move? Because of Kent education once Easter this month and a bit back that way, sometimes I have to question my mind. Hang on a minute.
Speaker 2:Easter is early this year, Easter is later. Actually, jesus has picked up the cross. He's moved all the scriptures because Kent County Council said we're moving Easter. Come on, I've got to get a grip of my head. So what calendar are we following? Are we following this secularized, commercialized, this dull calendar that we all follow on our phones and through the diary and everything is listed out? Because isn't it interesting that Israel and the Jewish calendar is completely different to this calendar? The feasts if you want to follow the calendar, follow the biblical feast calendar. You follow that Completely different to that. You don't see Jesus and everyone in the Old Testament. Oh, hang on a minute. Kent County Council, they're moving the Easter about. We've got to fit in bank holidays and this and that and all.
Speaker 2:Jesus said have a bank holiday, we'll have a day off. Satan, go down to the beach and have a day off. Son. It's crazy language. It's crazy what we allow ourselves. The Bible says do not become kin to it. When you look at the scripture, god says do not conform to the pattern of 2025. Do not conform to the pattern of secular Christianity. Why does the church allow itself to? I don't like using the word Easter, but I have to just for the quickness of it why does the church follow this calendar? Why does the church allow itself to be bullied by the calendar, when the early church didn't go by this calendar? It went by the sun, the moon, the seasons. It went by the biblical understanding. It went by the by the weather. It went by seasons. It went by daylight. It went by and it moved perfectly.
Speaker 2:The Passover feast tells us especially where it sits, but the church moves backwards and forwards like the wind following the calendar. We've got to erase that type of thinking this year. We've got to erase that. We're coming to the table in two minutes. We're coming to the table in two minutes, the Passover table, and I just want to elaborate one moment. There are angels that have been released because of your life and as we are progressing into January, are we going to live our lives by the calendar that is on our smart devices, our phones? Are we going to allow this secularized world to control us, or are we going to ask God to cut the umbilical cord and say, lord, I don't want to be fed by the world anymore. I want the word to carry me through January, february, march, lord, for the rest of my life. I'm not worried about this calendar that we're following. The church moves Easter all over the place. Lord, for the rest of my life I'm not worried about this calendar that we're following. The church moves Easter all over the place. Well, actually I understand, because the church treats it like a pagan festival, like the world treats it. But the Passover, hanukkah, all the feasts in the scripture stay where they were spoken about Right at set times, at set moments, perfect.
Speaker 2:So what are we going to do? As we progress, I can hear the bells ringing out from our minds going yeah, but I'm at work, I'm at business, I've got. I understand all that because we're all the same, but I'm talking spiritually. I know we've got to go to work. I know we've got to get the six o'clock train in the morning. I know that the calendar says this. I know we've got to go to work. I know we've got to get the six o'clock train in the morning. I know that the calendar says this. I know that, I get that, I understand that, but it's not going to rule me. That's the difference. I'm not going to let it control me. It's there so I can keep things in order and in a check, but I'm going to live my life biblically and I'm going to allow this word to work through me.
Speaker 2:We're coming to the table in just a few moments. So, wherever you are across the world, for those who are in the Lord's house with us tonight, this Psalm is so big and so powerful. Let me just pick it up from verse 14 as we come to the table. Psalm 91. Because he loves me, says the Lord. This is a simple criteria. This is so simple. This is God talking to you. Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him With long life. Will I satisfy him and show him my salvation?
Speaker 2:I think it's important that we dwell on verse 14, 15, and 16 as we come to the table. Will you break bread with me now? Let's break bread. We're at the table, father. We thank you. We thank you for the word.
Speaker 2:So, lord, we're going to ask you tonight, lord, that we get this secular calendar erased from us, that we follow it when we have to follow it. But, lord, we are not going to allow the following of it to dictate to our walk with Jesus because, lord, I'm going to live by faith. I'm going to trust you in every area of my life that this year, this day, this moment as I break bread tonight is going to be a complete change for me. So I pray that you'll bless this bread as we break this together tonight. Lord, I thank you that this bread symbolizes the body of Christ In Jesus' name. Amen, amen.
Speaker 2:Wherever you are across the world, whatever your life is reflecting, whatever is going on, you know, let's break bread wherever you are.
Speaker 2:Break bread with me, take of the cup with me. The whole world crossed over the whole world crossed over the whole world, crossed over 24 to 25. But the greatest crossover was at the cross, when God, through Christ, brought everything. He brought everything, everything to the pinnacle, to the touch paper, everything, creation, everything that he spoke about. The whole Old Testament was just waiting for Jesus to say it is finished. And then Christ took us from the Old Testament, accelerated everything and brought the old in the new, the new into the old, and suddenly that, as we know that, the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom and it gave access to me and to you, to God through Jesus. So the greatest crossover was when Christ was on the cross, over 2000 years ago, not from 24 to 25, but when Jesus died on that cross, when he said it is finished, humanity and the Old Testament accelerated into a new beginning called salvation, redemption. Father, I thank you for this cup. Cleanse me from the crown of my head to the very sole of my feet, Lord.
Speaker 1:Wash me in the blood of Jesus. Cleanse me, Lord, come. Holy Spirit, bless us. We pray Amen.
Speaker 2:That is the greatest crossover humanity has ever seen. The fireworks were across the world, the majority of the world, the whole world, was celebrating a crossing over. The whole world was waiting for that strike at the midnight hour. Isn't it interesting that when Nicodemus went to Jesus what hour was that? At the strike of a crossover of the day Something really interesting about a crossover we just crossed over. Numerics, that's all, just another day. Numerics, that's all, just another day, just another flick on the digital world of clocks, of digits, of the hands, of the clock, of just another change on the system, just change. There will never, ever be a crossover like we had 2,300 years ago when Christ took us, took everything, everybody, everyone that wasn't even brought into existence. He brought everything to that point and when he said it is finished, suddenly you could imagine the eruption, the spiritual atmosphere, the tense, the density of everything that was happening at that hour, at that moment, everything was looking at the cross and everything went through Jesus. That's another area where we don't talk about.
Speaker 2:The Old Testament was all funneled through the cross. It was funneled through the cross of Calvary, through the body of christ. Suddenly the old testament became alive. How did it become alive, but a touch of the holy spirit. I'm not saying the old testament was dead, I'm not saying that. But what I'm saying is it changed. The bible says god says I'm the same yesterday, today, ever, ever more. But what I'm referring to, the change is the way that the human beings interpreted the scripture, because without the holy spirit it was law, it was torah, it was the way. But when the holy spirit, through the cross of calvary and through the birth of the church in the book of Acts, when the Word and the Spirit, the first time in history in time, we see the Word and the Spirit coming together. Because when the Word and the Spirit come, we had the Word all the way up. The Old Testament is the Word right up to the cross. Christ took it through the cross, christ took it through him because he is the old, he is the new, and then suddenly, when he said it is finished, the scriptures were fulfilled.
Speaker 2:Then we see that redemption is on the earth, what God spoke about in Genesis, chapter 3, verse 15. You know we are redeemed. So as we progress for every day, every moment, every heartbeat, let's not allow that, that clock, that calendar, to rule us. It sits there in the backdrop of life. It sits there because it's the rhythm of what we got, but it's not going to control me. It's not going to control me. I'm going to let the word guide me. I'm going to let the scripture lead me. I'm going to let the scripture work through me.
Speaker 2:Shall we pray as we come to the close of the service. We've got about four minutes or so. Father, in the name of Jesus, you are the great I am. You are the Old Testament, you are the New Testament. God is Christ, christ is God. The Holy Spirit is in the fabric of the deity, the tapestry of the triune Godhead that we serve.
Speaker 2:Father, son, holy Spirit, lord, can we, from this moment on, realize that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, that the Word of God is in us and right now, at the name of Jesus Christ, we will realize that we have redemption and we are redeemed and we are blessed and we are healed and God is with us. Come, holy Spirit. When I say come Holy Spirit, come Holy Spirit. When I say come Holy Spirit, what I mean by that is, holy Spirit, reveal more revelation to us. Reveal yourself more through the word. So, lord, as each day, as the sun rises as the sun sets, because that is the calendar that we live our lives. By the sun rises, the sun sets, because that is the calendar that we live our lives. By the sun rises, the sun sets Winter, spring, summer, autumn the four seasons, the seasons of life. The sun's up, the sun's down. So, father, I pray that this year, for the rest of our lives, that we won't be fixated on the calendar of the devil, but we will fix our eyes on the King above all kings, that this day onwards will be the day, this hour, this moment in our lives, we say Jesus, come. Holy Spirit, let your fire fall, let it rain over me tonight. Let it rain over me, let your glory rain. Come, god, in your wonderful name. Amen.
Speaker 2:God bless every one of you, wherever you are across the world. The glory of God is with you. We will see you Sunday morning in the Lord's house, back online, as we always are. Just remind yourself you are a child of the living God and God is with you and God loves you. And let every day be a glorious day, living for Jesus Every day. Every day is a miracle day, because the word is with you. The power of the Holy Spirit is living in you and all things are possible to those who believe. Just for the reference, psalm 91, verse 1 through to 16. We spent a moment from 14 to 16, but the area that we spent most of our time was verse 11. As we close this service, for he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. May God bless you, take care, stay in the word In Jesus' name, amen.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to us today on Reverend Ben Cooper's podcast. We hope you found inspiration and guidance in today's audio. Remember the journey of faith is a continuous one and your questions and thoughts are important. You can send us a text or an email and we will get back to you. So, wherever you are around the world, thank you for listening to our podcasts and radio ministry. For more information about our ministry, please find us on pastorbencoopercouk. Please support us with prayer. Also, you can sow a financial seed into this ministry. You can also leave us a legacy to support and continue the work of this radio ministry. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with others who might benefit. Until next time, stay blessed.
