12-19-24 part 1: Overcoming Challenges: Holding Fast to Faith in Tough Times
Are you still expecting more in 2024? Dr. David Spoon challenges listeners to maintain their hope and anticipation for the upcoming year, reminding us that God can answer our prayers in the most unexpected ways. He emphasizes the importance of being expectant and confident in God's ability to manifest His will in our lives, even when faced with struggles and trials. The episode also dives into the biblical context of the church at Pergamos, exploring the issues they faced and the necessity of holding firm to one's faith amidst adversity. Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts, questions, and prayer requests, fostering a sense of community and support as we navigate our spiritual journeys together.
Takeaways:
- Dr. David Spoon emphasizes the importance of being expectant for God's blessings in 2024, encouraging listeners to maintain their faith and hope amidst challenges.
- The church in Pergamos faced significant trials yet remained steadfast, illustrating the importance of holding onto faith during difficult times.
- Dr. Spoon highlights that God's word serves as a double-edged sword, offering both comfort and correction to believers.
- As Christians, it's crucial to recognize the good that God has done in our lives despite ongoing struggles and challenges.
- The concept of expectancy in faith is vital; God is always working, even when we don't see it.
- Spoon encourages listeners to reach out with prayer requests or praise reports, fostering community and support in faith.
Dr. David Spoon captivates his audience with a dynamic mix of humor and heartfelt spirituality, as he sets the tone for a reflective journey through faith and expectation. In the face of the impending new year, Spoon urges listeners to keep their hopes alive and not to succumb to despair, reminding them that God can bring about significant changes at any moment. This theme of expectancy is woven throughout the show, as Spoon shares personal anecdotes and biblical wisdom, creating an environment where listeners can relate to his insights and feel inspired to engage with their own spiritual paths.
The focus shifts to the church at Pergamos in Revelation chapter 2, where Dr. Spoon skillfully unpacks the struggles faced by early Christians in a society rife with challenges and temptations. He draws parallels between the historical context of Pergamos—known for its idol worship and persecution—and contemporary issues that believers encounter today. By discussing the 'double-edged sword' of God's word, Spoon illustrates how it can both challenge and uplift, offering a balanced perspective on the nature of faith. He emphasizes that while the early church faced trials, their unwavering commitment to God serves as a powerful example for today's believers, encouraging them to stand firm in their faith despite external pressures.
Throughout the episode, Spoon fosters interaction with listeners, inviting them to call in with their thoughts and prayer requests. This not only creates a sense of community but also highlights the importance of prayer and support among believers. As the show approaches its conclusion, Spoon reiterates the need for prayer—specifically for church leaders and communities—emphasizing that divine guidance is essential for navigating the complexities of life. By the end of the episode, listeners are left with a renewed sense of hope and a commitment to actively seek God's presence in their lives, reinforcing the core message of faith, community, and the power of expectation.
Transcript
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Jim:Hello, everybody.
Jennifer:When it's cold outside, I've got my mother.
Dr. David Spoon:Here's what's coming up on today's experience.
Dr. David Spoon:It's Dr.
Dr. David Spoon:Dave's devotional Diamonds of the Day, also known as DD DDDD's, where my daily devotions become some of our spiritual reflections.
Dr. David Spoon:Sound effects play throughout the show which have nothing to do with life.
Dr. David Spoon:We have spared no expense in getting them free off the Internet.
Dr. David Spoon:The review of the goofy news which proves Jesus is coming back sooner than you think.
Dr. David Spoon:We hope before the show is over.
Dr. David Spoon:Life lessons for our faith that we could actually use, probably won't if we sit on our blessed assurance humor that will force you to think, why does this guy have a radio show?
Dr. David Spoon:What am I?
Dr. David Spoon:Chop liver?
Dr. David Spoon:Huh?
Dr. David Spoon:Huh?
Dr. David Spoon:Also, Bible trivia for fake and yet somehow real cool prizes, your phone calls and more.
Jim:Living this life, not always easy running.
Dr. David Spoon:Oh.
Dr. David Spoon:Welcome to the David Spoon Experience, Local, national and heavenly talk.
Dr. David Spoon:My name is Dr.
Dr. David Spoon:David Spoon.
Dr. David Spoon:I'll be your host for the next 5,400,000 milliseconds.
Dr. David Spoon:Get ready for one of the more bizarre experiences on live radio.
Dr. David Spoon:Here is the key to the show.
Dr. David Spoon:We don't know what we're doing.
Dr. David Spoon:We have no idea what's going to happen, and we don't care.
Dr. David Spoon:But for the next few minutes, I want to talk Jesus with you.
Dr. David Spoon:So here we go.
Dr. David Spoon:We're asking questions about living life as a Christian.
Dr. David Spoon:That thing right there.
Dr. David Spoon:Here it is.
Dr. David Spoon: ,: Dr. David Spoon:Let me just say this.
Dr. David Spoon:It is this Thursday.
Dr. David Spoon:It is another Thursday, and then there is no more Thursdays.
Dr. David Spoon:But I don't care, because my question to you is the same question that God is asking me, while he's probably asking all of you at the same time.
Dr. David Spoon: eft, are we expecting more in: Dr. David Spoon:Have you already folded up shop?
Dr. David Spoon:Have you already closed it?
Dr. David Spoon:Have you already shut it down?
Dr. David Spoon:Do not do that, My friends, I am telling you right now, at the most awkward times, in the most fabulous ways, God will answer your prayers and bring things about.
Dr. David Spoon:But we have to be a people that are expectant of our King.
Dr. David Spoon:We have to be anticipatory type of people looking for the manifestation of the will of God being done right here on earth as it is in heaven.
Dr. David Spoon:And expectations, expectancy, a confidence, a trust, a belief, a faith that, yes, it only takes a moment for a miracle.
Dr. David Spoon:It only takes A moment for a miracle.
Dr. David Spoon: e you still expecting more in: Dr. David Spoon:If you have an opinion, a comment, a thought or a question on that, please don't let it die of loneliness.
Dr. David Spoon:Just reach out and give us a call.
Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon: -: Jim:Thank you, David.
Jim:Happy Thursday.
Dr. David Spoon:Happy Thursday for you.
Dr. David Spoon:For me, it's a little bit more like a flat Friday, isn't it?
Dr. David Spoon:It's kind of like that Friday feel for me, you know what I'm saying?
Dr. David Spoon:Because it's like, I won't be here tomorrow.
Jim:You got a long weekend.
Jim:But you do have family coming in, right?
Jim:So you have actually a busy weekend, family coming in.
Dr. David Spoon:And then now it looks like I'll be doing an interview with my friend Noah on tomorrow at 2:00.
Dr. David Spoon:So if you guys think, oh, he just gets to sit home and do nothing, that's wrong.
Jim:So it kind of feels like a Friday.
Dr. David Spoon:Yeah, it feels like a Friday, only in the context that I don't have to be here at a certain time.
Dr. David Spoon:So let's just remember what we've told you before.
Dr. David Spoon:It's already on the website.
Dr. David Spoon:Tomorrow is no David Spoon Experience show.
Dr. David Spoon:There is a phenomenal Texas A and M basketball game, but there is no show on.
Dr. David Spoon:If you're just, I don't know why you would be, but if you're just really like, I really do want to hear the show.
Dr. David Spoon: There are: Dr. David Spoon:And so it's just very simple.
Dr. David Spoon:Tomorrow, not a regular show for me.
Dr. David Spoon:However, our very Jacob and our very own amazing Jen will be here.
Dr. David Spoon:And additionally, they'll have a great basketball game that will be on.
Dr. David Spoon:And on top of all of that, then we'll be back to normal on Monday.
Dr. David Spoon:So I am going to be here on Monday, Christmas week, and then I'll give you the lay of the land on how that schedule is looking.
Dr. David Spoon:But we will be here at that time.
Dr. David Spoon:So let's just back up a little.
Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon:You know, you can text during the show.
Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon:That is our ministry line, but we only take texts during the show.
Dr. David Spoon:And then in addition to that, you can email david@hemustincrease.org that's davidemustincrease.org the reason that you would reach out to us is maybe you have something to share.
Dr. David Spoon:Maybe the Lord has blessed you and you want to take this opportunity to say thank you.
Dr. David Spoon:Share it with your brothers and sisters, strengthen it in your own lives, bless them by sharing it, and then as well, honor the Lord and bring glory to him.
Dr. David Spoon:In fact, yesterday, Sergio shared a praise report.
Dr. David Spoon:And it was a phenomenal praise report.
Dr. David Spoon:And it really blessed me just hearing God being active in his life.
Dr. David Spoon:I love stuff like that.
Dr. David Spoon:It reminds each and every one of us that God is continually working, he is continually doing things.
Dr. David Spoon:Even when you don't see it and even when you don't feel it, God is operating.
Dr. David Spoon:Don't you love that?
Dr. David Spoon:So maybe you've got something you want to share along those lines.
Dr. David Spoon:Maybe you've got a prayer request.
Dr. David Spoon:Perhaps you're heading into family.
Dr. David Spoon:Da, da, da, da da.
Dr. David Spoon:And you need wisdom for it or grace or all those things.
Dr. David Spoon:We've prayed about it a couple of times.
Dr. David Spoon:We'll keep praying.
Dr. David Spoon:I'll try to remember to pray for all the churches as well.
Dr. David Spoon:We want to keep doing that because it's hard in this season for the churches to do everything perfect.
Dr. David Spoon:You want to know why?
Dr. David Spoon:Because only Jesus is perfect.
Dr. David Spoon:Period.
Dr. David Spoon:So we'll try to keep that.
Dr. David Spoon:And at least in your own prayers, you should be praying for the churches, the ones that truly believe in Jesus.
Dr. David Spoon:Come on.
Dr. David Spoon:And you pray that the Lord will bless them and help them get it rolling and have a good accomplishment in what they're trying to do.
Dr. David Spoon:So it can be for a prayer request.
Dr. David Spoon:It can be for something you wanna share.
Dr. David Spoon:It could be something on your mind and heart.
Dr. David Spoon:I will give you a quick update in regards to Ann from yesterday.
Dr. David Spoon:We have already sent out the Bible to her and she shall get it today or tomorrow.
Dr. David Spoon:So that's pretty cool.
Dr. David Spoon:As we sent it off, FedEx was able to take care of that.
Dr. David Spoon:Now you might wanna contact us.
Dr. David Spoon:Prayer request, praise report, something to share.
Dr. David Spoon:Anything going on.
Dr. David Spoon:Our goal, our slant, is just to encourage you to draw closer to the Lord.
Dr. David Spoon:We believe.
Dr. David Spoon:I believe.
Dr. David Spoon:I think the scripture is quite clear that the best thing in all things is more of God.
Dr. David Spoon:It's just so simple.
Dr. David Spoon:It's just more of God.
Dr. David Spoon:Even Moses, who had more than we've ever, ever experienced each and every one of Us after he had seen all of it.
Dr. David Spoon:Exodus 33 says, I want more because that is always the answer.
Dr. David Spoon:You may not think it's the answer because you haven't tried and you don't understand that he controls everything.
Dr. David Spoon:More of him means less you have to stress, less you have to fight, less you have to worry, less you have to be more.
Dr. David Spoon:Entrustment to the Lord brings about great joy and peace, right?
Dr. David Spoon:Yeah.
Dr. David Spoon:Yeah, it sure does.
Dr. David Spoon:So we want you to be aware you can reach out and touch base with us on those things.
Dr. David Spoon:In the meantime, we are gonna jump into the Word.
Dr. David Spoon:We will have our trivia.
Dr. David Spoon:It will not be an overly seasoned Merry Christmas type of show like it was yesterday, which was a lot of fun.
Dr. David Spoon:But today we're going right back in.
Dr. David Spoon:And we're in.
Dr. David Spoon:Revelation chapter 2, verse 12.
Dr. David Spoon:Revelation chapter 2.
Dr. David Spoon:And we're in verse 12, getting ready to deal with the church at Pergamos.
Dr. David Spoon:And this is called the Compromising Church.
Dr. David Spoon:I don't think that's a good title for any church, just to let you know.
Dr. David Spoon:But let's just jump into it and see what the word of God has to say.
Dr. David Spoon:Revelation 2:12 and to the angel of the church and Pergamos.
Dr. David Spoon:Right, These things says he who has the sharp two edged sword.
Dr. David Spoon:I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is, and you hold fast to my name and did not deny my faith, even in the day in which Antipas, who was my faithful martyr, was killed among you.
Dr. David Spoon:Where Satan dwells.
Dr. David Spoon:Wow.
Dr. David Spoon:How about this?
Dr. David Spoon:First and foremost, it's important to understand that many churches have problems nowadays.
Dr. David Spoon:Have you noticed that?
Dr. David Spoon:Is it just me?
Dr. David Spoon:But here's something you need to be aware of.
Dr. David Spoon:Pergamos, like Ephesus, like all churches, definitely had their own set of problems.
Dr. David Spoon:It's worth noting that the early church had difficulties in the first 50 or 60 years.
Dr. David Spoon:Actually, quite frankly, the church had difficulties in the first 30 and 20 years.
Dr. David Spoon:But in the first 50 or 60 years, those problems were becoming to manifest and getting bigger and bigger.
Dr. David Spoon:And so this shouldn't surprise any of us, given the amount of work that takes place between the enemy, the world and our flesh.
Dr. David Spoon:Shouldn't be surprising to any of us, right?
Dr. David Spoon:You see what's going on today.
Dr. David Spoon:It was going on back then.
Dr. David Spoon:It was just moated or vehicled along a little bit differently.
Dr. David Spoon:Jesus identifies himself as the one with the double edged sword coming out of his mouth.
Dr. David Spoon:Now, what we know from scripture in regards to the sword, what part of the armor is the sword?
Dr. David Spoon:We Know we have the shield of faith, that faith is a protector.
Dr. David Spoon:But what is the sword?
Dr. David Spoon:It is the word of God and it's a double edged sword coming out of his mouth.
Dr. David Spoon:There's some people that will contend it's literal, there's others that will contend it's symbolic, and some actually contend it's both, which is interesting.
Dr. David Spoon:There's this one thing that is for sure out of the mouth of Jesus is the truth.
Dr. David Spoon:And the truth, because it cuts both ways, is double edged.
Dr. David Spoon:What do you mean, David cuts both ways?
Dr. David Spoon:Great question.
Dr. David Spoon:Here's your theological response.
Dr. David Spoon:It cuts for good and it cuts for bad.
Dr. David Spoon:In other words, in the scripture it says, do not my words do good to them that walk uprightly.
Dr. David Spoon:That's where it cuts for good.
Dr. David Spoon:Where it cuts for bad is when we're challenged in scripture as believers, and then again for non believers as it points out the various things in our lives that are contrary to God.
Dr. David Spoon:And so Jesus is telling them, look, this is coming from me.
Dr. David Spoon:I've got the double edged sword in my mouth.
Dr. David Spoon:I'm gonna tell you what's going on.
Dr. David Spoon:And initially, as Jesus is dealing with the church of Pergamos, initially, listen to what I said, initially, he's going to do the cut for good.
Dr. David Spoon:First, they need correction, they need change, they need to do better.
Dr. David Spoon:But Jesus doesn't want you to think, and you know, it's no different than you and me.
Dr. David Spoon:He doesn't want you to think, oh, everything you do is bad.
Dr. David Spoon:I talked to somebody very important in my life the other day and it's just like everything I'm doing is bad.
Dr. David Spoon:Everything is going on is wrong.
Dr. David Spoon:Everything is in the negative.
Dr. David Spoon:No, that's not the truth, okay?
Dr. David Spoon:That's when feelings overwhelm truth.
Dr. David Spoon:And it shouldn't.
Dr. David Spoon:Because if you read Jeremiah 17:9, you get to find out that the heart is desperately wicked and evil above all things who can know it.
Dr. David Spoon:So what we need to recognize is when the enemy comes in with lies, or when the world comes against us with lies and false teachings, or when our flesh comes against us because we're not saturated enough in the word of God and in the presence of God and the fellowship with God, these kind of things come at us and they attack and they attack and they attack.
Dr. David Spoon:Let me explain something to you.
Dr. David Spoon:There are things in your life that God has changed from the moment you said yes to this moment right now.
Dr. David Spoon:And I want you to hear what I have to say.
Dr. David Spoon:It is good.
Dr. David Spoon:What did God say when he created the universe?
Dr. David Spoon:He saw that it was good.
Dr. David Spoon:He saw that the earth was good, everything was good.
Dr. David Spoon:Well, now God has created a new you, a born again you.
Dr. David Spoon:And you know what?
Dr. David Spoon:Even though there's struggles and stuff and there is, there's a lot that God has created in you, developed in you, birthed in you, grown in you, that is good.
Dr. David Spoon:So don't let the devil sit there.
Dr. David Spoon:By the way, the devil, Satan is the actual definition of his name, accuser.
Dr. David Spoon:Who do you think he accuses?
Dr. David Spoon:Everybody.
Dr. David Spoon:Other Christians, other unbelievers, and yourself.
Dr. David Spoon:He's constantly making accusation.
Dr. David Spoon:So we need to recognize there is good.
Dr. David Spoon:And Jesus tells them in the very beginning, even though it's church has got its problems, and it does have problems, but he's gonna tell them, look, I got some things I want to tell you and actually I'm okay with this and I want you to be aware of this.
Dr. David Spoon:He begins by saying, I know your works and I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is very similar to the synagogue of Satan mentality, but not the same.
Dr. David Spoon:It's got a similarity to it.
Dr. David Spoon:It's not the same.
Dr. David Spoon:In Pergamos.
Dr. David Spoon:Ready?
Dr. David Spoon:There was a 200 foot monument to Zeus in the middle of the city which was the symbol of, of a serpent, which of course symbolizes Satan in that context.
Dr. David Spoon:So this is somewhat like the government flaunting its power in the face of people of faith.
Dr. David Spoon:Can you relate to that?
Dr. David Spoon:Yeah, it was worse in Pergamos.
Dr. David Spoon:They built a statue in the middle of a city to a serpent, a snake, so that nobody could ever miss it.
Dr. David Spoon:Whenever you went through the city, that's what he's talking about when he says where Satan's throne is.
Dr. David Spoon:That's some bad stuff and what we need to be aware of.
Dr. David Spoon:And I'm going to say it.
Dr. David Spoon:I know we just had an election.
Dr. David Spoon:People are very optimistic.
Dr. David Spoon:Things are changing.
Dr. David Spoon: oint that's been going on for: Dr. David Spoon:Government impacts people having in their minds the things of men, which if you will remember what Jesus said to Peter, get behind me, Satan, for you have in mind the things of men and not the things of God.
Dr. David Spoon:When the things of men are at the forefront of everything the government does, there's a lot of darkness that's connected to it.
Dr. David Spoon:I know we don't want to say, hey, this is my admonition to you.
Dr. David Spoon:You've got a new administration coming, you've got new leaders, everybody's already fighting, already have their problems.
Dr. David Spoon:Guess what?
Dr. David Spoon:The church needs to be praying for what?
Dr. David Spoon:For our leaders to be directed and guided and led by the spirit of God and by the truth of God.
Dr. David Spoon:I know many people on both sides are like, no, no, no, you can't do that.
Dr. David Spoon:Really.
Dr. David Spoon:Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.
Dr. David Spoon:Consequently, blessed is not the nation whose God is not the Lord.
Dr. David Spoon:That doesn't take rocket science.
Dr. David Spoon:We need to be praying for our leaders to respond to God in order to have a healthy country.
Dr. David Spoon:That's just the reality check of life.
Dr. David Spoon:All right, take a deep breath, Dave.
Dr. David Spoon:It's almost Christmas.
Dr. David Spoon:How could you teach this?
Dr. David Spoon:Because it was in rotation, that's why.
Dr. David Spoon:All right, here we go.
Dr. David Spoon:Here's your first trivia question.
Dr. David Spoon:Who asked this question?
Dr. David Spoon:Who asked this of Jesus?
Dr. David Spoon:How can a man be born when he is Old John 3:4?
Dr. David Spoon:How can a man be born when he is Old John 3:4?
Dr. David Spoon:How can a man be born when he is Old John 3:4?
Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon:Or you can send an email.
Dr. David Spoon:Davidemustincrease.org how can a man be born when he is old?
Dr. David Spoon:Who asked that question?
Dr. David Spoon:We want the person that asked the question reach out to us.
Dr. David Spoon:If you think you know, I'm going to send you up to the website.
Dr. David Spoon:I got to tell you something that is very important.
Dr. David Spoon:A week from tomorrow is the 27th of December and we have radio rent and we don't have it.
Dr. David Spoon:So we want people to be in prayer.
Dr. David Spoon:If you've already given, do not go back into the well unless God definitely directs you.
Dr. David Spoon:Don't do that.
Dr. David Spoon:What we want is people to really join in this prayer time.
Dr. David Spoon:Join me, help me to carry this burden.
Dr. David Spoon:I got eight days.
Dr. David Spoon:Love to be able to get it done.
Dr. David Spoon:Please pray.
Dr. David Spoon:I know God can and I believe he will.
Dr. David Spoon:So join me in prayer along those lines.
Dr. David Spoon:At the same time, check out the website because there's just cool stuff on there always available for you.
Dr. David Spoon:Whether you give or not doesn't matter.
Dr. David Spoon:Let it be a blessing for you.
Dr. David Spoon:Check it out on hemustincrease.org prayer request.
Dr. David Spoon:Hemostincrease.org praise report.
Dr. David Spoon:Hemostincrease.org looking to give to this ministry.
Dr. David Spoon:Hemostincrease.org confused by what's happening right now?
Dr. David Spoon:Hemustincrease.org.
Dr. David Spoon:hemustincrease.org sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't.
Dr. David Spoon:Almond Joys got nuts.
Dr. David Spoon:Mounds don't.
Dr. David Spoon:There you go.
Dr. David Spoon:You know, I never asked you this.
Dr. David Spoon:Did I ask you this?
Dr. David Spoon:Do you like Mounds or Almond Joys better?
Dr. David Spoon:Do you ever ask you that?
Jim:I'm not big on either, but I'll say Almond Joy.
Jim:I do like that one.
Dr. David Spoon:I'm with you on that one.
Dr. David Spoon:I am.
Dr. David Spoon:We're in.
Dr. David Spoon:So Patek.
Dr. David Spoon:We're.
Dr. David Spoon:We're in connection here.
Jim:Yeah.
Jim:I'm not big into, like, coconut.
Jim:Yeah.
Dr. David Spoon:Oh, I like coconut.
Dr. David Spoon:I got to say.
Dr. David Spoon:I like coconut patties.
Dr. David Spoon:I mean, I kind of grew up with that.
Dr. David Spoon:My mom and dad would go to Florida for, you know, for vacation when we were in Michigan.
Dr. David Spoon:They didn't always take us.
Dr. David Spoon:And then they would come back and bring coconut path.
Dr. David Spoon:So that's kind of how I kind of grew up with that.
Dr. David Spoon:It was one of those things.
Dr. David Spoon:So they were like, you know, the little.
Dr. David Spoon:What do they call them?
Dr. David Spoon:Sunbirds or whatever, where they fly off during the.
Dr. David Spoon:Anyway, that's what they did every year on the year.
Dr. David Spoon:Never, never fail.
Dr. David Spoon:Never, ever, ever fail.
Dr. David Spoon:Although I did go with them one year and ended up.
Dr. David Spoon:We ended up at Dorel Country Club.
Dr. David Spoon:So that's a whole other story we'll talk about some other time.
Dr. David Spoon:All right, back to the trivia question.
Dr. David Spoon:Who can be?
Dr. David Spoon:How can a man be born when he is old?
Dr. David Spoon:Who said that?
Dr. David Spoon:John 3:4.
Dr. David Spoon:If you think, you know, reach out to us.
Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon:We used to call them snowbirds.
Dr. David Spoon:That's what they were called.
Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon:That's because when the snow went, they would take off like birds.
Dr. David Spoon: -: Dr. David Spoon:Or send an email.
Dr. David Spoon:Davidemas Increase.
Dr. David Spoon:Back to the text we go.
Dr. David Spoon:Fascinating, fascinating stuff.
Dr. David Spoon:Here we go.
Dr. David Spoon:So we started with verse 12.
Dr. David Spoon:Here's what Jesus says to the church at Pergamos and to the angel of the church in Pergamos.
Dr. David Spoon:Write these things, says, he who has the sharp two edged sword, I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is.
Dr. David Spoon:And you hold fast to my name and did not deny my faith even in the day in which Antipas, my faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Dr. David Spoon:So here's something that you need to be aware of.
Dr. David Spoon:Antipas, you're thinking.
Dr. David Spoon:Yeah, Antipas.
Dr. David Spoon:Antipas.
Dr. David Spoon:What is that?
Dr. David Spoon:Antipas is the first martyr in Asia for the gospel that's who Antipas is.
Dr. David Spoon:So it's important to understand something that Jesus tells the church of Pergamos.
Dr. David Spoon:They did not deny his name and they held fast to the faith.
Dr. David Spoon:It's important, important, important for you and I to grasp this.
Dr. David Spoon:These people, while they still have some corrections to make, still stood firm in the face of some deep and fiery trials.
Dr. David Spoon:They did not abandon their Christian faith when faced with enemies.
Dr. David Spoon:They made mistakes, they made some bad decisions.
Dr. David Spoon:They had some things that had to be challenged and rebuked.
Dr. David Spoon:We'll get to that the following week.
Dr. David Spoon:But what you need to pick up on is even though they were in the middle of where Satan has his throne, where that Zeus idol was, that image, that 200 foot image, they did not deny their faith in that trial.
Dr. David Spoon:I had a very, very seasoned man of God when I was younger.
Dr. David Spoon:Take me out to lunch and share with me.
Dr. David Spoon:I shared with him some of my story and he says it's an amazing element.
Dr. David Spoon:I never forgot this.
Dr. David Spoon:Just a simple lunch.
Dr. David Spoon:His name was Bob Fulton.
Dr. David Spoon:And an amazing element that God, your trial.
Dr. David Spoon:He knows where you're weak and where you're struggling and what you need to work on and what you need to change.
Dr. David Spoon:But he also knows every ounce of everything you've been through and that he's gotten you through.
Dr. David Spoon:And that's part of this connection.
Dr. David Spoon:Yes, we got to do better.
Dr. David Spoon:Yes, yes, yes.
Dr. David Spoon:But don't eliminate everything good that God has done because you're struggling in another area.
Dr. David Spoon:Recognize there is excellent things that have taken place in your life.
Dr. David Spoon:Jesus is telling him, that's good, man.
Dr. David Spoon:That's really good.
Dr. David Spoon:You didn't deny it.
Dr. David Spoon:You didn't deny it.
Dr. David Spoon:So I want you to understand something.
Dr. David Spoon:When Jesus says, I know where you live.
Dr. David Spoon:I know your works.
Dr. David Spoon:I know what you're going through.
Dr. David Spoon:It's one of those important elements in the Christian faith that we need to grasp that God is connected with you and I in everything small, medium and large.
Dr. David Spoon:Everything we go through, even if it potentially leads to death or even if it leads to a splinter, he knows everything.
Dr. David Spoon:And he wants us to know that he knows.
Dr. David Spoon:Why would you think he would do that?
Dr. David Spoon:We talked about this yesterday.
Dr. David Spoon:Cause he doesn't want you to go through it like you're alone.
Dr. David Spoon:Because you're not alone.
Dr. David Spoon:The Holy Spirit is inside you.
Dr. David Spoon:You are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Dr. David Spoon:He took up residency when you acknowledged Jesus Christ and asked him to become Lord and savior of your life.
Dr. David Spoon:Jesus lives inside you by faith, and you are not alone through anything.
Dr. David Spoon:You face Consequently, you're not alone in the great things you enjoy because the Lord enjoys those great things with you as well.
Dr. David Spoon:That's what the relationship is.
Dr. David Spoon:All in all the time.
Dr. David Spoon:Get it?
Dr. David Spoon:All right.
Dr. David Spoon:Who said, how can a man be born when he is old?
Dr. David Spoon:According to John 3:4, that person was Nicodemus.
Dr. David Spoon:Nicodemus said, how can a person be born when he is old?
Dr. David Spoon:He missed that.
Dr. David Spoon:It was of the spirit.
Dr. David Spoon:Aha.
Dr. David Spoon:Get it.
Dr. David Spoon:Cool.
Dr. David Spoon:All right, we'll take a short break, then we'll come back.
Dr. David Spoon:You're listening to the David Spoon Experience right here on Kaam 770, the truth station here in Texas.
Dr. David Spoon:Short break.
Dr. David Spoon:We'll be back.
Dr. David Spoon:Don't go anywhere.
Jennifer:Hey there.
Jennifer:It's amazing, Jennifer.
Jennifer:And I am helping out the David Spoon Experience.
Jennifer:As you may know, I basically run the KAAM radio station.
Dr. David Spoon:Amazing.
Jennifer:And Dr.
Jennifer:Dave is looking for a few good people to join and become representatives, ambassadors and stewards of this here radio ministry.
Jennifer:Now, you may be thinking, well, I'd love to get involved, but I'm not very qualified for ministerial positions.
Jennifer:Well, the truth is that because you are a child of our Heavenly Father, that you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and you seek to live by the power of the Holy Spirit, you have all you need to be a part of this ministry.
Jennifer:But Jennifer, don't I need to be perfect?
Jennifer:No.
Jennifer:Just go to hemustincrease.org that's hemustincrease.org click on the three lines at the top right of the website and then click on the Ambassador's Initiative link.
Jennifer:Just fill out the form and we will reach out to you.
Jennifer:But sorry, no parking tickets will be paid for you as an ambassador through this position.
Jennifer:You are on your own with that.
Dr. David Spoon:What is the David Spoon Experience?
Dr. David Spoon:You get into the word of God and something's going to happen that will blow your mind.
Dr. David Spoon:Ready?
Dr. David Spoon:The law of the Lord is perfect.
Dr. David Spoon:Psalm 119:7 says, able to restore the soul.
Dr. David Spoon:And I've been in.
Dr. David Spoon:I've been doing this for a long time.
Dr. David Spoon:And in my 42 and a half years of devotions and in my diligent devotion time, I kind of separate that between the two.
Dr. David Spoon:I cannot tell you, it must be thousands of times where my attitude has been.
Dr. David Spoon:And then I've went into the word of God and I came out different.
Dr. David Spoon:It wasn't anything that I did as much as God speaking into me, what he knows about his creation.
Dr. David Spoon:And so I'm asking you, I'm pleading with you, even if you've been a Christian for 50 years.
Dr. David Spoon:For 60 years, nay, for 70 years, like the apostle John was on the island of Patmos.
Dr. David Spoon:Be in the word of God.
Dr. David Spoon:It is alive and it will give life and impart life to you through God's spirit.
Dr. David Spoon:People come and they read the Word of God and they say, well, I get nothing out of it.
Dr. David Spoon:Well, they don't mix it with faith and the Word of God.
Dr. David Spoon:The promises of God, not mixed with faith, are useless because you have to be engaged with God and know he's going to speak.
Dr. David Spoon:People are like, well, that's a lot of requirement for me to get in there and read the Word of God.
Dr. David Spoon:You want me actually to believe that God's going to speak to me?
Dr. David Spoon:Yes, because he will.
Dr. David Spoon:And if you don't, you won't hear him.
Dr. David Spoon:So when you open up that book, take 30 seconds more than you ever have before and say, just in this moment, just at this time, tune me in, Lord.
Dr. David Spoon:Help me to hear what you have to say.
Dr. David Spoon:Speak to me and let your Word breathe life into me.
