Program 124: Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth

Scripture urges believers to flee all churches because all have fallen. In this program, learn practical ways to home worship.

Welcome to WLC Radio, a subsidiary of World’s Last Chance Ministries, an online ministry dedicated to learning how to live in constant readiness for the Savior's return.

For two thousand years, believers of every generation have longed to be the last generation. Contrary to popular belief, though, Christ did not give believers “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, he repeatedly warned that his coming would take even the faithful by surprise. Yahushua urgently warned believers to be ready because, he said, “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [Matthew 24:44]

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.

* * *Part 1: (Miles & Dave)

Miles Robey: Hello, hello! Welcome to WLC Radio. I’m your host, Miles Robey. Joining me, of course, is our very own Dave Wright to share with us more truths from Scripture.

Dave Wright: Thank you, Miles! As Christians, we all know the gospel commission: the duty and privilege of taking truth to the world.

Miles: Right. The last words of Christ: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them [and] … teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” [Matthew 28:19-20]

Dave: Exactly. Those are the Christian’s marching orders. It’s why we do what we do here at WLC and why Christians, the world over, make self-sacrificing efforts to share the truth.

Miles: Yeah, you ever tried Googling “Church growth”? There’s a lot on the internet on strategies for how to grow your church, increase the membership, that sort of thing, as well as articles on what leads to membership decline.

Dave: Sure, but I want to share with you an experience I had that taught me the ugly little secret about church growth.

Miles: What’s that? You’ve piqued my curiosity here!

Dave: Well, I was in my late teens and attended a funeral with my folks. The man who had died, a Reverend Mr. Olsen, was an elderly minister. Very old, frail. Well over 90. His entire adult life had been spent pastoring churches, holding weekly prayer meetings, and … just doing what pastors do to serve Yah.

His funeral was well-attended. Sitting there, with the organ music softly playing, my mother pointed out a man who looked to be in his 50s. She leaned over, told me his name and then whispered, “He was very precious to Pastor Olsen. It’s the only true convert he ever brought into the church.”

Miles: Uhhh … say what?

Dave: Well, that was my response, too! What an odd thing to say! How could a man with the devotion of Pastor Olsen, how could he have converted only a single soul despite his many decades of dedicated service?

Miles: So did you ask her what she meant?

Dave: Yeah, later. After the funeral was over. My mum explained that the man was the only person Pastor Olsen had ever baptized into the church who was not already a member of some other Christian denomination.

Miles: Awww! He was a fish pirate! Most of his converts came from “fishing for men” in the “nets” of other churches!

Dave: That’s one way of putting it, yes. Churches like to report on membership “growth,” but the truth is that the majority of new members (at least in the West) were already Christians to begin with. They were simply proselytized from other denominations.

Miles: Yeah, and that’s a problem. We’ve talked before on here about the clear command in Revelation 18 to leave Babylon. I’ve got it memorized. Revelation 18, verse 4 says: “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

Of course, every single denomination denies being Babylon. So, no one actually leaves Babylon. They just sit back and denounce everyone else as being in Babylon.

Dave: And the great gospel commission devolves into being little more than an invitation to join another denomination.

But it’s not an invitation! It’s a direct command. Do you have that same verse memorized from the Geneva Bible? That’s the Bible of the Protestant Reformers. What does Revelation 18:4 say in the Geneva Bible?

Miles: Yeah, it’s different. It says: “Go out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

Dave: “Go out of her, My people.” Go, not “come.”

Miles: One’s an invitation; the other’s a command.

Dave: The truth is, no individual, and no denomination is exempt. All religions and every denomination have been contaminated by error.

This is why Heaven issues the command to flee Babylon.

Miles: To be safe from the devil’s delusions, everyone has to leave all organized religions.

Dave: Yes. But that presents a new problem. Just how are you supposed to worship if you don’t have a church to attend?

Miles: Well, I think for a lot of us, and I’m including myself in that, church attendance has become synonymous with worship.

After all, denominations are able to operate financially only because their members give them tithes and offerings. So, yeah. It’s in a denomination’s best interests to get people equating church attendance with worship.

Dave: This is a situation more and more Christians are facing. As error is spreading in the churches, as more and more denominations are rejecting advancing light, more sincere-hearted believers are contemplating home churching—

Miles: As well they should!

Dave: Sure. We are to leave Babylon. But how are you supposed to actually do it? You know, when you’re used to listening to a sermon every week, it can feel strange, odd, worshipping at home.

Miles: Especially because church membership has so often been equated with having the assurance of salvation—

Some denominations go so far as to claim church membership is the “gateway” to salvation. Can you believe that?

Dave: Yes, I can. So if you’re used to attending a weekly worship service, sitting back and letting the pastor, the choir director, and other church leaders do it all, not having a church to attend can leave you feeling cast adrift and very, very alone. So let’s talk about that. What constitutes worship? Is it stained glass windows and a sermon? Is it having announcements, a choir and taking up an offering?

Miles: All those certainly make it feel more churchy—

Wait a minute! What did I just say?

Dave: It’s OK. We do that. In our minds, we think “churchy” when what we mean is “worship” but the two aren’t necessarily the same. Would you look up the definition of the word “worship”? What does it say? It’s always good to define our terms.

Miles: Hmm … Worship is: “To adore; to pay divine honors to; to reverence with supreme respect and veneration.”

Dave: It comes from the Hebrew word, shâchâh which means to bow down in worship. The New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words says, quote: “It is the common term for coming before [Yahuwah] in worship.”

“Worship” is an action verb. This is something everyone can do at home, with their family, or even by themselves.

Miles: Huh! Well, adoring Yah, paying divine honors to Him with reverence and supreme respect is certainly something we can do at home. But what about that text that says not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together? Wouldn’t that suggest we should be meeting in groups?

Dave: We’ll take a look at that text more in a little bit. For now, let me just say that home church actually has Biblical precedence to back it up.

Miles: Well, yeah. I suppose Abraham didn’t have a church to go to …

But what about the children of Israel? They certainly had the synagogue to go to.

Dave: So, what? You just always pictured a couple of million people standing around listening to Moses preach a sermon every Sabbath?

Miles: Yeah, I guess I did. And I did wonder how he was able to project his voice so far.

Dave: Well, let’s take a look at that. Turn over to Exodus 16. This is when the Children of Israel had just arrived at Mt. Sinai. The sanctuary hadn’t been built yet, but they did have what they called the “tent of meeting.” Already, though, they were keeping the seventh day Sabbath.

And Yahuwah made a point of highlighting the observance of the Sabbath by use of the manna.

Miles: Weren’t they supposed to gather it fresh every morning, because if they kept it until the next day, it had “bred worms and stank”?

Dave: Yes, and on the sixth day they were to gather twice as much because there was no manna on the seventh day. Yah didn’t want the people out working on the Sabbath. Now read verses 28 to 30 of Exodus 16.

Miles:

And Yahuwah said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?

See, for that Yahwuah hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

So the people rested on the seventh day.

Dave: And where did they rest?

Miles: “Every man in his place.”

Dave: Later, in New Testament times, many sincere believers would go out to worship in nature. That’s where Paul met Lydia, the seller of purple. In fact, listen to this. It’s Acts 16, verse 13. It says: “And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.” Unquote.

So, basically, Yahuwah has no problem with home churching. This idea that one must go to some fancy edifice for worship to be acceptable is false.

Miles: That makes sense. I mean, when you think about it, salvation has always been on an individual basis. It’s not a group activity.

Dave: Worship at home is perfectly acceptable to Yahuwah. It’s actually more in keeping with the spirit of true worship.

Miles: So, let’s talk about this. What are some ideas for making worship at home a spiritually rich experience? How do you set it apart from your typical daily devotions or family worship? Especially if you’re alone? We get some really heart-rending letters in from listeners. A lot of people who obey the command to leave Babylon are forced to do it alone.

Their friends, fellow church members, family, even their spouse, often don’t want to leave, or don’t see the need to leave.

Dave: Revelation 14 verse 4 describes a special group of people as following the lamb withersoever he goeth. That can be a very solitary walk! Especially when everyone else you know wants to remain behind. It’s comfortable remaining behind.

Miles: Oh, yeah. Some churches even have padded pews. You can get settled down all nice and comfy … and never realize the lamb has moved on ahead, leaving you behind.

Dave: No, I don’t think that happens without people realizing it. Yahuwah will never abandon anyone who sincerely desires to know and obey the truth. Those left behind are the ones who cling to error, even when the truth is presented to them.

Miles: All right. Yeah. That’s true. But if you’re one of those who must stand alone, how do you make your worship day meaningful? Do you have any ideas for obtaining a rich Sabbath day’s blessing even when you’re alone?

Dave: Absolutely. I know a woman who was very alone. Not only did her family not follow advancing light, but they gave her a bad time for doing so as well. On Sabbaths, she’d get into her car and drive to a park. If the weather was good, she’d get out; otherwise, she’d stay in her car. But if you’re adaptable, there are ways to gain a rich Sabbath day’s blessing even when you’re alone.

For example, I’d start a prayer book. It doesn’t have to be some fancy, expensive empty book. A notebook or an app on your phone will do, too. Just something where you can write down a list of people or situations for whom you wish to pray.

Miles: That would be nice. And, like we’ve said before in our programs on prayer: be very specific. Specific prayers get specific answers.

Dave: Yes. And you can pray over it during the week, too. Then, on Sabbath, review your list. Write down any answers to prayer you received during the week. It’ll really increase your faith to keep track this way. We’re all so good about dashing off quick prayer requests, but how many of us take the time to actually pray earnestly and specifically … then watch for an answer? As I said, this is a great faith builder.

Miles: One benefit I can see to worshipping alone is that you’re not bound by someone else’s interests or, even, their limitations in understanding. If it’s just you and Yah, you can follow where the spirit leads and dig into Scripture at your own pace.

Dave: Exactly! You can get truth direct from Yahuwah for yourself. You don’t have to go through some third-party conduit.

I’ve found it helpful, when studying Scripture, to ask myself three questions:

1. What does this passage reveal about Yahuwah? What does it say about His character, His personality, His love?
2. What does this passage reveal about myself: my hidden heart? What Yah expects of me? And finally,
3. What does this reveal about Yahuwah’s will for my life?

Take it slow, no faster than you can understand it. And with Yah Himself tutoring you, you’ll be amazed at what you learn. You don’t need a doctorate of divinity degree. The Bible was written for the common man, so the interpretation of the common man, under the influence of Yah’s spirit, is closer to what was meant than these long discourses of the Bible scholars.

Miles: I like that.

One thing I’ve always appreciated on the Sabbath, whether by myself, with my family, or in a group, is spending time in nature. There’s just something about being outdoors in a natural setting that draws the heart to Yah.

Dave: It does. Even if it’s just a quiet corner in a city park, it can still draw the heart out after the Creator.

Miles: Okay, we’re going to take a short break. When we return, let’s talk about how to have a meaningful worship if your family is with you. We’ll be right back.

* * *

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* * *Part 2: (Miles & Dave)

Miles: So we’ve talked about ways an individual can have a meaningful Sabbath day’s blessing. What about for families? This can actually be more challenging because, unless you’re a couple, you’ve usually got a range of ages with differing levels of comprehension.

Dave: It can be, yes. And I think that’s one reason a lot of parents are hesitant to make that final step and commit to coming out of Babylon completely.

Let’s face it: it is easier to send the kiddos along to Sunday school (or Sabbath school) and let other adults handle teaching them about the Bible, while you sit back and enjoy the adult lesson.

Miles: Even if you’re a worship leader yourself, it can be hard to come up with something that keeps both a 4-year old and, say, a 10-year old, and a 12-year old, interested.

Dave: It can be. But we must always remember that Yahuwah has special blessings for those who do His will. And it’s not just that His blessings are your reward for obedience. It’s that He is our Creator. He knows us best. He knows our needs. So when we seek to bring our lives into obedience to His will, we are doing what, in reality, will bring us joy!

Miles: That’s true. That’s really good.

Dave: Home church can be as simple or as complex as you make it, and the nice thing about home churching is that you can modify it to meet your family’s individual needs. You can work around the baby’s nap time, whatever. Nine a.m. to 12 p.m. isn’t somehow more holy than the other hours of the day.

Miles: That’s true. I think we tend to get very narrow ideas of what constitutes “true worship” and pipe organs, choirs, stained glass windows all make us feel that those elements are necessary, but they’re not, are they?

Dave: No. True worship has to do with the soul’s individual communion with Yah. One of the best ways to do that is to sing. Singing praises to Yahuwah can have as great an impact on the soul as prayer.

And there are so many ways you can do it. If your family is musical, get some hymnbooks. One or more of you can play, and the others sing. If you don’t do that, you can sing along with recorded music—

Miles: Or acapella.

Dave: Sure! Yah’s people have been singing praises to Him for millennia and they haven’t always had instruments to accompany them. But do bring music into your worship if at all possible. Like I said, it draws the heart to Yahuwah like little else can.

Another thing that will be important is to present the beautiful truths of salvation in a way that is simple and understandable to the younger children. You’re laying a foundation that will last them all their lives.

Miles: Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Dave: Exactly. And the beautiful thing about Scripture is that there are so many levels to it. A young child, learning the Bible for the first time, will be charmed to hear that Yahushua welcomed the little children. An older person will see in that same lesson, a symbol of how loving and welcoming the Father is to sinners. That’s why it’s good to go over the lessons in Scripture over, and over again. You gain new insights with every retelling.

What’s something your kids enjoy, Miles? What do you do to make Sabbaths special in your home?

Miles: Well, our kids are at that age that they love Bible quizzes. It’s a good way to help them remember the lessons in Scripture. They get a bit competitive, but it’s fun and they really learn. And if no one knows the answer, we’ll give them the Bible text that contains the answer. First one to look it up and read the verse wins the point for that question.

Dave: So that’s a good way to learn the books of the Bible, too.

Miles: Oh, yeah. You can’t look up an answer quickly if you don’t know where to find that book of the Bible. Even the youngest now has all the books of the Bible memorized in order.

Dave: Where do you find Bible quizzes? Do you just make up your own?

Miles: We have. But there are also books you can get, or you can look it up on line. Just Google “Bible quiz questions” or “Bible quizzes for kids.” Anything like that.

The point is to get them into Scripture in a way that is fun for them, that they enjoy, and that helps them learn the Bible.

Dave: That’s great. One thing we did was, every week, the kids had a passage of Scripture to memorize. Obviously, the younger children had shorter memory verses, but getting them memorizing Scripture—hiding Yah’s Word in their heart—can’t start too young. I know, for myself, the memory verses I learned in childhood are the ones I still remember the best.

Miles: One thing we’ve really enjoyed are Bible passages set to music. There are songbooks that are simply Bible promises set to music. It makes learning it much easier. And, really, that’s what the psalms were originally: songs the Israelites sang.

Dave: There’s something about memorizing words set to music that is just easier to remember. That’s a great idea.

Another thing that can really enrich a family home church experience is to ask each family member, if possible, to contribute something. Mum can teach the Bible lesson for that Sabbath; Dad can share a nature nugget and what that teaches about the love of the Creator. The younger kids can recite the Bible passages they’ve memorized that week, or share something they’ve learned, or a blessing they’ve received. But everyone having a part, increases the blessing everyone receives.

Miles: You know that prayer book you mentioned for someone who worships alone, that would be good for a family, too. What a great way to help children see that Yah answers their prayers.

Dave: That’s something we all need to see. Also, if you live where the weather is nice, get out in nature! Do a nature scavenger hunt. The Sabbath is a time to revel in Yah’s goodness and blessings, to draw close to Him, to immerse ourselves in His word. But when you’ve got children, get creative with the ways you do that. You’re showing them that the Sabbath is the highlight of the week.

Miles: That’s good. Now, what about for people who are home churching, but they’ve got a group of several families worshipping together? Any suggestions for that situation?

Dave: There are pros and cons to worshipping together with a group of families. On the one hand, there are more people who can share the responsibilities. The thing you need to watch out for, though, is that it not devolve into another rigid, formalized, this-is-the-only-way-to-spend-Sabbath routine that only ends up stressing everyone out.

Miles: What do you mean?

Dave: Well, take, for example, a fellowship meal. If you’re meeting with a group of several families, it may be a wonderful blessing, after worshipping together, for everyone to bring food and fellowship together afterwards. But if that makes more work to the point that it becomes a stressor, it’s not worth it. Anything that steals your Sabbath day’s blessing, isn’t worth it.

Miles: That’s very true. I remember a number of years ago, our family attended a church that had a fellowship meal every single week. It was a lot of work and what I didn’t realize at the time, was that it was exhausting my wife. I tried to help but if we’re being honest, no one wants to eat what I cook!

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that most of the preparation fell on my wife: getting the clothes ironed, doing our daughter’s hair—that’s sort of like the cooking: I’ve never learned how to do it, so Mummy always does it. But it all ended up being this huge burden. Sure, the fellowship was nice but it was too much.

I remember being shocked when my wife admitted to me that she dreaded the Sabbath because it was the hardest day of the week for her. But after we talked about it, I could see why she felt that way, and that’s not right.

Dave: That’s really sad. If something ends up stealing your Sabbath day’s blessing, if it ends up distracting you from what’s really important—communion with Yah—it’s really not worth it.

Miles: I think one thing that can contribute to adding burdens to the Sabbath is that, for most of us, we grew up going to church. We have this rather narrow definition of what makes a proper worship service. But that’s largely just tradition. The main point is that we spend time with Yahuwah. Anything that adds a burden should be laid aside.

Dave: Time with Yah. That’s what the Sabbath is all about. Would you turn to Isaiah 58? There’s a short passage here that really puts Sabbath observance into perspective. It’s Isaiah 58, verses 13 and 14. Go ahead and read it as soon as you’ve got it.

Miles:

If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of Yahuwah, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Then shalt thou delight thyself in Yahuwah; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of Yahuwah hath spoken it.

Dave: Worship isn’t the clothes you wear or the food you eat. It’s not the order of service. It’s all about adoring Yahuwah; reverencing Him. That’s the definition of worship that you read.

Miles: So, what’s a good way to home church in a group so that it doesn’t become burdensome? There’s always one person who is better at public speaking. That person tends to be the one who ends up doing most of the work of preparing the sermon.

Dave: Get creative! You don’t have to have a sermon. One person preaching to a roomful of others is one way churches have kept everyone conforming to their creed, rejecting any new light.

You can have a group Bible study. If you have access to uplifting videos, watch that. It doesn’t have to be the same week after week. There are lots of ways to worship Yah that don’t include having the same person preach a sermon every week.

Miles: Have you heard of praying with one accord?

Dave: No, I don’t think so. Sound familiar, though.

Miles: Well, in Acts 1, it talks about the small group of believers that were in Jerusalem after Yahushua’s ascent to Heaven. Remember? Verse 14 says, quote: “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Yahushua, and with his brethren.”

Dave: Oh, right! Right!

Miles: Praying with “one accord” is a profound experience. There’s nothing quite like it. It’s more than just having one person pray and everyone else saying “Amen!” It’s more than just praying around the circle. One person stops and says what is on his or her heart. There’s no need to interrupt the flow of the prayer with an “Amen” because it’s really all one prayer. Another person can speak up at any time, as moved by the spirit of Yah. And anyone can speak up more than once.

Prayers spoken “with one accord,” where anyone is free to speak up and add thoughts as moved by the spirit become a conversation between Yahuwah and those present. The children, too, should be encouraged to join in. These prayers can go on a long time. Forty-five minutes, an hour, is not uncommon.

Dave: An hour! I can’t picture a child or even an elderly person kneeling there for an hour.

Miles: They don’t have to. There is nothing inherently sinful about standing or even sitting. These prayers are directed by the spirit of Yah moving on individual hearts. It’s intimate, it’s … interactive. It’s powerful! And, let me tell you, everyone experiences the presence of Yah!

Dave: That sounds incredible. I want to try that some time. Another thing that I think is also really powerful is to set aside time for personal testimonies. Would you turn to Malachi 3, please? There’s an amazing passage there I want you to read.

Giving everyone, including the children, a chance to share how Yah has blessed them during the preceding week not only inspires faith, but it also honors Yahuwah in a way I think most of us don’t realize. Read verses 16 and 17 of Malachi 3.

Miles: It says, quote:

Then those who feared Yahuwah spoke to one another,
And Yahuwah listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear Yahuwah
And who meditate on His name.

“They shall be Mine,” says Yahuwah of hosts,
“On the day that I make them My jewels.
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him.”

Unquote. Wow! That’s amazing. The words said in honor of Yah are so precious to Him, that He has them recorded??

Dave: That’s what it says. Your words, acknowledging His goodness, are recorded in Heaven.

Miles: Wow. That’s really beautiful. Really moving. And yeah, even really young children could participate in that.

Dave: The point is, worship at its most fundamental level, is adoring Yahuwah. That’s it. It’s reverencing Him. You don’t need a choir or a preacher to do that. What you need is a heart that wants to honor Him.

Miles: And, don’t forget, you need to leave Babylon.

Dave: Right. So don’t be afraid of home churching. During this period of earth’s history, we should all be home churching. And when we do, Yahuwah will be present.

Miles: All right. Don’t go away folks. We’ve got an interesting question from our Daily Mailbag. Stay tuned.

* * *

You are listening to World's Last Chance Radio.

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.

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Yahuwah knew that Satan would do his best to hide truth from the world. The good news is, that with every lie of the devil, with every twist of truth, and every deceptive delusion, Yah has His rays of light to reveal Heaven’s truths.

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* * *Daily Mailbag (Miles & Dave)

Dave: So, where’s our question for today’s Daily Mailbag coming from?

Miles: Honduras! Choluteca, Honduras specifically.

Dave: Did you know that Honduras has some of the most coral reefs in the entire world?

Miles: Really?

Dave: Yeah! Honduras is second only to Australia for the number of coral reefs off its coast.

Miles: Wow! And Australia’s an entire continent.

Dave: Isn’t that amazing?

So, what’s today’s question?

Miles: Let’s see … Nelson Murillo writes: “I have been very blessed by your videos and radio programs on YouTube. I’d like to learn more about the conscience. What is it? And how can I keep a clear conscience before Yah? How do I know that it is my conscience and not just my own inner thoughts?”

Dave: Your conscience is one of Yah’s greatest gifts to you, personally. It is how He communicates with each one of us as individuals.

Some people call it their “gut instinct” or their “sixth sense.” The Bible refers to it as the “still, small voice.” The one thing everyone agrees on is that it will never lead you astray. You can trust it.

Miles: Well … how can you tell that it’s truly that still, small voice and not your own inner thoughts?

Dave: Your conscience always draws to what is pure, right, holy, and good. It will never nudge you to do what is wrong. It will only ever lead you to do what is right.

Miles: I find it interesting that you categorize a person’s “gut instinct” as being the same as the “still, small voice.”

Dave: Why?

Miles: I don’t know … I guess because I see the still, small voice as a soft voice influencing our decisions in moral matters, while our gut instinct would be more for temporal matters, warning you of danger, or something like that.

Dave: I see it in the same light. Think about it for a moment: what is Yahuwah’s greatest desire for each one of us?

Miles: Well, I’d say He wants our happiness.

Dave: Exactly! So, of course, if we’re in danger, not just moral danger, but physical danger as well, He’s going to be right there to influence us, to implant a thought or a suggestion to help us make a better decision. Not just for our moral and spiritual safety, but our physical safety, too. That’s what love does!

Miles: I can see that. That makes sense.

Dave: Our conscience, Yah’s still, small voice, is what levels the playing field. It doesn’t matter what religion you were raised in, it doesn’t matter if you’ve never even had the chance to hear about Yahushua and the plan of salvation. Yahuwah has given each person a conscience so that we can be drawn into a closer relationship with Him, regardless of our starting point. We all have error to lay aside; we all have truth to learn. Our conscience is what will lead us if we make it a habit to listen to it and obey.

Miles: That’s the problem, isn’t it? If we actually listen to it and obey. In today’s world, there are so many outside influences, most of which tend to entice us to forget about Yah, to forget about eternal realities. It almost becomes programming, influencing our moral values, even our likes and dislikes.

Dave: Movies, entertainment, violent games, music … all of these do program our minds. This is why it is so important to be very careful what we feed into our minds. If we feed our minds a steady diet of violent movies and gaming, if we listen to music that extols sex and violence, that becomes our “normal.”

Miles: Almost a false conscience.

Dave: Exactly. And we need to guard against that because the world drowns out the voice of Yah. It obscures it.

Turn to Hebrews 10 and read verses 19 to 23. This is how we guard against a false conscience and learn to listen to Yah’s voice within.

Miles:

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Yahushua, by a new and living way which he consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, his flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of Yah, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Dave: You want a clear conscience? Confess your sins and trust that Yahuwah forgives your sins, because He has promised.

You want to learn to listen to the still, small voice? Start making it a habit to obey those gentle nudgings of the spirit of Yah. The more you do this, the more clearly you’ll be able to discern the guidance of the holy spirit.

Miles: What can we do if we have a hardened conscience? It’s very easy to harden it. All it takes is ignoring the drawing of the spirit of Yah, listening more to worldly influences, and pretty soon, you’ve got a hardened conscience.

Dave: It is. It’s really easy. And if that’s happened to you—and I think it’s happened to all of us at one time or another—don’t give up. Yahuwah is our Creator. He’s also our re-Creator. He can heal our consciences, our hearts.

Turn to 2 Corinthians 10, and while you do that, I’m going to read Romans 12, verse 2. It says, quote: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of Yah.” Unquote.

Miles: So, if you feel your conscience has been hardened, don’t give up! It can be renewed. It can be healed.

Dave: Precisely. We have every reason to maintain hope and trust in Yah.

Now read 2 Corinthians, chapter 10, verses 3 to 5. What does it say?

Miles:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in Yahuwah for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Yahuwah, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Dave: Again, there’s no reason to fear, even if your heart has become hardened. We don’t save ourselves. Yahuwah is our Saviour and whatever we need—including a renewed, softened conscience—He is able and willing to provide for us. We just need to ask for it and reach out the hand of faith to accept the gift He has promised.

Miles: Reminds me of the invitation in Jeremiah 3, verse 22, where Yahuwah says: “Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.”

Dave: When we surrender our wills to Yahuwah, and give our lives to Him, He begins to recreate our minds and hearts. As He does this, the things we used to find enjoyable, no longer interest us. When He writes His law on our hearts, we will find that the worldly things that we used to crave now are distasteful.

The more we choose to make that surrender, the more we will want to make that surrender. New neural pathways are formed in the mind. New habits of thought and behavior become established and we will come to reflect the divine image.

Miles: This reminds me of something Yahushua said. It’s in that list of denunciations against the Pharisees. Give me just a second to find it.

He was trying to point out the difference between religion that is just an outwardly show, versus a religion that impacts the heart.

Here it is: Matthew 23, verses 25 and 26. He says: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”

Dave: And the way we cleanse the inside, the way we have a heart that is softened to the guiding of the spirit of Yah, is to fully surrender. Ask Yahuwah to come live in our hearts and, by faith, believe that He has.

Miles: But this isn’t something we achieve, right? I mean, it’s not something we attain.

Dave: No. We didn’t have a hand in our creation and we are unable to re-create ourselves. Our part, always, is simply to choose. Ask for the gift of recreation and accept it by faith.

Miles: Amen. It’s never salvation by our own efforts, folks.

That’s all we’ve time for today, but keep sending us your questions and comments. Go to our website at WorldsLastChance.com and click on Contact Us. We always enjoy hearing from our listeners.

* * *Daily Promise

Hello! This is Elise O’Brien with today’s Daily Promise.

April 15, 2013, was a day Megan McClowry had been anticipating and working toward for months. It was a chance to compete alongside world athletes and talented amateurs as they ran in the most prestigious of American races, the Boston Marathon. Megan had been training for months and was hoping for a personal best.

The night before the race, as Megan prepared for bed, she read from Psalm 27, which says:

Yahuwah is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
Yahuwah is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?

Wait on Yahuwah;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on Yahuwah!

What a perfect reading to calm nervous jitters before the race, she thought, and soon was fast asleep.

The next morning, Megan made it to the holding area on time, and found a spot on the grass to wait the two hours for the start of the race. A stranger walked up behind her, knelt on the grass and laid a hand on Megan’s shoulder.

“May I ask you a weird question?” The woman asked.

“Uh … sure!” Megan didn’t recognize her but she seemed normal enough.

“This may seem weird to you,” the woman said, “but may I pray over you?”

Megan agreed, telling the woman that she was a Christian, which did not seem to surprise the woman at all. The woman simply put her arm around Megan, bowed her head, and prayed: “Lord, I ask that you protect Megan as she runs. Keep her safe, and give those legs of hers enough strength to finish the race. Don’t let any leg cramps get in the way. In your name we pray. Amen.”

Megan was startled. She hadn’t told the woman her name. She turned around to watch the stranger leave and see who she prayed over next, but couldn’t see where she had gone. Megan had run hundreds of races but this was the first time anyone had prayed over her. Still, she was grateful.

The race went well and when she finished, 3 hours, 25 minutes, and 17 seconds later, it was a personal best for Megan. As she made her way through the finish line area, a volunteer told Megan she looked pale and directed her to a nearby medical tent. Megan rested there for a little bit, but after about 15 minutes, felt well enough to leave.

She was making her way to where she had agreed to meet her family when an immense percussive sound shattered the afternoon. A bomb had gone off. Twelve seconds later, a second bomb went off. All was confusion. In the shock that followed, the world seemed turned on its head, with spectators running, while runners stood still.

Five people lost their lives and hundreds were injured, including 16 who lost limbs.

That night, as Megan and her family rested at their hotel, Megan started sending text messages to friends and family at home, reassuring them of her safety. One message was from a close friend who said that she’d had special prayer for Megan that day. It reminded Megan of the woman who had asked to pray specifically for her. Both their prayers had been answered. Megan’s legs had stayed strong through the race, and she had been protected from the danger of the bombings. Had she run more slowly, or lingered in the medical tent, she would have been mere steps from the bomb blast. As Megan bowed her head in prayer, she praised Yahuwah for His watch-care over her.

Job 22 verse 27 states: “Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and He shall hear thee.”

We have been given great and precious promises. Go and start claiming!

* * *Part 3: (Miles & Dave)

Miles: I know we’re almost out of time, but before we sign off, I’d like to circle back around to Hebrews 10. Verses 24 to 25 say, quote: “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Unquote.

I guess my question is: How do you reconcile this passage with Revelation 18 which says to flee Babylon?

Dave: There’s no contradiction. If you have the privilege of enjoying the fellowship of like-minded believers, that’s wonderful! It’s a real blessing for sure and can be a strengthening, faith-affirming relationship where you uphold each other in the faith.

If you can get together on Sabbaths, great! If not, there’s always New Moons. But if you don’t have that available, don’t let Satan put a burden of guilt on you. As we said earlier, following the lamb wherever he leads can be a very solitary walk.

Miles: It really can, and for many it is.

Dave: The Father’s not going to withhold His blessing simply because you have no one with whom you can worship! Rest assured that if you find yourself completely alone, your praise and worship is as precious to the Father as though there weren’t another person in the world for whom He gave His son.

Miles: Hmmm. That’s beautiful. We always set up these requirements and feel guilty when we don’t meet them, don’t we? But what it always gets down to, ultimately, is that individual connection with Yah.

Dave: And let’s not forget what the New Testament concept of a “church” really is.

Miles: That’s a good point. Would you hand me that Bible dictionary there? Let’s look it up.

Dave: Did you know that the word “church” doesn’t even appear anywhere in the Old Testament?

Miles: It’s a New Testament concept, isn’t it?

Dave: Well, it’s a bit of a mistranslation. Our modern word, “church” is defined as “a body or organization of religious believers.” That’s where people get the idea that they’re supposed to “go to church.” But they’re not! According to Revelation 18:4, they’re to flee the churches because all of them have clung to some form of error.

Miles: All right. Listen to this. In the New Testament, the word translated “church” actually comes from the Greek, ekklesia and it certainly does not mean an organization of religious believers. It says ekklesia is “a calling out.” The emphasis is on being called out for a specific purpose.

Dave: You could say that, in the first century, prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, the “church” was the corrupt, formalized worship organization of the Jews with the high priest at their head.

By contrast, the ekklesia was the small handful of believers, those who believed Yahushua was the long-awaited Messiah, who followed him out of the Babylon of his day.

Miles: Huh! That’s a good way to look at it.

Dave: Remember, too, that to be led, you have to follow. That’s an action. Romans 8:14 says, quote: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of Yah, they are the sons of Yah.”

Again, those are all action verbs. To be led, you must get up off your rear and follow.

Miles: And we’re never really alone. Hebrews 12:1 speaks of being surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. We’ve the example of the faithful of all ages, all of whom had to stand alone at some point. We’ve got Yahushua and the angels. And, of course, we have Yahuwah Himself who walks with us every step of the way.

Dave: I’d like to close with a promise from Joshua, chapter 1. Joshua, as you’ll recall, was feeling inadequate to lead Israel into the promised land, so Yahuwah lovingly gave him some promises and these promises are for us. We’re on the very borders of eternity. By faith, we are to follow the lamb to our Land of Promise in the earth made new. And the One who walked with Joshua, will walk with us, too.

You have it? All right, read verses 5 and 9 of Joshua 1.

Miles: All right. It says, quote:

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for Yahuwah your God will be with you wherever you go.

Dave: That promise is for us. Don’t stay lounging in your comfy pew in Babylon. The days we’re living in call for courage; they call for stepping out by faith and following the lamb wherever he may lead.

No one is saved through church attendance or membership. We are saved, always and only, through faith in the merits of the blood of Yahushua.

Miles: Praise Yah for His gracious mercy to sinners!

Please. Join us again tomorrow, and until then, remember: Yahuwah loves you . . . and He is safe to trust!

* * *

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This program and past episodes of WLC Radio are available for downloading on our website. They're great for sharing with friends and for use in Bible studies! They're also an excellent resource for those worshipping Yahuwah alone at home. To listen to previously aired programs, visit our website at WorldsLastChance.com. Click on the WLC Radio icon displayed on our homepage.

In his teachings and parables, the Savior gave no “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, the thrust of his message was constant … vigilance. Join us again tomorrow for another truth-filled message as we explore various topics focused on the Savior's return and how to live in constant readiness to welcome him warmly when he comes.

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.