Psalms 91:1 (911), the Protection of the Lord

Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 Psalms 91:1 (911), The Protection of the Lord

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)

In a time of crisis, when disaster is looming, who do you call 911 or 911? Who do you lean on, depend upon, trust in and run too? How do you walk in the kind of faith Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had or David, the Apostle Peter or the Apostle Paul when facing difficult situations?

This teaching will cover the following topics: • Psalm 91, The Amazing Heart and Nature of God as our Protector • Beholding the Revelation of Jesus Christ to Dwell in the Secret place • Understanding God’s Covenant Promises with His Sons and Daughters • Understanding our part of the Covenant as Sons and Daughters • Our Faith in Jesus Christ (grace) Enables us to Overcome Every Trial • The Authority of a Believer and How we Relinquish and Walk in Authority • How to Continuously Stay Under the Shadow of the Almighty “Let your waist be girded (with truth) and your lamps burning (intimacy with God); 36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master (ready), when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and[a] not allowed his house to be broken into.40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke 12:35-40 (NKJV)

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49 (NKJV)

Faith Builder - God’s Sovereign Protection: Convenience Store Video

I. Psalm 91, The Amazing Heart and Nature of God as our Protector “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)

1. God is our Secret Place (Psalm 91:1): Just like natural fathers protect their family, God our Heavenly Father desires to protect His children. Psalm 91 reveals to us that His children dwell in the secret place of the Most High. They are children who love the Father and spend time with Him in the secret place of prayer, worship and fellowship. As Christians, we must make a choice to run to Him in intimacy and His promise to us is. I will become a literal place of protection/refuge for you. The good news is that His promise is made available to all professing Christians but the choice of running to Him is ours. It is not automatic. We must appropriate it or step into it.

Question: When disaster or crisis strikes, do you embrace fear or run into His arms? Do you see Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God? IF some around you do not believe in Him or His promises, the Word says it does not nullify His promise to you.

“For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Romans 3:3-4a (NKJV)

“Come, My people, enter your chambers (secret place), and shut your doors (of your heart to the world) behind you; Hide yourself (in Me), as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past.” Isaiah 26:20 (NKJV)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV)

“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10b (NKJV)

God Story: 6 Year Old Boy in West, Texas, 13 Year Old Boy in Joplin

2. Confess out loud who He is (Psalm 91:2): “I will say to the Lord – He is My Refuge, My Fortress, My Strong Tower, in whom I trust!”(NKJV) How healthy it is to declare who He is out loud, especially in times of crisis!

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 2 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:23 (NKJV)

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”Rom.10:9-10 (ESV)

The word teaches us to use our mouth to declare who He is, how great He is and all that He teaches us. What comes out of your mouth? Are they life- giving words or do they spread darkness? Here are some examples: • Praising God vs. speaking words of unbelief and doubt • Speaking loving, encouraging words vs. judging, criticizing others • Talking about scriptures and the Psalms vs. negativity, foul language • Witnessing about Christ vs. boasting of self, gossip

God Story: 10 Year Old Abby’s story of Psalm 91 Faith Builder Video: Nik Wallenda, walks across Grand Canyon on high wire

3. God’s faithfulness to His promise becomes your shield (Psalm 91:4): “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” (NKJV) We must run to Him like baby chicks run under the wings of a mother hen for protection. He will not run to us unless He has mercy upon us (Rom. 9). It is our choice!

“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NKJV)

“But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.” Psalm 3:3 (NKJV)

God Story: Divine protection for woman’s daughter in 2011 Bastrop Fires

4. Many evils known to man falls under one of these 4 categories (Psalm 91:5-6): “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” (NKJV)

1. Terror by night (bad people that do bad things to people at night such as burglary, kidnapping, murder, rape, terrorist attack, etc.) God Story: New believer, Alma Reyes Jeepney Mini-Bus story in the Philippines

2. Arrow that flies by day (Satan and his demons attacks on man, spiritual warfare) God Story: Satan’s attempt to shut down Celebrate 2000 at the Frank Erwin Center

3. Pestilence will not approach you (deadly diseases, plagues) God Story: Michelle Parke, Victory over Stage 4 Cancer testimony

4. Destruction falls by noon (natural disasters) God Story: God answers Messenger International’s prayers!

Note: Jesus tells us that Christians will face tribulations, suffering and for some, will be called to martyrdom.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NKJV)

“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”Acts 14:22 (NKJV)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt. 5:10-12 (NKJV)

“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.” Luke 12:4-5 (NLT)

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV)

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin….” 1 Peter 4:1 (NKJV)

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” 1 Peter 4:12-16 (NKJV)

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 4 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 5. “Because He loves Me…” (Psalm 91:14-16): “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” (NKJV)

1. He will rescue you from the enemies hands 2. He will set you on high above danger 3. He will answer you when you call upon Him 4. He will be with you in trouble 5. He will honor you 6. He will satisfy you with a long and good life He will let you see and take hold of His salvation (NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon definition for Sozo = health, healing, provision, protection and deliverance)

God Story: The Conscientious Objector Story – Desmond Doss / Hacksaw Ridge

Additional Psalm 91 Promises Protection from enemy traps and disease: God promises to deliver us from the traps/snares of the enemy and deadly disease (repeated twice). He does this through the power of His word, empowering us with the ability to cast down every argument, temptation and lie of the enemy: “Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.” Psalm 91:3 (NKJV)

Divine protection while others are falling: In a time of crisis, many survivors have been humbled by the devastation of their personal belongings or even those who have been injured or killed by the disaster. We must humble ourselves as we minister to those impacted by disaster: “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.” Psalm 91:7-8 (NKJV)

“ There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1-5 (NKJV)

NOTE: In Genesis 19:15-17, God would not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah until two angels nearly dragged Lot and his family out of the city.

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 5 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 Promise for your family: God promises that no plague or destruction will come near your household/tent. Stand on this promise! “Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.” Psalm 91:9-10 (NKJV)

God Story: 2010 Scenic Brook Fires – Jewish Man, 2011 Bastrop Fires – Home

He will command His angels to guard us in all of our ways: Like Psalm 91, Psalm 34 promises that the angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear Him. What an incredible promise for those who depend on, lean upon Him! “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12 (NKJV)

God Story: Daniel’s angel story (2001)

Tactics of the Enemy (Psalm 91:13): 1. Lion: Sometimes, the enemy will come like a lion with a loud and bold roar, trying to pounce on us, overcome us until we give up 2. Cobra: Dangers that sneak up upon us, surprise us when we least expect it 3. Young Lion: Little persistent problems that push us until we give up 4. Dragon: Imaginary fears (sickness, attacks). Remember not to be afraid, you have authority over the enemy. We can trample upon the enemies plans by what Christ did for us on the cross. Learn to use your authority in Christ! II. Beholding the Revelation of Jesus Christ to Dwell in the Secret Place There is no path to walk on in life or in times of disaster other than the Lord’s pathway, which is a life in full surrender (to the level of your revelation) to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. In return, Psalm 65:11 promises us that His pathway drips with abundance (in intimacy, revelation, wisdom, and more)! The Bible also tells us that Jesus came to the world to reveal the Face of the Father, His nature, and to manifest His name to the earth (fully God/fully Man). So as His Church, we too must know Him and His ways to reveal His face to the world around us. To dwell in the secret place of the Most High is an incredible gift to us, to gaze at His beauty as our Bridegroom, King and Judge. To know Him and understand His covenant of protection with us is vital for the days ahead.

“And Your paths drip with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 (NKJV)

“I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. John 17:6-8 (NKJV)

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 6 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 Jesus as Bridegroom, King and Judge Jesus is our Passionate Bridegroom God: As Bridegroom, Jesus has burning desire for His people (to betroth us) and their wholehearted love for Him (we say “yes” in our hearts to Him, His will and ways). The Bridegroom message is about: • His emotions. Jesus has strong emotions for His people. He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and He is a Jealous God (Ex. 34:14). He wants all of us (not some)! • His beauty. He wants to reveal His beauty/glory to us (John 17:24) • His commitments to us. The Lord wants to share His heart, eternal home, throne, secrets, beauty and more! What love from our Maker! • Our response of wholehearted love (our obedience) that moves Him. He is returning for a glorious Church, a spotless, blameless bride (Eph. 5:27) that is in love!

The Holy Spirit uses the message of Jesus as our Bridegroom God to restore the first commandment to first place in our lives and within the Church. This is critical to sustain ourselves in times of crisis and to overcome temptation from a lovesick heart. Question: Is the first commandment in first place in your heart? For additional scriptures on this subject: Isa. 54:4-12; 62:2-5; Jer. 2:2; 3:14; 31:32; Ezek. 16:13-15, 32; 23:1-45; Hos. 1:2; 2:7, 14-23; 3:1-5; Mt. 9:15; 22:1-14; 25:1-13; Jn. 3:29; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25-32; Rev. 19:7-9; 21:9; 22:17

The Importance of Having a Bridal Paradigm: Living with a Bridal paradigm, that I am my Beloveds, leads us to confidence in our love for God and in wisdom, to make wise choices to obey the Lord, even when persecuted or in times of disaster. Jesus longs for an eternal companion, a Bride, who voluntarily chooses to be equally yoked to Him in love (Eph. 5:31-32, Rev. 19:7-9). The affections of the human heart for Him are the most precious possession to God. We are His inheritance. Loving God is an end in itself and is the highest lifestyle possible! Our personal definition of success should be based on our love relationship with Jesus Christ. Our primary life purpose should be to fully love God/people and to obey Jesus! In the verse below, the Bride of Christ declares who she is with confidence:

“I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valleys” Song of Solomon 2:1 (NKJV)

The rose is chosen for its beauty and fragrance as the chief of the flowers (the love flower). A lily speaks of purity. The valley speaks of the low and dark places in this fallen world. The Bride chooses to live in purity in the midst of the dark valley of this fallen world. The Bride’s primary life purpose and identity is being Jesus’ inheritance!! We are the rose and lily whose love and obedience arise as fragrance that intoxicates Jesus’ heart. The reason we were created and redeemed is to fully love (rose) and obey (lily) Jesus as His inheritance and thus, to bring joy and pleasure to God (to ravish His heart). May this powerful verse become our life verse we declare before God!

Practice Session: Declare to the Lord with confidence, Song of Solomon 2:1!

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 7 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 NOTE: ADRN leadership’s ultimate goal is to bring joy to the Lord in all we do, which ultimately returns back to us as an impartation of supernatural strength to endure through times of crisis. “…for the joy of the LORD is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10b (NKJV)

Studying the Loving Heart of our Bridegroom God tenderizes/strengthens our heart “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:1-11 (NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

“…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matt. 28:20b (NKJV)

“You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace.” Song of Solomon 4:9 (NKJV)

Jesus as our Sovereign King: Jesus reveals Himself as our King of Kings! He reveals to us that He possesses all power as King, and anoints His people to do the works of the kingdom, especially in times of disaster. He also manifests His power over us by releasing protection, direction, and financial provision for us along with healing individual lives, reviving His Church, transforming nations, and ultimately, restoring the earth back to its glory, ruling as King forever and ever! Knowing Jesus as King is vital for our future and for understanding of Psalm 91 and the power and authority Jesus walks in on our behalf. We must be able to stand confidently, placing all of our trust in Jesus as our King!

Jesus demonstrated that the Father as Lord over the Elements (Jn. 2:1-11), over Nature (Mark 4:35-41), over Physics (Matt. 14:13-21), over Sickness and Disease, over Gravity (Matt. 14:22-33), over earth’s resources (Matt. 17:24-27), and more!

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 (NKJV)

18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18 (NKJV)

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand." John 10:27-29 (NKJV)

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept…..I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:12a, 15

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 8 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 Jesus as our Righteous Judge: As our Righteous Judge, Jesus removes everything that hinders love; He has a strategic plan and great zeal to intervene to confront oppression and corruption in a way that He has never done before in order to transition the earth to the age to come (Zech. 8:2; Rev. 19:2). Many unique dynamics will occur in His strategic end- time plan as He drives evil off the earth forever. Are you ready to partner with Him as Righteous Judge over the earth, even if you see 10,000 fall at your right side (Ps. 91:7)?

41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matthew 13:41-43 (NKJV)

Jesus is our Bridegroom, King and Judge: There is no contradiction in Jesus’ character as Bridegroom, King, and Judge. He never suspends one attribute to exercise another. The King uses His great power to express His burning desire for His people and to deliver them from everything that hinders love. The good news is that this same furnace of Jesus’ holy passion for His Bride is turned towards the oppressors of His people (AMEN!). Jesus also emphasized the revelation of God as Bridegroom, King, and Judge in His final message to Israel (Matt. 22:1-14, 37 – The Parable of the Wedding Banquet) and in His final message to the apostles before the last supper (Matt. 25 – Parable of Wise/Foolish Virgins, Parable of the Talents, and the Son of Man Judging Nations). This should give us great confidence in placing all of our trust in the Lord, even in times of crisis!

III. Understanding His Covenant Promises for His Sons and Daughters

“Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the m LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and n I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Hebrews 8:8-10 (NKJV)

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13 (NKJV)

1. Gives us eternal life in His Kingdom (John 3:16) 2. Adopting us into His family, to love, provide for, protect, defend, and recognize us as His sons or daughters (we are no longer orphans but children of God – Eph. 1:5) 3. Grant us His free gift of grace, which empowers us with everything we need to obey the Holy Spirit’s voice and direction, to become holy as He is holy, to walk in

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 9 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 His divine nature and to bring heaven to earth through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:12, 1 Jn. 2:6). 4. Provide us thousands of covenant promises recorded in the bible 5. Protection from our enemies (Colossians 1:13, Col. 2:15, John 16:33)

IV. Understanding Our Part of the Covenant as Sons and Daughters

1. Hear the Holy Spirit’s voice “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Jn. 18:37b (NKJV)

“He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” John 8:47

2. Commit our will to obey His will and appropriate provisions given to us through grace, to sustain obedience

3. Continue to surrender our life to the Lordship of Jesus, to the level of our revelation

4. When we stumble, ask for forgiveness, repent (what will you do to change), and receive His shed blood for the full payment and penalty of your sins

“But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28 (NKJV)

“But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.” John 6:64 (NKJV)

V. Provisions He has Given us to Stand in His Perfect Will

1. 7 Provisions of God (taught in Spiritual Readiness training) a. Relationship with Jesus Christ (opens the gate) b. Blood of Jesus/Biblical Forgiveness & Repentance (deals with the penalty of sin) c. Born Again Provisions: since the narrow gate has been closed to Satan and his demons, Jesus gives us powerful provisions that save us from the power of sin and to overcome every temptation so the gate is not reopened to Satan and his demons – he is the thief that comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) d. Holy Spirit provides the necessary provisions for developing Christ’s character (fruit of the Spirit) and power (gifts of the Spirit). The Holy Spirit also gives wisdom and divine personal revelation and direction. e. Word of God f. Spiritual Armor of God g. Body of Christ/Overseer/Pastor

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 10 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 2. Psalm 34 & Psalm 91 Review (a few of the 5,000 promises given to us as sons and daughters)

“as His divine power (grace) has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

“Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.” Jeremiah 17:5-6 (NKJV)

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV)

Those who put all of their trust in God: Moses at the Red Sea, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego in the fire, Abraham with Isaac, David with the lion, ear and Goliath, Joseph & Mary as they fled for their lives following the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul when bitten by a snake and shipwrecked, imprisoned, etc… and so many more!

VI. Our Faith in Jesus Christ (grace) enables us to Overcome every Trial a. The Difference between Fear, Unbelief & Faith b. The Authority of a Believer, How we Relinquish and Walk in Authority c. Grace vs. Mercy

The Impact of Fear: All emotions are tied to our soul. It is important to learn how to lay our emotions at the feet of Jesus in times of crisis and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in all decisions. The Lord gives us many scriptures in the bible that encourage us to “Fear not.” The bible also guides us in how to live in peace rather than anxiety, worry, fretting, etc. Every time we walk in panic and/or fear, let it be a warning sign that we are walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit. We are called to be a people of peace, a people that walk not by sight but by the Spirit! Fear is rooted from thoughts of doom and not of hope in God and His promises of protection, provision, etc.

Question: What does one thought of fear do to our heart if we embrace it? Does it activate unbelief? Is our faith in that moment, genuine faith with only one thought of doubt?

a. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 1 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) b. Fear not, for I AM with you; Be not dismayed, for I AM Your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous hand. Is. 41:10 (NKJV) c. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) d. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) e. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” 1 John 4:18 (NKJV)

God Story: Story of flat tire, concentration camp dream

Spiritual Exercise: Take 5 minutes to seek the Lord’s face and ask Him to reveal to you every fearful thought that has created doubt or unbelief in your heart about a particular situation, and write them down. Next, in class, we will learn to surrender each fear to the Lord, repent and replace each fear with the Truth.

The Impact of Unbelief: Fear is a form of unbelief. It says…”God I don’t trust in You!” Unfortunately, it was unbelief that kept one generation of Israelites out of the promiseland!

“Yes, again and again they tempted God (by their unbelief), and limited the Holy One of Israel.” Psalm 78:41 (NKJV)

“Now He (Jesus) did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Matthew 13:58 (NKJV)

Biblical Definition of Faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith (in Christ Jesus). And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Do you have Faith to Move Mountains? REMEMBER: Faith is not a feeling but a decision, a choice we must make to believe in His promises, to put all of our trust in Him, as Jesus Christ!

“For assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 12 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matt. 21:21-22 (NKJV)

“For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.”(1 John 5: 4 - NKJV)

“The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1: 17 - NKJV)

“The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag (deer).” Song of Solomon 2:8-9a (NKJV)

The Authority of a Believer, How we Relinquish and Walk in Authority a. Our authority in Christ. Jesus said “the Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 - NKJV) – that means everything that was lost, not just individuals, but “that” which was lost (individuals, families, the marketplace, cities impacted by disaster, etc..). Jesus has given His Church the keys (authority) to remove the enemy (bind and loose) from his position (gates of Hades) in every sphere of society. Where are the gates of Hades? Every place where there is darkness and Jesus has promised us, these gates will not prevail!

“Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” “ Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:16-19 (NKJV)

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 (NKJV)

“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15 (NKJV)

b. Relinquishing our Authority. The Apostle Peter tells us to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) – that means the devil is waiting to sift you, find ways to cause you to fall so he can gain access into your life. The following biblical story illustrates this in the story of Balaam, who was a soothsayer (fortune teller) that King Balak was trying to hire to curse Israel. Fortunately, God would not allow

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 13 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 it since the Israelites were a blessed people (walking in obedience to God), henceforth, under His umbrella of protection.

“So Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, 1 ‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.’” And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” Numbers 22:10-12 (NKJV)

Unfortunately, Balaam figured out a way around God’s hand of protection. He instructed King Balak to have the Moabite woman invite the Israelite men to dinner to seduce them and ultimately, get them to eat foods sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality (idolatry and sexual immorality are the two biggest ways the devil uses to cause Christian leaders to fall). Balaam’s plan was to get them to sin in order for a curse to come upon them. Note: The devil is unable to supersede God’s ways but the devil can trick men to fall in sin in order for the hand of God’s protection to be removed off of His people. Because of Israel’s grave sin, God smote Israel with a plague that killed 24,000 people.

“Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel…. “So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel. 9 And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.” Numbers 25:1-3, 8-9 (NKJV)

“And Moses said to them: “Have you kept all the women alive? Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.” Numbers 31:15-16 (NKJV)

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” Revelation 2:14 (NKJV)

“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:22 (NKJV)

c. Rejecting Authority. Besides unforgiveness, I believe rejecting authority causes more Christians to fall and come outside of God’s hand of protection than any other sin. Lying, stealing, etc.. is a transgression against God’s ways but rejecting authority, is rejecting God Himself, His delegated authority. Unfortunately, a rebellious spirit opens the gates of Hades, causing great havoc for an individual or

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 14 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 church. Reviewing the scriptures below, you will quickly see that God does not play around when men reject His authority, especially when we try to usurp it from our own desire and will.

• The rebellion of Ham – family cursed (Genesis 9:20-27) • Strange fire offered by Nadab and Abihu making themselves authority vs. following Aaron’s order so God destroyed them by fire (Leviticus 10:1-2) • The reviling of Aaron and Miriam – Miriam was struck with leprosy. “So they (Aaron/Miriam) said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it.”…God responded to them, “Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:2, 8 - NKJV) • The rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram – earth swallowed them up, every Israelite who joined them and their families (Numbers 16:1-33) • Story of David – Fortunately, David would not touch the Lord’s anointed and shows us a godly example (1 Sam. 24:4-6, 26:9, 11 and 2 Sam. 2:1:14) • Story of Jesus – demonstrated perfect submission to authority (Phil. 2:5-11, Heb. 5:7-9)

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2 (NKJV)

d. Using our Authority to Overcome the Enemy (Snare of the Fowler). God’s promise of protection in Psalm 91:3 is an incredible promise! He protects us by giving us grace (provisions, promises) and the authority over the enemy to overcome every temptation and stronghold in our life. How do we do it?

“For the weapons of our warfare (grace) are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV)

Strongholds: A stronghold is a fortified structure that surrounds a city. In our minds, it is a wall we have allowed to be erected that keeps the presence of God out of certain areas of our heart and gives access to Satan to control us. Every lie we allow into our minds (about Jesus or about ourselves) gives access to Satan who ultimately causes the lie to become a major stronghold in our mind, ultimately defeating us, rendering us helpless in that particular area.

Question: Why do so many believers live in darkness in particular areas of their heart (especially in their emotions)? They believe in Jesus and the Word of God but they don’t activate the Word of God over their hearts. When we speak it out with

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 15 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 our mouth over our heart, it redirects our mind to believe the new truth. The Holy Spirit always moves when the Word of God is spoken out loud (let there be light!) I believe the first light in the world was the light of His Word going forth.

SPECIAL NOTE: Do not partner with darkness (saying “one last time”) – don’t give an open door for darkness (Satan) to come in, giving Satan permission to cause havoc in our lives, releasing demonic energy into our heart. It is not worth it!

Open Doors: slander, cursing, gossip, negativity, complaining, lust, coveting, unforgiveness, hate, bitterness, anger, etc…

“Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own mercy.” Jonah 2:8 (NKJV)

Casting down arguments: We must cast down and renounce/reject every lie of Satan against Jesus and ourselves by replacing with the truth, the Word of God. His word is like a hammer, to knock down these strongholds, sometimes stone by stone and other times at one time!

Example: Our minds hear…”you are nothing” “you are a loser” “just try it” – when these thoughts come in, we must reject them, renounce them and replace these thoughts with His truth. I am a new creation in Christ! I am the righteousness of God! …or other powerful truths in the Word of God. We must immediately disarm all emotions like fear, shame, and despair with the truth of God!

If we feel shameful, we will live shameful. If we feel clean, we will live clean!

“He delivered me because He delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19 (NKJV)

Be watchful: We must be alert at all times for flaming arrows of the enemy coming our way. God’s promise to us is that He will empower us through grace to cast down these attacks - “you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” Ephesians 6:16 (NASB)

Flaming arrows are sudden heightened senses of lust, fear, oppression, or anxiety, etc.. When the arrows come, we are able to resist and extinguish these demonic influences by the authority of Jesus’ name as we declare the truth of God’s Word and commit to obey Jesus in that area of our life that Satan is attacking. This is exactly how Jesus dealt with Satan in the wilderness. Let us follow His example. “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NKJV)

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 16 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 Practice Session: Let’s take 10 minutes to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal strongholds in our lives. Write them down. Then, one by one, reject and renounce these strongholds, replacing them with the truth of God. Lastly, ask Jesus to seal these areas within our mind/hearts by applying the blood of Christ over each area.

The Difference between Grace and Mercy: With Grace (empowers us), we get what we don’t deserve and with Mercy (covers us), we don’t get what we do deserve.

The Father has mercy on us by allowing His Son to receive what we deserve. The righteousness of Christ in us attracts what we don’t deserve, grace, which empowers us to become like Him, in order to overcome trials and tribulations, and bring heaven to earth.

Question: If grace is made available to us every moment of every day, how often do we obtain grace by faith on a daily basis? How many times do we fight battles in our own flesh vs. activating a free and powerful gift from God that makes the impossible, possible?

Summary: God’s amazing Grace not only forgives us of our sins, saves us from eternal death, grants us entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven but also: 1. Imparts Divine Nature 2. Enables us to walk in True Holiness 3. Empowers us to bring the Kingdom of God here into a dark world

“As His divine power (grace) has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Pet. 1:3-4)

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

Blind Bartimaeus asking for Mercy “Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith (in Me as Jehovah Rapha) has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.” Mark 10:46-52 (NKJV)

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 17 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 “When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” 16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.” Genesis 19:15-17 (NKJV)

“For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.”16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” Romans 9:15-16 (NKJV)

How to Access Grace Grace, even though freely given, can only be accessed through faith! It doesn’t matter how nice you are, how enthusiastic you are, how sincere or busy you are in the ministry, there is no other way to obtain grace but through faith!

“Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2 - NKJV)

So faith is like a “pipeline” for His grace to flow through. The bible says.. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6 NIV)

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:6-8 (NKJV)

No Faith Example: “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Mark 4:37-40 (NKJV)

Little Faith Example (Peter walking on water): “But when he (Peter) saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:30-31 (ESV)

Great Faith Example: “And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 18 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Matthew 8:7-10 (NKJV)

God Story: Little faith becoming great faith before annual Light of Hope fundraiser

Question: How do we increase our faith to see the mighty hand of God move in our life? The bible tells us that faith comes by hearing the word of God so we must read our bible daily (if possible). It tells us that man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). How important it is to read the word of God! The bible also tells us that our faith matures when it is tested, so we must continue to step out in faith, pray in faith, in order for God to meet you in this place of faith. Lastly, remember to ask God to increase your faith in your prayer time!

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17 (NKJV)

“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:5 (ESV)

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

“that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7 (NKJV)

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2: 17 (NKJV)

Great Faith in the Disaster Field Since 2016, ADRN has been led by the Lord to pray against all severe weather coming into the greater Austin area, asking God to remove threatening weather, speaking peace to the storm. This is just one of many ways the Body of Christ can be effective in their community, to prevent disasters vs. “watch and wait” as severe weather rolls into an area.

Question: One day, will we find out in heaven how many destructive storms would have been thwarted IF the Church simply prayed in faith and believed on God to speak peace to the storm?

FAITH BOOST: Picture of Divided Storm, Newspaper Articles

“…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 19 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” James 5:16b-18 (NKJV)

Multiple ways to stand in faith in the disaster field: 1. Disaster Prevention (Jesus speaks peace to the storm, Matt. 8:23-27 / ADRN Denham Springs deployment story) 2. Financial Provision (Peter fishes for money, Matt. 17:24-27 / ADRN gift card story in Moore, Oklahoma) 3. Material Provision (Disciples find Donkey and Upper Room, Luke 19:30-34, Luke 22:12 / ADRN October Floods/Bastrop Fires facemask story) 4. Family Provision (Peter/Andrew’s fishing business, Luke 5:4-6 / Woman who receives home after Tropical Storm Hermine floods home/Family receives fully furnished apartment after NW Austin Apartment Fires) 5. Food/Provision Multiplied (Jesus feeds 5,000 men, Matt. 24:13-21 / It’s a Miracle Story, Hurricane Harvey Generator story) 6. Healing and Miracles (Jesus, disciples heal the sick, Acts 9:33-34 / Dr. George’s back is healed) “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” James 5:15 (NKJV)

Who does God give Grace to? The humble, those that depend upon God! Humility and Faith are synonymous with one another. You can’t have one without the other.

“Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” 1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV)

Examples of Humility, Total Dependence on God: The lifestyles of Jesus, Moses, Apostle Paul, Apostle Peter, David, Esther, Gideon, Ruth, Abraham, etc...

“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (NKJV)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 (NKJV)

“And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10 (NKJV)

“The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.” Psalm 10:4 (NKJV)

Testimonies of Humility – His Protection: Story of the 12 Spies (Numbers 13 & 14), David & Goliath (1 Sam. 17:1-25), King Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 20:1-30), King Hezekiah (2 Chron. 32:1-23), Disciples Praying (Acts 4:23-31)

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 20 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 Humility or Pride/Arrogance Test? “Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:24 (NKJV)

“Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NKJV)

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30 (NKJV)

“But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:31-33 (NKJV)

“But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.” And all the congregation said to stone them with stones.” Numbers 14:6-9 (NKJV)

Faith Filled Prayer Examples: “Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6 and said: “O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 21 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 affliction, and You will hear and save.’ 10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chron. 5-12, NKJV)

VII. Conclusion: How to Stay Under the Shadow of the Almighty a. Cultivating a relationship with Jesus Christ (John 15:4) b. Staying in a covenant relationship with God through obedience c. Remembering who we are in Christ and our authority (Rom. 5:17) d. Walking in the grace of God through faith, in order to overcome every trial e. Putting on the whole Armor of God and placing all of your trust in God!

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Eph. 6:10-18)

Practice Session (20 minutes): Break into teams of two, introduce yourself, read through each scenario slowly and share with one another how you would respond based on what you learned in this class. Share your best strategies with the class.

Scenario 1: You have been working at IBM for 10 years as a software developer and today you have been asked to meet with your boss. Unfortunately, the boss tells you that the company lost over $2 billion in revenue in the last two quarters and needs to let go of 100 employees in Austin, and you’re one of them. They offer you 2 months of severance pay. This leaves you and your family your retirement fund of $75,000 and two months of pay to live off of until you find a job. Unfortunately, Austin’s market is saturated with software developers and one of your good friends tells you it could take over 12 months to find a good job in Austin. Suddenly, another thought comes to your mind….how will you be able to pay the new large mortgage payment that was based on a recent bonus (you just bought a new house in the Barton Creek area)? When you get home to share the bad news with your wife, she interrupts you to give you some exciting news….she’s pregnant! Out

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 22 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 of her excitement, she shares her concerns about the families two, 2-door vehicles and how they won’t work anymore and asks if they can look this weekend for a new 4-door car in preparation for the baby! Also, she begins to talk about purchasing all of the baby supplies, furniture, decorations that will be needed for the new baby room. How should you respond to this situation?

Scenario 2: At 4AM, you are suddenly woken by the smell of fire in your house. You jump out of bed to find out your entire bottom floor is on fire! You quickly wake up your 5 kids on the 2nd floor as the fire is making its way upstairs. You rush them all to your room and help them climb down the fire ladder that is placed at your window. One by one, you and your spouse lower them to safety but you realize, one of the kids is missing! You look down the hallway and see the fire is taking over the 2nd floor. What do you do? At this time, the smoke is getting really thick on the 2nd floor and the ceiling is on fire. Your spouse is freaking out, yelling the name of the child… It feels like you have seconds to get the rest of your family out of the house? What do you do?

Scenario 3: It’s Tuesday evening, 8PM, and you are attending an evening ADRN CERT training at Riverbend Church in west Austin with 42 other attendees. Suddenly, the lights go out and it is pitch black in the room. Everyone in the classroom waits for the lights to go on but nothing happens. Attendees begin to try and use their cell phone to turn on their phone flashlight but not a single phone works. The CERT trainer begins to mobilize the attendees to go outside, using a training flashlight. When everyone goes outside, it is pitch black as far as an eye can see and there is an earie silence like no one has experienced before. There is no traffic noise from the highway. How could this be? The class instructor eventually cancels the class and tells everyone that a make-up class time will be emailed to them. Everyone gets in their car to head home but quickly finds out, not a single car starts other than Bob Everett’s 1968 Camaro (he has ½ tank of gas)! Unfortunately, while Sally searched her car for a flashlight, the unstable box full of antique iron stands falls out of the car and on to her foot. She screams as she holds her broken foot. During the commotion, someone suggests, either Austin has been hit by a terrorist attack or an EMP has crippled our grid system along with everything that is electronic in the area, maybe even the entire state or nation. You are stunned to hear this! Thoughts of fear begin to flood your mind and grip your heart. How will I get home to my spouse and kids? How are they doing? Are they safe? My house is 26 miles away in Georgetown, Texas! It would minimally take 9-10 hours to walk home! I’m hungry and I don’t have water or food for my long journey home? I don’t have a flashlight – how will I see? What will life be like if an EMP impacted our state or nation? How will we survive?

SCRIPTURES FILLED WITH PROMISES TO MEDIATE AND PRAY THROUGH: Psalm 34 (NKJV) - The Happiness of Those Who Trust in God “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their

Document No: D24-T09-N010 Rev B 8-31-19 © 2019 Austin Disaster Relief Network Page 23 of 24 Spiritual Training – Psalms 91:1 The Protection of the Lord 10/15/2019 faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 9 Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. 10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12 Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. 20 He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. 22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.”

Psalm 91 (NKJV) - Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”

Note: Special Recognition and Thanks to Peggy Joyce Ruth, author of Psalm 91, God’s Shield of Protection and Disciples Training Center Founder, Dr. Jim Boswell. ADRN has resourced some of Peggy Joyce Ruth and Dr. Boswell’s materials to bring this teaching to you. ADRN also recognizes and thanks John Bevere, author of Relentless & Extraordinary and Mike Bickle, Founder, International House of Prayer (IHOPKC).

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