FEAR

[Music] Welcome to Call to Freedom with Barbar Carman. This is Jimmy Lakey and I'm delighted that you are joining us for this half hour. You can reach Call to Freedom at box 370-367 Denver, Colorado 802-37 or by going to the website at www.freedomstreet.org. If you want to leave a message or order a word-powered daily reading Bible guide or a Freedom Street Express newsletter, you can call us toll-free at 1-877-917-7256 and leave your name and address including your zip code. If you want to talk to Barbara right now, she is expecting your call. You may call that same toll-free number 1-877-917-7256 to speak to her. And now let's join Barbara in the studio. Welcome to Call to Freedom. I am so looking forward to this half hour with you to be able to just pray with you and I know many of you have needs. And next week I'm going to provide just a little time of meeting those needs and then the following Monday, yes, is the Monday before November 5th election day. We're going to take communion. So I just want to get ahead a little bit about that. But some of you do have physical needs and I want to pray for them because I know that when we pray in agreement cooperating with one another two or three together, then God is going to meet that need. And I thank God so much for his wonderful, powerful word. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him. You got to know him, friends. You got to know him. That second Peter 1, 3 in Kimberly is going to be telling us more in second Peter. What a wonderful book. You are blessed to dispense for in him you live and move and have your being. And you can go to FreedomStreet.org and listen to previous radio programs. And you can also go and donate, especially right now to Samaritan's Purse. You can hit that little donate button at FreedomStreet.org and then you can put your destination of your donation in the slot or in the space where it says to donate. And so I'm going to send a check tomorrow so that it's too late for most of you except if you donate. And then next week I will be sending another check to Samaritan's Purse. God bless them for all their work. And as far as the voters guide is concerned, your vote is your seed to plant for a government for the people and by the people. I want you to know that your ballot isn't just a piece of paper. It's you seeding the future of this country, my friend. Yes, it is. If you don't get an email of the voters guide, if you've emailed me and you don't get an email of the voters guide, I either don't have your address. And Teresa, if you're listening, your email is full. And I couldn't get mine to you. I'm so sorry girl, you got to empty your email. And then I can send you a voters guide. And this is so frustrating for me because when you email, I don't have a phone number or anything. I don't have an email and when it says it's full, I can't do anything about it. So I hope that you will look at your emails. And if you haven't received anything in the mail, call me again after the program. 1877 9177256. I just want to tell you that three judges, everybody is asking about the judges. So all the judges, a score of judges, I put no. And this is Barbara. I put no except Judge Gilbert and Roman, Judge Jerry and Jones, and Judge Andre L Rudolph. This was so good for me to be able to do this beforehand this last month and look them all up. Why the breeze? I just went through them. No, no, no, yes. No, no, no, no, no. So I hope this helps you as you try to get through this long voting ballot. And I don't have anything else to say about that except pray over it. When you get your ballot and you fill it out, pray over your ballot that it will count and you'll get to this destination. And the enemy will have no, no jurisdiction over your, or over your ballot. And that's what we've got to do. We've got to pray folks. We've got to pray, pray, pray. That's our weapon. That's the word of God, the scripture that we've learned and praying. Praise the Lord. Well, yesterday was so exciting. The 4,000 year plan that Kimberly was talking about from Genesis, clear through to now that I'm excited to hear from her again. So welcome to Call the Freedom, Kimberly. Thank you. Yes. If you didn't hear yesterday's program, we started talking about how we're living in the last days. And we are very close to our Lord's return. And in 2 Peter chapter 3, it tells us that 1,000 years is like a day. And a day is like 1,000 years in the eyes of our Lord. So I was looking at that scripture and realizing, you know, Jesus actually came at the end of 4,000 years. So maybe we could consider that day 4. And I was kind of mapping that out according to the days of creation. And then day 5 and day 6, that would be the last 2 millennia that we have been in. So 2,000 years now since Christ's death would represent day 5 and day 6. And so we're at the end of the 6th day. We're at the end of 6,000 years since the beginning of creation. And if you take the 1,000 years and treat them like one day, then you can kind of look at the days of creation and see that at the end of the 6th day, God rested. Praise God. So we're about to enter the 7th day. The 7th day is the day of rest. And as a part of his own description of the end times and how we will know when he will return, Jesus describes what is to come in Matthew 24. So that's kind of how I got on to the subject of the 10 virgins yesterday at the very end of the program. We were talking about how the 5 foolish virgins didn't have any more oil left in their lamps. And the wise ones, they turned to the wise ones and asked them for oil. And those wise ones said, "No, we won't have enough for ourselves. You need to go to the one who's selling." That's the Hebrew translation of it. The one who sells. And who is the one that has the oil? That is our Lord. He has the oil. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. And he has the oil. So that little kid's song that we mentioned, "Give me oil in my lamp. Keep me burning, burning, burning. Give me oil in my lamp. I pray." I pray. It's a little kid's song. But that's exactly how you get oil in your lamp is you pray. You pray, you ask. And over and over again, Jesus reminds us that when we have need, we ask. Ask and keep on asking. You know, knock and the door will be open to you. Seek. Keep looking. You will find he's not the kind of God who's going to keep it from you. When you ask him, he will give to you. That's right. So that's how we get the oil. We pray that he will give us oil. He's the one who has the oil. He's the one who gives it freely when we ask. So come to him when you're burdened. And you pointed out yesterday, Mom, that we want those foolish, the ones that are described as foolish, you know, in quotes that we want them to have the oil. We tell them, if we have oil, if we're the ones with the oil, we tell them, "Go, go get some. We want you to have the oil. We want you to join us in the speech that awaits us." But what is it that makes these five, that gives them the description of foolish, you know, that puts that term on them? What is it that makes them foolish? I believe that it's the way they think they're supposed to acquire the oil. I believe that they're so embarrassed that they ran out of oil, that they don't even go to their Lord to ask for it. They go to a different source. They go somewhere out in the market. And while they're gone looking for their oil, the bridegroom returns. He lets the others in and closes the door and locks it. And then those five don't make it to the feast. All because they didn't go to the one who has the oil. I think that's what makes them foolish. You know, trying to cover up for our mistakes, for our inadequacies, our lack. Trying to hide that is our biggest mistake in life. That's right. Going to him and saying, "I'm empty. I don't have the oil, but I want to be with you." This whole relationship, that's what it is. It's a relationship. Returning to the Lord means you're returning to relationship with him. It doesn't mean that you've learned where to buy the oil or how to buy the oil or what to do next. We're not human doings. We're human beings. And to be with him is our main purpose in this life. That's right. It really is. So I grew up in such a narrow-minded religious atmosphere that if you don't do this and do this and do this, well then you're going to hell. And Kimberly, Jesus is so merciful and loving. I was just reading in Luke 9 today. And right after the test of greatness, they arose among them. This is the 46th verse of Luke 9. There was an argument who might be the greatest. Jesus knowing what they were thinking in their heart. Took a child. A child that didn't know him. A child that had no kind of knowledge about what to do to be saved. And he took him by his side and he said, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me." And whoever receives me receives him who sent me. Then John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name. We tried to hinder him because he does not follow along with us. He does not follow along in our religious concept." And Jesus said, "Do not hinder him for he who is not against you is for you." The Lord is just opening a whole new horizon of how He thinks and how He believes that He is reaching the hearts of people that aren't like me. They don't believe like me, but they love Him. And that's important. So I'm just learning a whole new thing of God. Who God loves? It's just not the people that go to church every week and that abide by all these laws. No. It's knowing Him. It's knowing Him. When Jesus is giving His description of the end times what it's going to look like, then He starts describing in Matthew 25. Now see, His description to His disciples when His disciples asked Him, "When will this happen? What are the signs that we look for?" That's Matthew 24. We put that number. We in the latter years here have put the number 24 in there just so that we can find scriptures. But this was all written out without numbers. So going from Matthew 24 to Matthew 25, Jesus just kept talking. You know, He kept giving a description there. He wasn't finished with what He was telling His disciples in Matthew 24 when you got to 25. That wasn't the end of one conversation. And now He's starting a new conversation is what I'm trying to say. That's right. He was continuing the conversation. And the continued conversation in Matthew 25 was describing those 10 virgins. Okay, He's describing them and wanting people to see that the ones who trust Him and just enter in to relationship with Him. Yes. The ones who come to Him are the ones who really know Him. They know Him to be kind. They know Him to be good. They know Him to be generous. That's what He wants. He wants us to get to know Him. He is the kindest being in the universe. And it is His kindness that leads us to repentance. That's what His Word tells us. It also tells us that His gentleness makes us great. You know, so when we assume that He is harsh and not loving and not kind, then we've assumed the wrong things about our God. We need to get to know Him who He really is. He goes on in Matthew 25 to describe three different servants. And one version here says they, he called His trusted servants to Him. So this master is going on a trip. And He calls His trusted servants and wants to give them all some talents. One of the versions just says His own slaves and trusted His possessions to them. So to one He gave five talents to another two and to the other He gave one talent. And what is so interesting to me, I don't think we're supposed to focus on the chores or the rituals or what we can do to earn extra to buy and trade and sell. And you know, how do we do the things that make us faithful? I don't think that's where we're supposed to focus. Or even the count of the talents. All my life, it's been the talents. The talents have been the important thing here. Yeah, I don't think it's either of those things. It's not what we can do and it's not the talents themselves. It's getting to know who our master is. That's right. He is. And taking care of what He's given us the way He would take care of what He's given us. You know, instead of us abusing those talents in any way. And instead of focusing on what we can do to earn our way into His kingdom or help His return come sooner in these last days. So many of us might be feeling pretty stressed and anxious about what's going on all around us, what's going on in politics and in our own families. And across the ocean in different countries, you know, we can become full of anxiety and wonder, wow, are my prayers working or not? Well, do you know Him? Yes. And instead of getting too upset about whether or not you need to buy this or sell that or trade this and being faithful with all the chores. And I'm not saying that it's useless to be faithful with the property that God has entrusted you with. That's right. I just want to point us to the bigger message. Yes. The bigger message, that message is all wrapped up in what you think and how you feel about our master. Our Lord, are you like the foolish virgins who go to find oil for themselves from this world's resources? Or do you trust Him? Do you trust Him to give to you when you ask the three servants in Matthew 25 that I was mentioning they were entrusted with talents and they enjoyed using their talents. Except for one, one who thought that his master was harsh and ruthless. And that's what he says to his master. He says, "I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid and went away and hid your talent in the ground." Okay, this is, I'm reading from Matthew 25 verses 24, 25. And then in verse 26, his master answered and said, "You wicked lazy servant. You knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. So what is it that made the servant wicked and lazy? Was it really because he didn't buy and trade and sow his talent well? It's saying here that he did not know his master well." That's right. That's what that's saying. The master was upset not because he needed more money from this servant. He didn't need more money. Our Lord doesn't need more money. But the fact that the servant had it all messed up in his mind. He thought that this was a harsh master who reaps where he does not sow and gathers where he scattered no seed. That's just not who our God is. No. If it was... Our God is so generous. That's right. If it was in this day and age that evil servant would take that money, whatever talent amount it was, and he'd spend it. He wouldn't even respect his master in this day and age. I find that really interesting too. He would have spent it. Not have anything then. And then he'd gone to the government for help. Well, we all go through experiences where we wonder what we should do with what we have. And we go through situations in this life that cause us to question God's goodness. I just want to caution you. If you're in that place, it's not wrong to question work through them though. Work through your questions. Keep coming back to the Lord. He is the one with the answers and he's the one with the oil. And don't let your questions develop into bitterness. Remember that it was God Himself who went to the cross and spoke forgiveness to those who put Him on that cross. He is more generous and more kind than any human is able to give Him credit for. That's right. So we need to come to Him in our weariness and in our resentment and our bitterness. We need to come to Him in our anger and come to Him in our grief. He is so kind, He's mindful that we're dust. He's so patient and He's generous and He waits for us. Yes, I will. I'll wait for us. We were talking about that in 2 Peter also. I'm sorry, did I interrupt you? Well, I just want to bring up a verse from Romans 8, verse 32. "He God did not spare his own son, his very best, his own son, but delivered him up for us all." He knew we were in a deep pit. He did. He knew that we were all headed for hell. But God gave His very best gift. So why are we so afraid to give to Him? And then it says, "Will how will He not also with Him?" "Will He not give us all things?" "Will He not give us all things?" "Will He not give us all things?" Why don't we trust Him? We do experience things in this life that bring great confusion and pain. And in the pain and confusion we experience grief and anger. And that's just what we want to be cautious about. Don't let it develop into a bitterness and a resentment that goes deep. Ask Him to help you uproot that. Ask Him to help you see Him with new eyes and have a fresh vision of Him. In 2 Peter 3 and verse 9 it says that His delay simply reveals His loving patience toward you. Because He does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance. And so He's waiting. He is waiting for us and it's okay to learn how to wait for Him and to wait on Him. He knows what He's doing. He's working all things together for good. And He knows the timing, the perfect timing and how to do that. So may we all learn to wait for Him with hope and with joy. My question for you today is what do you think of God? If you don't know what to think of Him, are you able to ask Him? Can you go to Him and ask Him and trust that He will answer your questions? Because this whole journey here, this is not religion for us. As we're talking here on the radio, this is not religion, this is relationship. It goes so much deeper than the things that we were taught rituals and traditions and liturgy and just saying words. It's so much deeper. It's a relationship that's so personal and so intimate. And as we get to know and grow in the grace and in the knowledge, as we get to know Him, more knowledge. Not just facts, but to really know Him. Intimately know Him as we ask more questions and become more a part of His life, His dream, wanting His plans to take place in this world, not our own. As we grow in that, then we become more and more full of peace and full of trust and full of hope. And then we're able to talk about these things that seem impossible, knowing that our God does impossible things every day. He's good at it. Yes, that's right. I love the last part of second Peter 3 and it's the last part of second Peter, the book. And it says, but continue to grow and increase in God's grace and intimacy learning how to really love learning that love from our Lord Jesus. Intimacy with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And may He receive all the glory both now and until the day eternity begins. Oh, that's beautiful. All man. And you know, all men means yes. So when we say, Amen, we're agreeing with what was just said. Praise the Lord. Yes. That's right. My personal belief is that the day of the Lord is a beautiful invitation for His beloved ones to enter His rest. And what makes us beloved is the fact that we are able to put our eyes on Him, to focus on Him in the midst of this world that is so distracting. Yes. And you know, even when I go to prayer, I have so many distractions that start running through my brain. That's the way it happens for me. I don't, I haven't talked to too many people who are able to just quiet themselves and be truly quiet in prayer and not have one distraction come up, you know. So that's how it works in my mind. And I can't wait for the day when there will not be any distractions left. But in the midst of them offering Him yourself, just say, I am coming and I want to know more about you and just keep asking every day. That beautiful invitation that He is giving to enter His rest will become rest for you. And this is how He's perfecting His plan. For those who are determined to work things out in our own strengths, that might be difficult to actually see how His plan is coming together. It might be hard for you to let go of control and to pry your fingers off of this life in order to enter that realm of rest that He has waiting for you. Yes. But God is walking us through all of these perilous days. He is walking with us in the confusion and in the chaos. He is giving grace. He is showing mercy and He is so good. And I'm just going to read from 2 Peter 3 again those last two verses. As for you, divinely loved ones, since you are forewarned of all these things, be careful that you're not led astray by the error of the lawless. Don't lose your firm grip on the truth. But continue to grow and increase in God's grace and intimacy with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May He receive all the glory both now and until the day eternity begins. Amen. Amen. Oh, that's beautiful. Thank you so much, Kimberly. If you'd like to get a Voters Guide, you can go to Barbara Carmax, C-A-R-M-A-C-K, at freedomstreet.org. And I'll get you one really quickly. God bless you and keep you and take joy. Thank you for listening to Call to Freedom with Barbara Carmax. You may get in touch with Barbara at Call to Freedom. Box 370-367, Denver, Colorado, 80237. Or you may leave your message at 1-877-917-7256. Call to Freedom is a listener supported radio ministry. Barbara and her power partners invite you to come on board with us and become a network of hands holding up Call to Freedom Ministry. Power partners support Call to Freedom with prayer and monthly financial support. You will be blessed supernaturally. We invite you to visit Call to Freedom's website, www.freedomstreet.org, where you can hear Barbara's daily radio broadcast 24 hours a day or order materials. You may share your phrase reports in heart prize by mailing them to Call to Freedom. Box 370-367, Denver, Colorado, 80237. Or you may email us at Barbara Carmax at Freedomstreet.org. Until next time, remember Jesus loves you, Barbara loves you, and take joy. [Music] [Music]