Under Pressure

Salvation is really about Adoption.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4-7 ESV

When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Genesis 6:1-2 ESV

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. Genesis 6:4 ESV

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8-9 ESV

To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided, and his brother's name was Joktan. Genesis 10:25 ESV

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! Psalm 82:1-8 ESV

You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Amos 3:2 ESV

Jesus became the door to bring people into the family of God:

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13 ESV

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 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 ESV

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 ESV

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling[a] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV

Words of Knowledge:

• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been suffering with an abscess on their abdomen.
• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having a lot of pain related toan infection in a tooth.
• We believe there are people here today who have been having reoccurring night terrors. We believe the Lord wants to heal you and set you free from this today.

Florida Primary Election Voters Guide 2026:
https://unitedchristiansofflorida.com/hillsborough-county-primary-election-voter-recommendation-guide-2026/

Be sure to vote in the primary on or before August 18, 2026.

• School Board Member District 2 : Brittany Lyssy
• School Board Member District 6 : Sally Harris Williamson
• US Senator - Repbulican : Ernest "Ernie" Rivera
• US Representative D-14 : Mike Beltran
• Governor FL : Bryon Donalds
• Chief Financial Officer : Blaise Ingoglia
• Commissioner of Agriculture : Matt Taylor
• FL State Representative D-64 : Dan Weldon
• Board of County Commissioners D-5 : Sonna Cameron Cepeda
• Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit Group 7 : Luis "Louie" Aguila
• Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit Group 13 : Jim Wimasatt

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”John 16:33 NIV

I’ve told you These Things (John 14-16)

• The promise of a coming Helper — the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-26; 16:7-15)
• The parable of Vine and the branches (John 15:1-8) — the theology of abiding.
• A direct warning that the world will hate them exactly as it hated Him (John 15:18-25) — no sugar-coating.
• The parable of the woman in labor (John 16:20-22) — pain that is real, temporary, and productive.
• Discourse about the Disciples-direct access in prayer — "ask the Father in My name" (John 16:23-27).
• He told the disciples: You are going to have difficulty believing and even leave me-but if you remain connected to me, you will obtain my victory! " (John 16:32).

So that In Me you may have Peace

Peace is not something you build or achieve. It's an address you occupy!

Peace - “Shalom” - wholeness, completeness, flourishing, and well-being. Further, it describes a complex state where all moving parts of life (relationships, society, and creation) are in perfect harmony and nothing is missing. Thlipsis on the outside but perfect harmony “shalom” on the inside.

In this World you will have Trouble

The Greek word for Trouble is (thlipsis). This is not a soft word. Its root, (thlibo), means to press, to squeeze, to crush under immense pressure or weight. It's the word used in the ancient world for pressing grapes into wine and olives into oil.

So when Jesus says "you will have thlipsis," He's not saying "life has inconveniences." He's saying: "You will be pressed (squeezed by weight you don’t understand and didn’t choose) until something in you is forced to come out of you."

• The Financial Press
• The Marriage Press
• The Body Press
• The Parenting Press
• The Identity Press
• The Mental Health Press

None of us are exempt-it’s guaranteed and unavoidable-pressure, release what’s precious, remain preserved!

but Take Heart

It is always spoken TO someone by Jesus, in the middle of fear.

• Matthew 9:2 — to a paralyzed man: "Take heart/Take Courage/Be of good cheer [tharsei], your sins are forgiven."
• Matthew 9:22 — to a bleeding woman: "Take heart/Take Courage/Be of good cheer [tharsei], daughter; your faith has made you well."
• Matthew 14:27 / Mark 6:50 — walking on the water toward terrified disciples in an actual storm: "Take heart/Take Courage/Be of good cheer! [tharseite] It is I; do not be afraid."
• Acts 23:11 — to Paul while he was on trial before the Jewish High Counsel, alone in a Roman barracks after nearly being torn apart by a mob: "Take heart/Take Courage/Be of good cheer [tharsei]..."

It's always relational, always spoken second-person, always arriving in the storm, never before it as prevention.

Thlypsis (the trouble, the threat, the trauma) doesn’t stop/ but in the close proximity of someone you love, and trust fear does! Thylipsis all around Shalom inside!

I’ve Overcome the World

It's a legal, settled verdict spoken in advance of its visible evidence!

The Greek word κόσμος (kosmos) is bigger than "bad circumstances.” Kosmos in John's Gospel is a “technical term” it's NOT the physical planet, not even extraordinarily bad circumstances. It's the entire organized system of opposition to God: fear, self-preservation, death, deception, and the entire value structure of an age in rebellion. When Jesus says "I have overcome the kosmos," He's not saying "I've solved your particular problem." He's saying He has already dismantled the entire operating system your particular problem is running on.”

The overcoming isn't something you're being asked to accomplish. It's something you're being invited to receive, it’s the place where we stand in Christ!

Words of Knowledge:

• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone of bursitis in their right elbow.
• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having a lot of pain in their right ankle.
• We believe the Lord wants to heal people with gastrointestinal problems.
• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has blurred vision.

Words are powerful but the spoken word carries weight.

Pressure doesn’t change who we are - - - it reveals who we are!

20 With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:20-21 NASB 1995

We have to let the word of God penetrate our minds but impregnate our hearts.

Words are powerful but the spoken word carries weight.

3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LordGod had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” Genesis 3:1 NASB1995

Words are powerful but the spoken word carries weight.

2 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” Genesis 3:2-3 NASB1995

4 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5 For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5 NASB1995

" Lies are sometimes facts masquerading as truth” -“A thief can steal our possessions, but a lie will steal" Book: David Perceived He Was King by Dale L. Mast

"A thief can steal our possessions, but a lie will steal our destiny” Book: David Perceived He Was King by Dale L. Mast

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak [a]what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. Matthew 12:33-34 NASB1995

We need to get set free!

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. Genesis 3:6-7 NASB1995

5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Ecclesiastes 5:5 NASB1995

Words are powerful but the spoken word carries weight.

5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. Proverbs 27:5 NASB1995

To separate relationship is to stop talking and communing with God.

8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” Genesis 3:8-10 NASB1995

Words are powerful but the spoken word carries weight.

11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14 The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life; 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:11-15 NASB1995

Words are powerful but the spoken word carries weight.

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 NASB1995

Click HERE to Register for Freedom or Kairos

Extra verses to read about the love of The Father and the power of words.

11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NASB1995

25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:25-29 NASB1995

1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1 NASB1995

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 NASB1995

12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13 NASB1995

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set a flame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men,who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. James 3:5-12 NASB1995

Words Of Knowledge

We believe there is someone here today that has been having heart palpitations and God wants to heal you.

We believe the Lord wants to heal someone dealing with sinusitis.

We believe there are many people here who are grieving the loss of a loved one, and He wants to pour out His love and peace on you today.

We believe the Lord wants to heal people of cognitive decline.

We believe the Lord wants to heal people of neurological pain in their extremities.

We believe there is someone here today who wasn’t planning on coming to church today but you felt compelled to be here. We believe the Lord wants to heal your back pain today and more importantly He also wants to become your Lord and Savior today. He loves you and wants a relationship with you.

We're all under pressure, all trying to find a rhythm in this New Season, if we were honest most of us are white-knuckling it way too often instead of stepping into a beat that's already been provided for us from Lord.

Heaven’s Rhythm: Worship

• Creation's Inaugural song Job 38:7
• Ceaseless Worship Revelation 4:8
• Antiphonal (call-and-response) declaration Isaiah 6:3
• Expanding, Escalating Worship Revelation 5:11–13
• God Rejoicing Over Us Zephaniah 3:17NASB1995 - 17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! 2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! 4 Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created. 6 He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree which will not pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all deeps; 8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; 9 Mountains and all hills; Fruit trees and all cedars; 10 Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged fowl; 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; 12 Both young men and virgins; Old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven. 14 And He has lifted up a horn for His people, Praise for all His godly ones; Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the Lord! Psalm 148 NASB 1995

The reason we’re stressed isn’t because we aren’t trying to find rhythm in life. It’s because we, often unwittingly, are aligned to the sounds of the Kingdom of Earth instead of the Kingdom of Heaven. The goal is getting into a lifestyle of measured steps that lead us to know God, his character and life-giving spirit, this is a life flowing from Him…NOT for him out of our own strength!

Our Measured Steps: Finding and Knowing God

Rest Daily /Rejoice Weekly / Retreat Monthly / Renew Yearly

1. Rest Daily: 4+ times a week

Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me. Psalm 131:2 NASB 1995

O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8 NASB 1995

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:2 NASB 1995

2. Rejoice Weekly: Sabbath

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB 1995

3. Retreat Monthly/Quarterly

So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NASB 1995

4. Renew Yearly

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB 1995

22 The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to bebeaten with rods.23 When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely;24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. Acts 16:22-26 NASB1995

Sit, Walk, Stand: The Process of of Christian Maturity

Words of Knowledge:

• We believe the Lord wants to heal people who are dealing with a severe sinus infection.
• We believe the Lord wants to minister to people who are walking through the process of grieving right now.

Pressure doesn't change who we are — it reveals who we are.

• Where the fractures are in our life.
• Where communication has quietly broken down.
• Where roles have become burdens, where connection has been quietly traded for survival mode.

We may hold a false expectation that our commitment to God will remove our problems, our stress, our brokenness, as if we have no part in the process.Yet the bible declares that we are afflicted in every way but not crushed. Perplexed but not driven to despair.

If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best! 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 (MSG)

Our life is a process of events that produces a survival story of God’s love, care, and faithfulness in us, His sons and daughters.

Clear my name, God; stick up for me against these loveless, immoral people. Get me out of here, away from these lying degenerates. I counted on you, God. Why did you walk out on me? Why am I pacing the floor, wringing my hands over these outrageous people? Give me your lantern and compass, give me a map, So I can find my way to the sacred mountain, to the place of your presence, To enter the place of worship, meet my exuberant God, Sing my thanks with a harp, magnificent God, my God. Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. Psalm 43:1-5 (MSG)

Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders—he’ll carry your load; he’ll help you out. He’ll never let good people topple into ruin. Psalm 55:22 (MSG)

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you. Psalm 55:22-23 (ESV)

Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; The day you needed me, I was there to help. Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing. Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all. 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 (MSG)

1. In The World You Will Have Tribulation

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (ESV)

Tribulation: the trials, pressures, and persecutions that we will face in the world, contrasted with the peace found in Christ.

2. Our Tribulations provide a platform for God’s Miraculous Work.

It was the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon declared war on Jerusalem and besieged the city. The Master handed King Jehoiakim of Judah over to him, along with some of the furnishings from the Temple of God. Nebuchadnezzar took king and furnishings to the country of Babylon, the ancient Shinar. He put the furnishings in the sacred treasury. The king told Ashpenaz, head of the palace staff, to get some Israelites from the royal family and nobility—young men who were healthy and handsome, intelligent and well-educated, good prospects for leadership positions in the government, perfect specimens!—and indoctrinate them in the Babylonian language and the lore of magic and fortunetelling. The king then ordered that they be served from the same menu as the royal table—the best food, the finest wine. After three years of training, they would be given positions in the king’s court. Four young men from Judah—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—were among those selected. The head of the palace staff gave them Babylonian names: Daniel was named Belteshazzar, Hananiah was named Shadrach, Mishael was named Meshach, Azariah was named Abednego. Daniel 1:1-7 (MSG)

But Daniel determined that he would not defile himself by eating the king’s food or drinking his wine, so he asked the head of the palace staff to exempt him from the royal diet. The head of the palace staff, by God’s grace, liked Daniel, but he warned him, “I’m afraid of what my master the king will do. He is the one who assigned this diet and if he sees that you are not as healthy as the rest, he’ll have my head!” Daniel 1:8-10 (MSG)

• Our troubles test the resolve of our faith.

Then the king promoted Daniel to a high position in the kingdom, lavished him with gifts, and made him governor over the entire province of Babylon and the chief in charge of all the Babylonian wise men. At Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to administrative posts throughout Babylon, while Daniel governed from the royal headquarters. Daniel 2:48-49 (MSG)

3. Life Is Not Fair - God Is In Charge of Our Life and Circumstances

• Comparison leads us to question the fairness of our situation.
• Peter’s question: If I am going to be crucified, what about John? (Turning his head, Peter noticed the disciple Jesus loved following right behind. When Peter noticed him, he asked Jesus, “Master, what’s going to happen to him?” Jesus said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You—follow me.” That is how the rumor got out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that is not what Jesus said. He simply said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you?”John 21:20-23 MSG)
• Jesus’ response: “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me” emphasizes that each disciple has their own calling and destiny, and that Peter’s priority is to follow Jesus, regardless of others’ path.
• Individual callings: Each of us has a unique role in God’s plan.

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1:2-4 (MSG)

Words of Knowledge:

• We believe there is someone here today that has been having inner ear pain and God wants to heal you.
• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone dealing with an enlarged thyroid, specifically the left lobe.
• We believe the Lord wants to heal people of a lingering sickness.
• We believe God is releasing heavenly assistance to heal marriages today.

We believe the Lord wants to heal broken relationships between siblings today.

• We believe we heard the Lord say that He wants to release people from destruction today. This is for those who feel like everything they touch seems to fall apart or gets destroyed.
• We believe the Lord is releasing people from the torment that is connected to their involvement with magic, witchcraft, or other occult involvement (Santeria, fortune telling, or communicating with the dead).