Podcasts about Verse

When world-renowned author Sir Walter Scott lay on his deathbed, he asked his son-in-law to bring him “the” book from his massive library. “Which book?” his son-in-law asked. Scott replied, “Son, there is only one book!” He meant the Bible, the most-read book in the world, with 100 million copies sold annually. Of its 31,103 verses, one stands above all others, and it's John 3:16. Atheists, agnostics, Jews, and Christians alike know this verse. It's only 25 words, with “Son” as the 13th word, dividing it perfectly in half. The first 12 words are about God: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son …” The last 12 are about us: “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (NKJV). Short enough to write on a napkin, but long enough to tell anyone how to have a lasting, eternal relationship with God. This one verse can save the universe. Unpack the power of these 25 words and discover God's love for you afresh.

Verse by Verse Bible Study on thecloudchurch.org through the book of 1 Timothy, covering chapter 4 and verses eight to sixteen.

From mining Bitcoin as a PhD student to running four funds across Asia and beyond — Jademont Zheng of Waterdrip Capital shares why BTCFi, AI, and public equity are the next wave.Zheng breaks down the essentials for anyone tracking crypto venture capital in Asia.

Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Seven and Verse Thirteen

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Kendrick Diaz discusses Luke 13:2-3—“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? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.'”

Elihu concludes his speech in Job 37 by proclaiming the majesty of the Almighty. The final speeches of the book are delivered by our Sovereign God. And so, in a sense, Elihu is God's forerunner just as John the Baptist was of our Lord Jesus Christ as Malachi 3 prophesied he would so do. In the final chapter Job is asked by the Almighty to make intercession in prayer for his 3 friends. As no such intercession is requested for Elihu it is reasonable to conclude that Yahweh had accepted what Elihu had said. Like with Moses and Elijah at Mount Sinai, so did the LORD precede His speech with an awesome display of His might - on this occasion "out of the whirlwind'. The whirlwind is a symbol of warfare in the Bible - indicating there is a divine warfare in the book of Job - between the Almighty against sin and self- righteousness. Elihu outlined the majestic power revealed in the thunder (spoken of in the Psalms as, "the voice of Yahweh") and in the lightning and the interplay between these two momentous forces. Verse 6 says that the snow falls at the Almighty's command. Mankind and all creatures are cowed by His awesome power. And what God does is according to His will and He does it purposefully. How can you even understand such power, let alone think you can challenge the LORD? Humble yourself and learn from Him. Show reverential fear and cease from your conceit. The same words must be acknowledged by us and responded to by the way in which we live.

Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Seven and Verse Twelve

durée : 00:19:57 - Journal de 18h - Michelin rend l'argent du CICE à l'état, c'est inédit comme démarche, l'entreprise française avait bénéficié de plusieurs millions d'euros pour moderniser ses sites.

durée : 00:19:57 - Journal de 18h - Michelin rend l'argent du CICE à l'état, c'est inédit comme démarche, l'entreprise française avait bénéficié de plusieurs millions d'euros pour moderniser ses sites.

Elihu concludes his speech in Job 37 by proclaiming the majesty of the Almighty. The final speeches of the book are delivered by our Sovereign God. And so, in a sense, Elihu is God's forerunner just as John the Baptist was of our Lord Jesus Christ as Malachi 3 prophesied he would so do. In the final chapter Job is asked by the Almighty to make intercession in prayer for his 3 friends. As no such intercession is requested for Elihu it is reasonable to conclude that Yahweh had accepted what Elihu had said. Like with Moses and Elijah at Mount Sinai, so did the LORD precede His speech with an awesome display of His might - on this occasion "out of the whirlwind'. The whirlwind is a symbol of warfare in the Bible - indicating there is a divine warfare in the book Job - between the Almighty against sin and self- righteousness. Elihu outlined the majestic power revealed in the thunder (spoken of in the Psalms as, "the voice of Yahweh of") and in the lightning and the interplay between these two momentous forces. Verse 6 says that the snow falls at the Almighty's command. Mankind and all creatures are cowed by His awesome power. And what God does is according to His will and He does it purposefully. How can you even understand such power, let alone think you can challenge the LORD? Humble yourself and learn from Him. Show reverential fear and cease from your conceit. The same words must be acknowledged by us and responded to by the way in which we live.

El intendente de Santa Fe, Juan Pablo Poletti, destacó avances en servicios básicos, recuperación de espacios públicos y ordenamiento urbano. Reconoció un inicio complejo, pero aseguró que los resultados comenzaron a verse en el último tramo.

(Verse 1) Wilderness I've named and known Midbar of my own making Ground is cracked, this heart of stone Silence aches, a thirst awaking But on the wind… a whisper breaks “Forget the former things you've carried… I am the God of the ache you've buried— Behold, the new thing now is breaking…” (Chorus) Oh, Stream-Maker… cut a path right through my night Oh, Stream-Maker… from the ruin, bring the light Spring up, O well, within my wasteland I will see… and understand You're making streams… in the wasteland A way… where there was no way Stream-Maker… have Your say (Verse 2) Ghosts of fathers, choices sown Bitter harvest… generations Legacy of broken stone A tree of lamentations But from this root… a shoot appears Green and tender… uninvited In wounded soil… grace ignited A new song rising… through the tears (Chorus) Oh, Stream-Maker… cut a path right through my night Oh, Stream-Maker… from the ruin, bring the light Spring up, O well, within my wasteland I will see… and understand You're making streams… in the wasteland A way… where there was no way Stream-Maker… have Your say (Bridge) And I perceive it now— The Truth… that breaks the chain Not erasing scars… But healing every name The curse… is interrupted here By Living… Water's flow And in the place… of death itself… A resurrection… grows Perceive it… see it sprout… The old is finished… the new… is out! (Final Chorus) Oh, Stream-Maker… You cut a path right through my night! Oh, Stream-Maker… From the ruin, You brought the light! You sprang up, O Well, within my wasteland! Now I see… and I understand! You made the stream… in the wasteland The Way… where there was no way… Stream-Maker… You have… had Your say… (Outro) (Soft, swaying) Behold… I make… all things new… Behold… I make… all things… The stream… is here… The way… is here… Perceive… it…

Welcome to Day 2761 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – The Coequality of the Trinity: An exploration through Biblical Verse and Early Church Writings. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2761 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2761 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled The Coequality of the Trinity: An exploration through Biblical Verse and Early Church Writings.   The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the central tenets of Christian theology, establishing the belief in God as three-in-one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This mystery, at its core, asserts that these three Persons are coequal. This belief has not been accepted without contention. However, by studying the Bible and the writings of the Early Church Fathers, a clear thread of supporting evidence emerges. To begin with, let's explore the Scriptural evidence for the co-equality of the Trinity. The first segment is: THE HOLY BIBLE. In the New Testament, the Gospel of John provides substantial support for the Trinitarian concept. In John one, verse one, it states: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse speaks to the preexistence and divinity of the Word, or the Son (Jesus Christ). The Word is not a creation of God, but God himself. In the same vein, John ten, verse thirty quotes Jesus as saying, “I and the Father are one.” This not only illustrates the unity of the Father and the Son, but also their equality, as Jesus identifies himself on the same level as the Father. Matthew twenty-eight, verse nineteen is a critical verse: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Here, Jesus himself authorizes baptisms in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, emphasizing their co-equality and unified nature. In 2 Corinthians thirteen, verse fourteen, Paul gives a blessing in the name of all three Persons of the Trinity: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Paul's blessing highlights the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but also their inseparable unity and co-equality. Colossians two, verse nines ays, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” The ‘fullness of Deity' indicates Christ's full and equal participation in Godhood. For the Holy Spirit, we see in 1 Corinthians two, verses ten and eleven, “these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” This verse highlights the Holy Spirit's intimate knowledge and participation in the Divine, further emphasizing His co-equality in the Trinity. Finally, in Acts five, verses three and four, when Peter accuses Ananias of lying to the Holy Spirit, he states, “You have not lied just to human...

Mary the Mother of Jesus is a special woman, not just because she birthed the Messiah, but because of her faith. On this beautiful Christmas morning, we journey to Nazareth, where an angel sends a message to a young virgin named Mary. We discuss Mary's response to the angel, as well as the worshipful prayer Mary sang, often called the Magnificat. We will also discuss the Immaculate Conception, why Mary was chosen out of all the young ladies in Israel, and lastly, Jenn sings a song she wrote to conclude this episode. Check out Verse in the Chorus on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@verseinthechrous?si=Nsiel9IDOnRyCHpJ Merry Christmas! YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/c-6493869 Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 Check out LifeAudio for other faith-based podcasts on parenting, studying Scripture, and more: www.lifeaudio.com Become a member to gain access to The Bible Explained on Fridays: https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Verse by verse study through the book of Daniel Chapter One and Verse Eleven

The post The First Christmas appeared first on Calvary Community Church.

Verse by Verse Bible Study on www.thecloudchurch.org through the book of 1 Timothy, covering chapter 4 and verses one to seven.

Jeremy Lallier discusses Matthew 10:34—“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”

It's Christmas Eve.Matthew 1:23 reminds us that a child was born, and they called Him Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” This episode invites you to pause in the middle of the season and remember that His presence is here and His comfort is near. Here's what you'll hear in this week's episodeWhat the name Immanuel means and how it traces from Hebrew → Greek → EnglishWhy Matthew's use of the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 is “the essence of Christmas” (Tony Evans)Insights from Enduring Word, Charles Spurgeon, and John Wesley on what “God with us” reveals about the miracle of the IncarnationAngie's honest reflection on asking, Where was God for her? Where was God for me?, and the moment she remembered He was still thereThe lie we often believe: “If God is really with me, why am I hurting?” and the truth that His presence is proven by faithfulness, not easeThe comfort of Romans 8:38–39: nothing can separate us from the love of the God who came near ResourcesWhen Church Hurts: Finding Truth After Spiritual Wounds is a gentle, Scripture-based resource for anyone healing from church hurt or spiritual disappointment.Download When Church Hurts here:https://steadyon.myflodesk.com/churchhurtThe Step By Step Starter Kit is a free bundle of tools designed to help you study Scripture with confidence, one verse at a time.Get your free Starter Kit here:https://steadyon.myflodesk.com/starter-kit-fall-25If you're ready to take another step toward community, consider joining us for Gather, our upcoming study inside Steady On University. Together we'll explore worship, community, and the sacred rhythms God gave His people. Classes begin January 8, 2026.Learn more about SOU here:https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/nNuXFKn/sou Verse of the Week“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us').”Matthew 1:23 (NIV) Connect with Angie and Steady On: http://www.livesteadyon.comTheme Music: Glimmer by Andy Ellison

Well, hello there, friends! This week on the Scary Spirits Podcast, Greg's feeling mighty festive and has picked a real holiday treat for us to unwrap: the 2023 holiday horror-comedy “It's a Wonderful Knife.” Yep, you heard that right—a slasher with a Christmas twist! Join Karen and Greg as they cozy up with a Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini (sounds like heaven, doesn't it?) and dive into this frightfully fun film. We'll laugh, we'll shiver, and maybe even learn what happens when small-town cheer meets big-time terror. So, if you're searching for holiday horror movies, Christmas-themed cocktails, or just a good old-fashioned spooky discussion with a dash of yuletide spirit, you've come to the right place. Tune in, grab your favorite drink, and let's make this Christmas one to remember—because, well, it's a wonderful life… and maybe a wonderful knife too! Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini • 4 cups (or more) ice• 4 oz Baileys• 3 oz vodka• 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix• whipped cream and chocolate shavings, for serving Instructions: In a blender, blend ice, Baileys, vodka, and hot chocolate mix, adding more ice as needed to thicken, if needed, until smooth. Divide martini between 2 glasses. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Source: delish.com A Brief Synopsis: Winnie’s life is less than wonderful one year after saving her town from a psychotic killer on Christmas Eve. When she wishes she was never born, she finds herself magically transported to a nightmarish parallel universe. With the murderous maniac now back, she must team up with a misfit to identify the culprit and get back to her own reality. Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include: Karen tells us about the 1945 film “The Belles of St. Mary’s”. We learn about the Aurora Borealis. Of course we discuss the 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Our rating of the film: This movie was OK. It took us 3 cocktails to get through it. Take our online survey! We want to know more about you! Please take our survey. All questions are optional and you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer. Tell us what you like or would like to hear more of! All music on the Scary Spirits Podcast is provided by the band “Verse 13”. Please check them out. You can listen to all their music on their Bandcamp page. Get social with us! Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram Subscribe on YouTube to watch Greg attempt to make all the featured cocktails Follow @ScarySpiritsPod Questions, comments or suggestions? Shoot us an email at info@scaryspirits.com As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases through our links.

Shri Krishna teaches how to cultivate quietude of mind by offering all actions, thoughts, and even our individuality to the Divine. By letting go of past regrets, calming present excitements, and planning for the future with intention, we align with Divinity and find lasting inner peace. Join us to unlock Essential Verse 9 (Chapter 3, Verse 30)!

Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Seven and Verse Ten

In Job 34 Elihu asserts that God is, and can only be, just. Elihu uses magnificent poetry, as did Job and his 3 friends, telling us of the folly of assuming that older civilisations were by comparison to the modern age primitive. Elihu asserts that Job's claims are not in accord with the humility, which Job should show when dealing with the Almighty. It is so wrong to challenge God. The LORD in an instant could wipe out all flesh by withdrawing their breath. You wouldn't even dare to talk that way to earthly dignitaries, who come and go in a moment of time; why then protest against God? Yahweh should not be subjected to human interrogation, nor will He answer any who should dare to try. Lay your hand upon your mouth and suffer in silence; and by this show yourself to be wise.Zechariah 10 deals with Yahweh's restoration of Judah and Israel. The rains had been withheld as the contemporary prophecy of Haggai indicated. Now upon their faithful asking the blessing would be returned. The vanity of both the nation and its leaders had formerly brought judgment upon Yahweh's lost sheep. For the condition the nation found itself in was the responsibility of their shepherds - who had proven themselves to be irresponsible shepherds, who should have known better (for this God would hold them to account). The people of the LORD would be his mighty battle horse. Verse 4 tells us that every good purpose of His people was from their Sovereign. The nation's might before their foes would be irresistible. Yahweh's love and compassion always encompasses His flock. The scattered remnants will be regathered and will bring the Gentiles into submission. From every place which has persecuted and scattered Israel will the Jews be brought to the Land of their fathers. Their Mighty One will empower His chosen family.

The last mix of 2025 just in time for Christmas. Ho! Ho! Ho! I am already thinking about the direction I want this show to go in the coming year. Maybe some new gear. Maybe. I hope you will come along for the ride. Thank you so much for listening and making 2025 a great year for the TKO Radio Show. Listen, Dance, Like, Share, Repeat. Don't forget to make that booty bounce. Turn IT Up! Enjoy Spin Off, Sweat (Extended Mix)Mark Knight -  Dario Nunez, Route 143 (Extended Mix)Diego Miranda -  Yves V, Been A Long Time (Extended Mix)TH;EN, Bodyrock (Extended Mix)Goosey, Body Movement  (Original Mix)Stadiumx, Selector (Extended Mix)Truth x Lies, Turn the Volume Up (Extended Mix)bradeazy, Up Down  (Extended Mix)Discip, Pull Up (Extended Mix)Equinøx -  OFFMODE -  Sonora (IT), Taki Taki (Extended)Gaddi -  HILLS (US), Afterparty  (Extended Mix)Chapter & Verse, Louis V  (Original Mix)BRANDON (DE), Keep It Cool (Original Mix)Bingo Players, Let Me See You Work  (Extended Mix)TyriqueOrDie -  bradeazy, Make It Work  (Extended Mix)Pedroz (BR), Welcome Home (Original Mix)GREG 99, Girls Like That (Extended Mix)Sacha -  Eli Brown -  Danny Avila (ES), Gotta Go (Original Mix)Armin van Buuren -  D-Shake -  Adam Beyer, Techno Trance (Original Mix)MatricK -  Alexander Popov, Enter Reality  (Extended Mix)4 Strings -  CJ Stone, I Can't Help Myself (Extended Mix)Armin van Buuren -  Sacha, Set Me Free (Rising Star Extended Remix)Dada Life -  RAVEKINGS, Live Loud (Extended Mix)Gelida -  Revealed Recordings -  Otto Palmborg, Walking In The Fire (Extended Mix)JOSEPH JAMES (IRL), Aurora Sky  (Original Mix)Don Paolo, Epik (Extended Mix)Joyhauser, Lost In The Night (Extended Mix)

Sunday PM 12-21-2025. Verse-by-Verse through Hebrews.

Merry Christmas, everyone![Verse 1]Chestnuts roasting, phones on fireCaller says “I just need a quote” (liar)Hold music slaps like it's 2003“Your call is very important” — allegedlyCoffee's dead, patience thinCRM spinning like “log in again”Snow outside, chaos withinWelcome to Christmas in the call center, friend[Pre-Chorus]We've got fake snowFake cheerBut the problems are very real this year[Chorus]All I want for ChristmasIs a booked callNot a “just checking prices,” not a voicemail stallI don't need cookies, I don't need cheerI need dispatch open and a tech nearby hereDeck the halls with AHTFa-la-la-la-la, please don't yell at meIf your heat turns on by the end of the nightYou're welcome.Merry Christmas.Click five stars.[Verse 2]“Can you come today?”“Yes, but let's define ‘today.'”“Why is there a dispatch fee?”Because gas costs money and so do weMembership pitch? Tasteful, lightLike eggnog with a little biteNot upselling joy, just keeping it realYou want heat? Cool. Here's the deal.[Pre-Chorus]No carolersNo sleighJust someone saying “We can be there today”[Chorus]All I want for ChristmasIs a booked callA real decision, not a maybe-text-fallI don't need silence, I don't need peaceI need a customer who's ready to proceedDeck the halls with QA notesFa-la-la-la-la, please don't quote YelpIf your water's hot and your pipes don't fightYou're welcome.Merry Christmas.Good night.[Bridge (Spoken, deadpan)]This is not a Hallmark movie.This is a strip mall.At 7:43 PM.With a frozen sewer line.And yes We can still help you.BreakdownEmpathy's not “I understand”It's “I've got this, here's the plan”No script angels, no soft glowJust competence with a festive bow[Final Chorus (Bigger, Dumber, Louder)]All I want for ChristmasIs a booked callA clean address and a yes-that's-allNo ghosting, no “I'll call you back”It's Christmas Eve, we both know that's capSo light the tree, pour the wineWe'll keep the phones aliveIf your house survives the nightThank a CSRWho skipped delight[Outro]Phones go quiet.Queue hits zero.Someone microwaves leftover ham.Another Christmas savedBy people you'll never see.Here's the LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/caffcx

For the past few weeks, we have been exploring the biblical basis for the modern, Christmas carol “Sing We the Song of Emmanuel.” Verse one of this song begins with teachings on the fulfillment of prophecy and quickly move to focus on the incarnation of the ultimate God-Man. Verse two continues its focus on the…

Most of us are familiar with the nativity story as presented in the Gospel of Luke. But do you ever think of Christmas from the perspective of eternity? Today John reflects on a different passage that deals with mind-blowing miracle of the Word becoming flesh.

In this Prayer Podcast episode, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe introduces Pesukei Dezimra (Verses of Praise) with Psalm 30—a relatively recent addition (about 400 years ago, per the Arizal)—as the gateway to deeper prayer. Though King David wrote it for the Temple's dedication (which his son Solomon performed), David embedded "Shlomo" acrostically and merited its use through his lifelong investment. The psalm transforms synagogues into a "mikdash me'at" (mini-Temple), elevating our mindset from social gathering to direct encounter with Hashem.Verse-by-verse, Rabbi Wolbe reveals David's profound humility: success is Hashem lifting us, not personal triumph; healing means forgiveness of sin; enemies are our yetzer hara (evil inclination); fleeting anger contrasts Hashem's desire for eternal life. Priorities flip—song precedes praise—reflecting constant gratitude turning into joyous overflow. The psalm parallels personal repentance, the Golden Calf forgiveness (leading to Tabernacle readiness on 25 Kislev—hinting at Chanukah), and dual emotions of joy/mourning.Ultimately, Psalm 30 aligns us: all is from Hashem, challenges are for growth, prayer humbles us to His will, and sincere cries (like David's, Chana's) are answered—preparing our souls to "sing forever" in Pesukei Dezimra's hallway to the Divine sanctuary._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Dr. Leonard & June GoldbergDownload the Prayer Podcast Worksheets:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iBVevW1ydyjSeyeO0iCcina7e8vix3Lt?usp=sharingThis episode (Ep. #42) of the Prayer Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Dr. Leonard & June Goldberg! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 16, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 23, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Prayer, #Tefillah, #Siddur, #PesukaiDezimra, #Psalms ★ Support this podcast ★

In this Prayer Podcast episode, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe introduces Pesukei Dezimra (Verses of Praise) with Psalm 30—a relatively recent addition (about 400 years ago, per the Arizal)—as the gateway to deeper prayer. Though King David wrote it for the Temple's dedication (which his son Solomon performed), David embedded "Shlomo" acrostically and merited its use through his lifelong investment. The psalm transforms synagogues into a "mikdash me'at" (mini-Temple), elevating our mindset from social gathering to direct encounter with Hashem.Verse-by-verse, Rabbi Wolbe reveals David's profound humility: success is Hashem lifting us, not personal triumph; healing means forgiveness of sin; enemies are our yetzer hara (evil inclination); fleeting anger contrasts Hashem's desire for eternal life. Priorities flip—song precedes praise—reflecting constant gratitude turning into joyous overflow. The psalm parallels personal repentance, the Golden Calf forgiveness (leading to Tabernacle readiness on 25 Kislev—hinting at Chanukah), and dual emotions of joy/mourning.Ultimately, Psalm 30 aligns us: all is from Hashem, challenges are for growth, prayer humbles us to His will, and sincere cries (like David's, Chana's) are answered—preparing our souls to "sing forever" in Pesukei Dezimra's hallway to the Divine sanctuary._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Dr. Leonard & June GoldbergDownload the Prayer Podcast Worksheets:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iBVevW1ydyjSeyeO0iCcina7e8vix3Lt?usp=sharingThis episode (Ep. #42) of the Prayer Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Dr. Leonard & June Goldberg! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 16, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 23, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Prayer, #Tefillah, #Siddur, #PesukaiDezimra, #Psalms ★ Support this podcast ★

Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Seven and Verse Nine

Most of us are familiar with the nativity story as presented in the Gospel of Luke. But do you ever think of Christmas from the perspective of eternity? Today John reflects on a different passage that deals with mind-blowing miracle of the Word becoming flesh.

Please donate today at MercyShips.org/podcast Visit OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, use promo code FUN at checkout. Curious how to keep things spicy over the holidays?? We share how YOU guys keep things spicy and intentional despite the busyness of the Christmas season. Plus we share some of our own Christmas traditions and even how we all met! Watch the episode on YouTube!! Episodes: 214: Sex When Family Is Around 220: The Why Behind This Our Products: BINGO 1st edition BINGO 2nd edition 12 Days of Sexmas KS Christmas Mad Libs Resources: Just Between Us app (found at the bottom left corner of the Intimtely Us app!) Mentionables code KINGDOM for 10% off! ⁠⁠Join Unite & Ignite ⁠⁠ Want more from Kingdom Sexuality? Come hang out! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [00:36] Introduction and Welcome [01:04] Verse of the Day [01:12] Christmas Episode Ideas [01:19] Listener Suggestions [02:00] Practical Tips[02:06] Past Episode Reference [02:40] Personal Stories [10:52] Christmas Traditions [10:59] Favorite Christmas Movies and Songs [11:30] Christmas Cookies and Traditions 11:40] Closing Prayer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The David Alliance TDAGiantSlayer@gmail.com Garth Heckman Expectations Craig Randall drives a garbage truck in Peabody, Massachusetts. in a garbage container one day, he noticed a Wendy's soft drink cup bearing a contest sticker. Having won a chicken sandwich the week before, Randall checked it, hoping for some french fries or a soft drink. Instead, he peeled a sticker worth $200,000 toward the construction of a new home, reports U.S. News and World Report (11/6/95). What we get out of life depends a lot on what we look for. Are we more likely to see each experience as trash or a potential treasure?     Maybe you've played this game before… Look around and find everything green. Now close your eyes and tell me what is blue. **What are you looking for?     Puppy watching is a life of expectation… is he going to chew my chair, poop on my chair, pee on my chair, jump from my chair… every move he makes is a move of expectation on my part.      Christmas is a time of EXPECTATION  Children expecting… waiting… knowing there will be presents under the tree. I used to get up Christmas morning at 4am!      **have you lost that loving feeling… of expectation       FAITH, HOPE, EXPECTATION Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith… you have faith that in the future you will get married and have a family. YOU GET MARRIED: You now hope to have a baby. YOU GET PREGNANT: you are expecting.        There are signs/evidence you are pregnant. **Living in a state of signs… building expectation.  Eager Anticipation of the Future Romans 8:19 (NIV): "For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” FULLY REDEEMED. *(This highlights the intense, longing nature of the anticipation for the final redemption.)   Earnest expectation--A single word in the Greek, and a very striking one. It means, literally, a straining forward with outstretched head, just as we might imagine the crowds outside a race-course straining over the ropes to catch a sight of the runners; an eager, intent expectation. The same word is used once again in the New Testament (Philippians 1:20).   God expects us to expect!  Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.   Expectation creates participation… Expectation creates participation in Gods plan Jesus reveals a principle here: If we truly expect God to act for us, we must be willing to let Him act through us.   If I claim to trust God for provision, favor, and breakthrough, but refuse to be a vessel of those same things to others, then I am not operating in expectation—I am operating in self-interest.   If my faith stops at “God, do for me,” but never reaches “God, flow through me,” then I am not trusting God—I am trusting my own control. Real faith doesn't just ask; it allows.   Option 4: Illustrative and Relational The Golden Rule is not just about behavior—it's about belief. If I expect God to respond when I call, I must also be willing to respond when He calls on me. Faith that only receives but never releases isn't faith at all—it's spiritual entitlement. But when I allow God to use me for others, I demonstrate that I truly trust Him to take care of me.     Expectation without participation in Gods plan is not faith.   **Remember whatever you look for you see, you find- and you can enter into - expectation is looking through Gods spirit.     VERSE 12 “For This Is the Law and the Prophets” This is massive. Jesus is saying: The entire Old Testament ethical vision Every command about justice, mercy, love, and holiness …can be summed up in this one relational principle. In other words: If you get this right, you are living out the heart of God's law. This aligns with Jesus' later words: “Love the Lord your God… and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37–40)

Caleb Froedge discusses Leviticus 23:1-2—“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: “The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.”'”

Both these verses refer to children whom Abraham fathered, but his relationship to the two groups was very different. Verse six refers to the "sons of his concubine." These were six sons whom Abraham conceived in his old age with a woman named Keturah. When they reached a certain age he gave them enough to live on and sent them away. It appears he was their biological father, but invested little as their spiritual, emotional or educational father. Verse nine names Isaac and Ishmael and calls them "his sons," meaning that they were children Abraham personally love and nurtured. Being a real father requires much more than just conceiving a baby; it requires an enormous personal investment in the development of a child. In this episode we'll look at four roles to which a father is called (if he is to be a real father to his children). To receive a free copy of Dr. Steve Schell's newest book Study Verse by Verse: Revelation, email us at info@lifelessonspublishing.com and ask for your copy at no charge!  Also check out our website at lifelessonspublishing.com for additional resources for pastors and leaders. We have recorded classes and other materials offered at no charge.  

Verse by verse exposition through Isaiah 53 during our Advent Study

Every Sunday Night we will be diving deeper into specific chapters and verses throughout the bible. We created this service to provide a space to equip our church family with a deeper knowledge and understanding of scripture.We invite you to join us on Sunday Nights at Captivate Point Loma!-----Join us for service online or in person every Sunday at 8am, 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, & 5pm (PST).Connect to Captivate! - https://shorturl.at/nKxQuDownload the Captivate App to Stay Connected! - https://shorturl.at/5PfXPIf you want to share how God is moving in your life through this ministry, please let us know at info@captivatesd.com!Decided To Follow Jesus? Sign up to receive a copy of our “I Have Decided” booklets - https://shorturl.at/93CHSGet plugged in!Next Steps - captivatesd.com/next-stepsVisit - captivatesd.com/visitCommunities - captivatesd.com/communitiesIf you would like to support Captivate financially you can give online through our website by clicking here captivatesd.com/giving Need prayer? Please let us know! - https://captivatesd.churchcenter.com/people/forms/597023For more information about Captivate Church, visit captivatesd.com or follow us on our social media platforms below.Instagram - Instagram.com/captivatechurchsdFacebook - facebook.com/captivatesd

The Gospel | Romans 3:21-4:4

Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Seven and Verse Eight

It's track five time! “Eldest Daughter” may be one of Taylor's sweetest songs on the album… and despite some negative criticisms, Sara and Laura absolutely LOVE this song and will defend it to death. The ladies discuss the notion of Eldest Daughter Syndrome and how Taylor's self-protection becomes unnecessary when she feels safe with the right person. Tears are shed in this episode, but what else is new!? Chapters(00:00) Welcome!(01:42) What's On Our Plates(16:29) Taylor Updates(21:46) Eldest Daughter Introduction(25:38) Personal Associations and Emotional Connections(33:08) Folk"lore" Of The Song(49:12) Verse 1: An Unbothered Front, Apathy, Cancellation, The Illusion Of Hot Takes, Survival Strategies(56:18) Pre Chorus 1: Terminal Uniqueness, Play On Words About Death, Glorification Of "Cool" In Society(01:01:33) Chorus 1: Taylor's Specific Satiricial Vernacular, Self-Perception(01:09:01) Verse 2: Childlike Innocence, Cautious Discretion and Growth, Vulnerability, Marriage Trauma(01:24:04) Pre Chorus 2: A Lamb In Wolf's Clothing, The Burden Of Sacrifice As An Eldest Daughter. Self-Protection(01:29:20) Bridge: Montage Of Sweet, Innocent, Childlike Love, Hope and Future Possibilities Once Unimaginable(01:38:39) Pre Chorus 3: Travis Connection, Finding Home In A Stable Person(01:40:35) Chorus 3 & Outro(01:41:52) Music Theory Analysis: Right Hand On Piano As The Eldest Daughter, The Magic Of The Bridge, Interpolation of White Horse(01:47:11) Favorite Lyrics & Rating(01:49:46) This Song As A Recipe(01:51:47) Signing Off!(01:53:13) Patreon Preview: 'tis the damn seasonSUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We'd be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!Links ReferencedSara's Episode On Finding Mr. Height: Spotify, Apple MusicEli Rallo's Commentary on Eldest Daughter LoreTaylor's Interview With Zane LoweBirth Order Dating TheoryBrigid Kaelin's Music Theory Analysis of Eldest DaughterSpiked Blackberry Lilac Lemonade RecipeHomemade Dunkaroo's RecipePlease make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you'd like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:email blankplatepod@gmail.comleave a voicemail at (717) 382-831Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)YouTubeInstagramTikTokYou can also follow Sara and Laura individually:• Laura: Instagram and Tiktok• Sara: InstagramListen to our previous podcast: Passports & Pizza

It's Christmas time again at Blab Rats and it's snow money snow problems for the Bad Santi Gang as they attempt to destroy Christmas in a new Santa Verse. Will they finally succeed? Tune in to find out, sponsored by Monsantos Clause!

John 12:35–50,So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. 44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”One reason this season is the most wonderful time of the year is because it's the end of the year — and that means it's an opportunity to look back and reflect on what the year was like — What are some favorite memories of the year? What are some key themes of the year that stand out? What kind of music did I listen to the most? (I didn't ask that question, but my phone told me anyway).This is the time of year when we're in a review mindset, and that fits very nicely with where we are in the Gospel of John. Because here at the end of Chapter 12, it marks the end of Jesus's public ministry — and John, the Gospel writer, has a review mindset. Just to get our bearings again on this Gospel as a whole, there are two main parts:Part One is Chapters 1-12, which is Jesus's public ministry.Part Two is Chapters 13-20, which is Jesus's private ministry focused on his disciples.Part One has been called the Book of Signs, Part Two has been called the Book of Glory. And it's worked out for us that Part One has been our sermon series in 2025 (and Part Two, God willing, will be 2026).And so here at the end of Part One, it would make sense to look back and reflect on what we've seen this year — and John actually does that for us. In today's passage, John highlights three themes we've seen so far in this Gospel, and the plan for the sermon is to unpack each one and then ask What does it mean for us? It's one thing to understand what John is saying — we start there — but then we need to know what difference it makes in our lives. That's where we're headed. Here's the first theme. It is …1. The Problem of Unbelief (verses 37–41)We see this right away in verse 37. John says,“Though he [Jesus] had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him …”You can hear the summary tone in how John says it. Even after all this time, after all these miracles, after all his teaching, still the people did not believe Jesus. That (unfortunately) is consistent with what we've seen since the beginning of this Gospel. Remember how John started back in Chapter 1, verse 10: [Jesus] was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.And that idea just gets repeated:3:19, “the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light …”6:36, Jesus says, “you have seen me and yet do not believe.”7:5, “not even his brothers believed in him.”10:25, the Jews said to him, “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe…”So yeah, this unbelief is a big deal. It's been a problem from the start, and even after 12 chapters (after this whole year!), the people still don't believe. But now John is going to explain why: He takes us behind the scenes theologically and he tells us that the people's unbelief is in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Bringing in IsaiahJohn shows us this by quoting two different passages from the Book of Isaiah — and we could spend so much time on this because it's so good — but I just wanna show you two things:The first is in verse 38. Everybody find verse 38. And help me out: when you find verse 38, look at the indented quote that starts with the word “Lord.” So everybody: verse 38, the word “Lord” — if you see it, say got it. The quote says:“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”This is Isaiah 53, verse 1, and it's from the famous passage about the Suffering Servant. The context of that passage is that God has exalted his Suffering Servant and the nations are astonished by him, but the people of Israel reject him. Isaiah is saying the message has been announced, the signs have been seen, but still, Israel does not believe. In other words, Isaiah is saying the same thing John is trying to say! — and so John connects the dots: The unbelief we see in response to Jesus in his public ministry is the unbelief that Isaiah prophesied. That's the first thing to see here.Here's the second … It comes in verse 41, but track with me for a minute …John says, verse 39, in fulfillment of Isaiah 53:1, “Therefore they could not believe.” And then he quotes Isaiah again, this time from Isaiah Chapter 6 about God blinding the eyes of unbelievers and hardening their hearts. That's verse 40.But now look what John says in verse 41. And this is one you're gonna wanna see. Everybody find verse 41. Chapter 12, verse 41 — if you see it, say Got it.Isaiah said these things [what things? It's the things of Isaiah 6 that John just quoted!] because he saw his glory and spoke of him [Isaiah saw whose glory? Who did Isaiah speak of? — John is clear: it's Jesus].Seeing the King!And if you know Isaiah 6, we can never read that passage the same way again! Isaiah 6 is the famous vision Isaiah had in the year King Uzziah died. Isaiah describes it:I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and the train of his robe filled the temple. And right away this vision includes a throne and a temple — which is interesting because the throne is the place of a king, and the temple is the place of a priest. So is this a vision of a priest-king? This is something!And the seraphim were there — these are wild-looking angelic creatures with six wings — and they called to one another (and maybe you've heard this before):Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory!And the foundations shook at their voices when they called, and the whole place was filled with smoke. And Isaiah, seeing all this, was undone! He said: Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”And John says here that Isaiah was talking about Jesus. Isaiah saw Jesus — just like the people in this Gospel for 12 chapters have seen Jesus — but the difference is that Isaiah was changed, the people still refuse to believe just like God said they would. And what it means for us is this: just like there's no such thing as generic faith, there is no such thing as generic unbelief. If you persist in unbelief … if you continue to disbelieve … it means you are rejecting Jesus. It's personal to him …You are rejecting the one who has come to save you. You are rejecting the one who has come to show you God. And you have seen him — that's the point John stresses here.These unbelievers had seen Jesus — there are many unbelievers in our cities today who have heard the message of Jesus — and their unbelief is a rejection of him. That's the problem of unbelief.It's a theme in the first half of this Gospel.Here's the second theme:2. The Priority of Witness (verses 42–43)This is verse 42. Not every single person full-out rejected Jesus, because, verse 42:Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue …This is fascinating: these are people who ‘believed' in Jesus but did not confess him. Which means these people must've had some kind of mental agreement — the claims of Jesus were compelling to them, Jesus made sense to them, but they kept their stance on Jesus private.They didn't want others to know that they thought positively about Jesus, and the verdict of this kind of ‘faith' is that ultimately it's not real. It's not true faith.And that brings up something really important on the topic of faith: it's that true saving faith is always personal, but never private. True saving faith is personal as in you have to believe as an individual — your parents' faith doesn't count as yours, your spouses' faith doesn't count; you, each of you, have to believe) — true saving faith is personal.But true saving faith is never private. If it's real faith, you don't keep it to yourself. That's why the apostle Paul says, Romans 10, verse 9, 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.See, faith in Jesus includes allegiance to Jesus, and allegiance doesn't remain hidden. This is one of the reasons Jesus gave us baptism!Baptism is a public witness to our faith in Jesus. It's a way for us to stake our flag in the ground and say, I'm with Jesus, whatever the social cost might be. And, historically, faith in Jesus has always included some kind of social cost. In the days of Jesus — and at the time that John wrote this Gospel — verse 42 says the threat was expulsion from synagogue. That was a cost for Jewish believers: If you were in with Jesus, you were kicked out of Jewish community. That was a real issue for Jewish converts in the early church. And there was a similar issue with Gentiles, because to say “Jesus is Lord” is to say that Caesar is not Lord — and that was a head-turning statement to make as a subject of the Roman Empire!So no matter how you shook it back in the day — it didn't matter who you were or where you were from — there was no way to truly believe in Jesus that did not involve a social cost, or at least risk. Now that's history, but it's also still the case today … In fact, true story …Social Pressure TodayI heard last week from a credible source that there has been an underground Bible study going on with a group of Somali Muslims and 12 of them have embraced the claims of Christ — which is amazing — however, currently, none of them are willing to make it public. Because could you imagine the cost? (This is real. And we should pray for these 12 individuals — that their faith would go all the way, not partial faith, but true saving faith in Jesus Christ.)True saving faith is not private, and it says Jesus is worth the cost.And we have to be careful here, because we can think that this cost is just out there and it doesn't really affect us. But that's not true. It doesn't matter if your context is Islam or Progressivism or Alt-Right politics, there is social pressure everywhere to not be all-in with Jesus.And it's in different ways and in different degrees, but you know it's there … in your workplace … at your school … on your team — And what's dangerous for us is that in many of our circles it's respectable to be okay with Jesus as long as we're not over the top. Like: being spiritual is good. Talking about your ‘faith' is fine. But don't be all about Jesus. Don't love him that much.That kind of pressure might be more subtle than the pressure of Islam, but the irony is that the dynamic is the same: it's allowing social pressure to dictate what we do with Jesus.And John tells us in verse 43 what the real issue is — it has to do with what you love the most. John says the reason these partial believers did not go all-in with Jesus is because, verse 43:“they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”And look, I don't know about you, but this gets my attention. I never want to do this. Never.But it makes me wonder if this disordered love that John is talking about is always part of failed witness. Like in those moments when we have opportunity to be public about our faith and we choose not to, do we choose not to because we love the glory of man more than the glory of God?What John is talking about is part of a universal human weakness — we care so much about what other people think.And that's one reason public witness is so important. Because it puts feet to our faith. It shows that we're not just here because our stomachs are full or because we're enamored by miracles, like the way we've seen people be in this Gospel. But we are truly all in with Jesus. We believe in Jesus, and we want people to know, whatever the cost. That's the priority of witness.Here's the third theme:3. The Purpose of Advent (verses 44–50)Now I'm not just saying this because it's Advent. Look at verse 44: And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.Jesus repeats that he has been sent — and of course, he is referring to his first Advent. He's talking about Christmas! That he came here — and what was its purpose? Why did Jesus come? He's very clear about it, verse 46: I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.That's clear enough, but Jesus really wants us to get this. So he tells us again, verse 47:If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.And that sounds a lot like what Jesus said in Chapter 3. Remember back in Chapter 3, verse 17, Jesus said plainly: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.There is no ambiguity in the first half of this Gospel. This is the purpose of Jesus's first Advent: Jesus came to save. The Miracle of ConversionAnd one of the reasons Jesus stresses so much that he came to save, not condemn, is because a lot of people end up condemned — and Jesus wants to explain why. Here's the reason: it's because they don't believe in him. In his first Advent, Jesus came to bring salvation, but judgment happens when people reject his salvation. Judgment is what people bring upon themselves by rejecting Jesus who came to save. And their unbelief is judgment already — the blinding and hardening that Isaiah talked about is God giving people over to what they want. This is how the theologian D. A. Carson puts it: God's judicial hardening is not the capricious manipulation of an arbitrary power that curses morally neutral or even morally pure beings, but it is the holy condemnation of a guilty people who are condemned to do and be what they themselves have chosen ( 448–449, abridged)Listen: If you don't want Jesus now, you don't get Jesus later.And that would have been every single one of us apart from the grace of God. Everyone of us who believes in Jesus has the same story if you go back far enough — it's the sovereign grace of God! He chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world and set his love on us, and in the fullness of time he sent Jesus to save us! But we're all born broken and bent away from God, and our only hope is if God does something about that. And he does. By his Spirit through our hearing the gospel, God brings dead hearts to life — we hear the announcement of who Jesus is and what he's done, and we believe. That's the miracle of conversion:Long my imprisoned spirit layFast bound in sin and nature's night;Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;My chains fell off, my heart was free;I rose, went forth and followed Thee.That is how Christians are made! Yes, God is at work. He's the one behind it, but what concerns us is what we do with the message of Jesus now.And that's what makes this passage so remarkable. One More InvitationVerse 44 — notice the first few words. John tells us, verse 44:“And Jesus cried out and said…”That might not seem like a big deal, but we need to compare it with how this passage started in verse 36. This is the end of last week's passage. Verse 36, Jesus said:“While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” [Then John comments] When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.Jesus has been saying, I will not be here much longer, and while I'm here it's your chance to believe. And then he withdraws. He leaves. It's an exit. Verse 36 could be the end of Jesus's public ministry. It seems like it is!But in verse 44 Jesus comes back out. He shows back up to this crowd that's kept rejecting him, and he does it to make one more invitation. He cries out to give one more chance: I am here to save! Believe in me!Hey, I want you to know that I'm so thankful that Jesus is the kind of Savior who gives one more chance — second chances, third, fourth, fifth chances. It took a lot of chances for some of us, and I know it did for me. Look, my whole childhood was chances — chances to believe over and over again, and then one day, I did. I'm so glad Jesus didn't give up on me. Isn't it amazing that the last thing Jesus does to close out his public ministry is give that one more chance? To offer grace one more time. That seems to me like the best way to end the first half of this sermon series. …Maybe you're here and you've heard about Jesus a thousand times, here's one more invitation…Jesus Christ came to this world to save. That was the purpose of Advent. It's the purpose of Christmas. Jesus came to save, and everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Would you believe in him today? Just tell him:Jesus, I can't save myself and I'm tired of trying! You came to save me and I believe you!That's a prayer of faith, and that's the invitation for everyone, right now.And that brings us to the Table.The TableFor those of us who have trusted in Jesus, if you've put your faith in Jesus, this Table is a continued public witness each week that we belong to him. When we eat the bread and drink the cup, we are saying: We are united to Jesus Christ by faith, and we give him thanks!

Verse by Verse Bible Study on www.thecloudchurch.org through the book of 1 Timothy, covering chapter 3 and verses one to sixteen.