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Today we delve into the topic of submission, specifically in the context of slavery, as discussed in 1 Peter 2:18-25: Peter encourages slaves to submit to their masters with respect, regardless of their treatment, as Jesus did when he suffered for humanity's sins. Peter, Paul, James, and other apostles understood something that most of the Roman world did not - that slaves had inherent value and could potentially save their masters. This is why 1 Peter 2 and 1 Corinthians 7 emphasize the importance of slaves staying in their positions unless they have the opportunity to become free. Jesus' example of enduring physical and emotional pain, including being crucified and bearing the sins of humanity, shows that suffering is commendable to God. The episode concludes by highlighting the importance of faith and the promise of a better reward in heaven for those who endure persecution. Related Episodes: Philemon (Part 1) - An Introduction to Philemon Philemon (Part 2) - The Conclusion to Philemon Leviticus 25:39-55 (From Creation) - Why Didn't God Abolish Slavery? Here's other amazing content from P40! 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 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 Check out LifeAudio for other faith-based podcasts on parenting, studying Scripture, and more:www.lifeaudio.com Need help memorizing Scripture? Check out Verse in the Chorus: https://www.youtube.com/@VerseintheChrous Become a member to gain access to The Bible Explained on Fridays: https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What does the power of God look like? As we see God revealed throughout His Word, we see a God who is all-powerful, One who can do all things, One for whom there is nothing too difficult. So, for what does He use His power? He has done and continues to do everything in His mighty power to save us, to redeem us, to set us free to be all He created us to be, to reconcile us to Himself, His children, who are created in His likeness and for His glory. The power of God does what we cannot do! In turn our greatest power and privilege is to surrender to what He is doing - loving us, so we learn how to love others. the love of God. God is love. Love is the greatest expression of power in all creation and in forever. Verse 8 in 1 Corinthians 13 remind us, Love never fails.Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this podcast, please consider supporting us. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Nancy Holland and Adam Maddock
Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Thirteen and Verse Seventeen
Today we come to the final verses of 1 Thessalonians chapter3. Paul has just told these believers that he is praying “night and dayexceedingly” that he might see their faces again and help perfect what islacking in their faith. Now Paul actually tells us something of what he ispraying. Beginning in verse 11, he says: “Now may our God and FatherHimself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lordmake you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we doto you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before ourGod and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” Thereare three wonderful requests in Paul's prayer. First,Paul prays for God's direction. “May our God and Father Himself, and ourLord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.” Remember, Paul desperatelywanted to return to Thessalonica. Back in chapter 2, he said that Satan hadhindered him. But Paul didn't try to force the door open. He prayed for God todirect his way. There is an important lesson here. Sometimes we know what wewould like to do. We have plans. We have desires. We may even believe thosedesires are good and God-honoring. But ultimately, we need God to direct oursteps. Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; andlean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and Heshall direct thy paths.” Maybe today you are facing a decision. Ask God todirect your way. ThenPaul prays for abounding love. Verse 12 says: “And may the Lord make youincrease and abound in love to one another and to all.” Notice those words:increase and abound. Paul wasn't suggesting that these believers didn't loveeach other. Timothy had already brought good news about their faith and love. Theyhad love. But Paul wanted them to have more love. That reminds us that there isalways room for growth in the Christian life. Our faith can grow. Our knowledgecan grow. Our prayer life can grow. And certainly, our love can grow. Noticealso the direction of their love. Paul says, “to one another and to all.”It is one thing to love our Christian brothers and sisters who believe like wedo and treat us kindly. But Christian love reaches beyond that. Jesus told usto love even our enemies. The love of Christ should overflow from our lives toeveryone around us. ThenPaul's prayer reaches its great conclusion in verse 13: “So that He mayestablish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father.” Thereis our word again—establish. We saw it at the beginning of chapter 3 whenTimothy was sent to establish them concerning their faith. Now Paul wants theirhearts established in holiness. Holiness simply means being set apart for God. Godisn't merely interested in changing what we do on the outside. He wants tochange our hearts. And notice the motivation Paul gives: “At the coming ofour Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” Paulnever gets very far from the return of Jesus. Every chapter of 1 Thessaloniansends with some reference to Christ's coming. Paul wanted these believers tolive every day with the realization: Jesus is coming again. And that truthshould affect the way we live. First John 3:3 says: “And every man that haththis hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure.” If we reallybelieve Jesus could return, it should make a difference in our priorities, ourrelationships, our attitudes, and our conduct. Soas we finish chapter 3, Paul's prayer gives us three wonderful requests we canmake our own today: Lord, direct my steps. Lord, increase my love. Lord,establish my heart in holiness. And may we live today remembering that Jesus iscoming again.Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!
David Johnson discusses Proverbs 15:14—“The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.”
September 2nd, 2026 - Joe goes in-depth to refute Protestant social media influencer Wes Huff's false claims about the validity of the papacy. Links, Show Notes & More - https://thestationofthecross.com/act Email Us! ACT@TheStationOfTheCross.com
The United States is staring down a natural gas buildout of gigantic proportions.Amazon wants to build what would be the country's largest power plant in Texas — and run it entirely on natural gas. Not to be outdone, OpenAI is plotting an even larger power plant in Ohio that, if built, would become the world's largest gas power facility. How should we think about this boom — and about the AI and technology companies behind it, who remain some of the world's biggest buyers of clean energy?On this episode of Shift Key, Rob is joined by Emily Pontecorvo, a Heatmap founding staff writer. They discuss what Emily learned identifying the country's 10 biggest gas projects, what surprised her most, and what this means for the country's climate trajectory — and Big Tech's corporate net-zero goals.Shift Key is hosted by Robinson Meyer, the founding executive editor of Heatmap News.You can find a full transcript of the episode here.Mentioned:The U.S. Is Building Natural Gas Power Twice as Fast as ChinaEmily on Amazon's Gigawatt RanchRob on OpenAI and the PORTS-Pike Technology Campus--This episode of Shift Key is sponsored by ...Verse's software platform Aria helps data centers connect to the grid faster and optimize power operations in real time. Learn more at verse.inc.RE+ 26 is the largest clean energy event in North America, happening November 16th through 19th at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Register at re-plus.com and use code SHIFTKEY20 to save 20% off a Full Conference pass.Music for Shift Key is by Adam Kromelow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Whoa… this week on the Scary Spirits Podcast, we’re celebrating the birthday of the one and only Keanu Reeves by stepping into the shadowy supernatural world of the 2005 cult horror-fantasy classic, Constantine. Join hosts Karen and Greg as they journey between Heaven, Hell, and everything in between while revisiting Reeves’ unforgettable portrayal of demon hunter John Constantine. From angels and demons to destiny and redemption, they’ll explore what makes Constantine a fan-favorite comic book adaptation that continues to captivate audiences more than two decades later. Of course, no trip into the occult would be complete without a properly themed drink. As they unravel the film’s dark mysteries, Karen and Greg will be raising a glass to a specially crafted “Constantine” cocktail, inspired by the movie’s supernatural atmosphere and otherworldly battles. Whether you’re a lifelong Keanu Reeves fan, a lover of supernatural horror movies, or simply looking for your next favorite cocktail recipe, this episode delivers plenty of chills, laughs, and thought-provoking conversation. So take a deep breath, trust the journey, and join us as we celebrate one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars with a film that reminds us that sometimes the line between good and evil isn’t as clear as it seems. Listen now and discover why Constantine remains a uniquely breathtaking blend of horror, fantasy, action, and faith-driven storytelling. Constantine Cocktail Recipe • 2 oz gin• 3/4 oz sweet vermouth• 1 dash Luxardo• 1 dash absinthe• 2 dash orange bitters Instructions Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Source: cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com A Brief Synopsis: Detective Angela approaches Constantine, a demon hunter, to help her investigate her twin sister’s mysterious death. As he digs deeper, he realizes that demons are trying to enter the human world. Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include: Karen tells Greg all about John Wick. We learn about the song “Take 5” by the Dave Brubeck quartet. Karen tells us all about the archangel Gabriel. Corinthians 17 is discussed. Our rating of the film: This movie was pretty good. It only took us 2 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.
In this episode of The Bible Explained, Jenn dives into Esther chapter six, a chapter that's often considered one of the funniest in the Bible. But don't let the humor fool you - this chapter is also a pivotal moment in the story of Esther, and it's full of unexpected twists and turns: King Ahasuerus has a hard time sleeping after Esther's banquet. He orders the book of records to be brought to him. The king learns about Mordecai's part in saving his life but he never received recognition or a reward for his actions. The king is puzzled by this oversight and decides to take action. Haman, who's been plotting against Mordecai, comes early to the court to ask for Mordecai to die, but gets humiliated instead. Mordecai remains humble and unassuming, even as he's given the royal treatment. This episode is a great reminder that God is always at work, even in the most unexpected ways. If you're looking for a fresh perspective on a familiar story, or just want to learn more about the book of Esther, this episode is a great place to start. Related Episode: 1 Peter 2:11-17 - Is It Biblical to Submit to Corrupt or Pagan Governments? Hey! Don't leave before looking at other P40 stuff: 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 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 Check out LifeAudio for other faith-based podcasts on parenting, studying Scripture, and more:www.lifeaudio.com Need help memorizing Scripture? Check out Verse in the Chorus: https://www.youtube.com/@VerseintheChrous Become a member to gain access to The Bible Explained on Fridays: https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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
Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Thirteen and Verse Sixteen
“For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God?” Paul did not congratulate himself. He thanked God. Paul understood that although he had preached the gospel, taught the Word, prayed, and labored among these people, ultimately it was God who was working in their lives. That is something all of us who have had the privilege of ministering to others need to remember. Maybe you taught a Sunday school class. Maybe you witnessed to someone and saw that person trust Christ. Maybe you raised children who are now serving the Lord. Maybe you encouraged someone during a difficult time, and today they are still walking faithfully with Christ. Certainly, we can be thankful that God allowed us to have a part in their lives. But ultimately, the glory belongs to God. Paul had already told them back in chapter 2, verse 13, that the Word of God “effectively works in you who believe.” Paul planted the seed, but God gave the increase.Then notice Paul's joy. He says, “For all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God.” There are many things in life that can bring us happiness, but I believe one of the greatest joys a Christian can ever experience is seeing someone we have invested our life in continuing to walk with God. The apostle John expressed the same thought in 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” I think every Christian parent understands something about that. We want our children and grandchildren to be healthy. We want them to succeed. We want them to have good jobs, good marriages, and good lives. But our greatest desire should be that they know Jesus Christ and walk in truth. And the same should be true in ministry. Our greatest joy should not simply be large crowds, successful programs, beautiful buildings, or recognition. Our greatest joy should be changed lives—people growing in Christ and standing fast in the Lord.Then Paul tells us something else about his relationship with these believers. Verse 10 says: “Night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face…” Paul wasn't merely thinking about them. He was praying for them. And notice the intensity of his prayer: “Night and day praying exceedingly.” The word translated “exceedingly” carries the thought of something beyond measure or extraordinarily great. Paul prayed earnestly and continually for these people. What a wonderful reminder that one of the greatest ministries we can ever have for another person is the ministry of prayer. Sometimes we cannot be physically present with someone. Sometimes we cannot solve their problem. Sometimes we don't even know exactly what to say. But we can always pray. You may have children or grandchildren living hundreds of miles away. You may have a friend going through something you cannot fix. You may know someone who has wandered away from the Lord. You may feel helpless to change their circumstances. But you are never helpless when you can take their name before the throne of grace.Then Paul tells us specifically what he was praying for: “That we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith.” Now that is interesting. Timothy had just reported that their faith was strong. Paul had just rejoiced because they were standing fast. Yet Paul says there was still something “lacking” in their faith. Was Paul criticizing them? Not at all. He was reminding us of an important truth: No matter how much we have grown spiritually, there is always room to grow more. Someone said: “The biggest room in all the world, is the room for improvement”. The word translated “perfect” has the idea of completing, equipping, or supplying what is needed. Paul wanted to return so he could continue teaching these young believers and help them become more mature in Christ. They had genuine faith. They had strong faith. But they did not yet have perfect or complete faith. And neither do we.
Who says the late-summer schedule is slow? First, Ben Lindbergh talks to Ringer contributor Adam Nayman about a trio of recent big-screen releases: 'The End of Oak Street,' 'The Dog Stars,' and 'Coyote vs. Acme.' In addition to those three films, they discuss the summer box office, the year in movies as a whole, and the best live-action and animation hybrid movies. Then, Jomi Adeniran and Daniel Chin join for an animation roundup as they explore some superhero and 'Star Wars' stories that slipped through the cracks in a month headlined by 'Lanterns,' 'X-Men '97,' and 'Star Wars Zero Company.' They look at 'My Adventures With Superman' Season 3, 'Batman: Caped Crusader' Season 2, 'Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall' and 'Star Wars: Visions Presents—The Ninth Jedi.' Ben concludes with a listener recommendation and a bonus nomination.(0:00) Intro(8:48) ‘The End of Oak Street'(26:57) ‘The Dog Stars'(42:03) ‘Coyote vs. Acme'(58:08) ‘My Adventures With Superman' Season 3(1:10:01) ‘Batman: Caped Crusader'(1:16:50) ‘Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall'(1:29:47) ‘The Ninth Jedi'(1:47:46) OutroHost: Ben LindberghGuests: Adam Nayman, Jomi Adeniran, and Daniel ChinProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna RamgopowellStudio Production: Remy Hernandez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sowing and reaping is not karma and it is not luck. It is a spiritual law God set in place, and He told us exactly how it works. FREE DAILY DEVOTIONALS A short word from the Word in your inbox every morning. Free, and you can start today. https://increaseministries.com/start-here JOIN THE INCREASE ACADEMY Live morning calls, the 12 month discipleship path, and a community of believers growing together. https://increaseacademy.com KINGDOM LAUNCHPAD You know you're called. This is where you finally get started. https://www.skool.com/kingdom-launchpad-6884 MY BOOKS Short, practical reads on faith, identity, and increase. Most you can finish in one sitting. https://increaseministries.com/books LISTEN ON SPOTIFY Take the teaching with you. Every message on audio. https://open.spotify.com/show/5qwNtJ3M2ZQOnrTzXhMqZI SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE New teaching every week. Hit subscribe so you don't miss it. https://www.youtube.com/@TravisPeters/videos GIVE Your giving puts this teaching in front of believers who need it. https://increaseministries.com/give ABOUT THIS TEACHING In this teaching from 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 in the Amplified Bible, we walk verse by verse through the law of sowing and reaping, why Paul explained it using farming, and why it applies to far more than money. Your time, your help, your encouragement, and your gifts are all seed. You will also see the verse I have prayed in first person for almost 20 years, and how to receive God's promise of provision the exact same way you received salvation. By faith. Not by sight. This is Part 18 of the Growing in God series, taught live on our morning call inside the Increase Academy. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN - How the law of sowing and reaping actually works - Why sowing sparingly still produces a harvest - What generous really means (open handed) - Why God loves a cheerful, heartfelt giver - What all grace and every earthly blessing includes - What it means to be completely self sufficient in Him - How to receive by faith when circumstances say otherwise CHAPTERS 0:00 Welcome and today's encouragement 1:35 2 Corinthians 9:6 and the context of the offering 3:17 Sow sparingly or sow generously: how the law works 7:42 Why this law is not only about money 10:42 A lifestyle of sowing creates a lifestyle of reaping 13:29 Verse 7: God loves a cheerful giver 15:13 Verse 8: all grace, every favor, and earthly blessing 19:49 How to receive it by faith, just like salvation 23:56 Prayer and declaration SCRIPTURES REFERENCED 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (Amplified and Amplified Classic) Galatians 6:7 Matthew 6:33 Genesis 1:26 1 Corinthians 6:17 2 Corinthians 5:7 If this teaching helped you, like the video and leave a comment with what stood out to you. It helps more believers find it. Stay strong. I'm in your corner. Trav #SowingAndReaping #2Corinthians98 #BibleStudy #ChristianTeaching #Generosity #CheerfulGiver #AmplifiedBible #FaithNotSight #GodsProvision #IncreaseMinistries
Today we dive into a topic that's often met with resistance: submission to government authorities. This concept is repeated throughout Scripture, from Romans 13 to 1 Peter 2, and even Jesus himself taught on this subject. But why should we submit to those in power, especially when we disagree or our government is corrupt? As Christians, we're temporary residents on this earth, which helps us remember that our irritations with the government are not as significant as they seem. How do we balance our obedience to God with our submission to earthly authorities? The importance of recognizing the difference between temporal and spiritual matters, and how we should submit to the former while resisting the latter. This episode encourages listeners to think critically about their relationship with the government while still serving God. If you're interested in learning more about how to navigate the complex relationship between faith and government, tune in to this episode. Related Episodes: Romans 13:1-7 (From Christ) - What's the Christian's Role in Government? Titus 3 - Disobeying Governing Authorities and Other Sins After you're done with that, check out these websites: 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 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 Check out LifeAudio for other faith-based podcasts on parenting, studying Scripture, and more:www.lifeaudio.com Need help memorizing Scripture? Check out Verse in the Chorus: https://www.youtube.com/@VerseintheChrous Become a member to gain access to The Bible Explained on Fridays: https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Mary Keating joins Timothy Green on The Rattlecast for a conversation about poetry, disability, humor, resilience, and her memoir in verse, Recalibrating Gravity. A poet, lawyer, and disability-rights advocate, Keating became paraplegic following a car accident at age fifteen and went on to graduate from Yale Law School, build a legal career, and advocate for accessibility and disability rights. A longtime member of the Rattle community and three-time Pushcart Prize nominee, her poetry has appeared in Rattle, The Fiddlehead, ONE ART, Wordgathering, and elsewhere. In this episode, we discuss Recalibrating Gravity, writing honestly about disability without being defined by it, using humor in poems about difficult experiences, and turning a lifetime of memories into a memoir in verse. We'll also talk about poetry as a way of finding balance after life changes, Mary's journey into the Rattle community, and her Rattle poem “Full of It,” a ghazal featured as Poem of the Day. As always, we'll open the lines for this week's prompt-based poetry reading. Find more about Mary Keating here: https://www.marykeatingpoet.com/ This Week's Prompt: Write a poem that's a page or longer, and then edit it down to a maximum of 14 lines. Include both versions of your poem in the submission, with the shorter poem first. Next Week's Prompt: Write an ode to an antiquated piece of technology. Submit your poem through Submittable by midnight Sunday for a chance to be invited on the show: https://rattle.submittable.com/submit/269309/rattlecast-prompt-poems-online The Rattlecast livestreams every Monday on YouTube, Facebook, and X, then becomes available as an audio podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Thirteen and Verse Fifteen
Doug Horchak discusses Revelation 12:17—“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Today, we delve into the dramatic story of Esther, a Jewish woman who finds herself in a precarious position as the queen of Persia. With a genocide looming over her people, Esther must navigate the complexities of the royal court to save her life and the lives of those she loves: Esther's faced with a daunting task: approaching the king without being summoned - a move that could result in her sudden death. Jenn discusses the intricacies of the Persian court, explaining the customs and rules that govern the king's narcissistic behavior. Haman, the king's right-hand man, is seething with anger towards Mordecai, and his hatred only grows at the end of the episode. Don't miss this discussion to discover how Esther's bravery and cunning lead her down a path that will change the course of Israeli history. Listen to the full episode to find out what happens next in this gripping tale of faith and courage. Don’t just check out one… Take a look at them all! 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 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 Check out LifeAudio for other faith-based podcasts on parenting, studying Scripture, and more:www.lifeaudio.com Need help memorizing Scripture? Check out Verse in the Chorus: https://www.youtube.com/@VerseintheChrous Become a member to gain access to The Bible Explained on Fridays: https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
#13 — Slaying Selfishness ● 2 Timothy 3:2 — “For men shall be lovers of their own selves...” Statement: “We were created to worship God, love people, and use things. But selfishness reverses it—we ignore God, love things, and use people.” 1. Nabal Had Great Possessions 1 Samuel 25:2 Emphasize: “the man was very great.” Deuteronomy 8:18 2. Nabal's Hard Personality 1 Samuel 25:3 Emphasize: “the man was churlish and evil in his doings.” 3. Nabal Refused a Reasonable Plea (reference 1 Samuel 25:4–11) Contrast with Jesus: ● Visual: Jesus teaching the Sermon on the Mount. “Give to every man that asketh of thee...” — Luke 6:30 ● 1 John 3:17 ● Acts 20:35 4. Nabal Endangered His People (reference 1 Samuel 25:12–22) verse 13: ● David tells his men, “Gird ye on every man his sword.” James 4:1–2 Statement: “When self is on the throne, Christ is on the cross. But when Christ is on the throne, self is on the cross.” 5. God Dealt With Nabal's Pride (ref 1 Samuel 25:36–38) ● Verse 36-38 ● 1 Timothy 6:7 — “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” ● Mark 8:35 Five Practices That Defeat Selfishness 1. Look Beyond Yourself Philippians 2:4 2. Listen to the Needs of Others Philippians 2:4 James 1:19 3. Let Go of Your Rights Philippians 2:5–6 Mark 10:45 4. Love Through Sacrificial Service Philippians 2:7–8 John 15:13 ● Underline: “that a man lay down his life for his friends.” 5. Live With the Mind of Christ Philippians 2:5 ● “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:9 ● “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him...” 2 Corinthians 8:9 Statement: “There is no life so empty as a self-centered life, and there is no life so full as a Christ-centered life.” John 3:30 ● “He must increase, but I must decrease.” 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ● Emphasize: ○ “Ye are not your own.” ○ “For ye are bought with a price.”
Send us Fan MailA Father's LoveHello and welcome to Spiritual Warriors, the Caregivers. This is Episode 16 in our series on Spiritual Warfare. If you are a caregiver, you are a spiritual warrior. We want to encourage you in your walk with God and remind you that he is with you, for he said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13. Verse 5, part b.My name is Dr. Stephanie Wright, and today's episode is about a father who was an amazing caregiver. It is entitled “A Father's Love.” Our scripture reading is from Mark 9:20-29.20 And they brought the young man to Jesus: and when He saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. We don't know how old the son was in this scripture, but verse 21 tells us he was tormentedfrom childhood. Then verses 25 and 26 tell us he was tormented by an evil spirit. So, it appearsthat for a number of years this father was a caregiver to this young man who had been throwinghimself into fire and into water. He also witnessed his son foaming at the mouth and gnashing his teeth, and witnessed other attacks on his son's body. This is a father with a profound amount of love as a caregiver. That love is what we want to focus on today because only love can sustain a caregiver through the ravages waged against their loved ones' bodies, minds, and souls. Yes, every caregiver must pray, fast, and have faith that their loved one can be miraculously delivered like the young man in our scripture. But love is key to continuing the fight for those we care for until they are delivered, no matter what we see and hear. Continue in the caregiving work that you do. Those who are not in this daily fight don't fully understand what you are going through. So be kind to yourself while you extend kindness to those you care for. It will all work in your favor one day. Thank you for joining us today. We hope that this series will be a blessing to you, especially if you are a caregiver. And we will see you next time. Now stay tuned for Dr. Apostle Charles, as he tells you how you may contact us and listen to past podcasts on fasting, prayer, and other topics.If you want to contact us or comment on this podcast, please visit our website and select www.cgmissions.com/podcasts, where all episodes are available by category in series format. You can see some video and audio podcasts at: www.youtube.com/@cgmissionsinc then select from the video or podcast"Playlist." CGM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations may be made on our website:https://www.cgmissions.com/donate-here-general-and-wecare/
Believing “in” Jesus not “about” him is required to be born again. We must surrender to his lordship in our lives to enter the Kingdom of God. John 2:23-25 The intention of miracles was to point people to Jesus, not just to merely impress them. John 3:1-10 Nicodemus was a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, perhaps Sanhedrin. He was interested and seemingly humble. John 3:3 Being impressed with Jesus' actions is not enough to enter the kingdom. Verse 5 – “born of water” can be understood two ways that are both accurate – 1) water refers to amniotic fluid with physical birth and 2) water that cleanses. Ezekiel 36:25-27 …cleanse from all your filthiness. Based on context from vs 4 and 10, could be both. Titus 3:5 John 3:8 “wind” comes from the Greek pneuma, also translated spirit and breath. All three cannot be seen, but the effects can be felt and seen. 2 Corinthians 5:17 We are new creations since we have been born again. Ezekiel 37:1-14 Numbers 21:6-9 John 3:15-18 “believes in Him” is not the same as believing about him. Nicodemus’ progression of faith (John 3): unsure who Jesus was – John 7: defends Jesus and John 19:39: buries Jesus, thereby identifying with Jesus in public. 1 Peter 1:3-19, 22-25 If you want to experience the new birth, you must have faith in him. Romans 10:9-10The post The Gospel 8: Surrender to Christ to Experience New Birth first appeared on Living Hope.
Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Monday, August 31, 2026. (Zoom)
Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Thirteen and Verse Fourteen
“For,in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffertribulation.” Notice that Paul had warned them ahead of time. When Paulpreached the gospel, he did not promise people that if they trusted Christ alltheir problems would disappear. He did not tell them that following Jesus wouldguarantee an easy life. Actually, he told them just the opposite. He said, ineffect, “If you follow Christ, you should expect opposition.” Paul hadlearned this personally. Everywhere he went preaching the gospel, there seemedto be opposition. He had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi. He was drivenout of Thessalonica. He faced opposition in Berea, and eventually he foundhimself alone in Athens. Paul knew from experience that living for Christ doesnot exempt us from trouble. And neither does it today. Sometimes we get theidea that if we are walking with the Lord, praying, reading our Bible,attending church, and trying to live right, then nothing bad should happen tous. But the Bible never promises that. In fact, sometimes our troubles comebecause we are faithfully following Christ. ThenPaul adds an interesting statement in verse 4: “just as it happened, and youknow.” In other words, Paul said, “I told you it was coming—and now youhave experienced it for yourselves.” But notice what concerned Paul most. Itwasn't simply that they were suffering. His greatest concern was what thesuffering might do to their faith. Verse 5 says: “For this reason, when Icould no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith.” Paul wanted to know,“Are they still trusting God? Are they still standing? Are they still believingthe gospel?” And then Paul tells us why he was so concerned: “Lest by somemeans the tempter had tempted you.” Here Paul calls Satan “the tempter.”That immediately reminds us of Matthew 4, where Satan came to Jesus in thewilderness and tempted Him. Satanis still the tempter today. And one of his favorite opportunities to tempt usis when we are going through difficulty. When we are hurting, Satan whispers,“If God really loved you, why did He allow this?” When our prayers seemunanswered, he whispers, “God isn't listening.” When something doesn't turn outthe way we hoped, he says, “You can't trust God.” When we become discouraged,he whispers, “What's the use? Just give up.” That is why we need to understandsomething very important: The trial itself is not necessarily the temptation.The temptation is how we respond to the trial. God can use a trial tostrengthen our faith, while Satan wants to use that same trial to destroy ourconfidence in God. Remember Job? Satan believed that if Job lost hispossessions, his family, and his health, Job would turn against God. But in themiddle of his suffering, Job could still say, “Though He slay me, yet will Itrust in Him.” That is faith standing in the storm. Paulfinishes verse 5 by saying that he was concerned that “our labor might be invain.” Paul wasn't suggesting that his ministry had been meaningless. Hewas expressing the heart of a spiritual father. He had invested his life inthese people. He had preached Christ to them, prayed for them, loved them, anddiscipled them. Now he wanted to know that they were still standing. Today,maybe you are facing a trial. Remember this: Your trial does not mean God hasabandoned you. Don't listen to the tempter. Instead, listen to the promises ofGod's Word. Satan says, “God has forgotten you.” God says, “I will never leavethee, nor forsake thee.” Satan says, “You cannot make it through this.” Godsays, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Satan says, “Give up.” God says,“Stand fast in the Lord.” My friend, the enemy may use the storm to try toshake your faith, but God can use that same storm to strengthen your faith. Sotoday, keep trusting Him. Keep believing His Word. Keep standing on Hispromises. The tempter may come, but our God is faithful!
Anchor Your Soul in His Majesty David Mathis Download Psalm 110,The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand,until I make your enemies your footstool.”2 The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments;from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,“You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses;he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth.7 He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head. I know Psalm 110 sounds hard to understand at the first reading. I think it is understandable with a little explaining. And it's worth it. Martin Luther said,“This beautiful psalm . . . is the very core and [heart] of the whole of Scripture. No other psalm prophecies as abundantly and completely about Christ. It portrays the Lord and his entire kingdom and is full of comfort for Christians.”Hebrews 6:19 calls this psalm “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.” If you get Psalm 110, it is powerful for assurance. Its gives us “strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18).For those in room who are not yet Christians, Psalm 110 is powerful evidence for the truth of Christianity. I saw an article just this week called “An Overlooked Argument for Christianity: Why the Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy Still Matters.” Psalm 110 stands at the confluence of two massive OT rivers of anticipation, as the messianic river of regal hope converges here with another major river of priestly anticipation.A powerful defense of the Christian faith for Christians, and challenge for unbelievers, is how Jesus fulfills in one person thousands of years of such diverse expectations. And Psalm 110 is right at the center of it.Jesus Right NowBut more than assurance and apologetics, as Luther said, this is a great psalm “full of comfort for Christians.” Cities Church, it's been an unusual 2026. I really believe that God gave us what we could not have expected that we might know his Son better. At least that.And here at the end of the summer, he gives us this spectacular vision of our Lord in Psalm 110. This is what we need most right now, a fresh vision of the majesty of Christ, as he is right now, seated in glory and power, worthy of your confidence and full trust.What God wants us to see this morning is that our Lord Jesus is infinitely great. And it's one thing to say that and move on. It's another to say it and then try to back it up with details from Psalm 110; that is, to say and linger over it; to make the general declaration “Jesus is infinitely great” and then explain it, explore it, develop it, give specifics, get fresh glimpses, and real tastes, and perhaps ones we're not used to talking about all the time.So, let's enjoy four sights of the majesty of Jesus, right now, full of comfort for Cities Church.1. Your Lord has conquered and is ruling. (vv. 1, 4)Psalm 110 makes two stunning moves, both declaration from God. The first is verse 1, right out of the gate:The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”This is an enthronement declaration to a new king, from the mouth of God himself: Sit (on the throne) at my right hand (in the greatest possible place of honor), while I put your enemies under his feet. That is, God (the LORD) will make this king's enemies to serve him, to prop his feet up. The surprise is that David is the king, and we would think he has no lord other than God himself. What does David mean that he has a “Lord” other than the LORD? We'll come back to that.The second surprising move is Verse 4:The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind,“You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” What's so stunning is that in Israel, the kingship and the priesthood were strictly two different offices. They were expressly not to be joined. Kings, like David, were from the tribe of Judah. Priests, like Aaron (Moses's brother), were from the tribe of Levi.Psalm 110 is clearly from king David, addressed to a future king, and in verse 4, David says God does the imponderable: he declares to the king, You are a priest.Which brings us to this strange Melchizedek figure. Outside of Psalm 110 and the book of Hebrews, he is only mentioned briefly in Genesis 14. In the days of Abraham, four kings from the east came and fought with five kings near Abraham and took his nephew Lot. So, Abraham gathered his trained men and pursued the four kings and overtook them and defeated them. When Abraham returned home with all the spoils, this strange king-priest from Salem (Jerusalem) brings out bread and wine, and blesses Abraham in the name of God Most High. And Abraham acknowledges him and gives him a tenth (a tithe) of the spoils. And that's it. Three verses, and nothing more about this enigmatic Melchizedek.Until David comes along, a thousand years later, sitting as king in Jerusalem, reading Genesis 14 and realizing there was once a king-priest who ruled over this city. David himself would not dare play priest. Saul had tried that and received God's judgment (1 Samuel 13): his kingdom would not continue but be given to “a man after his own heart” (who would be David). But David has received promises from God about his dynasty enduring forever, and always having a son on his throne (2 Samuel 7).Under the terms of the first covenant, under the order of Aaron, king-priest was strictly forbidden. Kings are kings. Priests are priests. But in Psalm 110, David has a vision of a new day when one of his sons will be greater than him (because of God's promise) and that son will not only be king (ruling the people) but priest (making atonement for their sin), like this Melchizedek was. Which must mean a new covenant. (The NT book of Hebrews is essentially an extended meditation on this.)The big deal about a king also being priest is that the heart of the priest's work is offering sacrifices for sin. Making atonement for the people. Kings rule through making laws, enforcing justice, rendering judgments; priests serve the people by offering sacrifices to cover sin, so that a sinful people can have peace with a holy God.What's mainly in view in the king being priest is his making atonement for sin. And the significance of the priesthood for Jesus is that his sacrifice is done. At the cross, he made the perfect sacrifice once for all, and so with his work complete, the Father declares, Sit at my right hand.So, Jesus has conquered. He has made the final sacrifice for sin as the great high priest, and he is presently ruling on heaven's throne as the universe's king.Some of us love especially his kingship: his power and authority, his strategy and decisiveness; his wisdom and perfect justice as the Lion of Judah. Others of us, especially love his priesthood: his compassion and holiness; his sympathy and sacrifice as the Lamb who was slain. We all need both. Amazingly Jesus is both.2. Your Lord never grows old or gets tired. (vv. 3, 7)This is a wonder, and such good news. Look first at the second part of verse 3, which may be “the most obscure verse in the whole Psalter.”“…from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.”Dew and morning, and womb and youth, capture the prime of life: youthful vigor, energy, and strength; the vitality and fresh hope of a new day. In other words, your Lord doesn't grow old and frail; he doesn't slow down with age.One great irony, in our fallen world, that when we're young, we have energy but not yet our best wisdom, and as we grow our wisest, our energy begins to fail us.My dad was a dentist for more than 40 years. As he approached age 70, his knowledge and experience in dentistry was at its height, and yet his energy was declining. His tank got empty quicker. All the knowledge was there and better than ever, but his energy was flagging.And I know a great Christian counselor, here in our church, who was as wise and knowledgeable as he's ever been, at the very top of his game in the counseling field, but as he approached 70, he realized he could not keep doing what he'd once done for 40+ hours week. He's now retired. And still one of the wisest men I know.And I've known a great aging preacher, who knows the Bible and the human heart better than he ever has, and is as skilled in preparing and delivering sermons as he's ever been. But at 80, he does not have the same vigor and energy as he did at 50. Every great leader grows old, and often it's right when he's at his best.But Cities Church, this is not the story of your Lord. And it never will be. There's no transition plan for Jesus. The dew of his youth is still his. It's still morning for his reign, and no evening is coming. He is full of wisdom, greater than Solomon, and full of vigor and life, greater than any Olympian or warrior.Which leads to verse 7, the last line:“He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.”The picture is of a great hero who has expended himself in battle, and as the enemy retreats and he hunts him down, God gives him water on the way, to refresh him, and keep him going.Like Gideon in Judges 8:4:“Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over, he and the 300 men who were with him, exhausted yet pursuing.”Or like Samson in Judges 15:18–19, after he struck down 1000 men with the jawbone of a donkey:[Samson] was very thirsty, and he called upon the Lord and said, “You have granted this great salvation by the hand of your servant, and shall I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” 19 And God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi, and water came out from it. And when he drank, his spirit returned, and he revived.Verse 7 is a picture of Jesus hunting down the enemy, and being continually refreshed by his Father to keep up the pursuit.Some of us have been wearied in various ways by the challenges of 2026. Or in whatever ways you might be weary going into the fall. We grow old; we get weary; Jesus does not. And in his ever renewing strength he stands ready to renew ours.3. Your Lord is God himself in our own humanity. (vv. 5-7)This truth is so spectacular that it almost cheapens it to put it into words. It's the answer to some of the Bible's most piercing questions. Like when Jesus calms the sea, and the disciples say, Who then is this, that even the wind and the waves obey him?In Matthew 22 (Mark 12; Luke 20), Jesus asks the Pharisees, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, [Psalm 110:1]44 “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet” '? 45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” (42-45)Then verse 46 reports:“And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.”Why is that? The missing piece for us is the assumption in the ancient world that a father is greater than his son. The father sired the son; father came first, and from his life and marriage came a son. So, the older generation is greater than the subsequent ones.Yet what Jesus points out is that David is speaking about one of his offspring, but calls him “my Lord.” How can that be? And Jesus leaves it at that. He doesn't need to give the answer with his mouth, because he is the living embodiment of the answer as a son of David and the divine Son. (Calvin says it well: “There is something in Christ more excellent than his humanity, on account of which he is called the Lord of David his father.”)Jesus is so plainly human, standing before the Pharisees in human flesh and blood, in a body he will give to be broken at the cross and blood he will shed as a sacrifice to atone for sins. He is manifestly human (he drinks from the brook!). Yet, he is so much more. This is God himself, the second person of the triune Godhead, among us as one of us. Which is why he is Lord of all, even King David.Psalm 110 gives us an amazing coming together of God himself and his anointed king. See it first in verse 5:“The Lord (God) is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.”In verse 1, in heaven's throne room, the king was the God's right hand. Now, on the battlefield, God is at the king's right hand. And he (God or human king?) will crush kings on the day of his (God's or king's?) wrath.Verse 6 continues:6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs [the head]over the wide earth. Is it God or the king who shatters kings and executes judgment, and fills unbelieving nations with corpses? The ambiguity is on purpose. The LORD God and Lord king act as one. There's an intentional conflation of God and the coming king.Especially significant is that last part of verse 6. Our translation has “he will shatter chiefs,” but the word for “chiefs” is singular and the same word as “head” at the end of verse 7. So, verse 6 could read, “he will shatter (or crush) the head.” Which sounds like God's word of curse to the serpent in Genesis 3, that a coming offspring of the woman (and now offspring of David) “shall bruise your head.”Cities Church, the greatness of our Lord Jesus as God himself in our own humanity defies easy articulation. “Jesus is God” just doesn't do it. It doesn't capture the glory. We ache to say more. The best language is the language of worship: to declare him great, to say out loud he's worthy, to sing there is none like him. Our Lord is great beyond description, marvelous beyond our grasping for words. Which is why our gathering here every Sunday to worship Jesus, despite whatever opposition his enemies throw at us, is the most important thing we do week in and week out. Oh don't take this gathering lightly. We are here to worship Jesus — God himself in our own humanity.4. Your Lord shatters his enemies and thrills his people. (2-3a)Finally, verses 2–3a:“The LORD sends forth from Zionyour mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments.”At the seam between verses 2 and 3 is the critical distinction between “your enemies” and “your people.”We saw in verse 1 that God declares he will make “your enemies” a prop for Jesus's feet. Now in verse 2: “Rule in the midst of your enemies.” And note that it is no flaw in Jesus that he has enemies; in fact, it would be a flaw if he didn't.Those who reject this infinitely great person of Psalm 110 will not escape the day of his righteous wrath. Reject his priestly work, and there is no other sacrifice for sin; you will have nothing to shield you from what your sins deserve before the holy God.The day is coming when Jesus will have the honor of executing perfect judgment among the nations. He will do no wrong in righting every wrong. Which means no punishment for sin will be too severe; nor will it be too light. The only escape is to embrace the king of the universe as your own sacrifice.And those who do embrace him as Lord, verse 3a says, “offer themselves freely.” In other words, no coercion. No arm-twisting. Jesus's people do not declare him Lord through gritted teeth. They rally to him from the heart. They adore him. They obey from the heart, with overflowing joy.Don't miss this, Cities Church, as his people: our joy really matters. Our offering ourselves freely plays a part in this vision of his majesty in Psalm 110. Vital to how the king-priest looks great is that his people “offer themselves freely.” He doesn't force them. He wins us from the heart, and Jesus looks great in our joy in him. Our willing, glad service to him glorifies him.Receive His Bread and WineAnd so we come to the Table to receive bread and wine from our king-priest in the order of Melchizedek. The Lion is our king. The Lamb is our priest. He never grows old or gets tired. He is far greater than we can even say, and so we worship. And he is the one who thrills our hearts and has won our glad allegiance.
A significant portion of 1 John focuses on the believers' love for the body of Christ, so we are spending a lot of time talking about love. We are working our way through 1 John 4:7-21, which is a large section showing us that this love for one another is evidence of being born again. Last week, we examined verses 7-12, and this Sunday we will focus on verses 13-16. Although we are working through this passage in sections, it is important for us to remember that verses 7-21 are all one unit, bookended by the command to love one another. Last Sunday, we learned why this love for one another is an evidence of salvation: because God is love (v. 7-8), because God has loved us (v. 9-11), and because loving one another brings His love to its goal (v. 12). Verse 12 showed us two amazing realities. When we love one another, “God's love abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.” In verses 13-16, John will show us how we know God abides in us, and (Next Sunday) in verses 17-21, he explains how his love is perfected in us. As we focus on verses 13-16 this Sunday, John repeatedly emphasizes how we know we abide in God and He in us. John uses the term “abide” for both union with God in salvation and communion with Him, but the primary sense in these verses is our saving relationship with God. We can have assurance of our saving union being real not by a special feeling, secret knowledge, or climbing a ladder of righteousness, but because: I. God has given us His Spirit (v. 13) II. We confess and trust in the true Jesus (v. 14-15) III. We have received and now show God's love (v. 16) (also 17a)
Josh Niland is one of Australia's most influential chefs - Hhs latest book is Saint Peter: Chapter and Verse
CODE BLUE [Intro] I needed a break they were on me all week I was reaching for you but you were too far off like you forgot the game [Verse 1] My head keeps splitting I knew this would come You held your ground the feds took you away and you kept looking at me like you knew [Chorus] You knew that I knew but did they know who you were and Who am I You knew You knew Code Blue [Verse 2] How do I explain the oven in the walls the buzz under the skin the things crawling the ceiling up and down the hall the endless corridor it knows who you are don't touch the door Unless you're pure [Prechorus] Give me one clear shot to get you back there's no judge it feels like the case was closed before they heard a word [Chorus] You knew that I knew but did they know who you were and Who am I You knew You knew Code Blue [Bridge] what they wanted was me as me I'm the one knows the space in between heaven and hell dark and light they'll never sort it out it's why they fight [Verse 3] How do I explain the oven in the walls the buzz under the skin that held within through the door the timeless hall different directions which one is real? the endless corridor knows who you are don't touch the door Unless you're pure [Chorus] You knew that I knew but did they know who you were and Who am I You knew You knew Code Blue [Outro] Code Blue Through the layers Code Blue Dissolving bounds Resolving frequencies Code blue Blue, Blue
Sunday, 30 August 2026 They said to Him, “Caesar's.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” Matthew 22:21 “They say to Him, ‘Caesar's.' Then He says to them, ‘You render, therefore, those Caesar's to Caesar, and those the ‘God's' to God.'” (CG). In the previous verse, Jesus asked the Pharisees and Herodians whose image and inscription were on the coin. In response to that, “They say to Him, ‘Caesar's.'” Rather than holding up the coin and saying, “Look, this is Caesar's image and inscription,” Jesus had them respond to His question. By doing so, they have, with their own mouths, affirmed that the coin they used belonged not to the Jewish nation, but to their overlords, the Romans. Therefore, their thought of trapping Jesus in His words will fail. Their question to Him in Verse 17 was not an either/or response after all. Instead, the correct response, when thought through, is seen in the continued exchange, “Then He says to them, ‘You render, therefore, those Caesar's to Caesar.'” The nation was subject to Rome. They used its currency, they lived by whatever laws were imposed on them, and they could be elevated in the Roman society or cast into Roman prisons. The coin in Jesus' hand confirmed this. To say otherwise would be an act of rebellion against those who ruled over them. Along with that thought, Jesus says, “and those the ‘God's' to God.” To the Jews, whether they believed in God or not, they knew that the culture of the nation was established on the premise that there is a God and that He had given His law through Moses to the nation. Nobody would deny that. Anyone who spoke against it could be punished up to death, even if the death penalty had been reserved for Rome to mete out. As this is so, their laws mandated many things that the people were expected to do. This included the sacrificial system, the tithes and offerings, observing particular days like the Sabbath and the Day of Atonement, etc. Even the garments they wore had aspects mandated in the Law of Moses. The crops they could grow in a field and the types of food they could eat were also governed by the law. Obedience to the law was considered rendering to God because their law came from Him. These points were undeniable, and these leaders' attempts to trap Jesus in His words had failed, epically. Life application: If these men had taken .00156 seconds to think through what their own Scriptures said, they would have seen the error in their thinking concerning an either/or answer to the question they asked of Jesus. In Jeremiah 29, it says – “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:4-9 The fate of the people, be it living in freedom, in captivity, or under the rule of their enemies in their own land, was solely at the will of the Lord. This is recorded throughout Judges and onward. The word of the Lord through Jeremiah explicitly notes this. It is the Lord who sent them into exile. He did it by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, and their exile was to Babylon. This wasn't an aberration. Rather, it was prophesied in advance, and even the number of years the exile would continue was told to them by Jeremiah in his words to them. During the time of that exile, at the Lord's direction, they were expected to render unto Babylon the things that belonged to Babylon. Babylon was God's chosen instrument to chastise Israel for its aberrant ways. If they rebelled against the authority placed over them, there would be consequences. The Lord instructed them to live in peace in their new land. To disobey that would be to incur the Lord's wrath. Likewise, they would incur the wrath of those who held them captive. That truth has not changed to this day. Whether they accept their state in the world or not, and whether they believe in the Lord or not, they are to render unto whatever nation they live in what belongs to that nation, and they are to render unto God what belongs to Him. The same is true for believers. Paul says in Romans 13 – “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1, 2 Stand on the word when such things arise. God has ordained your time, place, and station in life. Live within the framework of those things in a manner that will honor Him. Lord God, in so many ways, You have taken the pressure off us. When Your word tells us to do something, all we need to do is be obedient to what You have said. Help us to remember this, complying with such things according to Your will for each of us. Amen.
Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Thirteen and Verse Thirteen
Sound Doctrine | 1st Timothy 1:18-20
Behind The Curtain: Mysteries of the Past and Present with Josh and Ryan
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means" -Princess Bride, 1987Well, we have got the band back together for an episode we've wanted to do since we started the show years ago. Bible verses taken and quoted out of context. We hear them all the time, from christians and non-christians alike. Today we discuss the real context of some of the greats! Like Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 4:13 and more... So strap in, grab a snack and lets exegete! Connect with us:Social: Instagram.com/behindthecurtainpcYoutube.com/btcmysteriesTikTok.com/btcmysteriesEmail: behindthecurtainpc@gmail.comMusic in this episode: Opening & Closing trackRetro Remix by JoshG
Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Thirteen and Verse Twelve
In verses 17 through 20, Paul gives us a beautiful glimpse into theheart of a true servant of God. He reminds us that ministry is not primarilyabout programs, buildings, crowds, or accomplishments. Ministry is aboutpeople.He says, in effect, “We may have been separated from you physically,but you have never left our hearts.” That is one of the wonderful things aboutChristian fellowship. Distance may separate us physically, but it does not haveto separate our hearts. Over the years, God brings many people into our lives.Sometimes circumstances move us apart. We may live hundreds or even thousandsof miles away from each other. We may not see one another for years. But whenour hearts have been joined together in Christ, there remains a bond thatdistance cannot destroy. ThenPaul says in verse 18: “Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul,time and again—but Satan hindered us.” Paul wanted to return. He tried morethan once. But he says very plainly, “Satan hindered us.” That reminds us thatSatan is real, and spiritual opposition is real. Whenever God is doing a greatwork, we should not be surprised when the enemy attempts to hinder it. Now, weneed to be careful. We should not blame Satan for every inconvenience or everydifficulty that comes into our lives. Sometimes God Himself closes a door. InActs 16, the Holy Spirit prevented Paul from going into certain areas becauseGod was directing him somewhere else. So there are times when God redirects us,and there are other times when Satan resists us. We need spiritual discernmentto know the difference. But I love this thought: Satan may hinder the servantof God, but he cannot stop the work of God. Satan hindered Paul from returningto Thessalonica, but he could not stop Paul from writing this letter. And herewe are nearly two thousand years later, still reading the letter Satan couldnot prevent! Sometimes what appears to be a hindrance in our lives may becomean opportunity for God to accomplish something even greater.ThenPaul tells us why these people meant so much to him. Verse 19 says: “Forwhat is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in thepresence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” What a wonderfulstatement! Paul looked beyond the present difficulties to the day when JesusChrist would return. He pictured himself standing in the presence of the Lord,and he said that these believers would be his “hope,” his “joy,” and his “crownof rejoicing.” The word “crown” here refers to the victor's crown—the wreaththat was given to someone who had successfully completed the race. Paul wassaying, “When I stand before Jesus, one of my greatest joys will be seeing youthere!” That should cause every one of us to ask an important question: Whowill be in heaven because God used my life to point them to Jesus? Whenwe stand before the Lord, the things that seem so important today will notmatter very much. Our possessions will be left behind. Our houses, cars, bankaccounts, awards, and earthly accomplishments will all stay here. But peopleare eternal. Think of the joy of standing before Jesus and seeing someone whomyou led to Christ. Maybe it was a child you taught the Word of God. Maybe aneighbor with whom you shared the Gospel. Maybe someone you encouraged during adifficult time. Maybe someone whose life was changed because you faithfullyprayed for them. Paulfinishes the chapter in verse 20: “For you are our glory and joy.” Noticehe did not say, “My accomplishments are my glory.” He did not point to thechurches he planted, the sermons he preached, or the miles he traveled. Hepointed to people. One day, when the Lord Jesus Christ comesagain, what a joy it will be to discover that God used our lives—our prayers,our witness, our encouragement, our giving, and our faithfulness—to helpsomeone come to know Christ and grow in Him. The greatest investment we canever make is an investment in the eternal souls of people.
Kendrick Diaz discusses Joshua 2:8-11—“I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”
Quran Garden - The Holy Quran Explained in Clear English (English Tafsir)
In today's tafsir, we respond to critics of the Quran who claim that Muslims cannot agree on the meaning of its verses. We examine the meanings behind the word "curse" and explore how God's blessings are often hidden behind life's difficulties.
Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Thirteen and Verse Eleven
It is finally that time of year! We reveal our hype list for houses, zones, and shows for Halloween Horror Nights 35 at Universal Studios Florida. Sinners and Stranger Things may be the headliner IP's but will they comes anywhere close to the top of our hype lists? Want to be on the show? Leave us a voicemail! (407) 906-4134 Follow HHN 365 on social media: Instagram HHN365 Twitter @HHN365 TikTok: @HHN365pod Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/jUD9nZav2U Merch: HHN365.com Featured audio is courtesy of White Bat Audio
Two years ago, Donald Trump made an outlandish campaign promise: He would cut Americans' power bills in half.It was a ridiculous, impossible pledge — but even so, the affordability problem didn't need to get this bad. A new report, out this week from the Natural Resources Defense Council, looks at the economic, environmental, and public health costs of Trump's regulatory and legislative clean energy policies, including his rollback of the wind and solar tax credits.The report's author, Amanda Levin, joins Rob on this episode of Shift Key. Levin is a Director of Policy Analysis at the NRDC's Science Office. They discuss why Trump's repeal will have long-term effects, the underrated public health impacts of the rollback, and why Levin believes the credits should be restored.Shift Key is hosted by Robinson Meyer, the founding executive editor of Heatmap News.You can find a full transcript of the episode here.Mentioned:Amanda Levin's new report: An Affordability Crisis of Trump's Own MakingA ‘Glass Half Full' Isn't Enough to Fight Climate ChangePreviously on Shift Key: The New Paper Arguing Biden's Power Sector Emissions Cuts Are Largely Intact — Even Under Trump--This episode of Shift Key is sponsored by ...Discover the Yale Clean and Equitable Energy Development online certificate program at the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. In this fully online, 5-month program, you'll learn from leading experts, develop practical skills, and grow a powerful network. Visit cbey.yale.edu to learn more and apply.Verse's software platform Aria helps data centers connect to the grid faster and optimize power operations in real time. Learn more at verse.inc.Music for Shift Key is by Adam Kromelow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The episode explores 1 Peter 2, discussing how Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone and the foundation of the church: Any teachings or practices that aren't grounded in Jesus can lead to spiritual instability. In contrast, those who build their faith on Jesus, the Living Stone, will find stability and security. Jesus is a stumbling stone, which refers to Jesus as a rock of offense to those who reject him. A discussion of Romans 9 and being chosen by Christ To close, Jenn emphasizes the importance of revisiting the basics of the Gospel, even for more advanced Christians. Related Episode: 1 Timothy 4:6-16 - How A Young Person Should Conduct Themselves as A Christian Be sure to click every link for the full P40 experience: 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 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 Check out LifeAudio for other faith-based podcasts on parenting, studying Scripture, and more:www.lifeaudio.com Need help memorizing Scripture? Check out Verse in the Chorus: https://www.youtube.com/@VerseintheChrous Become a member to gain access to The Bible Explained on Fridays: https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Which host can guess the most song titles correctly if they are played backwards?? It's Reverse the Verse!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.