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Luke 6:1–19 (ESV)1On a Sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. 2But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?" 3And Jesus answered them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?" 5And he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." 6On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. 8But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, "Come and stand here." And he rose and stood there. 9And Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?" 10And after looking around at them all he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored. 11But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. 12In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who wa

Psalm 73 1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.5They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.6Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.7From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits.8They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.9Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.10Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.11They say, How would God know? Does the Most High know anything? 12This is what the wicked are like always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. 13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.14All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. 15If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.16When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply17till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. 18Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.19How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!20They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. 21When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,22I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. 23Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.25Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.28But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Acts 14:1-18Paul and Barnabas at Iconium1Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7and there they continued to preach the gospel.Paul and Barnabas at Lystra8Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

24_12_21 -Ep.343 - Run With Horses Podcast - Spiritual Disciplines – Biblical Meditation   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo   Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04   ---   **(28:00)** Today we consider the spiritual discipline of biblical meditation!   **(27:00 – 23:00)**   Small Groups: Small groups are an essential part of the life of a healthy Baptist church. These gatherings provide a place to live out the “one another” commands of the New Testament. Through small groups, we build relationships that help us grow spiritually, serve together, and use our gifts to strengthen the church one relationship at a time. **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1   What Are Spiritual Disciplines? Define spiritual disciplines as practices rooted in Scripture that help believers grow in their relationship with God. Key verse: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7)   Meditation as a Spiritual Discipline Section 1: Biblical Meditation A. Introduction to Biblical Meditation Define meditation from a Biblical perspective: Focused, intentional contemplation of God's Word and works. A spiritual exercise focused on Scripture, involving contemplation and prayer Rooted in Scripture, with the goal of knowing God and aligning one's heart with His will. Differentiate Biblical meditation from Eastern meditation: C. Differences Between Eastern Meditation and Biblical Meditation (10 minutes) Focus: Eastern meditation often centers on self-awareness and inner peace, while biblical meditation focuses on God and His Word(Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation | Abide, n.d.). Eastern meditation emphasizes emptying the mind and achieving detachment. Biblical meditation emphasizes filling the mind with God's truth and cultivating intimacy with Him (Philippians 4:8). Posture: Eastern practices may emphasize physical posture (e.g., sitting cross-legged), whereas biblical meditation prioritizes the posture of the heart(Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation | Abide, n.d.). Worldview: Eastern meditation may promote the idea of achieving spiritual freedom or "nirvana," while biblical meditation acknowledges dependence on God and His grace(Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation | Abide, n.d.).   B. Key Bible References (NKJV) Joshua 1:8   Psalm 1:1–2   Psalm 119:15–16   C. Biblical Examples of Meditation David Psalms filled with meditations on God's law, character, and works (e.g., Psalm 19:14). Isaac Genesis 24:63: Jesus Frequent times of solitude and prayer, often grounded in God's Word (Luke 5:16). D. The Purpose and Fruit of Biblical Meditation Deepening understanding of God's Word. Transforming the heart and mind (Romans 12:2). Encouraging obedience and spiritual growth.   **(00:00) END PART 1**   **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**   Section 2: Practical Help for Practicing Biblical Meditation A. Establishing a Biblical Framework for Meditation Set aside focused time daily (morning or evening). Create a quiet space free from distractions. Begin with prayer for understanding and insight (Psalm 119:18). B. Techniques for Practicing Meditation Select a Passage or Verse Choose a specific Scripture to meditate on, e.g., Psalms, Proverbs, or teachings of Jesus. Select verses or passages that resonate personally. What is God doing in your life now? Read and Reflect Read slowly and repeatedly, emphasizing different words or phrases. Ask Questions of the Text What does this reveal about God? What does this mean for my life today? Memorize and Internalize Commit verses to memory for ongoing meditation throughout the day. Techniques for Effective Meditation (10 minutes) Lectio Divina: Explain this ancient practice of slow, contemplative reading of Scripture. It is traditionally associated with monastic communities. The practice emphasizes a slow, meditative reading of the Bible, aiming not just to study Scripture but to experience it personally and prayerfully. The Four Steps of Lectio Divina: A. Lectio (Reading):   B. Meditatio (Meditation):   C. Oratio (Prayer):   D.Contemplatio (Contemplation):     Journaling: Encourage keeping a meditation journal to record thoughts and insights Incorporating Prayer: Discuss how to integrate prayer into meditation, asking God for understanding and application of His Word     C. Overcoming Distractions Find a quiet, distraction-free location. Write down stray thoughts to address later. D. Using Tools to Enhance Meditation Journaling: Record insights and applications. Music: Listen to hymns or Scripture-based songs.   E. Incorporating Meditation into Daily Life Meditate while walking, driving, or doing simple tasks. Reflect on sermons, Bible studies, or daily readings. **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month - Salvation *The Need for Salvation * The Provision of Salvation *The Response to Salvation   **(1:00)**   - “Thank you for listening today!   -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.   **(00:00)**         Meditation - Psalm 1:2: 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 63:6: When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Philippians 4:8: 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.   Prayer - Mark 1:35: Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Luke 6:12: Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Matthew 6:5-13: Model Prayer   Fasting- Matthew 4:1-2: 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Matthew 6:16-18: 16“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.   Study - Luke 4:4, 8, 12: 3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' ” 5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' ” 9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:‘He shall give His angels charge over you,To keep you,'11 and,‘In their hands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' ”12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' ” Luke 24:27: 25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.     Simplicity - It helps us set money, possessions, worldly accomplishments, and other material things in their proper perspective so that God is restored to the throne of our lives. Simplicity requires us to let go of practices, time commitments, thoughts, and relationships that contaminate body and spirit so that we can better reflect the image of Christ. The foundation of Christian simplicity is to seek first the Kingdom of God and trust that everything else will fall in its proper place. Matt 6:33: – 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.   Solitude - The point of solitude is to refrain from talking so we are placed in a posture to listen. The more we do this, the better we become at discerning God's voice from our own. It requires us to trust that God will show up—but, we must not give up! Luke 5:16: "So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." Lamentations 3:25-26: 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly. For the salvation of the Lord. Set at least a few minutes alone with God daily.   Submission - Submission calls us to give up our plan for the good of others and the fulfillment of God's will. It is through self-sacrifice that we find joy and through carrying out God's will that our lives have meaning and purpose. James 4:7: 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Hebrews 13:17: - 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.   Service - Service requires us to relinquish our rights for what we think we deserve to demonstrate God's sacrificial love. Our willingness to set our own desires aside to meet the needs of others stems from a deep relationship with God. Mark 10:45: 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” John 13:12-17: 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.                  

24_11_02 -Ep.336  - Run With Horses Podcast  - Calling and Equipping Disciple Makers Podcast:  rwh.podbean.com Website:  www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:   https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:   https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together  - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04 **(28:00)** I have been focusing on the church and a discipleship pathway for a few months now. Today I want to circle back to a key point. We're remembering why churches must prioritize training disciple makers, ensuring that each member is both equipped and encouraged to engage in making disciples. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(27:00 – 23:00)**    Spiritual Habits - Daily Devotions**     - **Key Passage**: Psalm 1:1-3 - 1Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Highlights the strength and fruitfulness of those who meditate on God's Word daily. A disciple maker builds a strong foundation on God's Word. - **Building Daily Devotional Habits:** Just as physical food sustains our bodies, daily time in Scripture and prayer nourishes our spirits. Discipline is required, but the rewards are life-giving. - **Practical Tips**: Find a consistent time, place, plan and method that work for you—whether journaling, guided reading, Chapter a day or praying through Scripture. Just do it. **(23:00 – 0:00)* *   The Church's Mission to Train Disciple Makers**   - **Defining the Church's Role in Discipleship**: The church isn't just a gathering place; it's a training ground. We're called to move beyond simply teaching about discipleship to actively making disciple-makers.   - ##**Key Goals in Disciple-Maker Training**:     - **Mature, Self-Feeding Believers**: Equip members to study Scripture and grow spiritually on their own. This is a critical step if they are to teach others.  Heb. 5:12 - 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.      - **Everyday Missionaries**: Members should be able to share their faith naturally within their own circles—family, workplace, and community.  Acts 1:8 -  8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”      - **Trained Disciple-Makers**: We aim to cultivate disciple-makers, not just attendees, with hearts prepared to replicate the faith. Matt 28:18-20 - 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”    - **Pastors, Church Leaders, and Missionaries**: As God leads, some will be called to new roles in leadership and church planting, supporting disciple-making movements in other communities. ## The Church needs an Intentional Process - **Engage, Connect, Equip, Release Discipleship Framework**: Revisit the pathway and its critical role in building disciple-makers ready to serve both within the church and beyond. Not THE way, A way. Every church needs to be intentional about carrying out the mission of Jesus. ##**Examples of Disciple-Making in Action**: - **Sunday School Reimagined**: What would a disciple-making approach look like? From intentional mentoring to encouraging members to reach others personally. - **Training and Support from the Church**: Weekly large gatherings are more than services; they're opportunities for mutual encouragement, skill-building, and strategic equipping. -**Smaller groups provide ongoing accountability and support in life and ministry**:  A place for deeper, slower conversations. More personal interaction. A time for questions. Practical personal support as a disciple maker. **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2** Practical Steps for Churches to Train Disciple Makers**      ##- **Identify Local Needs and Engage Culturally**: For the church to be effective, we must first understand the needs and concerns of our local community. -What is going on in our community? What are people talking about? What do they do in their free time? How can we show them the love of Jesus in practical ways? Where can we join them and build relationships? Soup kitchens, food pantries, sports parks, high school games, community events...  --- **Lead by Example**: Church leaders can model engagement, showing how to reach people relationally, addressing both practical needs and spiritual hunger. Let the church know what you are doing and invite them to join you. ##- **Provide ongoing Evangelism and Discipleship Training**:   --- **Annual Evangelism Training**: Practical workshops in both “What is the Gospel?” and “How to Share the Gospel,” along with practice sessions. Keep it in front of the church. Hear testimonies from people on a regular basis. Their salvation testimony, a story of sharing the gospel with a co-worker, etc. Encouraging and challenging.   --- **Disciple-Making Groups**: Encourage small group Bible studies aimed at disciple-making, not just fellowship. Edify first. How are we growing? What weaknesses do we have as a church family? How can we address them? Foundations first, then build, every one spiritually healthy and on mission is the goal. - **Encourage Community Participation**: Join local events, showing the love of Christ through service, conversation, and invitations to faith-centered gatherings. Do things in public as a church. Encourage activity participating in community events. We can't be salt and light if we are always in the building with the doors shut!  -  **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month - Doctrine of Man**      - **Key Concept**: “Made in God's Image”  Genesis 1:26-27 - 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Man was created uniquely, bearing God's image, with a capacity for relationship, creativity, and purpose. - **Understanding Man's Purpose**: Man is designed to glorify God. We reflect God's character, are called to steward His creation and to live in fellowship with Him. - **Sin's Effect on Humanity**: Sin distorts our ability to reflect the image of God and accomplish His purpose. It also separates us from God, but in Christ, we are redeemed, and our purpose is restored. **(1:00)**   **Closing**   - “Thank you for listening today! Training disciple makers is essential to a thriving church body on mission. As you reflect on this, consider your role—both individually and within the church—in reaching others with the hope of Jesus." -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. **(00:00)** Parenting Manual and Pursuing Godliness Together Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo My wife has a new book out. She took some of the lessons from Scripture that helped us as parents and put them together into a parenting manual written as one thought a day from the Bible. You can find it on Amazon by searching for Susan Jane Smith, Parenting Manual. I also have a link in the show notes. If you are a parent or know a parent who is interested in raising godly children, this book can point you to Scripture that will help you keep your focus as you take the journey with your children. The book is $5 and is available as a paperback or kindle book. If you read it, leave her a review, it really does help others find it! Thanks!

YOU Are MINE | Isaiah 43:1-2In this powerful sermon, we dive into the comforting and transformative message of Isaiah 43:1-2. God speaks directly to His people, reminding us that we are His—called by name and never alone. In moments of fear, uncertainty, and overwhelming trials, we find assurance in the truth that we are precious in His sight, protected, and redeemed by His love.Join us as we explore how God's promises to Israel resonate in our lives today, offering peace and confidence in His unwavering presence. Whether you're walking through fire or facing deep waters, remember—God declares, "YOU are MINE."Scripture Focus: Isaiah 43:1-2But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob,he who formed you, Israel:“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;I have summoned you by name; you are mine.When you pass through the waters,I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you.When you walk through the fire,you will not be burned;the flames will not set you ablaze."This week's message is from our Lead Pastor, John Letterman.Let's Connect: http://bit.ly/3XbRE9TFree Access To RightNow Media:https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/rccreadingSocial Media:@riverviewchristian on Facebook and InstagramWebsite:riverviewchristian.churchSupport the show

Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians 1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 9For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians 2For you yourselves know, brothers,[a]that ourcoming to youwas not in vain.2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treatedat Philippi, as you know,we had boldness in our Godto declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of muchconflict.3Forour appeal does not spring fromerror orimpurity orany attempt to deceive,4but just as we have been approved by Godto be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, notto please man, but to please Godwho tests our hearts.5For we never came with words of flattery,[b]as you know, nor with a pretext for greedGod is witness.6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others,though we could have madedemands asapostles of Christ.7But we weregentle[c]among you,like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of Godbut also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________LentLet my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Psalm 141:2 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. O Gracious Light Phos hilaronO gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life,and to be glorified through all the worlds. Psalm 73Quam bonus Israel!1Truly, God is good to Israel, *to those who are pure in heart.2But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped; *I had almost tripped and fallen;3Because I envied the proud *and saw the prosperity of the wicked:4For they suffer no pain, *and their bodies are sleek and sound;5In the misfortunes of others they have no share; *they are not afflicted as others are;6Therefore they wear their pride like a necklace *and wrap their violence about them like a cloak.7Their iniquity comes from gross minds, *and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts.8They scoff and speak maliciously; *out of their haughtiness they plan oppression.9They set their mouths against the heavens, *and their evil speech runs through the world.10And so the people turn to them *and find in them no fault.11They say, “How should God know? *is there knowledge in the Most High?”12So then, these are the wicked; *always at ease, they increase their wealth.13In vain have I kept my heart clean, *and washed my hands in innocence.14I have been afflicted all day long, *and punished every morning.15Had I gone on speaking this way, *I should have betrayed the generation of your children.16When I tried to understand these things, *it was too hard for me;17Until I entered the sanctuary of God *and discerned the end of the wicked.18Surely, you set them in slippery places; *you cast them down in ruin.19Oh, how suddenly do they come to destruction, *come to an end, and perish from terror!20Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord, *when you arise you will make their image vanish.21When my mind became embittered, *I was sorely wounded in my heart.22I was stupid and had no understanding; *I was like a brute beast in your presence.23Yet I am always with you; *you hold me by my right hand.24You will guide me by your counsel, *and afterwards receive me with glory.25Whom have I in heaven but you? *and having you I desire nothing upon earth.26Though my flesh and my heart should waste away, *God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.27Truly, those who forsake you will perish; *you destroy all who are unfaithful.28But it is good for me to be near God; *I have made the Lord God my refuge.29I will speak of all your works *in the gates of the city of Zion. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsJeremiah 7:21-29English Standard Version21 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices, and eat the flesh. 22 For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. 23 But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.' 24 But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. 25 From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day. 26 Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers.27 “So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you. 28 And you shall say to them, ‘This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips.29 “‘Cut off your hair and cast it away;    raise a lamentation on the bare heights,for the Lord has rejected and forsaken    the generation of his wrath.'Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Mary - MagnificatMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as It was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Mark 10:32-45English Standard Version32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Simeon - Nunc dimittisLord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesThat this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord.That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord.That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. Third Sunday in Lent (Anglican Prayer Book)ALMIGHTY God, consider the sincere desires of your humble servants, we humbly pray, and stretch out the right hand of your power to defend us against our enemies; through Jesus Christ our LORD. Amen.A Collect for PeaceMost holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.A Collect for Aid against PerilsBe our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.For MissionKeep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionMay the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. - Romans 15:13

Scripture Reading: Acts 4:32-5:16 32 The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. 34 For there was no one needy among them because those who were owners of land or houses were selling them and bringing the proceeds from the sales 35 and placing them at the apostles' feet. The proceeds were distributed to each, as anyone had need. 36 So Joseph, a Levite who was a native of Cyprus, called by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and placed it at the apostles' feet. 1 Now a man named Ananias, together with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property. 2 He kept back for himself part of the proceeds with his wife's knowledge; he brought only part of it and placed it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of the land? 4 Before it was sold, did it not belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God!” 5 When Ananias heard these words he collapsed and died, and great fear gripped all who heard about it. 6 So the young men came, wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, but she did not know what had happened. 8 Peter said to her, “Tell me, were the two of you paid this amount for the land?” Sapphira said, “Yes, that much.” 9 Peter then told her, “Why have you agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!” 10 At once she collapsed at his feet and died. So when the young men came in, they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the whole church and all who heard about these things. 12 Now many miraculous signs and wonders came about among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent they were all meeting together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high honor. 14 More and more believers in the Lord were added to their number, crowds of both men and women. 15 Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and put them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow would fall on some of them. 16 A crowd of people from the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits. They were all being healed. Main ThemesThe GoodOur reading begins immediately after we are told that all the believers were “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:31). There seems to be a pattern that after such outpourings of the Spirit the community experiences power and unity.One Heart and MindWe are told first that the community is of “one heart and mind.” This expression is not exclusive to biblical writers. The exact same expression and also close variations of it were used by other writers to express unity, particularly in friendship relationships (although not exclusively). I think that this is an important clue. I have been in several situations where believers wonder what such unity means and how to achieve it. Perhaps the answer is familiar—too familiar—so we rather avoid it. We should be true friends of our brothers and sisters in Christ.Moreover, the expression “one heart and mind,” literally “one heart and soul,” seems to recall the Old Testament. The mention of heart and soul in the same phrase appeared in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament). Undoubtedly the reference that would have been in every ancient Jew's mind would have been the Shema prayer in Deuteronomy 6:5-6. (The Shema prayer is one of the most famous prayers in the Bible. It was a daily prayer for ancient Israelites and is still recited by Jewish people today.)Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind [literally, heart], your whole being [literally, soul], and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5-6The Ideal CommunityWe have already discussed the “ideal community” that was the early church in chapter 2. At the end of chapter 4, we encounter that ideal community again. Everything was held in common. (The imperfect verbs suggest not a sale of all property upon conversion but believers selling their property when needs arose and contributing to a common fund supervised by the apostles.)Much like the idea of being of “one heart and mind,” the idea of holding everything in common was especially attributed to friends. Biblically speaking, it seems like the fulfillment to Deuteronomy 15:4-5:However, there should not be any poor among you, for the Lord will surely bless you in the land that he is giving you as an inheritance, if you carefully obey him by keeping all these commandments that I am giving you today. Deuteronomy 15:4-5That the goods were deposited at the apostles' feet means that the apostles were the managers who would supervise distribution among the needy. The location at their feet also indicates submission. The apostles were the leaders of the movement. That the apostles used all the funds for the needy contrasts them with members of the religious elite who exploited others economically. The contrast intensified by the fact that the goods were distributed according to need.The apostles gave testimony with great power, which probably implies miraculous works and bold speech. We are also told that “grace was on them all.” This phrase is difficult to interpret. Consider when the same words were used to speak about Jesus.And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor [literally, grace] of God was upon him. Luke 2:40, emphasis addedConsider also Paul's use of the word in Romans and Ephesians:And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith. Romans 12:6But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he captured captives; he gave gifts to men.” Ephesians 4:7-8So, grace could mean God's favor, empowerment, or both.Barnabas—The Good ExampleMaybe Barnabas was singled out because his monetary contribution to the church was the largest. Although some scholars think so, one must wonder whether Luke—who seems critical of the wealthy and concerned for the poor—would have thought that to be reason enough. The more likely explanation is that this reference works as an introduction to Barnabas, who will play a larger role later in the story.Joseph was an incredibly common name at the time, so giving a “Joseph” a nickname was not unusual. (The same is true of the name Simon.) We could also make a connection with instances in the Old Testament in which a person was renamed—naming a person signified authority over them. So, perhaps this shows Barnabas submission to the apostles. His nickname, however, relates not to submission but to encouragement. Later passages in Acts confirm that the name was well placed. Barnabas is from Cyprus. Many Jews lived in Cyprus at the time. Perhaps Barnabas' associations with Cyprus help explain his wealth. Cyprus was a prosperous land both rich in minerals (especially copper but also gems) and agriculture. Presumably, this made the field Barnabas sold quite valuable.Notice that Barnabas does everything right. That's the point. He sold a field. He placed the money at the feet of the apostles. He showed generosity, charity, love, unity, and submission to the leadership. I point this out because we are about to read the “bad example.” In my opinion, the chapter division was placed incorrectly. The story of Barnabas is clearly meant to be contrasted with story of Ananias and Sapphira.The BadAnanias—What Did He Do Wrong?Immediately after the introduction of Barnabas, we read “Now a man named Ananias.” Like I said above, these two stories are clearly meant to be read together and contrasted. Let's review what Ananias did.Now a man named Ananias, together with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property. He kept back for himself part of the proceeds with his wife's knowledge; he brought only part of it and placed it at the apostles' feet. Acts 5:1-2We learn the key detail from the verses that follow: Ananias pretended like the money he placed at the apostles' feet was all the sale proceeds.What is so wrong about this? Think about it. After all, the guy donated a bunch of money to the church. Doesn't the good outweigh the bad (that is, the lie)? Was he required to give the whole amount? Did he keep back too much? Let's address these questions.Sanctity, Honor, and HypocrisyWe could say that the early chapters of Acts describing the “ideal community” emphasize sacrificial giving, and Ananias failed to give sacrificially. However, as we will discuss in a moment, Peter makes clear that Ananias had no obligation to give. Instead, the passage in chapter 5 emphasizes the community's sanctity.Ananias and Sapphira wanted to be honored in God's community. One does need to read much of the Bible, Old or New Testament, to encounter verses about the dangers of seeking honor for oneself.You are still exalting yourself against my people by not releasing them. Exodus 9:17How can you believe, if you accept praise from one another and don't seek the praise that comes from the only God? John 5:44As all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the experts in the law. They like walking around in long robes, and they love elaborate greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' property, and as a show make long prayers. They will receive a more severe punishment.” Luke 20:45-47Notice that even if sharing was voluntary, the incentive to engage in the practice for selfish reasons is still there. When voluntary practices become a dominant practice of a group, they exert considerable influence on other members to conform to the new standard. Moreover, benefactors in the ancient Mediterranean world expected public honor. Honoring oneself by pretending to engage in sacrificial behavior is also a blatant example of hypocrisy. If you participated in our study of John, then you know that this was a recurring (perhaps the main) issue that Jesus had with the religious leaders.He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.'” Mark 7:6“Be careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by people. Otherwise you have no reward with your Father in heaven. Thus whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, they have their reward! But when you do your giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4Of course, I cannot mention hypocrisy without quoting the “7 woes.”“But woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You keep locking people out of the kingdom of heaven! For you neither enter nor permit those trying to enter to go in.“Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You cross land and sea to make one convert, and when you get one, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves!“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple is bound by nothing. But whoever swears by the gold of the temple is bound by the oath.' Blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred? And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing. But if anyone swears by the gift on it he is bound by the oath.' You are blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and the one who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and the one who sits on it.“Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You give a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you neglect what is more important in the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness! You should have done these things without neglecting the others. Blind guides! You strain out a gnat yet swallow a camel!“Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside may become clean too!“Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you look righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.“Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have participated with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' By saying this you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up then the measure of your ancestors! You snakes, you offspring of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?” Matthew 23:13-33Hypocrisy is obviously bad. But is it really that big of a deal? After all, we do not read of Jesus slashing through Pharisees and leaving them for dead. We also do hear of the apostles attempting to violently subjugate anyone, or performing destructive miracles that force the crowds to behave honestly. How is Ananias worse than the experts in the law and the Pharisees such that he should be struck dead on the spot? God judged impostors within the community much more severely than false prophets or leaders outside of it.The apostle Paul expresses a similar distinction in his first letter to the Corinthians.I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. In no way did I mean the immoral people of this world, or the greedy and swindlers and idolaters, since you would then have to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who calls himself a Christian who is sexually immoral, or greedy, or an idolater, or verbally abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Are you not to judge those inside? But God will judge those outside. Remove the evil person from among you. 1 Corinthians 9-13God sacrificed his one and only beloved son to create a path for salvation; He also protected the early church from the sins of hypocrisy and self-aggrandizing which would have prevented the good news from going forth to the world.Satan Filled His HeartAnanias's behavior seeking to deceive the community recalls the betrayal of Judas: both men had Satan in their hearts. Recall Luke's description of Judas:The chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find some way to execute Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. He went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he might betray Jesus, handing him over to them. They were delighted and arranged to give him money. So Judas agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus when no crowd was present. Luke 22:2-6We learn from Peter's question that Ananias' heart was “filled” by Satan.But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of the land? Acts 5:3There are at least two important observations that should be noted. First, whether our modern sensibilities like it or not, scripture does seem to speak of supernatural evil entities. Satan is at work opposing God. In fact, Peter's question makes Satan and the Holy Spirit the main players in the conflict, not Ananias and Peter. Paul expresses a similar idea in his letter to the Ephesians.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. Ephesians 6:12Among the more progressive Christians (not to mention nonbelievers), the idea of personal forces of evil (I mean evil creatures with agency, as opposed to simply the concept of evil) is often denied. To do so, one would have to interpret references to Satan as figures of speech meaning something like, “Why have you chosen evil?” This is both an implausible reading of the text and certainly not what the original writers meant to convey or original audience understood.The other observation we should make is that Ananias, working for the enemy, commits no small sin. In the story, he is an agent of Satan infiltrating the community of God. He seeks to embed the spirit of Satan with the Spirit of God. God does not allow it. Put another way, whereas some onlookers may have viewed Ananias' action as at worst merely selfish from a personal perspective, it was in fact Satan's activity to infiltrate the community with hypocrisy.Sapphira—A Quick DetourI want to discuss the rest of Peter's response to Ananias. Before we do that, let's briefly discuss Sapphira.The name “Sapphira,” in its various spellings, means “beautiful” and appears almost exclusively among wealthy Jerusalem families in this century. This lends credibility to Luke's account. Given the usual authority structure in ancient households, one should not be surprised that Ananias took the lead. Notice, however, that verse 5:1 attributes the sale of the property to both spouses. Although in the ancient Jewish world land sales would have generally involved exclusively men, we have record of contracts that included women as co-sellers.Legalities aside, the main point made by God's punishment of Sapphira is that even if she was of subordinate rank in a patriarchal society, she was not excused in disobeying God. God is the ultimate authority. If Sapphira did not have an opportunity to stop her husband from withholding funds or lying about it, she had an opportunity to be honest. She did not take that opportunity.Was It Not Yours?Now, let's return to Peter's response. At the risk of being misunderstood, I must admit that the story of Ananias and Sapphira is one of my favorites in the New Testament. No, not because I wish all sinners in the church to be struck dead. (I would surely be dead too.) It is because it conveys a couple of ideas that are central to Christian morality: Christian freedom and sins of conscience.Listen to Peter's words once more.Before it was sold, did it not belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart? Acts 5:4aDid Ananias sin because he did not give enough to the church? Did he sin because he kept some money for himself? No! The story of Ananias and Sapphira is not about money. It is not about tithing.Ananias' field was his to do as he pleased. He could have kept it. He could have sold it and kept all the money. He could have donated 10% of the proceeds, 20%, 50%, or 100%. Ananias had what we often call the “Christian freedom” to do as he believed was right.Christian FreedomOne of the “go to” passages for Christian freedom is in Galatians 5. I will read it, although in my opinion, it is not the best passage to explain the concept.For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery. Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all! 3 And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace! For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait expectantly for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight—the only thing that matters is faith working through love. Galatians 5:1-6That quotation from Galatians clearly teaches that we are no longer bound by or saved by obeying the law of the Old Testament. The reason I think it is not the best text to explain Christian freedom is because it does not explain the alternative. (This is not a critique of the passage, only of how it is used.) If we don't have to follow the Old Testament law, then what? What do we follow now?I would rather explain Christian freedom by focusing on any particular moral issue. Given that we are reading Acts 5, let's pick the topic of giving to the church. How does the New Testament address this topic? What are the “commands”?Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality. Romans 12:11-13Contribute to the needs of the saints. Got it. But how much? Practice hospitality. Got it. But when? To whom? Is there something like a safe-harbor rule to know when I have done enough?Surely when Paul addresses this topic at length in his letter to Timothy he answers all those questions and provides details.For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either. But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that. Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession before Pontius Pilate, to obey this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ—whose appearing the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time. He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.Command those who are rich in this world's goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others. In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:7-19Wait, I still didn't catch it. How much—exactly—do I have to give to the church? The uncomfortable answer is: Scripture does not say. Then what is a Christian to do?! Allow me to repeat Peter's words:Before it was sold, did it not belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money not at your disposal? Acts 5:4aAs uncomfortable as this might be, Christians have freedom regarding how they “pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.” This is not say that nothing is truly right or truly wrong, but it does mean that the application of moral principles may be different in different situations, and that people have a range of acceptable decisions from which to choose.Sins of ConscienceWhere was the sin of Ananias? Was it in his actions? He gave a bunch of money to the church. Surely that in itself does not deserve punishment but praise. He did lie. (This is implied in the text, but quite clearly so.) So that must be it. But what if he had lied for a different reason. Imagine Ananias had kept some of the money to help someone who was poor but who was embarrassed to receive help publicly from the church. That lie may or may not be justified, but one would hardly argue that God would have struck Ananias dead for that. So, where is the sin of Ananias? In his heart. Ananias' great sin is not the “what,” it is the “why” behind his actions.Why we do something is often more important than what we do. We find this idea discussed at length in chapter 14 of the letter to the Romans. I quote a redacted version below. Keep in mind that the context of this text is a question: Should Christians abstain from eating food sacrificed to pagan Gods? (In ancient markets, much of the meat being sold would have been sacrificed to the gods. So this was a very real, very practical problem for believers to navigate.) Some believers said yes, some said no. Paul wrote: Now receive the one who is weak in the faith, and do not have disputes over differing opinions. One person believes in eating everything, but the weak person eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not despise the one who does not, and the one who abstains must not judge the one who eats everything, for God has accepted him. Who are you to pass judgment on another's servant? Before his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.One person regards one day holier than other days, and another regards them all alike. Each must be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day does it for the Lord. The one who eats, eats for the Lord because he gives thanks to God, and the one who abstains from eating abstains for the Lord, and he gives thanks to God. . . .But you who eat vegetables only—why do you judge your brother or sister? And you who eat everything—why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God.” Therefore, each of us will give an account of himself to God.Therefore we must not pass judgment on one another, but rather determine never to place an obstacle or a trap before a brother or sister. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean in itself; still, it is unclean to the one who considers it unclean. For if your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy by your food someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you consider good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. For the one who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by people.So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. For although all things are clean, it is wrong to cause anyone to stumble by what you eat. . . . Blessed is the one who does not judge himself by what he approves. But the man who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not do so from faith, and whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:1-23, emphasis addedPaul's statements are incredible. Take his statement about unclean foods, for example. On one hand, no food is unclean. (This means that there is no food we cannot eat or that would be sinful to eat.) On the other hand, food is unclean if one believes it to be unclean. Why? Because if one believes God commands not to eat something but he eats it anyways, in his heart he have disobeyed God. That is a great sin.Does this mean that morality is subjective? Not at all! Love, generosity, and kindness are objectively good. Cruelty, avarice, and covetousness are objectively wrong. What it means is that whether someone is being generous or greedy can generally not be determined without looking at their heart. And we (people) cannot see the heart of man, but God can.All a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the Lord evaluates his thoughts. Proverbs 21:2But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don't be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way people do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7I, the Lord, probe into people's minds. I examine people's hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done. Jeremiah 17:10For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. Hebrews 4:12-13Allow me to conclude by reminding us of the day of judgment. In that day, all will be revealed. This is the fear of some and the hope of others.Meanwhile, when many thousands of the crowd had gathered so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing is secret that will not be made known. 3 So then whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops. Luke 12:1-2 [I left out many discussion points regarding some of the text we read today, particularly the section about miracles. If we have time we will discuss those, but the blog seems long enough for one week.]

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________The Second Week of AdventThe glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.Isaiah 40:5 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. In AdventOur King and Savior now draws near: Come let us adore him. Venite Psalm 95:1-7Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. * Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! Psalm 73 Quam bonus Israel!1Truly, God is good to Israel, *to those who are pure in heart.2But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped; *I had almost tripped and fallen;3Because I envied the proud *and saw the prosperity of the wicked:4For they suffer no pain, *and their bodies are sleek and sound;5In the misfortunes of others they have no share; *they are not afflicted as others are;6Therefore they wear their pride like a necklace *and wrap their violence about them like a cloak.7Their iniquity comes from gross minds, *and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts.8They scoff and speak maliciously; *out of their haughtiness they plan oppression.9They set their mouths against the heavens, *and their evil speech runs through the world.10And so the people turn to them *and find in them no fault.11They say, “How should God know? *is there knowledge in the Most High?”12So then, these are the wicked; *always at ease, they increase their wealth.13In vain have I kept my heart clean, *and washed my hands in innocence.14I have been afflicted all day long, *and punished every morning.15Had I gone on speaking this way, *I should have betrayed the generation of your children.16When I tried to understand these things, *it was too hard for me;17Until I entered the sanctuary of God *and discerned the end of the wicked.18Surely, you set them in slippery places; *you cast them down in ruin.19Oh, how suddenly do they come to destruction, *come to an end, and perish from terror!20Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord, *when you arise you will make their image vanish.21When my mind became embittered, *I was sorely wounded in my heart.22I was stupid and had no understanding; *I was like a brute beast in your presence.23Yet I am always with you; *you hold me by my right hand.24You will guide me by your counsel, *and afterwards receive me with glory.25Whom have I in heaven but you? *and having you I desire nothing upon earth.26Though my flesh and my heart should waste away, *God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.27Truly, those who forsake you will perish; *you destroy all who are unfaithful.28But it is good for me to be near God; *I have made the Lord God my refuge.29I will speak of all your works *in the gates of the city of Zion. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsIsaiah 24:16-23 English Standard VersionFrom the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise,    of glory to the Righteous One.But I say, “I waste away,    I waste away. Woe is me!For the traitors have betrayed,    with betrayal the traitors have betrayed.”Terror and the pit and the snare    are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth!He who flees at the sound of the terror    shall fall into the pit,and he who climbs out of the pit    shall be caught in the snare.For the windows of heaven are opened,    and the foundations of the earth tremble.The earth is utterly broken,    the earth is split apart,    the earth is violently shaken.The earth staggers like a drunken man;    it sways like a hut;its transgression lies heavy upon it,    and it falls, and will not rise again.On that day the Lord will punish    the host of heaven, in heaven,    and the kings of the earth, on the earth.They will be gathered together    as prisoners in a pit;they will be shut up in a prison,    and after many days they will be punished.Then the moon will be confounded    and the sun ashamed,for the Lord of hosts reigns    on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,and his glory will be before his elders.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. You are God(Te Deum laudamus)You are God: we praise you;You are the Lord: we acclaim you;You are the eternal Father:All creation worships you.To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.The glorious company of apostles praise you.The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;Father, of majesty unbounded,your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father.When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory.We believe that you will come and be our judge.Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. Mark 4:21-29 English Standard VersionAnd he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. A Song of Praise(Benedictus es, Domine Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34)Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; * you are worthy of praise; glory to you.Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; * on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.Glory to you, beholding the depths; * in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesShow us your mercy, O Lord;And grant us your salvation.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;Let your people sing with joy.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;For only in you can we live in safety. Lord, keep this nation under your care;And guide us in the way of justice and truth. Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. The Second Week of AdventBlessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceLord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.For MissionAlmighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14

Scripture Reading: Acts 3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time for prayer, at three o'clock in the afternoon. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried up, who was placed at the temple gate called “the Beautiful Gate” every day so he could beg for money from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple courts, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked directly at him (as did John) and said, “Look at us!” 5 So the lame man paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, stand up and walk!” 7 Then Peter took hold of him by the right hand and raised him up, and at once the man's feet and ankles were made strong. 8 He jumped up, stood and began walking around, and he entered the temple courts with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized him as the man who used to sit and ask for donations at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with astonishment and amazement at what had happened to him.11 While the man was hanging on to Peter and John, all the people, completely astounded, ran together to them in the covered walkway called Solomon's Portico. 12 When Peter saw this, he declared to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or piety? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate after he had decided to release him. 14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a man who was a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the Originator of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this fact we are witnesses! 16 And on the basis of faith in Jesus' name, his very name has made this man—whom you see and know—strong. The faith that is through Jesus has given him this complete health in the presence of you all. 17 And now, brothers, I know you acted in ignorance, as your rulers did too. 18 But the things God foretold long ago through all the prophets—that his Christ would suffer—he has fulfilled in this way. 19 Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out, 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and so that he may send the Messiah appointed for you—that is, Jesus. 21 This one heaven must receive until the time all things are restored, which God declared from times long ago through his holy prophets. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must obey him in everything he tells you. 23 Every person who does not obey that prophet will be destroyed and thus removed from the people.' 24 And all the prophets, from Samuel and those who followed him, have spoken about and announced these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed.' 26 God raised up his servant and sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each one of you from your iniquities.”Main ThemesThe MiracleThe SettingWe learn in chapter 2 that believers pray daily in the temple. (This means they prayed in the temple courts, not literally inside the temple.) So, chapter 3 opens with a predictable scene—Peter and John find themselves going to the temple to pray (3:1). We can safely assume they were going to participate in a corporate prayer meeting (as opposed to a time of personal prayer).We are aware that at some point synagogues established three prayer times during the day. We have evidence from early Christian writers that Christians continued this practice for a while. Even in Acts we read of three times of prayer: 9:00 AM (Acts 2:15), noon (Acts 10:9), and 3:00 PM (Acts 3:1). There is some doubt that the synagogue tradition was firmly in place at the time of Acts chapter 3, but most agree that was the case.We might ask ourselves: What did these times of corporate prayer look like? It may have included corporate singing of Psalms and other worship, a person leading everyone in prayer, and everyone praying differently but simultaneously.We might also ask ourselves: How long did the miracle and Peter's preaching (which we are about to discuss) take? We learn at the beginning of chapter 4 that Peter and John are arrested towards evening, and recall that Peter and John head towards the temple around 3 PM. So, the miracle and subsequent preaching probably lasted about 3 hours. Although this may be obvious to the reader already, we should note that the speeches we read in Acts are obviously summaries. Luke records the main points made by Peter.The Lame Man and the GateAs the believers head to the temple to pray, they run across a lame man who was placed at the temple gate daily. As a quick historical note, we are not certain at which gate he was placed. Ancient sources do not specify which gate was popularly called “the Beautiful Gate.” We are able to ascertain that it referred to either the Nicanor Gate (which led from the Court of the Gentiles into the Court of Women) or the Shushan Gate at the eastern wall. Since the fifth century, the tradition has been that “the Beautiful Gate” referred to the Shushan Gate, but that tradition may not be reliable.Of more relevance than which gate is being described is the fact that the lame man was at a gate. Because of his defect, he may not have been allowed to go any further into the temple. Also, temple gates were useful for begging since they were frequented by many people. Moreover, one may assume that people at the temple were a more charitable audience than elsewhere. Finally, we must keep in mind the lame man's dismal situation. Begging (considered highly shameful) would have been his only way to provide for himself. There was no other social safety net. As a scholar points out, the poor in ancient cities were “ill-fed, housed in slums or not at all, ravaged by sickness,” and with little hope of social betterment.The ExchangeThe lame man begins the exchange with the apostles on the basis of his need—he requests money. Truly, he requested alms—money given to the poor as an act of charity—but our translation uses money because the term alms is unfamiliar to current readers. Giving alms was viewed as honorable by Judaism.The lame man's request opens the door for a dramatic demonstration of the gospel. The Old Testament strongly emphasized the charitable treatment of the disabled. Consider, for example:You must not curse a deaf person or put a stumbling block in front of a blind person. You must fear your God; I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:14“Cursed is the one who misleads a blind person on the road.” Then all the people will say, “Amen!” Deuteronomy 27:18Like I have pointed out many times before, the gospels are replete with commands to help the poor.Most importantly, according to the Old Testament, healing of the sick would be a sign of the messianic era. Consider Isaiah:Tell those who panic, “Be strong! Do not fear! Look, your God comes to avenge; with divine retribution he comes to deliver you.” Then blind eyes will open, deaf ears will hear. Then the lame will leap like a deer, the mute tongue will shout for joy; for water will burst forth in the wilderness, streams in the arid rift valley. Isaiah 35:4-6)In the Old Testament, the lame also work as a type for the mistreated people of God:Look, at that time I will deal with those who mistreated you. I will rescue the lame sheep and gather together the scattered sheep. I will take away their humiliation and make the whole earth admire and respect them. Zephaniah 3:19So, Peter healing a lame man works on a literal level—it is an astonishing miracle that validates his credentials as one sent by God—and on a narrative level—the story of redemption has reached the messianic era in which the people of God will be gathered.The Disclaimer—No MoneyUpon the lame man's request, Peter and John clarify that they do not have any money. (The phrase “silver and gold” simply means money, “minted coins.”) Although this is nothing but a footnote in the story, we should notice that as the believers shared all their possessions with one another (see chapter 2), the apostles do not seem to have been enriched. Also, this distinguishes Peter and John from magicians of that time, who took payment for their services.The MiracleJesus' NamePeter begins the miracle by giving credit to Jesus Christ. Jesus's name is a key element that recurs throughout this section. It is repeated many times in chapter 3, and its mention continues into chapter 4. This leaves no doubt that the apostles are acting only as agents for the one who sent them—Jesus.We should notice that Peter specifies that he speaks of Jesus “the Nazarene.” This shows a reference to a real, historical figure, and it operates as defiance to popular expectations of greatness. Being from Nazareth was certainly nothing to brag about.How should we understand the use of Jesus' name? For example, in the context of prayer, calling God's name generally means one is addressing God. For example:Now Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 So he said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, may your name be honored; may your kingdom come. . . .” Luke 11:1-2But in prayer, one is also calling on the Lord himself to act. Consider how the Lord's prayer continues:Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And do not lead us into temptation. Luke 11:3-4Invocations of God's name could be directed at people or at least with people as the intended audience to prove who is acting. Consider Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal:“Then you will invoke the name of your god, and I will invoke the name of the Lord. The god who responds with fire will demonstrate that he is the true God.” All the people responded, “This will be a fair test.” 1 Kings 18Consider also David's blessing of the people of God in the name of the Lord. This probably means he was calling on the Lord to the bless them.When David finished offering burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, he pronounced a blessing over the people in the Lord's name. 1 Chronicles 16:2So, when Peter asks the lame man to walk “in the name of Jesus Christ,” he may be pointing to who is doing the miracle.We could also understand calling on the Lord's name slightly differently. Both in Jewish and Gentile tradition, we can find brokers (i.e., representatives or messengers) using the name of their patron to denote on whose authority they speak or act. So, to say “in the name of Jesus Christ” is to say, “as a representative of Jesus Christ.” We find this (or a very similar) use of the expression in the Gospel of John when praying in Jesus' name (John 14:13; 15:16; 16:23-24). In John, praying “in one's name” evokes praying “on the merits of,” or because of, another's status before the one entreated (much like Israel seeking favor before God on account of their ancestors' favor).Notice that under either interpretation of using the Lord's name, it is Jesus or through the power of Jesus that the miracle happens. The difference is whether the apostle works as an announcer of what Jesus is doing or as the agent through whom Jesus acts.We should also notice that Peter does not use a particular ritual. For pagans, God's favor could be sought by using very specific rituals that needed perfect execution. Jewish ritual was less particular, but correctly implementing the ritual remained important, leading to conflicts between, for example, Pharisees and Sadducees. Peter also does not employ techniques or ingredients that would lend themselves to be interpreted as magic. The only ingredient, so to speak, is the power and authority of Jesus.The HealingPeter clasps the lame man's right hand—typically a sign of agreement or covenant in the ancient world. Given the man's low social status, this denotes acceptance and kindness on Peter's part. Peter helps him up.The miracle is emphatically evident. The man jumps up and immediately walks. Then we are told repeatedly that he “walks around,” walks and leaps,” and all saw him “walking.” The miracle works as a sign that draws attention to the message about to be preached.Why is the miracle so effective? Those at the temple recognized this man as the one “who used to sit and ask for donations.” Since he had been lame from birth, we can conclude he had been placed there daily for a very long time.Moreover, if we are correct in concluding that the lame man could venture no further into the temple due to his disability, the fact that the man enters the temple courts to praise God is significant. His barrier to experience God has been removed by the power and grace of Jesus.The SpeechThe SettingPetter delivers his speech at Solomon's Portico. It was a long outdoor hallway supported by pillars on the east of a pre-Herodian structure, which overlooked the steep Kidron Valley. Apparently Solomon's Portico was a traditional place for Christians to meet and preach; we read about it in Acts (Acts 3:11; 5:12) and in John 10:23.The MessageWhodunit?Peter begins his sermon by correcting an apparent misunderstanding by the crowd. He makes clear that the cause of the healing is Jesus, not himself.Wonder-workers were common at the time, and they were often understood as sorcerers. Clarifying that Jesus was the source of the miracle, along with other passages in Acts (e.g., Acts 8:7-13, 18-24; 19:11-20) work as an antimagical apologetics. These are miracles done by God, Peter is pointing out, not magical works done by Peter's power or cunning. Moreover, Peter is separating himself from certain Jewish traditions that held holy men had power to make certain things happen. (Pagans had a similar notion, believing that piety could lead to spiritual power. For example, Romans believed that their sacrifices could expiate the gods and that their continued worship could even make the gods embarrassed to continue in anger against Rome.)Unlike a sorcerer or a man acting by his own piety-fueled power, Peter points to Jesus and immediately says the following::The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate after he had decided to release him.In other words, the main proposition of the speech is that the God of Israel who acted to resurrect Jesus is continuing to act.The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” was a familiar Jewish expression, derived from the biblical revelation to Moses recorded in the book of Exodus. It appears multiple times in Exodus and the Old Testament, but probably the most memorable mention is in the scene of the burning bush.Now Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to the mountain of God, to Horeb. The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. He looked, and the bush was ablaze with fire, but it was not being consumed! So Moses thought, “I will turn aside to see this amazing sight. Why does the bush not burn up?” When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to look, God called to him from within the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” God said, “Do not approach any closer! Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” He added, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. Exodus 3:1-6This title for God was common in Jesus' time, appearing in Jewish prayers and benedictions, making it one of the most familiar titles for God. Someone who had read both of Luke's works would remember that Jesus had used this title before—once before. Jesus defended the resurrection of the dead with this very title and the very scene of the burning bush, concluding:But even Moses revealed that the dead are raised in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live before him.” Then some of the experts in the law answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well!” For they did not dare any longer to ask him anything. Luke 20:37-40There seems to be no coincidence that Peter uses that same title for God to preach about restoration as Jesus did to preach about resurrection. The God who demonstrated his faithfulness to the patriarchs in the exodus would be faithful to his promise to raise them from the dead; God demonstrated that faithfulness in raising Jesus from the dead; so, one can expect God to deliver on his promises of restoration as well.The Servant, the Holy and Righteous One, the Originator of LifeBecause I have discussed some of these Old Testament allusions in many occasions, I will provide only a brief summary of what the titles used for Jesus are meant to evoke in the listeners' minds.The term servant along with the theme of glorification almost inarguably points to Isaiah' servant.Look, my servant will succeed! He will be elevated, lifted high, and greatly exalted—(just as many were horrified by the sight of you) he was so disfigured he no longer looked like a man; his form was so marred he no longer looked human—so now he will startle many nations. Kings will be shocked by his exaltation, for they will witness something unannounced to them, and they will understand something they had not heard about. Who would have believed what we just heard? When was the Lord's power revealed through him? He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil; he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention, no special appearance that we should want to follow him. He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant. But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed. Isaiah 52:13 – 53-5“The Holy One” was especially a title for God himself in both the Old Testament and in early Judaism. In a context that draws heavily on Isaiah, the “holy one” title could imply deity (“Holy One” appears thirty times in Isaiah, including for God as Israel's savior and “redeemer” in the servant contexts). The title could also function as an acceptable title for one of God's servants when conjoined with “of God.” In the case of Acts 3, that seems like a difficult interpretation to hold.“Righteous one” is not a common expression for Christ later in the New Testament. (Although we see some uses, such as in 1 John 1-2. It says, “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One, and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.”) So why is this title for Jesus used in Acts?In Acts, the title of righteous one is used exclusively when preaching to Jerusalem audiences, which is perhaps a clue as to its intended meaning. Calling Jesus the “righteous one” heightens both the contrast with Barabbas the “murderer” and the guilt of those who denied Jesus. It also fits one of Luke's central themes: Jesus was innocent. Moreover, the term “righteous servant” appears in the servant song of Isaiah (Isaiah 53:11), solidifying the connection between the term “servant” and Isaiah's servant.“Prince of life,” “Founder of life,” or as our translation puts it, “Originator of life” is antonomasia—a title that substitutes the name of a person. Examples in other contexts would be referring to Shakespeare as the Bard or to Lebron James as the GOAT.In Peter's speech, we see a recurring contrast between life and death, including between he who raised to life and those who kill. Calling Jesus the Originator of life is a great rhetorical device to emphasize that contrast. Also, a biblically literate listener would probably recall Deuteronomy 30:“Look! I have set before you today life and prosperity on the one hand, and death and disaster on the other. What I am commanding you today is to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to obey his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances. Then you will live and become numerous and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are about to possess. However, if you turn aside and do not obey, but are lured away to worship and serve other gods, I declare to you this very day that you will certainly perish! You will not extend your time in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess. Today I invoke heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set life and death, blessing and curse, before you. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live! I also call on you to love the Lord your God, to obey him and be loyal to him, for he gives you life and enables you to live continually in the land the Lord promised to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:15-20There is much debate about exactly to interpret the word translated as prince, founder, or originator (ἀρχηγός). The term appears frequently in the Septuagint to refer to heads of clans—hence the translations prince and founder. The term could apply to authors or originators of something, or the “initiator” of something. However, for readers steeped more in biblical Greek than in Greek tradition, the image of leadership would be dominant. Jesus is thus the hero leading the way to the historic goal of achieving eternal life, and as such fulfills the promises and inaugurates the opportunity for the eschatological era of blessing. In the words of other New Testament passages, he is the “firstborn” from the dead, who thereby guarantees life to the rest of his people. Perhaps a great translation of ἀρχηγός is “pioneer,” but modern scholars find “pioneer” to be on the list of icky words (for reasons I am sure you could guess).Believe, Repent, and Then . . . The Messiah's ReturnVerses 15 through 21 sounds quite similar to the speech in chapter 2, so I will not discuss them in detail except for the conspicuous differences. By differences, I do not mean inconsistencies. I mean the two speeches are not identical and we learn some distinct information.As in the prior chapter, Peter tells the Jewish audience that they killed Jesus, their divine king sent by God, yet God raised him from the dead, a fact to which the apostles are witnesses. In chapter 2 Peter points to the audience as witnesses of God's miracles (as opposed to the apostles). But in chapter 3 Peter quickly points out that the audience has now witnessed a miracle. The crowd was familiar with the lame man who was healed, making this charge effective. All in all, the setup of the message in chapter 3 is similar to that of chapter 2.The first distinction, albeit in tone and not theology, is in how Peter addresses the crowd's culpability. In chapter 2, Peter emphasizes the guilt of the crowd. In chapter 3, Peter minimizes (although does not remove) their guilt by highlighting their ignorance.Then just like in chapter 2, Peter then clarifies that Jesus' death was according to scripture. Finally, Peter calls the crowd to repentance.The real difference between the two speeches begins in verse 20. What are the fruits of repentance in chapter 2? “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'” (Acts 2:38). Peter also tells them to “Save yourselves from this perverse generation!” (Acts 2:40). In short, the result of repentance is forgiveness of sins, receiving the Holy Spirit, and salvation (which in the context of chapter 2 means avoiding judgment).What are the fruits of repentance in chapter 3? “[S]o that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and so that he may send the Messiah appointed for you—that is, Jesus. This one heaven must receive until the time all things are restored, which God declared from times long ago through his holy prophets” (Acts 3:20b-21). Repentance will be followed by “times of refreshing” or what may also be called restoration; and, once sufficient restoration has occurred (“the time all things are restored”) then Jesus will return.This idea of restoration is found throughout the Old Testament prophets. Perhaps the best known passage is in Ezekiel:“‘I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries; then I will bring you to your land. I will sprinkle you with pure water, and you will be clean from all your impurities. I will purify you from all your idols. I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you; I will take the initiative, and you will obey my statutes and carefully observe my regulations. Then you will live in the land I gave to your fathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and multiply it; I will not bring a famine on you. I will multiply the fruit of the trees and the produce of the fields, so that you will never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil behavior and your deeds that were not good; you will loathe yourselves on account of your sins and your abominable deeds. Ezekiel 36:24-31Jews during Jesus' day and thereafter linked the idea of turning to God with the restoration of Israel. Many Jewish sources show an expectation that Israel would return to God's law in the last days. Often Jewish teachers, particularly in later rabbinic texts, predicated the end's arrival and Israel's restoration as chronologically contingent on Israel's repentance.Summary and ConclusionsWhat does this tell us about the current age? The opportunity to turn to God is now. The good news is going out to all the nations (see verse 25) that the Lord has already raised the firstborn from the dead. Anyone who trusts the “Pioneer of life” shall reach the same destination. And, one day, when all the people of God have turned to Him, Jesus will return to judge, to heal, to restore, and to reign a world that will be filled with love, peace, and joy.The concept of restoration and Jesus' return also prompts a few questions. Peter's speech claiming that heaven would receive Jesus until the period of restoration echoes Psalm 110:1, which Peter quoted in chapter 2. The psalm says:Here is the Lord's proclamation to my lord: “Sit down at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” The Lord extends your dominion from Zion. Rule in the midst of your enemies. Your people willingly follow you when you go into battle. On the holy hills at sunrise the dew of your youth belongs to you. The Lord makes this promise on oath and will not revoke it: “You are an eternal priest after the pattern of Melchizedek.” O Lord, at your right hand he strikes down kings in the day he unleashes his anger. He executes judgment against the nations. He fills the valleys with corpses; he shatters their heads over the vast battlefield. From the stream along the road he drinks; then he lifts up his head. Psalm 110:1b-7So, will all enemies of Christ be defeated and then Jesus will return? Should we expect the church to advance and (peacefully) conquer all the world, every institution, and every person? Will nearly everyone become a follower of Christ? Some believe this. Other passages in scripture have led most Christian throughout history to temper those expectations, with some taking an opposite, extremely negative view of history's arch. But regardless of how we harmonize scripture, the theme of an advancing church (whether ultimately victorious or not) seems inarguable. Many will come to Christ. The enemies of the church will not prevail against the plan of salvation.The second question we might ask is whether Acts 3 (and other texts, such as Romans 11) means that it is the conversion of Jews (not Gentiles) that will trigger the end—the return of Jesus. Many Christians in the United States hold this view today. Often times, although not always, this view includes the belief that national Israel will be restored and blessed before the final judgment. In other words, that Acts 3 is talking specifically about the ethnic nation of Israel. This partially explains why many conservatives in the United States are committed to supporting the nation of Israel. One may also take a passage like Acts 3 and argue that, for example, Peter seems to intentionally omit the more Israel-centric portions of the Old Testament text he cites, and that at the end of chapter 3 Peter again highlights that the promise of salvation is for all nations. Therefore, restoration involves all the people of God—the Church—and not specifically Jews. (Of course, the arguments for the different theological positions look for evidence all over the Bible. I give examples only from the texts we have recently read so as not to derail our conversation.)So far I have avoided these eschatological topics because people feel very strongly about them. Discussion can easily get heated. My intention behind these brief comments is simply to introduce some of the options available.

Let's Go Sit With Jesus As He Sits With The Outcasts Luke 15:1 - 2 1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Malachi 4 The Great Day of theLord 1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. 4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

For pictures of the risotto recipe and to continue the conversation join our facebook community Savor Facebook CommunityEphesians OutlineEpisode 2Chapters 1 and 2Paul introduces himself and calls his audience saintsWe need to keep in mind this entire letter is written to ‘saints'This word means:devout, holy one, consecrated to the service of God, godly, dedicatedNo matter what we do or how we feel, we are ‘saints' and the Apostle Paul goes on to tell us why we are saints:In Him, that is in ChristChosenAdoptedBlessedRedeemed ForgivenSealed with the Holy SpiritChapter 2Starts off reminding us of where we came fromdead in our trespassesliving in the passion of our fleshchildren of wrathBut God being rich in mercy verse 4What does that mean?To show kindness or concern for someone in serious needBefore Christ saved us, we were all in serious needHis rich mercy is shown to us in Romans 2:4 and Titus 3:5And then look at Eph 2:7Rich is an abundance of possessions exceeding the norm of a particular societyWhen used in relation to humans, it is usually in a negative connotation Such as Mark 4:19 or James 5:2But in contrast to us, God's richness only brings about mercy for usSavor Moment:Pause, Pray and PenAsk the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read chapters 1-2.As you read, underline, highlight or write down any word or phrase that stands out to you. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate that Truth to you.This is a long process. It takes time and focused attention to begin to grasp the Truth of these chapters. So the recipe this week, is long and takes time and attention. It is totally worth the work.Risotto Recipe4 cups chicken 3 tablespoon olive oil1 package pancetta1 ½ cups Arborio rice1 package sugar bomb tomato (cut in half)¼ teaspoon sea salt¼ teaspoon ground pepper1 shallot minced1 glove garlic mincedtwo dashes of sherry2 tablespoons unsalted butter¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese1/4 cup gorgonzola1 1/2 tablespoons of mascarpone Heat the chicken stock in a sauce pan over low heat.In a large, wide pan, over medium-high heat add the pancetta. cook until crispy about five minutesTransfer the pancetta to a bowl and set aside. Reserve the pancetta oil in the pan for the next step.Stir in the shallots, and garlic sauté one minute.Add the rice, and stir to evenly coat with the oil, about 2 minutes. When the rice is slightly golden, pour a good dash of sherry, and stir continuously until the wine is fully absorbed.Add ½ cup of the warmed broth to the rice, and stir continuously until the broth is almost all absorbed. (Make figure 8 shapes as you stir)Continue adding broth ½ cup at a time and stirring, about 20-25 minutes.Remove from heat, and stir in the mascarpone, gorgonzola and parmesan. Fold in sugar bombs and sprinkle pancetta over the top.Serve warm

This morning rant is the last in the series about Grace. We look at how one can fall from grace. What happens when you fall from grace. Galatians 5:3-5Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousnessJohn 6:64-69But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, ...Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; These who speak lies go astray from birth.Hebrews 3:12-13Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.Hebrews 6:4-6For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.2 Peter 2:20-22For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.Isaiah 59:2But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.Proverbs 14:12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.Romans 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.Romans 10:3-5Because they were ignorant of God's righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes. 5For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.”Hebrews 10:26For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,Jeremiah 3:22Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness.” “Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God. Matthew 5:29-30 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/622a9079e8fb640012cb94f3. I pray that God would "give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18I, pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance" https://plus.acast.com/s/blueprint-of-faith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live A Life Of Freedom In The Hope That We Have In Jesus Malachi 4:1 - 2 1“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

Malachi 2v17 -3v 5: The Messenger of the Lord 17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” 1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. 3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. 5“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

- - From our 8/20/2023 Worship Service - - Check out Dr. Adams' sermon from our Sunday worship service! To view the entirety of the service, or to tune in live for next Sunday's worship service, check out our Facebook page (link at bottom)! __________________________ Here are Dr. Adams' notes from his sermon. Feel free to follow along! Lostology - Luke 15:1-7 - Dr. Dave Adams 1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Who are the Lost? 1. Sinners 2. Tax Collectors 3. Pharisees 4. Scribes 5. Disciples What are the characteristics of the lost? 1. Don't know they're lost. 2. Are happy being lost, 3. Don't seek to be found, 4. Enjoy the company of others who are lost, and 5. Don't understand the consequences of being lost. How are the lost discovered? 1. God knows where they are, 2. He seeks them out, 3. He invites them to come, and 4. He carries them home. Results of Lost Being Found 1. Intimacy with the Savior (now & eternity), 2. Celebration among the family, 3. Joy In heaven, and 4. Confidence about eternity __________________________ To learn more about The Tabernacle, check out our website and follow us on our social media platforms! - - Links Below - - Visit our website: www.thetabernaclefamily.org Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thetabernaclefamily Check out our Podcast: https://anchor.fm/tab-media2 Ephesians 3:21-22 (NKJV) - "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

1Now concerning the matters about which you wrote:It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.2But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.3The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.4For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.5Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again,so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6Now as a concession,not a command, I say this.[a]7I wish that all wereas I myself am. Buteach has his own gift from God,one of one kind and one of another. 8To the unmarried and the widows I say thatit is good for them to remain single,as I am.9But if they cannot exercise self-control,they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1Jesus was going through the grain fields on a Sabbath, and his disciples picked some heads of wheat, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. 2But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is against the law on the Sabbath?” 3Jesus answered them, “Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry – 4how he entered the house of God, took and ate the sacred bread, which is not lawful for any to eat but the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?” 5Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”Healing a Withered Hand6On another Sabbath, Jesus entered the synagogue and was teaching. Now a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7The experts in the law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a reason to accuse him. 8But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Get up and stand here.” So he rose and stood there. 9Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?” 10After looking around at them all, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” The man did so, and his hand was restored. 11But they were filled with mindless rage and began debating with one another what they would do to Jesus.

1In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.2But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren.3Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.4But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.5And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them,6they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region;7and there they continued to preach the gospel.8At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked.9This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well,10said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk.11When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.”12And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out15and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.16“In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;17and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”18Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.19But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.20But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.21After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,22strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”23When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.24They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia.25When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.26From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished.27When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.28And they spent a long time with the disciples. New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ac 14:1–28.

Find Your People, Day 4By Jennie AllenNothing in my relational life has helped me more than coming to terms with these simple truths: You will disappoint me. I will disappoint you. God will never disappoint us.Accepting this shifts our expectations from people to God. And He can handle our expectations. But because our current world has been built on such rampant independence, it will take deliberate intention to return to the kinds of relationships that God had in mind for us to enjoy.The most frequent question I am asked online is “How do I make friends?”This is something sixty-year-olds are asking, twenty-five-year-olds are asking, and young moms are asking. I get it, because the art of making and keeping friends was never really spelled out for most of us.But is it possible that we are asking the wrong question? What if that intimate circle we're craving is actually found in the wider network of the village that we've been missing?We wait for those perfect few friends to come along, and then we look to them to be everything to us. What if the power of a little team of friends is that each one brings different things to your life?I have fun friends who always make me laugh. I have wise friends who give me advice and call me out. I have encouraging friends who cheer me on and tell me what I'm doing well. I have challenging friends who disrupt my thinking or push me to take greater risks.If I expected one or two people to fill all those roles, no one would ever hit the mark. Also true: if I didn't appreciate the unique roles my friends play in my life, I might be mad that my “challenger” friend doesn't encourage me more, or my “wise” friend isn't fun all the time.If I start to see that God has put different people in my life to bless me in different ways, then I can both embrace who they are and rest in what I bring to those relationships.Maybe the question we are really asking behind the question of “How do I make friends?” is this: “How can I belong to an intimate community of people?”God, what “village” do You have for me? How can I grow in intimacy with that community? I pray for eyes to see how different people in my life show me different aspects of You. Amen.As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

Discovering Jesus in the New Testament #03 Jesus My Iconoclast By Louie Marsh, 1-22-2023   iconoclast   noun a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc., as being based on error or superstition. a breaker or destroyer of images, especially those set up for religious veneration.   The term originates from the Byzantine Iconoclasm, the struggles between proponents and opponents of religious icons in the Byzantine Empire from 726 to 842 AD. Degrees of iconoclasm vary greatly among religions and their branches, but are strongest in religions which oppose idolatry, including the Abrahamic religions. Outside of the religious context, iconoclasm can refer to movements for widespread destruction in symbols of an ideology or cause, such as the destruction of monarchist symbols during the French Revolution.   Pictures of Jesus   1) Jesus always spoke to the HEART of the matter.   He tore things down to EXPOSE the idols of our hearts.   “1Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. 2And the word of the Lord came to me: 3“Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts…(Ezekiel 14:1–3, ESV)   “5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” (Ephesians 5:5, ESV)   2) I should FOLLOW Jesus not tradition.   “33“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' 34But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37Let what you say be simply ‘Yes' or ‘No'; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5:33–37, ESV)   3) Jesus forbids using God to MAKE MONEY.   “13The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”” (John 2:13–17, ESV)   Worship is not a means to an end, it's an ENCOUNTER with God.   4) Jesus loves people not THINGS OR TRADITIONS.   “1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”” (Matthew 12:1–8, ESV)   During the 1952 Christmas season, C. S. Lewis invited Joy Davidman Gresham—an American with whom he had corresponded for over two years—to spend the holidays at his home, The Kilns. Joy asked Lewis to autograph her copy of his book, The Great Divorce. He wrote, "There are three images in my mind which I must continually forsake and replace by better ones: the false image of God, the false image of my neighbours, and the false image of myself. C. S. Lewis 30 December 1952 (from an unwritten chapter on Iconoclasm)."     5) Jesus doesn't CONDEMN those struggling with faith.   Doubt. The Biblical word doubt stands between faith and unbelief. Both faith and unbelief have one thing in common, they are committed to a particular belief or point of view. Doubt isn't. Doubt is the lack of commitment. When you aren't sure, as the father here isn't, you are doubting. Perhaps the best way to think of doubt is as a pendulum. It swings back and forth between two different poles. You can doubt and be very far from faith or very close to it. Jesus proved this when he said to a Scribe, “3…    “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.” (Mark 12:34, ESV)   Jesus PINPOINTS the problem.   “22And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:22-23, ESV)   Jesus gives the doubters what they NEED to believe.   24Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”” (Mark 9:24–25, ESV)   The father knew he had doubt, but he didn't know what to do about it. So again he turns to Jesus and exclaimed, “I believe; help my unbelief!” There you have it, belief and unbelief equal doubt. But a doubt that is very near to the Kingdom of God because the father wisely turns to Jesus for help with his doubt.   Today we hear many preachers railing against what they call, “Doubt and unbelief.” They condemn anyone who doesn't have perfect faith like they supposedly have. But in fact, these men don't know what faith is at all. Doubt is not in the same category as unbelief, as even a cursory glance at a lexicon or a dictionary would tell you.   Jesus does not condemn this man, any more than he would later with Thomas.    “27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” (John 20:27–29, ESV)  

Psalm 73 Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 1Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. 5They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. 6Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. 7Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. 8They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. 9They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth. 10Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them. 11And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” 12Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. 13All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. 14For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. 15If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. 19How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! 20Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms. 21When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, 22I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. 28But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Today's Scripture: https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/111/LUK.16.NIV Welcome to the Daily SOAP from New Hope.  This is Paul Brooks, your guest host for today.  I hope you are having a good day.      Today we will explore Luke 16.  If you haven't read it yet, you might want to do so now.  I will be focusing on Luke 16:1-15 and, specifically, Luke 16:9 from the NIV version.    Scripture – Luke 16:9: [Jesus said,] “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”   I am drawing here a passage from The Parable of the Shrewd Manager.  Let me set the stage.  We learned in Luke 15:1-2 the following: 1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.  2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  We can surmise from a passage later in Luke 16 that The Parable of the Shrewd Manager was shared at this same time.  So, Jesus is speaking to the detestable tax collectors and other sinners (like us) and is teaching about “true” wealth versus “earthly” wealth while the Pharisees sneer at Him.    Like some other parables, this one made me think twice.  In it, a rich man calls in the manager of his estate, accuses him of wasting his possessions, and summarily fires him.  The manager, worried about his future, then proceeds to contact his master's debtors and forgive large portions of their debts.  He does this to curry favor, hoping that his future will be better for that favor.  These are debts owed to his master, not to him personally.  In our world, this would set off a string of police filings, lawsuits, legal expenses, social media rampaging, and overall ugliness.  Yet in this lesson, the master actually commends the manager for these actions because he had acted shrewdly.  Jesus goes on to say, “8For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.  9I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”    What is Jesus saying to us here?  This sounds confusing.  I think he is contrasting our way of life as “People of the world” with the life we should lead as “People of the light”:     Our Earthly World – “People of the world” Shrewdness often means figuring out how to get more out of others for our own benefit.       Take care of yourself at others' expense.    The Goal is to attain worldly wealth and other “valuables”.    Jesus's Perfect World – “People of the light” Shrewdness is blessing others who, like us, have debts to pay – just as He blessed us and forgave our debts through his birth, death, and resurrection.   Take care of yourself by living like Jesus.      The Goal is to follow His Commandments and Example, and so attain eternal life with Him.     On its face, this seems to be a money-related lesson.  Jesus ends this parable as follows: 13 “No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money.”  But there is more to this lesson than simply money.    Luke goes on to write in verses 14 and 15: 14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.  15[Jesus] said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts.  What people value highly is detestable to God.”  This, in my opinion, goes well beyond money.  What did the Pharisees value, and what does our society still value, in addition to money?  We value respect.  We value status.  We value power.  We value consideration.  We value positive feedback.  We value like-mindedness.  We value things that build us up on the eyes of other human beings.  We lock them in the treasure chest of our souls.  Sometimes we count them.  And where we have been “slighted” or “shorted” or “affronted”, we write that down and track it as one of those worldly debts.  It's all part of our personal “portfolio” … our “treasures.”    But what does Jesus tell us to value?  The list is long, but it starts here, from Matthew 22:37-40: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like unto it, love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”    In this season of Christmas, as we approach that glorious day after tomorrow when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, maybe we should take a minute and think about those “treasures.”  Who owes us a worldly “debt”.  Who do we hold accountable for any of those worldly assets?  How can we forgive them of that burden, thus unburdening ourselves in the process? Wouldn't you treasure the gift of “forgiveness” by someone you had offended in some manner?  I know I would.  After all, God gave us the greatest gift of all – full free forgiveness and a welcome into “eternal dwellings” with Him.      As Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-20: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”    I invite you to pray this with me.    Almighty and most merciful Father.  I am too quick to focus my attention on the treasures of this world.  I store them in the vault of my soul and pull them out and count them as valuable items.  These “assets” include the “debts” I perceive others “owe” me.  Like money or status, I pull them out from time to time and recount them, often to make myself feel better, or more “righteous” in some way.  But, in reality, they tear me down.  Doing so is not what you command of me – to love others as myself.  I am sorry and I want to do better.  Please forgive me and help me be more like you.  As you forgive me, let me also forgive others of these worldly things, and in doing so glorify you.  And, even more so, let me be a blessing to my neighbors in other ways.  Let me be part of your ministries, bringing your Gospel, your help, your love to all who need them.  As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, help me remember that you came to be with us that we might know you, to listen to us, to walk in our shoes, to care for us, to teach us, to die for us, and through your resurrection, to live with us now and through eternity.  I pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.    This has been the Daily SOAP from New Hope.  We hope you will join us to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning or both.  But wherever you are, Celebrate!  God is with us!!  God is with you!!!  Rejoice!!!!   I'll leave you with a poem by Phillips Brooks titled, Christmas Everywhere.    Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight!  Christmas in the lands of the fir-tree and pine, Christmas in the lands of the palm-tree and vine, Christmas where snow peaks stand solemn and white, Christmas where the cornfields stand sunny and bright.  Christmas where children are hopeful and gay, Christmas where old men are patient and gray, Christmas where peace, like a dove in flight, Broods o'er brave men in the thick of the fight;  Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight! For the Christ-child who comes is the master of all; No palace too great, no cottage too small.    Paul Brooks . . . . . We hope you have a blessed Christmas! We invite you to worship with us this Christmas Eve at one of our Worship services, Saturday, December 24th at 3, 5, or 7 pm, in-person or online at https://www.findnewhope.com . And Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25th in English or Spanish at 11 am in-person or online. Go to findnewhope.com to plan your visit! Our staff and leadership employ what's called the “S.O.A.P. Method”. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Each day, we read one or two chapters of Scripture and focus on one particular verse. We make some observations about how that verse touches us, discern how it applies to our lives, and offer a prayer related to what we have read. -- Donate via PayPal to support the podcasts and the Technical Arts Ministry of New Hope! https://goo.gl/o2a9oU Subscribe at: http://www.findnewhope.com/soap (813) 689-4161 keywords: devotional, bible study

We all experience loss and at Christmas time we are even more aware of pain and loss. Whatever you are experience today please know that merciful God waits with open arms, he leaves the 99 sheep to search and save for the one that is lost. Join us in reading a chapter of Luke each day leading up to Christmas Eve. Listen in as we discuss how this relates to each of us today. Luke 15: 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.The Parable of the Lost Coin 8“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”The Parable of the Lost Son 11Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 13“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' 20So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. 25“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and...

Luke 2. Micah 5:1-5Summary: People have been stirred by the idea of a good King from the beginning of time. Jesus is the unexpected King because He brought us a different type of kingdom.Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV)1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,2saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Micah 5:1–5 (ESV)Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.2But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.3Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.4And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.5And he shall be their peace.1.     There is a King2.    His Kingdom is completely unexpected.     3.    He is unlike any other King. Psalm 96:10–12 (ESV)10Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy So what should I do?1.     Believe In Jesus Christ. 2.    Begin to walk with Him and to obey His word.3.    Receive His plan for your life.      Psalm 96:10–12 (ESV)10Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy    So what should I do?1.    Believe In Jesus Christ. 2.    Begin to walk with Him and to obey His word.3.    Receive His plan for your life.

Luke 2. Micah 5:1-5Summary: People have been stirred by the idea of a good King from the beginning of time. Jesus is the unexpected King because He brought us a different type of kingdom.Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV)1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,2saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Micah 5:1–5 (ESV)Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.2But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.3Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.4And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.5And he shall be their peace.1.     There is a King2.    His Kingdom is completely unexpected.     3.    He is unlike any other King. Psalm 96:10–12 (ESV)10Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy So what should I do?1.     Believe In Jesus Christ. 2.    Begin to walk with Him and to obey His word.3.    Receive His plan for your life.      Psalm 96:10–12 (ESV)10Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy    So what should I do?1.    Believe In Jesus Christ. 2.    Begin to walk with Him and to obey His word.3.    Receive His plan for your life.

This morning rant is about a lost art of meditation and what a believer can and will do as as result of practicing meditation in the live. Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”Psalm 119:97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.Psalm 1:2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.Colossians 3:16Let Christ's word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about God's kindness. Sing to God in your hearts.”Psalm 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.Psalm 119:15-16 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.Psalm 119:48-49 I will lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and will meditate on Your statutes. 49 Remember Your word to Your servant; You have given me hope through it.”Psalm 119:78-79 May the arrogant be put to shame for subverting me with a lie; I will meditate on Your precepts. 79 May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. 80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame. 81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/622a9079e8fb640012cb94f3. I pray that God would "give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18I, pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance" https://plus.acast.com/s/blueprint-of-faith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

为你读英语美文 · 第474期 《老人与海》| 经典选读 · 熊叔主播：熊叔，坐标：威海1But a man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.人不是为失败而生的。一个人可以被毁灭，但不能被打败。It is silly not to hope, he thought.人不抱希望是很傻的。Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.现在不是去想缺少什么的时候，该想一想凭现有的东西你能做什么。Keep your head clear and know how to suffer like a man.保持你头脑的清醒，并且懂得如何像一个男子汉那样承受痛苦。2But none of these scars were fresh. They were as old as erosions in a fishless desert. Everything about him was old except his eyes and they were the same color as the sea and were cheerful and undefeated.但是这些伤疤中没有一块是新的。它们像无鱼可打的沙漠中被侵蚀的地方一般古老。他身上的一切都显得古老，除了那双眼睛，它们像海水一般蓝，是愉快而不肯认输的。3As the sun rose he saw other boats in toward shore, which was only a low green line on the sea.太阳升起时，他看到别的一些船只都头朝着海岸，在海上看来海岸象是一条接近地平线的绿带子。4Most people are heartless about turtles because a turtle's heart will beat for hours after he has been cut up and butchered. But the old man thought, I have such a heart too and my feet and hands are like theirs.大多数人对海龟都很无情，因为海龟被切开后，心脏依旧会跳好几个小时。但是老人想，我也有这样一颗心，我的手脚和它们的一样。5It was considered a virtue not to talk unnecessarily at sea and the old man had always considered it so and respected it. But now he said his thoughts aloud many times since there was no one that they could annoy.可以想象品德在海里就不必要说起了，而老人以前却总是思考和尊敬着品德。可是现在，自从没有了一个可能会打扰到的人，他就把那些想法高声地说出来，好多次。6What I will do if he decides to go down, I don't know. What I'll do if he sounds and dies I don't know. But I'll do something. There are plenty of things I can do.我不知道，如果他下来或者如果他倒地一声死了，我要怎么办。但是我知道，我会做一些事情。还有很多东西我可以做。7The position actually was only somewhat less intolerable; but he thought of it as almost comfortable.实际上的方位只能稍微带给人少许无法忍受的感觉，但他几乎想象这是一件舒适的事情。8Then he thought, think of it always. Think of what you are doing. You must do nothing stupid. Then he said aloud, “I wish I had the boy. To help me and to see this.”之后他总是想着，思考着这件事。思考你在干什么。你不能做任何愚蠢的事情。然后他大声的说：“我希望身边有个男孩，可以帮助我，还可以看到这些。”9If I were him I would put in everything now and go until something broke. But, thank God, they are not as intelligent as we who kill them; although they are more noble and more able.如果我是他，我会竭尽所能去做，直到奇迹发生。但是，感谢上帝，我们杀了他们，但他们没有我们聪明；尽管他们更高贵、也更有能力。10I wonder why he jumped, the old man thought. He jumped almost as though to show me how big he was. I know now, anyway, he thought. I wish I could show him what sort of man I am. But then he would see the cramped hand. Let him think I am more man than I am and I will be so. I wish I was the fish, he thought, with everything he has against only my will and my intelligence.我想知道为什么他跳了，老人想。他就好像让我看看他有多大。现在我知道，无论如何，他想。我希望我也能让他看看我是什么样的人。然后他会看到这只抽筋的手。让他觉得我并不只是我自己。我希望我是这条鱼，他想，会全力以赴地对抗我的意志和智慧。▎主播介绍熊叔：不会乐器的瑜伽师不是好的英语老师，公众号：熊叔英语后期制作：永清文章，音乐，图片非商业用途，版权归作者或版权方所有我们生活在世界各地，从事不同职业，和你分享我们喜欢的美文。我们的公众号是： “为你读英语美文”。

2But as for you, teach what accords withsound[a]doctrine.2Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled,sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.3Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior,not slanderersor slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,5to be self-controlled,pure,working at home, kind, andsubmissive to their own husbands,that the word of God may not be reviled.6Likewise, urgethe younger men to be self-controlled.7Show yourself in all respects to bea model of good works, and in your teachingshow integrity,dignity,8andsound speech that cannot be condemned,so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.9Bondservants[b]are to be submissive to their own mastersin everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,10not pilfering,but showing all good faith,so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. Titus 2:1-10 ESV

THE THESIS: FACT: The Party's CDC has been caught colluding with social media companies to censor free speech. THEORY: This expressly illegal act is not an outlier, The Party is a unit--federal bureaucracies, media, academia, tech, pharma and finance--and the government is at constant work with media companies to control the narrative. As proof, I offer the refusal to report on Hunter Biden, the chemical and surgical mutilation of children, the forcing of culture war ideology into government and medicine, the damage and deaths caused by the mRNA.  THE SCRIPTURE & SCRIPTURAL RESOURCES:  God allows free speech. In fact, through The Lord, Jesus, he engaged in it, even debating people! Colossians 1:15-23 The Supremacy of the Son 1 On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. 2But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son,a whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.b 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 4 So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”? 6 And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God's angels worship Him. 7 Now about the angels He says: “He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire.” But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.” 10 And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.” 13 Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”? 14 Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? THE NEWS & COMMENT: Support: Dismantling The Woke Infrastructure – Legal Insurrection Summer 2022 Fundraiser  The evidence is quite clear: The Party is using Silicon Valley to censor Americans and even worse: they are being fired and banned from their industries because os social media censorship and labeling. How the CDC Coordinated With Big Tech To Censor Americans Covid has been the excuse, but it goes far beyond that. Smoking Gun: USG, Free Speech, Big Tech; The CDC colluded with Big Tech to prevent COVID "vaccine" informed consent Professor Jacobson has covered states' efforts to get the federal government to answer in court for their collusion with social media  Judge: States Will Get ‘Expedited Discovery' On Biden Admin Collusion With Big Tech To Censor Conservatives; Missouri AG Eric Schmitt: “No one has had the chance to look under the hood before – now we do.” But, Silicon Valley continues to collude against independent voices Epoch Times: “Update: 16 hours later, @TwitterSupport has not responded to our case, and all of our content remains censored.” Facebook, Instagram Posts Flagged as False for Rejecting Biden's Recession Wordplay; "The fact-checking industry has become a partisan arbiter of political disputes," notes Phil Magness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Titus 2:1-2But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Luke 15:1-3; 11-32 (EHV) All the tax collectors and sinners were coming to Jesus to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the experts in the law were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3He told them this parable: 11Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 13Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all that he had and traveled to a distant country. There he wasted his wealth with reckless living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need. 15He went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16He would have liked to fill his stomach with the carob pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, and I am dying from hunger! 18I will get up, go to my father, and tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”' 20“He got up and went to his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, hugged his son, and kissed him. 21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick, bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate, 24because this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.' Then they began to celebrate. 25“His older son was in the field. As he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27The servant told him, ‘Your brother is here! Your father killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28The older brother was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29He answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I've been serving you, and I never disobeyed your command, but you never gave me even a young goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours arrived after wasting your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31“The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.'”

Every day, we get “reports” from the news, our experiences, our friends and family, and many other sources. We also get reports from the Word of God which oftentimes contradicts what others are saying.That's when we have a choice: do we believe what we hear in the natural, or do we believe the report of the Lord? Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Psalm 1:1-2But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.” Matthew 18:19-20 h George Jones/Choiceshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP0oQCh_teg

I Am the Good Shepherd 10Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. 6This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Cooking for women is often seen as the ultimate act of domesticity. It means we’re mature and capable of nurturing—maybe even wife material. 2But today, women are pursuing other interests outside of the kitchen. It’s no longer surprising that some modern women don’t even know how to properly hold a knife. And so, we question: do guys really mind if their female spouse can or can’t cook? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fourth Sunday of Advent The Collect: Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Old Testament: Micah 5:2-5a 2But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 3Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. 4And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; 5and he shall be the one of peace. Psalm: Canticle 15 — The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55) or Psalm 80:1-7 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *      for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: *     the Almighty has done great things for me,     and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him *     in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, *     he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *     and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, *     and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *     for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, *     to Abraham and his children for ever. or 1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *       shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim. 2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *      stir up your strength and come to help us. 3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *      show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. 4 O Lord God of hosts, *      how long will you be angered      despite the prayers of your people? 5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *      you have given them bowls of tears to drink. 6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *      and our enemies laugh us to scorn. 7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *      show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Epistle: Hebrews 10:5-10 5Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; 6in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God' (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).” 8When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Gospel: Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) 39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” [46And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”]

Disciple Up # 217 Should We All Be Iconoclasts? By Louie Marsh, 6-30-2021     icon·​o·​clast | ī-ˈkä-nə-ˌklast  Definition of iconoclast 1: a person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions 2: a person who destroys religious images or opposes their veneration   Synonyms: bohemian, boho, counterculturist, deviant, enfant terrible, free spirit, heretic, individualist, lone ranger, lone wolf, loner, maverick, nonconformer, nonconformist   Antonyms: conformer, conformist   For the Meaning of Iconoclast, Break It Down   Iconoclast is a word that often shows up on vocabulary lists and College Board tests. How will you remember the meaning of this vocabulary-boosting term? If you already know the word icon, you're halfway there. An icon is a picture that represents something. The most common icons today are those little images on our computers and smartphones that represent a program or function, but in the still-recent past, the most common icons were religious images. Icon comes from the Greek eikōn, which is from eikenai, meaning "to resemble." Iconoclast comes to us by way of Medieval Latin from Middle Greek eikonoklastēs, which joins eikōn with a form of the word klan, meaning "to break." Iconoclast literally means "image destroyer."   First Known Use of iconoclast in English 1641, as an icon destroyer.   Article on this: https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/neil-seeman/iconoclast-genius_b_4116396.html   https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-88/great-iconoclast.html   Joy asked Lewis to autograph her copy of his book, The Great Divorce. He wrote, "There are three images in my mind which I must continually forsake and replace by better ones: the false image of God, the false image of my neighbours, and the false image of myself. C. S. Lewis 30 December 1952 (from an unwritten chapter on Iconoclasm)."   Lewis was saying that spiritual growth is iconoclastic because it constantly breaks our idols and replaces them with something better.   Iconoclast in Church History:   https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/iconoclasm   Iconoclasm (Eikonoklasmos, “Image-breaking”) is the name of the heresy that in the eighth and ninth centuries disturbed the peace of the Eastern Church, caused the last of the many breaches with Rome that prepared the way for the schism of Photius, and was echoed on a smaller scale in the Frankish kingdom in the West. The story in the East is divided into two separate persecutions of the Catholics, at the end of each of which stands the figure of an image-worshipping Empress (Irene and Theodora).   Luther & the Iconoclasts: https://lutheranreformation.org/history/luther-and-the-iconoclasts/   Was Jesus an Iconoclast?   “13The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” (John 2:13–22, ESV)   “1On a Sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. 2But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” 3And Jesus answered them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?” 5And he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”” (Luke 6:1–5, ESV)   What About the apostles?   “9For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,” (1 Thessalonians 1:9, ESV)   “16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 22So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” (Acts 17:16–25, ESV)   “15We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. 17But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” (Galatians 2:15–21, ESV)   What happens when you tear something down without a plan to replace with something better?   What needs to be smashed today?   What are the idols (icons) in the church today that to be challenged and removed? Remember I'm speaking largely metaphorically, not about physical idols.   Some say the denominations, like the Southern Baptists for example, need to deal with issues of racism in their history more and are even introducing parts of Critical Race Theory to do so?   Is it even possible to follow Jesus and not be an iconoclast to one degree or another?   What idols in our culture need confronting?   CRT? PC speech and action codes? Gender issues? Sexual morality in general?  

Life As It Was Meant To Be Part 3: Love As It Was Meant To Be Louie Marsh, 6-22-2021 The Critical Command:  LIVE a Life WORTHY of God!   “12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:12, ESV)   “4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)  By saying they are approved Paul seems to be saying he's living worthy – but how is this possible??  “10so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Colossians 1:10, ESV)   As you can see this is a common command in the Bible!   Worthy - “the measure or weight that balances the scale.”   Imagine a big scale, on the one side is everything God has done and is – Christ's death on the cross, His Grace, Love, forgiveness, etc.  Now what about my end??  How is it possible to do this ??? By getting to the heart of the command!   What is at the heart of this command? –   37And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”” (Matthew 22:37–40, ESV)   Love is the heart of the Christian life and is the only way I can even come close to living worthy of God! All the Scriptures hang on this!   “1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1–2, ESV)   Without love it doesn't matter what else you do – LOVE is the only way to live like God wants you too – so let's look at how we can love like God wants us too.   Four Steps In Living Worthy of God:   1) LOOK to Christ as my source of love.   “1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.” (1 Thessalonians 2:1–2, ESV)   Paul had a rough time in Phillippi – he was persecuted, jailed, and eventually ran out of town! What did he do?  Take time off to heal his wounded spirit, get depressed because he was over stressed? Nope! He took right off, went over the mountains to Thessalonica to preach the Gospel there!! How did he do that??   “13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, ESV)   Paul looked to Christ as the source of His love!!  He didn't depend on love from others to keep him going – although it doesn't hurt either!!  But bottom line for Paul – Christ was his source of the love that matters!   This Means: I don't BROOD over past suffering. I don't HARDEN MY HEART to protect myself. I don't RELY on people's love & acceptance to keep going.   2) MAKE God be my audience of one.   “4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel…6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4, 6, ESV)   “10For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, ESV)   I must live to PLEASE God alone!   We've talked a lot about this – but it's so important – if you live for an Audience of one – your life will be so much more peaceful and happy!   This frees me from being a PEOPLE PLEASER.   Here's the truth – remember this – YOU CAN'T REALLY LOVE PEOPLE AS LONG AS WE NEED THEM!!  The truth is when a lot of us say I love you what we really mean is I need you!!  That needy, clinging, controlling, confining spirit so many people think of as love isn't!!           Once I'm free of need, I'm really free to give myself to others!   It allows me to have REAL, HEALTHY relationships.   Now I relate to you on a healthy basis – not on the basis of what you do for me or what I do for you!   3) LIBERATE myself from impure motives.   5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. (1 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)   To do this I must… LIVE by the standards in God's word.   You DON'T use your standards – they will either be too high or low, and you DON'T go by your feelings!!   LISTEN to others who are wise and mature.   People can help you – and often see things about yourself you can't!   RELY on God's help!   DO NOT try and do this yourself – you will go crazy!!  Why did I think that, what were my motives, and why am I asking why?  AHHHHHHH!!!!   “23Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23–24, ESV)   grievous way = way of an idol.   “39then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),” (1 Kings 8:39, ESV)   Only God knows your heart – so go to Him!!   “11For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:11, ESV)   4) LEARN to give my soul to others in Christ.   “7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”…“11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8,11–12, ESV)   The word for self or lives here is the word Psyche, soul!  Real love is giving the deepest part of you to others.   This Requires:   A personal and long lasting COMMITMENT to others. The willingness to be OPEN to others.

XII. The Mastery of LoveWe have already said that the basic conflict is one between love and fear, and that the proper organization of the psyche rests on a lack of level confusion.154 2The section on psychic energy should be reread very carefully, because it is particularly likely to be misinterpreted until this section has been completed.1552 It has already been said that you cannot control fear, because you yourself made it.156 2Your belief in it renders it out of your control by definition. 3For this reason, any attempt to resolve the basic conflict through the concept of mastery of fear is meaningless. 4In fact, it asserts the power of fear by the simple assumption that it need be mastered at all. 5The essential resolution rests entirely on the mastery of love.1573 In the interim, conflict is inevitable. 2The reason for this is the strangely illogical position in which you have placed yourself. 3Since we have frequently emphasized that correction must be applied within the level that error occurs, it should be clear that the miracle must be illogical because its purpose is to correct the illogical and restore order.1584 Two concepts which cannot coexist are nothing and everything. 2To whatever extent one is believed in, the other has been abolished. 3In the conflict, fear is really nothing, and love is really everything. 4The unwillingness to let one’s darkness be seen, or to submit error to light, is a way of denying that the separation ever occurred. 5Like all pseudo-solutions, this kind of distorted thinking is very creative but false.5 The separation has occurred.159 2To deny this is merely to misuse denial. 3However, to concentrate on error is merely a further misuse of legitimate psychic mechanisms. 4The true corrective procedure, which has already been described as the proper use of the spiritual eye (or true vision), is to accept the error temporarily, but only as an indication that immediate correction is mandatory.160 5This establishes a state of mind in which the Atonement can be accepted without delay.6 It is worth repeating that ultimately there is no compromise possible between everything and nothing. 2The purpose of time is essentially to serve as a device by which all compromise in this respect can be abolished. 3It seems to be abolished by degrees precisely because time itself involves a concept of intervals which does not really exist. 4The faulty use of creation has made this necessary as a corrective device. 5“And God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish but have eternal life” needs only one slight correction to be entirely meaningful in this context. 6It should read, “And God so loved the world that He gave it to His only begotten Son.”1617 It should be noted that God has begotten only one Son. 2If you believe that all of the minds that God created are His Sons, and if you also believe that the Sonship is one, then every mind must be a Son of God, or an integral part of the Sonship. 3You do not find the concept that the whole is greater than its parts difficult to understand. 4You should therefore not have too great of a difficulty with this. 5The Sonship in its oneness does transcend the sum of its parts. 6However, it loses this special state as long as any of its parts are missing. 7This is why the conflict cannot ultimately be resolved until all of the individual parts of the Sonship have returned. 8Only then can the meaning of wholeness in the true sense be understood.8 The concept of minus numbers has always been regarded as a mathematical rather than an actual expedient. 2Yet it represents a major limitation on mathematics as presently understood.162 3Any statement which implies degrees of difference in negation is essentially meaningless. 4What can replace this negative approach is a recognition of the fact that as long as one part (which is the same as a million or ten or eight thousand parts) of the Sonship is missing, it is not complete.163 5In the divine psyche, the Father and the Holy Spirit are not incomplete at all. 6The Sonship has the unique faculty of believing in error, or incompleteness, if it so elects. 7However, it is quite apparent that so to elect is to believe in the existence of nothingness. 8The correction of this error is the Atonement.9 We have already briefly spoken about readiness.164 2But there are some additional awarenesses which might be helpful. 3Readiness is nothing more than the prerequisite for accomplishment. 4The two should not be confused. 5As soon as a state of readiness occurs, there is always some will to accomplish, but this is by no means undivided. 6The state does not imply more than the potential for a shift of will. 7Confidence cannot develop fully until mastery has been accomplished.10 We began this section with an attempt to correct the fundamental human error that fear can be mastered. 2The correction was that only love can be mastered. 3Even if you are ready for revelation, though, that does not mean that you have in any way mastered that form of communication. 4Mastery of love necessarily involves a much more complete confidence in the ability than you have as yet attained. 5Readiness, however, is at least an indication that you believe this is possible. 6This is only the beginning of confidence. 7In case this be misunderstood as a statement that an enormous amount of time will be necessary between readiness and mastery, I would again remind you that time and space are under my control.165

Provoked to Proclaim: Spotting False Teachers, Keeping Honor in Women's Bible Study, & Knowing God Rightly with Marcie Morris. Episode 114 is packed with much needed truth to equip us as we walk with the Lord and keep Him and His Word as the center of our lives.  False Teachers: 2 Peter 2:1-2But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2 Peter 2:1-2False teachers bank on unsteady souls and biblical illiteracy, they bank on you not reading your Bible.If you think your pastor has fallen into this or you have questions take them to Him in love and respect. Take God's Word and ask him to clarify what he meant and to point out in scripture where he drew his conclusion from.A good, faithful, honest pastor will tell his people and want his people to go to Scripture and hold him accountable to it!  The Difference Between False Teacher and Heretic:False teachers believe in core doctrine.Heritics deny core doctrine.A false teacher does not always mean a heretic.A Heretic will always be a false teacher. Scripture Reference to Mark and Avoid:Romans 16:17 - I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.Titus 3:10 - As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him..2 John 10 - If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting.. Women's Bible StudyIf you are leading a women's ministry, be FAITHFUL to scripture, don't bank of the felt need of the women.Study God's Word and use a solid commentary. Go verse by verse. Edmund Clowney book - The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old TestamentWe must KNOW God in order to worship Him rightly. Connect with Marcie:IG: @provokedtoproclaimTwitter: @provoked2proclm

Upon the Rock #1 Can the Bible Be Trusted? By Louie Marsh, 1-17-2021   Quotes about the Bible:   “The Bible has noble poetry in it... and some good morals and a wealth of obscenity, and upwards of a thousand lies.”  ― Mark Twain   “The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly.”  ― Søren Kierkegaard,   “The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”  ― Richard Dawkins   “Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.”  ― Isaac Asimov   “It is impossible to enslave, mentally or socially, a bible-reading people. The principles of the bible are the groundwork of human freedom.”  ― Horace Greeley   The Bible Says…   It’s INSPIRED by God.   16  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)   2) I must OBEY IT.   17  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:17 (ESV)   10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)   3) It Is 100% TRUE.   17  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17 (ESV)   13  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:13 (ESV)   It Has the key to ETERNAL LIFE.   39  You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40  yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 (ESV)   How Do I Know That The Bible Is True?   1) EYE WITNESS_ authority.   14  Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Exodus 17:14 (ESV)   8  And now, go, write it before them on a tablet and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever. Isaiah 30:8 (ESV)   “1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—”…“3that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:1,3, ESV)   2) FULFILLED  Prophecy.   “2But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2, ESV) Messianic prophecies picture.   3) UNRIVIALED HISTORICAL Accuracy.   7  Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. Genesis 23:7 (ESV)   Hittite picture map and picture.   12  From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” John 19:12 (ESV)   Pic of Pilate stone, Pilate coin.  

I want to let you in on a secret -- I'm not always confident when I step onto a stage or click on a microphone. I know that I'm called to share a message but I'm not always confident when I'm sharing that message. And that's okay. I am ALWAYS confident in my calling. You will not always be confident but you should always be confident in your calling. God has uniquely equipped you with a message only you can deliver. Yes, only you. Even if you have a message that closely resembles another speaker's message -- you have unique relationships, experiences, and opportunities that make your message unique. Your calling trumps your confidence. You are called to deliver your God-given message to the people God's places in your path. Keep your eyes open and move forward in your calling. Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us, that good thing entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:13-14Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry 2 Timothy 4:5Facebook Group -- join the conversation

Save 10$ of your OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro Order with this link : https://www.oneplus.com/invite#2N4N7QJB50RRD Pre-orders the Sony Xperia 1 II BH: https://bhpho.to/2zw5uyn with free buds Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Xi4V4o Audio Podcast : https://saturday-mornings-with-tech-ep.pinecast.co/ Welcome back to another Saturday morning with tech This Time episode 24 on June 13th 2020. In today's podcast we will talk about all the cool new features of Android 11 in the beta 1 release as well as when will other oems start releasing their bettas namely Oppo and xiaomi, Oneplus. we are also going to talk about the connectivity issues with the pixel buds 2. Leslie I realized that in the US where more than likely going to get the black color only for this Xperia 1 mark 2But there seems to be at least two more colors available. Save 10% on your order from samsung: https://shopsamsung.page.link/jgLD I Buy and Sell On Swappa : https://swappa.com/?ref=tkbay B&H Dealzone: Http://bhpho.to/2ppW6Ty Amazon Daily Deals: http://amzn.to/2kLKo6i DBZ art is by Barrett Biggers http://studiomuku.com/ http://amzn.to/2mYvkTk Please Support the Channel by using my affiliate links : Amazon: http://amzn.to/29qkDl9 Gearbest: http://bit.ly/2APV5Kc B&H Photo: http://bhpho.to/2ppW6Ty "Music: www.bensound.com" Thank you very much Like and subscribe Contact Info: https://twitter.com/tkdsl8655 https://www.youtube.com/tkbay https://www.instagram.com/tkdsl8655 https://www.facebook.com/tkdsl8655/ http://www.xda-developers.com Or on Youtube as well #oneplus #oneplus8pro #oneplus8procamera #oneplus8progaming oneplus 8 lite oneplus 8 pro 120hz oneplus 8 pro specs Charging speed test oneplus 8 pro camera #tkbay #oneplus #oneplusbullets #BulletswirelessZ #oneplus8propubg oneplus bullets z tk bayone plus 8 pro vs iphone 11 pro max oneplus z oneplus 8 pro pubg test honor 9x pro infrared photography #sony #sonyxperia1ii #xperia1ii @Sony Xperia @JuanBagnell @TK Bay @RedMagic ​ Find out more at https://saturday-mornings-with-tech-ep.pinecast.co Check out our podcasting host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free, no credit card required, forever. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-b27237 for 40% off for 4 months, and support Saturday Morning With Tech.

INTRODUCTION:Throughout the history of mankind there have been new beginnings.With the invention of the wheel, a new beginning for humanity, the developmentof roads, highways, steam engines, railway lines, combustion engines, steamlocomotives, automobiles, etc.With the invention of the telegraph by Samuel Morse, a new beginning forhumanity in terms of the development of great advances in telecommunicationsallowing the possibility of communicating immediately between places separatedby hundreds of miles, the appearance of the telephone and later the radio , allthis constituted a vital aspect of communication giving way to moderninformation and communication technologies as we see it today.In the Word of God there have also been new beginnings.For Abraham, for Moses, for Jacob, for the people of Israel, for Joseph, for David,etc.But today I want to tell you about the biggest event with an eternaltranscendence that changed the history of Christianity and is the powerful fact ofthe resurrection of Christ our Lord and Savior.We would not be in this place if our Lord Jesus Christ had not resurrected, in vainit would be the preaching of the gospel, in vain it would be our faith, you and Iwould be the most miserable beings on earth, we would be in our sins andChristianity would have disappeared because no It would have a solid foundationto support it. The resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of theChristian faith.2But due to the fact of the resurrection those who had doubted, those who hadnot believed, those who were insecure and those who had believed, their liveswere transformed in a powerful way and the Kingdom of God began to expandthrough cultures, languages, ideologies, beliefs, reaching peoples and nationsspreading everywhere and becoming the greatest people as God had promised toAbraham that his offspring would be like the stars of the sky and like the sand ofthe sea.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TU4ST3G79LFDE&source=url)

On this roller coaster of an episode the boys talk about some drama in the video game industry. We give our quick opinions on the Fast and Furious franchise and the Broly movies.

1Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Instead of asking "Do you want to hear God better?" some people are unsure whether He speaks in this age or not.   But aren't you glad that He does. His most common way to speak to speak to us is through Scripture. Although we can understand the words with our mind, we need the revelation of Precious Holy Spirit to help us grasp the meaning of Scripture.   He also speaks to our spirit.   I remember the first time God spoke to my heart.   I was so concerned about my dad's salvation, so I was praying as I walked to my grandma's house. I saw a big hardened rock of clay in the ditch. I continued my prayer "God, My dad's heart is as hard as that rock."   God whispered, "I can melt the heart of stone." That one whisper was a promise I held onto for years and years until he was saved. I can't begin to tell you what it did for me.   Let me try to frame it this way, instead of fear I had hope that fueled my faith.     Did I really hear God?   I also remember an incident that made me doubt that I could really hear God's voice.   I felt impressed, which means a strong feeling in my heart, like I should stop by the church on my way home from work. But when I got to the church, the office was closed. I pulled my car under the portico and waited for awhile. I left feeling so stupid. I figured that I had totally missed God and  didn't hear God’s voice.    Win-Learn And I can miss Him! I have missed it. Humans make mistakes.   And when I make a mistake I repent and keep on learning.   I embrace the win-learn philosophy; not the win lose one that stops people from even trying!   But when I actually prayed about the situation, I felt God tell me, "Are you willing to obey me even when you don’t understand...even when you don't see any results?"   It was a truth I needed learn at that stage in my life. There have been so many times God has asked me to do things that I didn't understand!   His Word is proof.   Yet, there is a more important reason that makes me believe that God speaks today- His Word. We can't afford to base our beliefs on our experiences. The foundation for our faith and life must be based on Scripture.   So much I want to tell you   Look at John 16:12-15 NLT 12“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.15All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’   My Sheep know my voice   John 10:1-5 1“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!   2But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.   3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.   4After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”     Are you thinking, “Not me! I don't know His voice.”   We’ve all been there.   But maybe the problem is not that God is not talking, but only that we are not listening.   Psa 78:1 NLT O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your earsto what I am saying,    There are radio waves all around you right this minute! But in order to hear any of them you must tune in, then and only then will you hear them. As believers we have to learn, that's right learn to hear God.   Pay attention how you hear   Luke 8:18 NLT 18“So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”   Matthew 13:11-12 11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.      I talk about these two verses in Episode 6 Right Thinking Begins With Right Listening. It is an episode in my launch series "Think God's Way for a Change." If you haven't listened to that series you are missing an opportunity to seriously change the way you think.  You can always listen to them on my website as well. https://www.patriciaholland.org/blog/ Hearing God’s voice is so important.   The albatross are magnificent seabirds. Both the mom and dad albatross take turns sitting on the eggs. That's not particularly unusual, but what is unusual is that they talk to their eggs. They crane their neck close to speak in their sweetest albatross language; eek, eek, eek! Yet, these birds aren't doing it to be sweet, it is critical that their baby learn to recognize their voice. The albatross nest in colonies, so when this baby hatches from it's egg, it must recognize it's parents voice. Only it's parent will feed it and if it can't recognize its parent's voice it won't make it back to the nest or to it's parent to be fed.     It is just as critical that you learn to recognize God's voice. There are many voices in this world...they can be very convincing! If you don't train your ears, you can get confused, sidetracked and lost!      Look at Moses in Exodus 3.   It's a familiar story, but let's look at it from the lens of how he listened to God.   1O One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 2There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. 3“This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” 4When the LORD saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. 5“Do not come any closer,” the LORD warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 6I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.   He was curious.   He wanted to know more.   So he moved closer to the fire.    He recognized it was Holy ground. Most of the time God speaks to us through the voice of Scripture. It is also the filter than you must use for whether it is God speaking to you or not. If it contradicts Scripture, then it’s not God.     He gave the Holy due reverence.   Humble yourself. Respect it for what it is.(Richard Crisco carried his Bible would never put anything on top of it.)  Make it a priority. Submit your opinion to embrace God’s. We don’t want the Bible to change our opinion; we want it to reinforce what we already believe. It’s supposed to change you. It’s supposed to challenge you.    Heb 4:12 ESV For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.    God can talk to you all sorts of ways              and in all sorts of places.   Mary Boyd will often ask children "Where was the most unique place you prayed this week?" I want to change that question a little, "Where was the most unique place God talked with you?" On a treadmill or a bicycle? On a roof? In a tree? Watching TV? In church?   The point is you don't have to be sitting in a prayer posture somewhere for God to speak to you.    Isaiah 30:21 NLT And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.” God has all sorts of ways of getting our attention.   God is not a silent partner.   A.W. Tozer says "It's the nature of God to speak." He wants to guide you and instruct you. Yet, you must lean in to listen.   Without caller ID you recognize your husband's or best friend's voice because you know them. You've spent time with them. You know how they say things and the tone and quality of their voice. As you spend time with God you'll learn to recognize His voice better and better.   He knows what is best and directs us toward it.   Issaac Hoopii is a good example of how the Holy Spirit guides us. He was a Pentagon police officer when the Pentagon was hit on 9-11. Amidst the confusion and burning debris he called into the flames, "Come to my voice," Then he carefully guided the victims to safety.   That is one of the roles of Precious Holy Spirit.   He is an awesome guide. He'll never get you lost...but if you make a wrong turn you'll probably hear Him say something like recalculating as He guides you back on the correct route for your life.     I'd like to give you a free download...   this .pdf includes: 4 keys to help you hear God's voice, 3 filters to help you answer- "How do I know that I really heard God?" 10 reasons we don't hear God speak to us.    Here's the link:   https://www.patriciaholland.org/hearing-god/            

The Names and Titles of Jesus – Jesus the Good Shepherd Episode 98 This series of the names and titles of Jesus will give us a more in-depth understanding of Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the seventh in the series. The following is an outline. THE NAMES AND TITLES OF JESUS John 10 I Am the Good Shepherd I Am the True Shepherd I Am the Door Understanding the Shepherd His job was a dirty and dangerous one. Many times, all the shepherd had to fight off lions and other wild animals was a staff with a crook. He willingly put his life on the line for his flock. At night, he would put the flock in a makeshift pen that had only one way in and out. Day and night Communal pin in town He knew each one of his sheep—inspected them—he gave each one a name—He loved them like we love our pets—His sheep loved their shepherd They knew what he did for them and they knew his voice Abraham – Isaac – Jacob – Moses – David David the Shepherd Ps 78:70-72; He also chose David His servant And took him from the sheepfolds; 71From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs. He brought him To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. 72So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart And guided them with his skillful hands. The True Shepherd God was The Shepherd that all other shepherds of God’s people represented Ps 80: 1 Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth! The Messiah would be the True Shepherd Throughout the Old Testament, you have some promises of a shepherd yet to come Matthew 2:6, which is a quote from Micah 5 in the Old Testament:  And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you [Bethlehem] shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel (v. 2).  And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, [Who shall dwell secure? The sheep] for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD John 10:6 This figure of speech = not a Parable, a Parable is like something ie sower, hidden treasure etc.—Jesus is the door Jesus is The Good Shepherd. It is not just a figure of speech or a comparison, but a saying that is loaded with significance--the verbal equivalent of Jesus' signs. This picture is not so much an allusion of Ezekiel 34 as a development from it. Ezekiel 34:23-24 23“Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. 24And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the LORD have spoken. Context of John 10: John chapters 9 and 10 belong  together The Pharisees self-appointed shepherds of God’s flock - were putting people out of the temple who believed in Jesus—plotted to kill Jesus – they tried to kill  him twice ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Woe, shepherds of Israel Ezk 34 Jer 32“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; All who came before Me are thieves and robbers a hired hand,…He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. John 10 10 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. • 7So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief comes enters through Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and [a]have it abundantly. 11“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice, and they will become one flock with one shepherd. 17For this reason the Father loves Me because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” I lay down My life for the sheep But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our [i]well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging, we are healed. 6All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way, But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. Isaiah 53 1 Peter 2:24-25 24and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. John 10 9A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words.20Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?” 21Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?” 22At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. 24The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.26But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30I and the Father are one.” 31The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” 34Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I SAID, YOU ARE GODS’? 35If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may [f]know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” 39Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp. 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Today we take a break from our series on Hebrews to bring you a sermon I preached at the Pilot Point Church of Christ. The Heart of God Luke 15 15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gatherings around to hear Jesus. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” The Parable of the Lost Sheep 3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15 The Parable of the Lost Coin 8“ Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15 The Parable of the Lost Son 11Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20So he got up and went to his father. Luke 15 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27‘your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” The Heart of God Luke chapter 15 You don't know my father! God is like A shepherd. A woman. A father. Four different ways to be lost Like the lost sheep. 2. Like the lost coin. 3. Like the lost prodigal son. 4. Like the lost older brother. He believed the lie Vs. 17 And when he came to himself The sad ending The heart of God. Come home to The heart of God

Luke 12:1-12 - Hypocrisy: "1Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 3Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. 4"I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. 8"And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. 11When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.""

Luke 12:1-12 - Hypocrisy: "1Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 3Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. 4"I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. 8"And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. 11When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.""

Luke 12:1-12 - Hypocrisy: "1Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 3Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. 4"I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. 8"And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. 11When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.""

Luke 12:1-12 - Hypocrisy: "1Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 3Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. 4"I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. 8"And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. 11When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.""

The Biblical Message of Handel’s Messiah Part I Pastor Tony Felich December 11, 2011 ----more---- PART ONE : The prophesy and realization of God's plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah 1.Overture 2.Isaiah 40:1-3Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplish'd, that her Iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness; prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 3.Isaiah 40:4Ev'ry valley shall be exalted, and ev'ry mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight, and the rough places plain. 4.Isaiah 40:5And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 5. Haggai 2:6-7 and Malachi 3:1Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of Hosts; Yet once a little while and I will shake the heav'ns and the earth, the sea and the dry land: And I will shake all nations; and the desire of all nations shall come. The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. 6. Malachi 3:2But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire. 7. Malachi 3:3And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. 8. Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, GOD WITH US. 9. Isaiah 40:9, Isaiah 60:1O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God! O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion. Arise, shine, for thy Light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 10. Isaiah 60:2-3For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 11.Isaiah 9:2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 12. Isaiah 9:6For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. 13. Pastoral Symphony 14. Luke 2:8-9There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. 15. Luke 2:10-11And the angel said unto them: Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 16. Luke 2:13And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying: 17. Luke 2:14Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men. 18. Zechariah 9:9-10Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen. 19. Isaiah 35:5-6Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. 20. Isaiah 40:11, Matthew 11:28-29He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Come unto Him, all ye that labour, come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 21. Matthew 11:30His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. PART TWO : The accomplishment of redemption by the sacrifice of Jesus, mankind's rejection of God's offer, and mankind's utter defeat when trying to oppose the power of the Almighty 22. John 1:29Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. 23. Isaiah 53:3,6He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting. 24. Isaiah 53:4-5Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows! He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. 25. Isaiah 53:5bAnd with His stripes we are healed. 26. Isaiah 53:6All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Psalm_1.mp3 [audio: http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Psalm_1.mp3] 1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3And he shall be … Continue reading "Psalm 1 – Verse by Verse Bible Teaching" The post Psalm 1 – Verse by Verse Bible Teaching first appeared on Bible Prophecy Talk Podcast.

http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Psalm_1.mp3 [audio: http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Psalm_1.mp3] 1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3And he shall be […]

http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Galatians_4_1_10.mp3 [audio: http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Galatians_4_1_10.mp3] 1Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the … Continue reading "Galatians 4:1-10 Verse by Verse Bible Teaching Podcast" The post Galatians 4:1-10 Verse by Verse Bible Teaching Podcast first appeared on Bible Prophecy Talk Podcast.

http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Galatians_4_1_10.mp3 [audio: http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Galatians_4_1_10.mp3] 1Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the … Continue reading "Galatians 4:1-10 Verse by Verse Bible Teaching Podcast" The post Galatians 4:1-10 Verse by Verse Bible Teaching Podcast first appeared on Bible Prophecy Talk Podcast.