Podcasts about 4they

Keep a clear head.  What does that mean biblically?  Discover how God's Word equips you to free the illusions in your life and free you from things that drag you down, both of which keep you from doing what God has called you to do. 1 Timothy 3:10-4:5 (EHV) 10But you have faithfully followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfast endurance, 11my persecutions, my sufferings—the kind that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the kind of persecutions I endured—and the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12Indeed, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14As for you, continue in the things you have learned and about which you have become convinced. You know from whom you learned them 15and that from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, well equipped for every good work. 4:1I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom: 2Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching. 3For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires. 4They will also turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5As for you, keep a clear head in every situation. Bear hardship. Do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry.

Mark 11:1-11 1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” 4They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” 11Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. Palm Sunday Passion Week Jesus on the Donkey    1) Humility of Christ    2) Purity of Christ    3) Sovereignty of Christ   4) Wisdom of Christ    5) Lordship of Christ

V. The Atonement as DefenseThe Atonement is the only defense which cannot be used destructively. 2That is because, while everyone must eventually join it, it was not a device which was generated by humanity. 3The Atonement principle was in effect long before the Atonement itself was begun. 4The principle was love, and the Atonement itself was an act of love.75 5Acts were not necessary before the separation, because the time-space belief did not exist.2 It was only after the separation that the defense of Atonement and the necessary conditions for its fulfillment were planned. 2It became increasingly apparent that all of the defenses which humanity can choose to use constructively or destructively were not enough to save it. 3It was therefore decided that you needed a defense which was so splendid that you could not misuse it, although you could refuse it. 4Your will could not turn it into a weapon of attack, which is the inherent characteristic of all other defenses. 5The Atonement thus became the only defense which was not a two-edged sword.3 The Atonement actually began long before the resurrection. 2Many souls offered their efforts on behalf of the separated ones. 3But they could not withstand the strength of the attack and had to be brought back. 4Angels came, too, but their protection was not enough, because the separated ones were not interested in peace. 5They had already split themselves and were bent on dividing rather than reintegrating. 6The levels they introduced into themselves turned against each other, and they, in turn, turned against one another. 7They established differences, divisions, cleavages, dispersion, and all the other concepts related to the increasing splits they produced. 8Not being in their right minds, they turned their defenses from protection to assault, and acted literally insanely. 9It was essential to introduce a split-proof device which could be used only to heal, if it was used at all.4 The Atonement was built into the space-time belief in order to set a limit on the need for the belief, and ultimately to make learning complete. 2The Atonement is the final lesson. 3Learning itself, like the classrooms in which it occurs, is temporary. 4(Let all those who overestimate human intelligence remember this.) 5The ability to learn has no value when change of understanding is no longer necessary. 6The eternally creative have nothing to learn. 7Only after the separation was it necessary to direct the creative force to learning, because changed behavior had become mandatory.5 Human beings can learn to improve their behavior, and can also learn to become better and better learners. 2This increase serves to bring them into closer and closer accord with the Sonship. 3But the Sonship itself is a perfect creation, and perfection is not a matter of degree. 4Only while there are different degrees is learning meaningful.6 The evolution of humankind is merely a process by which you proceed from one degree to the next. 2You correct your previous missteps by stepping forward. 3This represents a process which is actually incomprehensible in temporal terms, because you return as you go forward. 4The Atonement is the device by which you can free yourself from the past as you go ahead. 5It undoes your past errors, thus making it unnecessary for you to keep retracing your steps without advancing toward your return.7 In this sense, the Atonement saves time, but like the miracle which serves it, does not abolish it.76 2As long as there is need for Atonement, there is need for time. 3But the Atonement as a completed plan does have a unique relationship to time. 4Until the Atonement is finished, its various phases will proceed in time, but the whole Atonement stands at its end. 5At this point, the bridge of the return has been built.8 If you find discussion of the Atonement upsetting, it is because the Atonement is a total commitment. 2You still think this is associated with loss. 3This is the same mistake all the separated ones make in one way or another. 4They cannot believe that a defense which cannot attack is the best defense. 5Except for this misperception, the angels could have helped them. 6What do you think “the meek shall inherit the earth” means?77 7They will literally take it over, because of their strength.78 8A two-way defense is inherently weak; precisely because it has two edges it can turn against the self very unexpectedly.9 This tendency cannot be controlled except by miracles. 2The miracle turns the defense of Atonement to the protection of the inner self, which, as it becomes more and more secure, assumes its natural talent of protecting others. 3The inner self knows itself as both a brother and a Son.

The real meaning of possession should be clarified. 2Fear of possession is a perverted expression of the fear of the irresistible attraction of God. 3The truth is still that the attraction of God is irresistible at all levels, and the acceptance of this totally unavoidable truth is only a matter of time. 4But you should consider whether you want to wait, because you can return now, if you choose.2 Possession is a concept which has been subject to numerous distortions, some of which we will list below:3 Type 1: Possession can be associated with the body only. 2If this occurs, sex is particularly likely to be contaminated. 3Possession versus being possessed is apt to be seen as the male versus the female role. 4Since neither will be conceived of as satisfying alone, and both will be associated with fear, this interpretation is particularly vulnerable to psychosexual confusion.24 Type 2: From a rather similar reference point, possession can also be associated with things. 2This is essentially a shift from type 1 and is usually due to an underlying fear of associating possession with people. 3In this sense, it is an attempt to protect people from one’s possessiveness, like the superstition about “protecting the name” we mentioned before.35 Both type 1 and type 2 are likely to become compulsive for several reasons, including:a) 2They represent an attempt to escape from the real possession drive, which cannot be satisfied this way.b) 3They set up substitute goals, which are usually reasonably easy to attain.4c) 4They appear to be relatively harmless, and thus seem to allay fear. 5The fact that they usually interfere with good interpersonal relationships can be interpreted, in this culture, as a lack of sophistication on the part of the other (not the self), and this induces a false feeling of confidence in the solution. 6It is also fairly easy to find a partner who shares the illusion. 7Thus, we have any number of relationships which are actually established on the basis of type 1, and others which hold together primarily because of a joint interest in type 2.d) 8The manifestly external emphasis which both entail seems to be a safety device, and thus permits a false escape from much more basic inhibitions.5 9As a compromise solution, the illusion of interpersonal relating is preserved, along with the retention of lack of love. 10This kind of psychic juggling leaves the juggler with a feeling of emptiness, which in fact is perfectly justified, because he is acting from scarcity. 11He then becomes more and more driven in his behavior, to fill the emptiness.6 When these solutions have been invested with extreme belief, type 1 leads to sex crimes and type 2 to stealing. 2The kleptomaniac is a good example of the latter.7 Generally, three types of emotional disturbance result:a) 2The tendency to maintain the illusion that only the physical is real. 3This produces depression.b) 4The tendency to invest the physical with nonphysical properties. 5This is essentially magic and tends more toward anxiety-proneness.c) 6The tendency to vacillate from one to the other, which produces a corresponding vacillation between depression and anxiety.7All three result in self-imposed starvation.8 Type 3: Another type of distortion is seen in the fear of or desire for “spirit” possession. 2The term “spirit” is profoundly debased in this context, but it does entail a recognition that the body is not enough and investing it with magic will not work. 3This recognition accepts the fact that neither type 1 nor type 2 is sufficient, but precisely because it does not limit fear so narrowly, it is more likely to produce greater fear in its own right.9 Endowing the Spirit with human possessiveness is a more inclusive error than type 1 or type 2, and a step somewhat further away from the right mind. 2Projection is also more likely to occur, with vacillations between grandiosity and fear.6 3“Religion,” in a distorted sense, is also more likely to occur in this kind of error, because the idea of a “spirit” is introduced, though fallaciously, while it is excluded from type 1 and type 2. 4Witchcraft is thus particularly apt to be associated with type 3, because of the much greater investment in magic.10 It should be noted that type 1 involves only the body, and type 2 involves an attempt to associate things with human attributes. 2Type 3, on the other hand, is a more serious level confusion, because it endows the Spirit with evil attributes. 3This accounts both for the religious zeal of its proponents and the aversion (or fear) of its opponents. 4Both attitudes stem from the same false belief.11 This is not what the Bible means by “filled with the Holy Spirit.”7 2The concept of “speaking in many tongues” was originally an injunction to communicate to everyone in his own language, or at his own level. 3It hardly meant to speak in a way that nobody could understand.12 This strange error occurs when people do understand the need for universal communication, but have contaminated it with the possession fallacy. 2The fear engendered by this misperception leads to a conflicted state in which communication is attempted, but the fear is allayed by making the communication incomprehensible.8 3It could also be said that the fear induces selfishness or regression, because incomprehensible communication is hardly a worthy offering from one Son of God to another.13 Type 4: Knowledge can also be misinterpreted as a means of possession. 2Here, the content is not physical, and the underlying fallacy is more likely to be the confusion of mind and brain.9 3The attempt to unite nonphysical content with physical attributes is illustrated by statements like “the thirst for knowledge.” 4This is not what “thirst” in the Bible means.10 5The term was used only because of humanity’s limited comprehension and is probably better dropped.14 The fallacious use of knowledge can result in several errors, including:a) 2The idea that knowledge will make the individual more attractive to others. 3This is a possession fallacy.11b) 4The idea that knowledge will make the individual invulnerable. 5This is a reaction formation against the underlying fear of vulnerability.c) 6The idea that knowledge will make the individual worthy. 7This is largely pathetic.15 Like all of these fallacies, type 4 contains a denial mechanism, which swings into operation as the fear increases, thus canceling out the error temporarily but seriously impairing efficiency. 2For example, one person might claim she cannot read, while another might claim he cannot speak.1216 Note that depression is a real risk here, for a child of God should never reduce his efficiency in any way. 2The depression comes from a peculiar pseudo-solution which reads:3A child of God is efficient.4I am not efficient.5Therefore, I am not a child of God.136This leads to neurotic resignation, and this is a state which merely increases the depression.17 The corresponding denial mechanism for type 1 is physical inability, or impotence. 2The denial mechanism for type 2 is often bankruptcy. 3Collectors of things often drive themselves well beyond their financial means, in an attempt to force discontinuance. 4If this idea of cessation cannot be tolerated, a strange compromise involving both insatiable possessiveness and insatiable throwing away may result.18 An example is the inveterate or compulsive gambler, particularly the horse-racing addict. 2Here, the conflicted drive is displaced both from people and things, and is invested in animals. 3The implied derogation of people is the cause of the underlying extreme superstition of the horse-racing addict.14 4The alcoholic is in a similar position, except that his hostility is more inward than outward directed.15 5Defenses aimed at protecting (or retaining) error are particularly hard to undo, because they introduce second-order misperceptions which obscure the underlying errors still further.1619 The pseudo-corrective mechanism for type 3 is apt to be more varied because of the more inclusive nature of the error, which has already been mentioned. 2Some of the possibilities are listed below:a) 3One aspect of the possession/possessed conflict can be raised to predominance. 4If this is attempted in connection with possessing, it leads to the paranoid solution.17 5The underlying component of “being possessed” is retained in the “persecution” fantasies which generally accompany the paranoia.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.IntroductionsAquilaAquila means "eagle."There are 7 well-known Aquilas in ancient times, including our Aquila.He is always mentioned with his wife.PriscillaHer name means "venerable."There are 2 well-known Priscillas—one martyred in the 2nd C, and our Priscilla.She is Priscilla in Acts 18:2, 18, 26. She is Prisca in Rom 16:3; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19. Priscilla is the diminutive form of Prisca.CorinthActs 18:1-3Expelled from Rome by emperor Claudius.Christianity as a sect of Judaism.Being God’s people doesn’t necessarily shield us from injustice.Aquila was Jewish. Presumably Priscilla was, too, although that is not made totally clear.Leatherwork: a versatile and wise way to serve in ministry—in the same profession as Paul.SyriaActs 18:18Travel time with PaulProbably headed to Syrian AntiochEphesusActs 18:24-26Apollos was on the right track, but apparently off-base on baptism.John’s baptism did not confer the Spirit. Yet it could be argued that Apollos gave strong evidence of the Spirit in his life.The dozen Ephesian disciples in the following chapter seem to have been significantly more in need of correction than Apollos. Paul baptized them. Apollos may have been baptised, esp. if Luke has arranged these two passages to be perfectly parallel. But he may also have placed the two accounts together because they were opposites: the Ephesians needed to be baptized, but not Apollos.Priscilla and Aquila taught ApollosApollos was a powerful figure; learning required humility on this part.He is not too proud to say not to being taught by a woman.Priscilla can be viewed as the married counterpart to Phoebe.One is single in ministry.One is married in ministry.1 Cor 16:191 Cor was written from Ephesus.P&A were well connected.They led a group together.RomePerhaps they have returned to Rome after the death of Claudius in 54. (Until the next expulsion?)Rom 16:3-4They head the list of Paul's greetings.They were courageous.They were appreciated by many.Aquila and Priscilla were persons of character.2 Tim 4:19Paul’s final letterP&A are greeted at the top of the list, just as in Romans.1 Tim was written to Ephesus. Perhaps they are back in Ephesus again (?)Comments  The names of Priscilla and Aquila often appear on lesson titles on marriage or couples ministry. That’s understandable. Their working relationship I’m sure was admirable.Priscilla and Aquila were tentmakers, or leatherworkers. Self-supporting—very smart! More the norm for Christian leaders than the clergy-laity model, supporting full-time salaries work for leaders, and which nearly every denomination has adopted.1 Cor 9:5-6: Barnabas didn’t take along his wife, if he was married; ditto for Paul. Sometimes one spouse will be fully engaged in missionary work, sometimes both. Or it may be a hybrid situation.The Bible never defines ministry as full-time church work.Nor does the Bible require such persons to be married, or their spouse to work alongside them.Priscilla teaches Apollos.As suggested, Priscilla may be the married version of Phoebe.Going it alone, like Paul (though often he wasn’t alone)—choosing not to marry, like Jesus, or to serve in a special ministry in which your spouse does not share, is totally fine. But if you have the passion and the stamina to be a vocational missionary, Priscilla and Aquila may serve as strong role models for you. 

Third Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 13, 2020 Year (cycle): B   The Collect:  Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Old Testament:  Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 1The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. 4They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 8For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. 10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Psalm:  Psalm 126 or Canticle 3 or Canticle 15 1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *        then were we like those who dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *        and our tongue with shouts of joy. 3 Then they said among the nations, *       "The Lord has done great things for them." 4 The Lord has done great things for us, *        and we are glad indeed. 5 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, *        like the watercourses of the Negev. 6 Those who sowed with tears *        will reap with songs of joy. 7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *        will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves. or 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. 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. Epistle:  1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise the words of prophets, 21but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22abstain from every form of evil. 23May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. Gospel:  John 1:6-8, 19-28 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 19This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” 21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,'” as the prophet Isaiah said. 24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”26John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Isaiah 61 The Year of theLord's Favor 61The Spirit of the LordGodis upon me,because theLordhasanointed meto bring good news to the poor;he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim liberty to the captives,andthe opening of the prison to those who are bound;2to proclaim the year of theLord's favor,and the day of vengeance of our God;to comfort all who mourn;3to grant to those who mourn in Zionto give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,the oil of gladness instead of mourning,the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;that they may be called oaks of righteousness,the planting of theLord,that he may be glorified.4They shall build up the ancient ruins;they shall raise up the former devastations;they shall repair the ruined cities,the devastations of many generations. 5Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks;foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers;6but you shall be called the priests of theLord;they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God;you shall eat the wealth of the nations,and in their glory you shall boast.7Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot;therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;they shall have everlasting joy. 8For I theLordlove justice;I hate robbery and wrong;I will faithfully give them their recompense,and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.9Their offspring shall be known among the nations,and their descendants in the midst of the peoples;all who see them shall acknowledge them,that they are an offspring theLordhas blessed. 10I will greatly rejoice in theLord;my soul shall exult in my God,for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,as a bridegroom decks himselflike a priest with a beautiful headdress,and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.11For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,so the LordGodwill causerighteousness and praiseto sprout up before all the nations.

Venture Community Church Series: Advance (Week 4 10/27/19) Pastor Curtis Ribble Mark 2:1-12 NLT 1When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” 6But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7“What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 8Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 9Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? 10So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11“Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 12And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

A Call to Generous Giving 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT) Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.  5They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. THE LIFESTYLE AND RESULT IT WILL PRODUCE 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (NLT) 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. The post THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL AND PROSPEROUS LIFE – 7/21/2019 appeared first on EVANGEL WORLD OUTREACH CENTER Morris County Church.

1 Samuel 12 1And Samuel said to all Israel, "Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. 2And now, behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. 3Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you." 4They said, "You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand." 5And he said to them, "The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." And they said, "He is witness."

Worship audio from Palm Sunday (March 25, 2018). Includes Pastor Hagen's announcement that he's taking the call to serve Resurrection of Maumee, OH. Bulletin below.Green Pastures with Jesus is the podcast from Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church of Fairmont, MN. Here you’ll find a variety of segments to lead you to the green pastures of the Word of God, where our Good Shepherd feeds our faith. Find us online: www.shepherdofthelakes.net or http://facebook.com/shepherdofthelakes Worship is Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM.Bible class & Sunday School follow at 10:40 AM.323 E. 1st St – Fairmont, MNpastorhagen@icloud.com or (507) 236-9572iTunes & iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/green-pastures-jesus-shepherd/id1183522558?mt=2 Stitcher link: http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=127180&refid=stprOr simply search for “Green Pastures with Jesus” in your podcast app.Intro & Outro courtesy of Koine - The Church Band. Check them out at www.koinemusic.com, or find them on iTunes & Amazon: Search for Koine.Bible text from Biblegateway.com - EHV.                Welcome to Shepherd of the Lakes! We’re here to shepherd Christ’s flock and seek the lost sheep by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with all. Come, let us worship!For your convenience, in the back corner of the sanctuary there is a room for any parents with children in need of a quiet place. The restrooms are located on the lower level. Please ask if you have any further questions or concerns. Lord Jesus, you came to your own, gentle and riding on a donkey. Come in your Word today, as you promised; prepare me for your heavenly kingdom, and lead me to love you above all else. AMEN.Law & Gospel:The Law rebukes unbelief, that is, when people do not believe God’s Word. Now the Gospel is God’s Word, and it alone properly teaches and commands people to believe in Christ. The Holy Spirit, through the Law’s office, also rebukes unbelief, that is, when people do not believe in Christ.20 Yet it is properly the Gospel alone that teaches about saving faith in Christ. Now, a person has not kept God’s Law, but has transgressed it when his corrupt nature, thoughts, words, and works fight against it. Therefore, he is under God’s wrath, death, all temporal calamities, and the punishment of hellfire. The Gospel is properly a doctrine that teaches what a person should believe, so that he receives forgiveness of sins with God. In other words, it teaches that God’s Son, our Lord Christ, has taken upon Himself and borne the Law’s curse and has atoned and paid for all our sins. Through Him alone we again enter into favor with God, receive forgiveness of sins through faith and are delivered from death and all the punishments of sins, and are eternally saved.Formula of Concord, Article 5 (Concordia p. 555) Because He Knew: He Rode into JerusalemJesus rode into Jerusalem to the acclamation of the crowd. Why do we sing Hosanna? PROCESSIONAL: 131 vv. 1-3 – All Glory, Laud, and HonorAll glory, laud, and honor To you, Redeemer, King, To whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.You are the King of Israel And David’s royal Son,Now in the Lord’s name coming, Our King and blessed one!All glory, laud, and honor To you, Redeemer, King, To whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.The company of angels Is praising you on high,And we with all creation In chorus make reply.All glory, laud, and honor To you, Redeemer, King, To whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.The people of the Hebrews With palms before you went;Our praise and prayer and anthems Before you we present.M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen!Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey.Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness:Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment, both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.    God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and his given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.Amen! 4.All glory, laud, and honor To you, Redeemer, King, To whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.To you before your passion They sang their hymns of praise;To you, now high exalted, Our melody we raise.All glory, laud, and honor To you, Redeemer, King, To whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.As you received their praises, Accept the prayers we bring,O source of ev’ry blessing, Our good and gracious King!PRAYER OF THE DAY:M: We praise you, O God, for the great acts of love by which you redeemed us through your Son, Jesus Christ. As he was acclaimed by those who scattered their garments and branches of palm in his path, so may we always hail him as our King and follow him with perfect confidence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever C: Amen.CHORAL ANTHEM: He Comes in the Name of the LordThe WordFIRST READING: Zechariah 9:9-10The coming of the King, and a picture of his Kingdom:9Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your King is coming to you. He is righteous and brings salvation. He is humble and is riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The battle bow will be taken away, and he will proclaim peace to the nations. His kingdom will extend from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!PSALM OF THE DAY: 24, CW p. 73SECOND READING: Philippians 2:5-11Christ willingly took on the character of a servant, even to death:So then, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For i5Indeed, let this attitude be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 6Though he was by nature God, he did not consider equality with God as a prize to be displayed, 7but he emptied himself by taking the nature of a servant. When he was born in human likeness, and his appearance was like that of any other man, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. 9Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. THEME VERSE: John 12:23The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Thanks be to God.GOSPEL READING: Mark 11:1-10The King comes to save his people:Glory be to you, O Lord!As they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it, and he will send it back here without delay.’” . . . continued . . .4They left and found a colt on the street, tied at a door; and they untied it. 5Some who were standing there asked them, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6The disciples answered them just as Jesus had instructed them, and the men let them go. 7They brought the colt to Jesus, threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it. 8Many people spread their garments on the road. Others spread branches that they had cut from the fields. 9Those who went in front and those who followed were crying out, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest! This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.Praise be to you, O Christ!HYMN OF THE DAY: 134 – O Bride of Christ, RejoiceSERMON based on Mark 11: Hosanna!CONFESSION OF FAITH: Apostles’ Creed, p. 19OFFERINGPRAYER & LORD’S PRAYERHYMN: 133 – Ride On, Ride On in MajestyCLOSING PRAYER: CW p. 25CLOSING HYMN: 341 – Crown Him with Many CrownsTHIS WEEKToday 2 Samuel 23 9:30 - Palm Sunday Worship 10:45 - Sunday School, Bible classMonday 2 Samuel 24Tuesday 1 Kings 1 7 PM - CAP Class Wednesday 1 Kings 2 5-6 PM - Small Catechism Class Thursday 1 Kings 3 7 PM - Maundy Thursday Worship with Holy CommunionFriday 1 Kings 4 7 PM - Good Friday WorshipSaturday 1 Kings 5 9:30 AM - Bible Basics Sunday 1 Kings 6 6:30 - Men arrive to cook breakfast 7:30-9 AM - Easter Breakfast 9:30 - Easter Festival Worship NOTESHoly Week this week.                                                      

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11   The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. 4They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 8For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. 10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. I must say that it seems odd to preach on Christmas Eve in a morning worship service, something I’ve never done, and something I’m not sure I’ve actually listened to on Christmas Eve morning in all of the church services I’ve attended since my youth.  Interestingly, the last time the Church had both the 4th Sunday of Advent AND Christmas Eve on the same day was in 2006 and that was the first Christmas I spent as Pastor of my former church in Michigan.  I checked my files to see if we had a morning service that year – and I found out that we didn’t and I don’t remember why, which again, seems odd that I don’t remember the reasoning for essentially cancelling the 4th Sunday of Advent. Some churches are doing what my former church did some eleven years ago, and I get the reasons why – asking mainline Protestants to come to church twice in one day, that may be a bridge too far for some!  As I was mulling what to do with this Sunday, whether or not to propose canceling the morning service or not, I kept thinking that I just couldn’t imagine doing away with the 4th Sunday of Advent – I mean there is a fourth candle on the Advent wreath we need to get lit, for goodness sake!  We have to be here to do that, right?!  Seriously, though, I did ask myself why that idea didn’t strike me some eleven years ago, why it didn’t seemingly bother me in 2006, when this odd confluence of dates happened?  But I’ve been thinking about it for a few days and I’m going to guess that I just think that especially THIS YEAR the more worship of God we can get into the waning days of 2017, probably the better. During these odd and difficult times, when up seems down, and down seems up, and some people claim that up is down and down is up, maybe we do need gather together more often, and listen more often to both music that gives glory to God, and to listen to the Word being preached, and maybe to listen to each other and to the God who calls us into community, even as community seems so strained and impossible in this country right now. Despite the madness of the Iraq War in 2006, 2017 seems so profoundly different and tenuous and frankly scary than even those difficult days.  And so we gather this day, before we re-gather again later tonight on Christmas Eve, to hear again, to see again, God’s promises, and God’s hope for the world.   And hearing today’s text itself was worth the gathering together again, I think. You have a voice from the prophets speaking to us, on the eve of Christ’s birth, and this voice offers hope to us, as it did the people of Israel when they heard and read it thousands of years ago.  The text is likely from the third person who wrote in the name of the great prophet Isaiah, and this third person wrote after the people of Israel had been set free from their captivity by the Babylonian Empire, and were beginning to rebuild after years of captivity in the city of Babylon itself. The policy of this Babylonian Empire was not to just keep your friends close, but to keep your enemies even closer, and so their strategy included deporting the best and brightest of their conquered lands to Babylon itself, believing that keeping the leaders away from their land and the bulk of their people would diminish the possibility of insurrection and rebellion in these places. Isaiah begins his words by pointing out that the spirit of the Lord is upon him, because God has set him apart to tell the good news that God would free the oppress, bind up the wounds of the hurt, and release the prisoners from their captivity.  For us Christians, we have read this text as foretelling the kind of Messiah Jesus would be, and the Gospel of Luke has Jesus himself taking on these words for himself at the very beginning of his ministry (Luke 4).  So often we American Christians have overlooked that Jesus came not only to save souls, but to save bodies as well, that he cared deeply about making this world a better place, and was not just about shepherding human souls into a better place in the next world.  Jim Wallis, the evangelical writer and ministers tells this story, that makes this point especially clear – he writes: One time, while I was in seminary, my friends and I decided to do an experiment. We got an old Bible and a pair of scissors, and we cut out of the Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, every single reference to the poor, every time the poor were named: God is on the side of the poor. The gospel is good news for the poor. We cut all those verses out. When we were done, we had a Bible that was literally in shreds. It would not stay together. I used to go out and preach with that Bible and hold it up high in front of American congregations and say, Brothers and sisters, this is the American Bible, full of holes. - Jim Wallis, How Do We Right the Wrong? Questions of Faith (Philadelphia: Trinity Press International, 1990), 80   Jim Wallis is right, surely, and everything after the first few verses of our text imagines a figure, prophetic or Messianic, depending on whether one sees is through Christian or Jewish eyes, everything after the first few verses is intertwined with that image of this person bringing good news to those who needed some good news, to people who were in need of solace after a time of great injustice.  After a season in Babylon, after decades in Babylon, God will provide garlands around their necks rather than ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.  After Babylon comes Jerusalem, after a time in prison comes the homecoming, after the destruction of all things comes the time to rebuild.  For everything there is a season, writes the wise one who gave us the book of Ecclesiastes, and for those of us awaiting God’s appearing in Jesus both today and in the future, we are surely ready for the justice and goodness and salvation that he surely brings with him. And yet, we must wait, especially during this time, we wait for the spirit of the Lord to arise and alight on someone, somewhere to speak for the Christ, to speak of his call to justice and his call for healing of both soul and body – salvation is just another word for wholeness and thus salvation means that what is eternal is saved from sin and despair, and that also means that what is temporary, our bodies, our presence, our world, even our social systems must be also saved from sin and despair.  The devil, so to speak, may have his day, or may even have a season, in our lives and in the life of this world, but it is ONLY a day, and ONLY a season.  The world and our souls, both of them, they move hesitatingly, sometimes stumbling towards more love, more justice, more wholeness, but still the world moves forward, even now in these odd and difficult times.   I know that for the more cynical among us these words might ring hollow, and I have to admit that I have found myself questioning them more now than I have in the past – certainly even more so than I did in, say, 2006. I looked over an old sermon I preached on this text from 2008 to see what I had said about it, and in that sermon I echoed that hope, the hope that seems to be right there in the text, and I wondered if I still believed it, I wondered if I still believed that the world is moving towards more justice, more light, more wholeness, more salvation – that God is still helping us build up the ancient ruins, repairing the ruined cities, still believed that there is still an everlasting covenant with God to lean into, when there is nothing else to keep us upright in this life.  And that is when I remember that the world has experienced far darker times than even this, these odd and difficult days, far worst, and after each time in Babylon, God’s people, which is ultimately all of humanity, all of us eventually come home again to Jerusalem, to something better.  I’ll never quite understand why God created this kind of world, where moments of progress are then followed by moments of retraction or retreat, or distraction from God’s good purpose.  You would think God could have created a different kind of world, but God didn’t and one can argue with that reality, with the world as it is and with the God who created that world, one can argue with that reality all one wants to, but we’ll only lose that argument with reality and the God of that reality 100% of the time.     And so we pilgrims, we followers of Jesus, who can look at the birth of Christ as good news, and the death of Christ as good news, we look for wells of hope on the journey, and this season, this Advent is certainly one of them.  Just a few minutes ago we baptized two babies, Bailey and Tinsley, both of who are great gifts to their parents and their families, but for us in need of hope, surely they are signs that the world moves forward, and that life goes on and on.  Signs of hope are needed in this time of resistance to greed, meanness and cruelty, and we have them all around us, and we’ve got to keep looking for the ways God is present even in Babylon, whatever the Babylon we find ourselves in, personally or collectively.  The signs are there, the flashes of God bringing us home are there, the time of rejoicing is possible even now – and surely this day is one of those times of rejoicing, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, when we lit the Love candle, a reminder that God is love, and that we are loved, and all are loved, both prisoners and prison guards, oppressed and oppressors, the heartbroken and the breakers of hearts.    So, friends, maybe in this time, when we are asked to trust these words from Isaiah that there will be a time of rejoicing coming soon, soon and very soon, maybe even tonight, and maybe we need to think about what to do in the meantime, about what to do in the in-between time, the time between cross and resurrection.  Whatever our circumstances, individually, or collectively, one of the things that the people of Israel held captive in Babylon never did was to forsake hope, to forsake their faith, forsake their sense that there was a future before them, or at least before their children.  They resisted hopelessness, they resisted giving into despair, and that resistance came from a core belief that they were God’s people, people of great worth, and never, ever ultimately abandoned by the Holy, who would someday make a way out of no way.  There is short story by Tillie Olson called I Stand Here Ironing, which tells of a poverty-stricken mother who is working at an ironing board while anguishing over a note she has received from school calling her to come in and discuss her daughter, who needs help. The mother contemplates all this as she irons other people’s clothes:  She was a child seldom smiled at. Her father left me before she was a year old ... She was dark and thin and foreign-looking in a world where the prestige went to blondness and curly hair and dimples; she was slow where glibness was prized. She was a child of anxious, not proud, love. We were poor and could not afford the soil of easy growth. I was a young mother; I was a distracted mother ...My wisdom came too late. She has much to her and probably little will come of it. She is a child of her age, of depression, of war, of fear.  Let her be. So all that is in her will not bloom, but in how many does it? There is still enough left to live by. Only help her to know, help make it so there is cause for her to know, that she is more than this dress on the ironing board, helpless before the iron. (I Stand Here Ironing [New York: Dell Books, 1971], 20-21.)  The people of Israel knew that to be true, that they were more than helpless before the iron that was Babylon, that they mattered, and there could be, and would be, another day, a better day, when our whole being shall exult before our God, the same one who has clothed us with the garments of salvation, who has covered us in the robes of righteousness, and with garland, and with jewels.  To resist in times of hopelessness, we must remember we are not helpless before the iron, and that hope and justice and love will come again, as it did 2000 years ago in a manger in Bethlehem, as it does now for us on the cusp of celebrating that birth this very night.  Amen.     

Reverend Tamara Reeder February 23, 2014 Ezra 3:3-5 3And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord, even burnt offerings morning and evening. 4They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required; 5And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the Lord.

Pastor Zenzile Legend February 16, 2014 Judges 61The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. 2Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 3Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. 4They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. 5They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 6Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help. 7When the Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, 8he sent them a prophet, who said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 9I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. 10I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.” 11The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” 13“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” 14The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” 15“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” 16The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” 17Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.” And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return.” 19Gideon went inside, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak. 20The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. 21Then the angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the Lord disappeared. 22When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” 23But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” 24So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. 25That same night the Lord said to him, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. 26Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second bull as a burnt offering.” 27So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the townspeople, he did it at night rather than in the daytime. 28In the morning when the people of the town got up, there was Baal’s altar, demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar! 29They asked each other, “Who did this?” When they carefully investigated, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.” 30The people of the town demanded of Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.” 31But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” 32So because Gideon broke down Baal’s altar, they gave him the name Jerub-Baal that day, saying, “Let Baal contend with him.” 33Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. 34Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. 35He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them. 36Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— 37look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” 38And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. 39Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew. Judges 7 1Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. 4But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” 5So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” 6Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. 7The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” 8So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 9During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore. 13Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” 14His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.” 15When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” 16Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside. 17“Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. 18When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’ ” 19Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. 20The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” 21While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. 22When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. 23Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. 24Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.” So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they seized the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah. 25They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.