Podcasts about afflicted

Hello and welcome to The Relatable Voice podcast. Our guest today is Rachel Krentzman. Rachel is a practicing yoga and physical therapist and certified Hakomi psychotherapist. Born in Montreal to an Orthodox Jewish family, she experienced the trauma of her rabbi father's arrest, shed her strict upbringing, and found herself. She specializes in personal healing through somatic, body-centered psychotherapy and yoga therapy. Afflicted with scoliosis and damaged discs, she created a powerful therapy that helps hundreds of students and patients around the world. Find out more at: happybackyoga.com

Hello and welcome to The Relatable Voice podcast. Our guest today is Rachel Krentzman. Rachel is a practicing yoga and physical therapist and certified Hakomi psychotherapist. Born in Montreal to an Orthodox Jewish family, she experienced the trauma of her rabbi father's arrest, shed her strict upbringing, and found herself. She specializes in personal healing through somatic, body-centered psychotherapy and yoga therapy. Afflicted with scoliosis and damaged discs, she created a powerful therapy that helps hundreds of students and patients around the world. Find out more at: happybackyoga.com

God uses for good what the enemy intends to destroy us.

When persecution comes as a member of the church (and it will), keep in mind that you are in fantastic company and the Lord will help you even as he helped them.

Hello,Kindly listen to the teaching titled "HE DELIVERS THE AFFLICTED IN THEIR AFFLICTION..." (Job 36:1-5) by Mrs. Carol Kermu from the Lunch Hour service of Friday, 5th September 2025

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Psalm 102 A Prayer of One Afflicted 31/08/25am by Cloughmills RP Church

If you were to imagine an ancient king entering his capital city, you would likely picture a man sitting atop a powerful warhorse. You might see behind him a gleaming parade of chariots and a conquering army marching in formation. The king displays overwhelming strength and portrays an image that demands submission. This is how the world understands power. But the prophet Zechariah paints a radically different picture. He describes a righteous and holy King, one who is bringing rescue and salvation, riding into Jerusalem. Yet he does not ride on a warhorse, instead he arrives as one humbled—afflicted—riding on a donkey. What kind of kingdom is this? This prophecy cuts against every human expectation of power and glory.   The Rev. Jacob Hercamp, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Noblesville, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Zechariah 9.  To learn more about Christ Lutheran, visit clc-in.org. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God's chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God's authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God's Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Message from Nathan Knight on August 17, 2025

August 17, 2025 Pastor Nathan Lee Psalm 129

Our Earthly Affliction Is Great But The Lord's Enduring Preservation Is Greater

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God does not willingly afflict; He takes no pleasure in the sufferings of any of His creatures, much less in the sorrows of His children; but He chastises them for their real good. Why some are so much more afflicted than others, we do not know; but we do know, "that all things work together for good to those who love God"; (Rom 8:28) and that, although "no chastening for the present is joyous—but grievous, yet afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto those who are exercised thereby". (Heb 12:11) The afflicted mourner finds it hard to believe this promise, and cannot see how it is possible that such a calamity should be of any benefit. But God's Word is to be credited in opposition to our own feelings, and to all appearances. He has ways of working which we do not now understand—but shall know hereafter.

Send us a textTitle: God Sees You: Hope for the Forgotten and Afflicted (Psalm 10)Short DescriptionWhat do you do when evil seems to thrive and God feels far away? Psalm 10 gives language to our pain and teaches us how to pray through injustice, hold on to God's justice, and find hope when life feels unfair and overwhelming.Episode HighlightsPsalm 10 begins with an honest question: “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?”The psalmist names the pain of injustice and the silence of God without offering simplistic answers.We are reminded that God is not blind to evil or deaf to the cries of the afflicted.Lament is a gift that gives us space to wrestle with pain and still cling to God's character.The psalm shifts from grief to intercession—moving from confusion to confidence in God's justice.God's throne is secure, His justice will prevail, and He draws near to the brokenhearted.This Psalm teaches us how to wait well, trust deeply, and pray boldly even when justice is delayed.Resources and Next StepsJoin the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/communityExplore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnowDownload devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.Listen and SubscribeListen now on the Lessons for Life Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://jameslongjr.org/applepodcastSpotify: https://jameslongjr.org/spotifyAmazon Music: https://jameslongjr.org/amazonmusic Or search Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr. on your favorite podcast app.Connect and ShareInstagram: @drjameslongjr – https://jameslongjr.org/instagramFacebook: https://jameslongjr.org/facebookYouTube: https://jameslongjr.org/youtubeHashtag: #LessonsForLifePodcast ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFEAre you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life's biggest questions and helps us find God's solutions to life's struggles. Learn the power of living by God's grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show! LinksWebsite – https://jameslongjr.org/Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/drjameslongjrInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/drjameslongjr/Apple Podcast – https://jameslongjr.org/applepodcastGoogle Podcast – https://jameslongjr.org/googlepodcast

Recapping The Dead Files, Season 6, Episode 7: Afflicted (Aired June 13, 2015)In this powerful 150th episode, Amy and Megan revisit The Dead Files case titled “Afflicted,” where a single mother in Covington, Louisiana, pleads for help as her family is terrorized by a dark, unseen force. Physical attacks, emotional torment, and a terrifying presence have shattered their home—and possibly their lives.Steve DiSchiavi uncovers a turbulent past filled with addiction, heartbreak, and violent death. Meanwhile, Amy Allan encounters a demon-like entity that thrives on human suffering, especially addiction, and warns that it could claim a soul forever.

#3

The Plea of the Afflicted (vv. 1-6, 14-22) The Hinge of Affliction (vv. 9-13; Luke 23:44-47) Theology Made Practical (Two Thieves) (Luke 23:39-43)

Pastor David Cripps Sr // Psalm 94 // April 9, 2025

Originally released for Patrons on Sep 26, 2024 In this episode, Hallie dives into the web of social factors that likely drove the Salem Witch trials. The bewitched girls, called the afflicted, were from one faction in town, while the accused were from another. Is this a coincidence? Probably not.

Minister David Ontiveros | July 13, 2025

God desires His truth to reside in our "innermost being."  I hope that's your desire as well.However, there's one big obstacle to His truth reigning in our heart / our innermost being. What is that obstacle? It's us! God doesn't play second fiddle, and we're already occupying the throne of our heart. For God and His truth to reign in our hearts, we've got to abandon the preeminent place on that throne.Join me for Today's Daily Word & Prayer to a more.Scripture Used in Today's MessagePsalm 51:6Psalm 119:711 Peter 4:1-2Galatians 2:20To find Scripture Songs, here are a couple of sources to check out.Jim Snedeker who wrote many of these songshttps://soundcloud.com/jim-snedekerDave Cook / Scripture Release was also an early writer of Scripture Songshttps://scripturerelease.com/Gator Christian Life in Gainesville, Florida has recorded oldies and continues to write new oneshttps://gatorchristianlife.com/resources/followingIf you've not read my book, Takin' it to Their Turf. request a copy on my website, www.CampusAmerica.com.You'll be inspired, encouraged, and learn plenty about evangelism and spiritual warfare through the 70+ stories I share of my campus evangelism experiences.We send a copy to anyone who donates to our ministry, but if you can't do so, simply request a copy by sending us an email. Who do you know that needs to hear today's message? Go ahead and forward this to them, along with a prayer that God will use it in their life.To find Tom on Instagram, Facebook, TiKTok, and elsewhere, go to linktr.ee/tomthepreacher To support Tom Short Campus Ministries, click herehttps://www.tomthepreacher.com/support************ Do you want to have all your sins forgiven and know God personally? *********Check out my video "The Bridge Diagram" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Kjwrlind8&t=1sCheck out my website, www.TomthePreacher.com, to learn more about my ministry and sign up for my daily email. And make sure to request a copy of my book, Takin' it to Their Turf, when you visit my website.Check out my videos on this channel to learn how to answer tough questions challenging our faith.

Psalm 140 (Alter)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin find Jesus in Psalm 140.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=21902The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Eureka The Pentecostal Church - Sunday Evening Service - 06/22/2025"Afflicted But Not Affected"Bro. Rema DuncanConnect with us!  Instagram: instagram.com/eurekachurch Facebook: Eureka The Pentecostal Church Youtube: youtube.com/c/EurekaThePentecostalChurch Website: eureka.churchListen/Download this sermon on Spotify or Apple Podcasts - Eureka the Pentecostal Church All songs are performed by licensing agreement through CCLI #1578358 and Streaming License #21284088

Psalm 140 (NCV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss why Psalm 140 goes from a singular speaker to discussing the plural needy and righteous at the end.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=21887The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

In light of the recent legal troubles surrounding Sean "Diddy" Combs, a growing number of celebrities are actively distancing themselves from him and his infamous parties. The fallout stems from a series of disturbing allegations, including sex trafficking and violent misconduct at Diddy's so-called "Freak Off" parties, where many high-profile individuals were once regular attendees.Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Megan Fox have been notably swift in creating distance, with DiCaprio's camp emphasizing that he hasn't been involved with Diddy for years, despite old photos resurfacing from parties they both attended. Megan Fox, meanwhile, deleted posts featuring Diddy across her social media platforms. Others, like Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber, who were previously seen at Diddy's high-profile gatherings, have remained silent but have quietly distanced themselves as well. Some stars, such as Damon Dash, have gone on record to clarify that they only attended one or two events many years ago, often framing their association as minimal.PR experts suggest that this silence is part of a calculated strategy, as discussing Diddy's legal issues publicly could lead to unwanted scrutiny. Celebrities are now avoiding the topic entirely, trying to remove themselves from the narrative to protect their personal and professional reputations as Diddy's legal battles continue to unfold.Meanwhile, the public outcry demanding answers from these people continues to grow.   (commercial at 9:30)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:TOM LEONARD: Which A-Listers will be dragged into P Diddy's drugs and orgies scandal next? A nervous Hollywood is full of friends who were once so thrilled to be invited to his notorious parties | Daily Mail OnlineBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

In light of the recent legal troubles surrounding Sean "Diddy" Combs, a growing number of celebrities are actively distancing themselves from him and his infamous parties. The fallout stems from a series of disturbing allegations, including sex trafficking and violent misconduct at Diddy's so-called "Freak Off" parties, where many high-profile individuals were once regular attendees.Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Megan Fox have been notably swift in creating distance, with DiCaprio's camp emphasizing that he hasn't been involved with Diddy for years, despite old photos resurfacing from parties they both attended. Megan Fox, meanwhile, deleted posts featuring Diddy across her social media platforms. Others, like Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber, who were previously seen at Diddy's high-profile gatherings, have remained silent but have quietly distanced themselves as well. Some stars, such as Damon Dash, have gone on record to clarify that they only attended one or two events many years ago, often framing their association as minimal.PR experts suggest that this silence is part of a calculated strategy, as discussing Diddy's legal issues publicly could lead to unwanted scrutiny. Celebrities are now avoiding the topic entirely, trying to remove themselves from the narrative to protect their personal and professional reputations as Diddy's legal battles continue to unfold.Meanwhile, the public outcry demanding answers from these people continues to grow.   (commercial at 9:30)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:TOM LEONARD: Which A-Listers will be dragged into P Diddy's drugs and orgies scandal next? A nervous Hollywood is full of friends who were once so thrilled to be invited to his notorious parties | Daily Mail OnlineBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

6/22/2025 2nd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 43 Justin Farmer   Slides from June 22, 2025 Music for Sunday's worship gathering Green Pastures in the Sky by Thorpe/Sparks Crowded Table by The Highwomen The Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton All the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & Daughters I’ve Got a River of Life by […]

Psalm 88,O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you.2 Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength,5 like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave,like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.6 You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah8 You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them.I am shut in so that I cannot escape;9 my eye grows dim through sorrow.Every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you.10 Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?12 Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?13 But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.14 O Lord, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.16 Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me.17 They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together.18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.Psalm 88 is similar to many other psalms in that first, it's a prayer, and second, it's a lament — the psalmist is struggling. We see this often in the psalms. But Psalm 88 is dissimilar to other psalms — or really, it's unlike any other psalm in that it has no resolution. Other psalms will feature moments of disorientation and darkness, but by the last verse, they spring forward, they bounce back, they recite hope. But that's not the case in Psalm 88. The very last verse, where we're expecting the light to break through, says, verse 18:“You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.” We can see it there on the page in verse 18. Darkness literally gets the last word in Psalm 88, which is why this psalm has been called “the saddest psalm of the Psalter.”It's uncomfortable to read; it's uncomfortable to preach; it's uncomfortable to listen to, but here we are this morning, and I want to know: Why does God give us Psalm 88?Now, we know the answer to that question is because somehow it's good for us. By God's grace, he loves us and he's committed to our everlasting good in Christ — we know that's true and that's where we should start any time we ask “why” about anything: God is good. He loves you. And he's sovereign. So a better question might be: Why is Psalm 88 good for us? In God's wisdom and love, why do we need Psalm 88?I think there are three reasons. We're going to look at each one, but first let's pray again and ask God for help.Father in heaven, by your grace we are here with your Word open before us, and we ask for your help. We reject any assumptions that there's nothing here for us, and we reject any pretense that thinks we can gain anything from you in our own strength. Our souls are needy and you must feed us. Do that, please, in Jesus's name, amen. The first reason we need Psalm 88 …1. Soul trouble is a real experience in Christian life.We don't know the historical details behind this psalm. The superscript tells us that it's from a son of Korah named Heman the Ezrahite — and there are a couple different “Hemans” in the Old Testament; we're not 100% sure which one this is, but he's not to be confused with He-Man, the cartoon from the 1980s. This is Heman the psalmist, but beyond that, we don't know much about what's going on. We don't know of a certain event he's responding to. And that's on purpose.It's important for us to see that the trouble in Psalm 88 is not an external physical enemy, but it's personal and spiritual … and the thing with personal, spiritual trouble is that it can happen anywhere at any time — in the Middle East in 600BC or here, today — and it can happen for all kinds of reasons, some that make sense and others that make no sense.In Need of a CategoryThe fact is it's trouble. The psalmist says in verse 3,“My soul is full of troubles.”And we can understand that … he has a troubled soul. Soul trouble. And this a category we need. There is such a thing as a condition of soul that's like being on the edge of the grave, he says in verse 3. He uses lots metaphors to describe the experience …Verse 4:“I am counted among those who go down to the pit, I am a man who has no strength.”To paraphrase him, he's saying, I've been betted against and drained of life, verse 4. I'm like a zombie and useless — discarded with the dead, verse 5. I'm forgotten and forsaken by God, verse 6.And this is the psalm. You heard it read. It's this kind of talking pretty much the whole way through, and it just goes from bad to worse, to finally darkness. This is soul trouble — it's a condition.Or, it's what some have called “spiritual depression.” That's the title that Martyn Lloyd-Jones gave it back in the 1960s (the word “depression” was not used back then like it is today). But he explained it as an experience in the Christian life when you're in a prolonged state of spiritual discouragement, heaviness, or lack of joy — and not because of some sin, but it just is. This experience has also been called “the dark night of the soul.” Or also “divine absence.”They're all talking about the same thing. It's an experience of intense spiritual dryness, disorientation, and darkness — it's when God has permitted himself to seem far from you.We need a category for this. So call it what you want — “spiritual depression” or “dark night of the soul” or “divine absence” — I'm calling it soul trouble (to use the words of verse 3). But the main thing is that you know it's a thing. It's a real experience in the Christian life, and some of you know about it all too well because you've been there … or you are there now. And we don't like to be there. We don't want to be here. But we can't just make it stop. Others Have Been There, TooWell, first thing we all should know about this experience is that when you find yourself there, you're not alone and it's not uncommon. Historically, we have lots of examples of past saints who've been there.Charles Spurgeon spoke openly of his own soul trouble. In 1858, he preached a sermon to his church titled, “The Christian's Heaviness and Rejoicing,” and in that sermon he said, I was lying upon my couch during this last week, and my spirits were sunken so low that I could weep by the hour like a child, and yet I knew not what I wept for …He battled this all throughout his ministry. Spurgeon can help us. But personally, I've been most helped by John Bunyan, another Baptist ancestor and pastor. Bunyan lived in the 1600s but we can read him today, and he talks about his struggles openly in his autobiography. He called his experience “many turnings and goings” upon his heart. That's another way to say Ups and downs. Back and forth. I want to read to you an extended quote from Bunyan, and it's in Old English, so hang with me (it's printed in the handout if you want to follow). He writes this: I have wondered much at this one thing, that though God doth visit my soul with never so blessed a discovery of himself, yet I have found again, that such hours have attended me afterwards, that I have been in my spirit so filled with darkness, that I could not so much as once conceive what that God and that comfort was with which I have been refreshed.I have sometimes seen more in a line of the Bible than I could well tell how to stand under, and yet at another time the whole Bible hath been to me as dry as a stick; or rather, my heart hath been so dead and dry unto it, that I could not conceive the least dram of refreshment, though I have looked it all over.Do you hear him? His Christian life is like a roller coaster. He sees and then he can't see. He has affections and then no affections. Rivers of refreshment; dry as a desert. And it doesn't make sense. You ever been there before?Brothers and sisters, you're not alone. As the Word of God!We can read about the experiences of past saints, but even better than that, God gave us Psalm 88. We can read the experience here as the word of God. We can walk with this psalmist as he's in the darkest part of the valley. Verse 7:“Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves.”You've isolated me, verse 8. I'm shunned.I pray to you every day but you don't listen. Why do you reject me? Why are you hiding from me?I'm overwhelmed. I'm exhausted. I'm being destroyed and I can't get a break. I'm in the dark.Soul trouble. That's what this is. And we need Psalm 88 because soul trouble is a real experience in the Christian life. God gave us this psalm so that we know what to do with it.That's the second reason we need Psalm 88.2. We learn to take our soul trouble to God. Okay, so Psalm 88 is bleak and despairing at face-value, but when we look closer, we can see that it's not without hope, and that's because of the most obvious fact of this psalm: it is a prayer. Which means, everything that is said here is said to God. Look at this with me, verse 1: “O Yahweh, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!”Verse 9: “Every day I call upon you, O Yahweh; I spread out my hands to you.”Verse 13:“But I, O Yahweh, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.”Do see that? You, you, you! The psalmist is bringing his soul trouble to God even as he knows that God is the one in control of it. The God We Can TrustThat's the amazing thing of the very first line in verse 1. He starts this whole psalm with, “O Yahweh, God of my salvation.”Now why is that important? It's that he addresses God by his covenant name, Yahweh. The name “Yahweh” is the name that God revealed to Moses (and the people of Israel) as the grounds by which he can be trusted. This revelation is one of the highest moments in all the Bible. It is Exodus 34, on Mount Sinai: God passed before Moses and proclaimed his name:“Yahweh, Yahweh, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…”God proclaimed himself to be the God who is there, and who is there to save. He is the present, saving God — Yahweh. That's his name! That's who he is! He is the present, saving God even when we can't see, even when we may not feel it. The psalmist acknowledges this reality right from the start. He's in the dark, but even in the dark he comes to the God of promise, the God of covenant faithfulness, the God of his salvation. That's what it means to call God by his name, “Yahweh” — which he does in verse 1, verse 9, and verse 13.The psalmist feels forgotten, but he has not forgotten who to tell it to. Verses 1, 9, and 13 frame this psalm. He's saying, Yahweh, I'm a mess, look at me. This is where I am. I'm a mess, but I'm your mess … And I'm coming to you. We are taught here to do the same thing. Three Possible ScenariosThere are really three possible scenarios we could be in. Track with me here:1. The best scenario — this is not to have soul trouble — this is when God is close and clear. It's what John Bunyan was talking about when he said “God doth visit my soul with blessed discoveries of himself.” We read the Bible and we can see! And we're mainly thankful! Don't you want that? It is “heaven on earth” (that's what the Puritan Thomas Brooks called it). It's the best scenario.2. The worst scenario — this is to have soul trouble, to feel all the things Psalm 88 feels, but it's to run away from God. It's to abandon God, reject God, refuse to pray. That is “hell on earth.” God, keep us from that. It's the worst scenario.So there's the best scenario and the worst scenario, and Psalm 88 is neither of those. So what is it?3. It's the second-best scenario. It's to have the soul trouble, but to bring the soul trouble to the God who ‘feels' far away. It's to call him by his name, Yahweh, the God of my salvation. It's to say, I'm a mess, but I'm your mess. It's not the best place to be, but it's the second-best place to be, and sometimes God calls us to second best.Part of Our Vocab?And again, in terms of a category, this is one that I want us to have in our church. I think it's a big problem in the local church when everyone pretends like they're in the best scenario when they're not. Everybody we see, we say, “Hey, how are you?” And it's constantly, “Great! Great! Great!” I want us all to know: we don't have to say “great” if it's not great. But then what do we say? If it's not great and somebody asks you, “Hey, how are you?” You can say, “I'm doing second-best.”Could we make that part of our vocabulary?If we're doing second-best, let's tell one another, and help one another. God loves you right there, in that valley, in second-best. He loves you. He is the God of your salvation. Take your soul trouble to him. Psalm 88 shows us how to do that.Third reason God gives us this psalm …3. Jesus has endured the darkness for us.The Book of Psalms overall is meant to be a guide for our worship. The psalms model for us how to live the life of real faith with all its ups and downs, turnings and goings. And it's amazing how we can identify with such an ancient text. We forget sometimes that this was written thousands of years ago. And yet, we can read it and we get where the writers are coming from. That's astounding. We have an ancient faith, and the psalms are for our faith. But the psalms are not about us and our faith. The psalms are mainly about the Messiah. Some psalms are more overt here than others, but every psalm, taken in context, is meant to point us to Jesus. The same goes for Psalm 88.And I think that becomes clearer the more we slow down and hear what the psalmist is saying. As dark as our own situation might be, there are parts of Psalm 88 that stretch beyond our experience. Wait, It's Not That DarkAs it turns out, I ran into my own soul trouble this past week. True story. I didn't cry for an hour like a child, like Spurgeon did, but I hit a snag, I was spinning my wheels for a bit, and providentially, I'm in Psalm 88. But the more I meditated on it, I was like, Yeah, I'm not there. It's not that dark. And I think we all have to say that by the time we get to verse 7. This is one we need to see together. Can everybody find verse 7? If you don't have a Bible, we'd love to give you one, but for now look on with a neighbor if you need to. We all need to see verse 7,“Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah”Now notice he doesn't say, “It feels like your wrath is upon me.” No, he says, “Your wrath” — ḥēmāh, your fury, your rage — “your wrath lies heavy upon me.” And I read that this week and said, I've never been there. Some of us in this room have been in some really dark places, but none of us have ever been there. When you get to Psalm 88, verse 7 — the wrath of God heavy upon me — you read that and realize: there's only one person who's ever been there and lived to talk to about it. His name is Jesus. And look, he went there for you. We can say, he went there for me.He Went There For YouHe went there, to that ultimate place of darkness, and he suffered that wrath, so that we don't have to. Which means: as dark as it might get for you, you can remember that Jesus has already gone there and beyond there — on the darkest of days, from a hill called the Skull, after he cried forsaken, after he said It was finished, after they sealed the tomb with a stone, he went there, to the grave where his companions became darkness … but then he looked Death in the face and he said You're done. … And he left. He got up.He was raised in death-defeating, indestructible life which he has right now, for you, where you are. You might feel alone, but you are not alone. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. Jesus is not afraid of the dark, and because of him we don't have to be either. Praise him! Praise him! What a Savior!Jesus, thank you for your great love for us. And thank you that the proof of your love is in your wounds. We know that you've not abandoned us. You've not forgotten us. But you're here with us always and you hold us even when we hurt. And we can't see. You've got us. We praise you, Jesus. We praise you.

One day, we will look back and praise God for the trials that shaped us.

Let God's Word be the healing balm that soothes your pain and mends your brokenness. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.     Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

In light of the recent legal troubles surrounding Sean "Diddy" Combs, a growing number of celebrities are actively distancing themselves from him and his infamous parties. The fallout stems from a series of disturbing allegations, including sex trafficking and violent misconduct at Diddy's so-called "Freak Off" parties, where many high-profile individuals were once regular attendees.Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Megan Fox have been notably swift in creating distance, with DiCaprio's camp emphasizing that he hasn't been involved with Diddy for years, despite old photos resurfacing from parties they both attended. Megan Fox, meanwhile, deleted posts featuring Diddy across her social media platforms. Others, like Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber, who were previously seen at Diddy's high-profile gatherings, have remained silent but have quietly distanced themselves as well. Some stars, such as Damon Dash, have gone on record to clarify that they only attended one or two events many years ago, often framing their association as minimal.PR experts suggest that this silence is part of a calculated strategy, as discussing Diddy's legal issues publicly could lead to unwanted scrutiny. Celebrities are now avoiding the topic entirely, trying to remove themselves from the narrative to protect their personal and professional reputations as Diddy's legal battles continue to unfold.Meanwhile, the public outcry demanding answers from these people continues to grow.   (commercial at 9:58)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:TOM LEONARD: Which A-Listers will be dragged into P Diddy's drugs and orgies scandal next? A nervous Hollywood is full of friends who were once so thrilled to be invited to his notorious parties | Daily Mail OnlineBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Psalm 119:107 is the sixth verse in which the psalmist has explicitly referred to himself being afflicted. This tells us something about Christians and affliction, and the psalmist also tells us where we find restoration and revival in our affliction.Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

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In this episode of Pray the Word on Isaiah 58:6–11, David Platt calls us to pour ourselves out for those in need around us.Explore more content from Radical.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Here's a strange but true fact: some businesses actually thrive during economic downturns. Weird, right?But once I really sat with that, I realized it's not because these businesses have some BS “recession-proof” product. Nope. They're thriving because they've nailed one crucial thing:They've positioned what they do as essential, not optional.And that's exactly what I want to help you do too.Want to hear more about The Expert Up Club? Book Your Private Tour HereFull show notes and transcript are here.

This week, thank Jesus that he died; so that you now live to die for him every day. That is an Easter mindset that you should have for the rest of the year! -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.   Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org.   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Note: We are in our new building! Please forgive any audio issues this week. Specifically, some portions of the scripture reading were missed and the audio levels throughout are inconsistent. We will work to resolve these issues for next week's sermon.  Psalm 22:22-31 22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;     in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!     All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,     and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or abhorred     the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him,     but has heard, when he cried to him. 25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;     my vows I will perform before those who fear him. 26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;     those who seek him shall praise the Lord!     May your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth shall remember     and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations     shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,     and he rules over the nations. 29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;     before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,     even the one who could not keep himself alive. 30 Posterity shall serve him;     it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; 31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,     that he has done it.   Key Words: Praise, Glorify, Awe, Afflicted, Kingship, Serve, Unborn Keystone Verse: Kingship belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations. (Psalm 22:28)   Download Bulletin

Psalm 129 (Alter)Andrew and Edwin connect Psalm 129 to Jesus.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=21041The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Full Text of ReadingsMonday of the Fifth Week of Lent Lectionary: 251The Saint of the day is Saint John Baptist de La SalleSaint John Baptist de La Salle's Story Complete dedication to what he saw as God's will for him dominated the life of John Baptist de La Salle. In 1950, Pope Pius XII named him patron of schoolteachers for his efforts in upgrading school instruction. As a young 17th-century Frenchman, John had everything going for him: scholarly bent, good looks, noble family background, money, refined upbringing. At the early age of 11, he received the tonsure and started preparation for the priesthood, to which he was ordained at 27. He seemed assured then of a life of dignified ease and a high position in the Church. But God had other plans for John, which were gradually revealed to him in the next several years. During a chance meeting with Monsieur Adrien Nyel, he became interested in the creation of schools for poor boys in Rheims, where he was stationed. Though the work was extremely distasteful to him at first, he became more involved in working with the deprived youths. Once convinced that this was his divinely appointed mission, John threw himself wholeheartedly into the work, left home and family, abandoned his position as canon at Rheims, gave away his fortune, and reduced himself to the level of the poor to whom he devoted his entire life. The remainder of his life was closely entwined with the community of religious men he founded, the Brothers of the Christian School (also called Christian Brothers or De La Salle Brothers). This community grew rapidly and was successful in educating boys of poor families, using methods designed by John. It prepared teachers in the first training college for teachers and also set up homes and schools for young delinquents of wealthy families. The motivating element in all these endeavors was the desire to become a good Christian. Yet even in his success, John did not escape experiencing many trials: heart-rending disappointment and defections among his disciples, bitter opposition from the secular schoolmasters who resented his new and fruitful methods, and persistent opposition from the Jansenists of his time, whose moral rigidity and pessimism about the human condition John resisted vehemently all his life. Afflicted with asthma and rheumatism in his last years, he died on Good Friday at age 68, and was canonized in 1900. Reflection Complete dedication to one's calling by God, whatever it may be, is a rare quality. Jesus asks us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30b, emphasis added). Paul gives similar advice: “Whatever you do, do from the heart…” (Colossians 3:23). Saint John Baptist de La Salle is a Patron Saint of: Educators/Teachers Click here to meet seven lesser-known Catholic saints! Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 129: www.ESV.org/Psalm129 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

Day 3: Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. (Luke I:29) Let us pray:  With the help of our Mother of the Word Incarnate, grant us Your mercy and consolation to lighten the burden and give comfort and strength to all who are suffering now. Dear Lord, we ask Your Blessed Mother to teach us to be compassionate. Help Your children, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to conquer the menace of evil and sin in all its manifestations. Through the intercession of the Our Lady of the Annunciation, we ask You to help us welcome the Word into the world, that we may all experience a rebirth. Through Mary, Your reign has dawned, a reign of compassion and mercy, born from the depths of the Word made flesh.  The post A Novena for the Annunciation – Day 3 – Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.