Podcasts about afflictions

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Title: Chains and Afflictions Text: Acts 21:27-36 FCF: We often struggle responding well to slander and persecution for Christ's sake. Prop: Because of the offense of the gospel we will be slandered and reviled, so we must be ready to give a defense for the hope we have in us. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 21. In a moment we will read beginning in verse 27 from the Legacy Standard Bible. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last week we saw the powder keg situation that Paul and his 8 gentile companions walked into as they brought a gift for the Jerusalem church from several churches in gentile lands. Tension between Jews and the Romans continues to mount and along with that the pernicious rumor that Paul is anti-Mosaic law and advising new Jewish believers to forsake circumcising their children and the laws and customs of Moses. The Elders wisely advised Paul to demonstrate that he is not against the law of Moses by submitting to purity rituals with 4 other men who are doing so. Paul humbly discarded any liberty he may have assumed and willingly submitted to help ease tensions between Jewish Christians and the non-believing Jews. But we know the future. It has been confirmed by many witnesses. Paul will suffer with chains and afflictions in Jerusalem. Although it was wise advice and although Paul humbly submitted, we know that things will implode quickly. But even in this difficult situation, we will find vital lessons for we who claim Christ and face uncertain days. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: Mighty God and Lord of Hosts. You are holy, holy, holy. You have sent the Son to claim Your people for Your Kingdom and You have sent Your Spirit to dwell in us and seal us and preserve us until the Day of Judgment. As You are Alpha and Omega, You have written and decreed the end from the beginning. No one can tell You “no” and no one can slap away Your mighty hand from doing as You please. In these truths Lord, we must rest, especially when we are slandered, maligned, ridiculed, reviled, and persecuted for Your name. Without the truth that all this is according to Your Immutable Will, we would surely flounder and fall. Impress upon us, Your Children, the greater truth that when these days of trouble come upon us, we must rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for when we suffer for Your name, we have a great reward in the Kingdom which we will share with a great cloud of witnesses. Help us to see this and be encouraged in this text this morning. And use this encouragement to turn us away from despairing in trouble. Turn us instead to being ready to give a defense for the hope we have in us. We pray this in Jesus' name… Amen. Transition: Let us once again dive right into the text this morning. I.) Because of the offense of the gospel, men will falsely accuse us of evil things, so we must be ready to give a defense for the hope we have in us. (27-30) a. [Slide 2] 27 - Now when the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon noticing him in the temple, began to throw all the crowd into confusion and laid hands on him, i. Ok, so right off the bat there are some contextual clues we need to unravel to understand what is happening here. ii. First, the seven days here is referring to the general process of purification that would need to be endured for these men and for Paul. 1. We aren't exactly sure why these men performing the Nazarite vow were going through purification, because that isn't normally part of it, but the process itself took a week. 2. In that week's time, any seeking purification would have to be ritually washed on the third and the seventh day. No doubt Paul is in the temple on the seventh and final day of his purification. 3. This means that generally speaking, people who had ill intentions toward Paul would know on which day he would be in the temple next. iii. Second, we see that there are Jews from Asia present here in Jerusalem. Well, who are these folks and what are they doing here? 1. We might be tempted to think that these Jews have followed Paul to Jerusalem to harm him. This is possible, but there is a far simpler explanation for why these folks are here. Do you remember? 2. Yep! It is Pentecost, the Jewish feast commemorating the harvest. Shavuot (Sha-voo-ot) is one of the three pilgrimage feasts that are required for Jewish males to attend. 3. Anyone who was a Jew that took seriously the law of Moses would have made every effort to be in Jerusalem for this festival. 4. So, it shouldn't be a big surprise for us to find Jews from Asia in Jerusalem at this time. iv. Third, how would they recognize Paul and what had Paul done that infuriated them so much? 1. Although Luke only mentions the province in which they are from, the capital city of the province of Asia was the great city of Ephesus. A city in which Paul spent three years ministering. 2. Later, we find out that these people recognized one of Paul's companions who was from the city of Ephesus. This almost certainly confirms that these Jews were from or at least very familiar with the city of Ephesus and Paul's 3 year ministry there. 3. So why are they so opposed to Paul? 4. Well Paul preached in Ephesus and many Jews became disciples of Christ. He actually lead them out of the synagogue and took them to the hall of Tyrannus where he continued to teach and preach the gospel. 5. Needless to say, the Jews from Asia were not big fans of Paul. v. In Ephesus and in other cities around the empire, it has been clear thus far that the Jews were not always trusted, liked, or respected by the gentile communities in which they lived. vi. Although their faith was granted a special status as being allowed to be practiced within the empire, it still did not mean that the pagans around them respected them. vii. But here, the non-believing Jews clearly had numerical and ideological superiority over the Jewish Christians. viii. If there was ever a chance to stamp out Paul and his teachings – this is it. ix. So, these Asian Jews take this chance, grab hold of Paul and stir up the crowd against him. x. How? b. [Slide 3] 28 - crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches to everyone everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides, he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 - For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. i. These Asian Jews bring two charges against Paul. ii. The second charge is far more inflammatory to the crowd than the first. iii. The first charge is the accusation that Paul teaches against the Jewish people, against the law of Moses and against the temple of Yahweh, and he does so throughout the Roman Empire. iv. Ironically, this was the same charge levied against Stephen which led to his execution by stoning. Paul once saw things the same way these folks did. But for the grace of God yes? v. Such an accusation could be easily explained away. In fact, Paul's very presence in the temple that day going about his sacrifices and the end of his purity rituals would actually serve to counter their claim. vi. But the second charge is what gets the crowd stirred. vii. They claim that Paul has brought Trophimus, a man they would know to be a gentile, into the temple with him. viii. [Slide 4] As we know the temple mount could be entered by Gentiles. They could actually get fairly close to the temple itself. But Gentiles could not pass into the court of women or the court of the Israelites. ix. [Slide 5] Many scholars make much of the archeological evidence, like the sign on the screen, that warned gentiles with death if they entered into the temple grounds. And we even have speeches from Roman officials which seem to have allowed for the Jews to execute people who did violate such laws. x. But as I studied this, my mind wondered what Old Testament teaching or law is in view with the prohibition of gentiles entering the temple grounds. xi. Especially since they are under the impression that doing so would defile it. xii. What Old Testament law do they base this on? 1. [Slide 6] The closest thing I could find is Ezekiel 44:6-9 a. In reading this text, we can see very clearly that God judges Israel for allowing worshippers to come into the temple and even serve as priests who were neither circumcised in heart nor circumcised in flesh. b. God issues a command that no one shall enter His temple who is uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh. 2. [Slide 7] But what do we do with the 5th gospel of Isaiah, who says in Isaiah 56:6-8… a. Here we see… explicitly… that Gentiles should not be strictly forbidden to come into the temple to make sacrifices. b. Why? c. Because God will be the one bringing them to do that one day! 3. So how do we harmonize these two texts? a. How can God bring foreigners into the temple if those uncircumcised in heart and flesh cannot enter? b. How did the Jews of this time harmonize this? i. The Jews of this time, completely ignore the Isaiah passage. ii. Even if a Gentile converted and became a Jew, even becoming circumcised… they would still not be permitted, even into the court of women. c. So how do we harmonize it? i. While we could be accused of exploiting a loophole, the fact of the matter is that there are many prophetic riddles throughout the scriptures. God expects us to think as we read His Word. ii. [Slide 8] What two conditions must be met in order to reject a foreigner from the temple according to Ezekiel 44? They must be both uncircumcised in heart and in flesh. iii. Trophimus was a gentile, uncircumcised in flesh, but circumcised in his heart. Therefore, he does not meet the conditions of Ezekiel 44 but DOES meet the conditions of Isaiah 56. xiii. [Slide 9] Added to this – These Jews raise issue with Paul and grab hold of him and will drag him out and attempt to kill him even though… 1. He is a Jew 2. He is enduring purification rights under the Mosaic Law 3. Even if he brought a gentile into the temple… the Gentile is the one that should be killed according to their law, not him. He would certainly be punished perhaps even severely. 4. But Paul should not be killed for this infraction even if it were exactly as they said it was. xiv. The fact of the matter is, the Jews, because of their national pride and racial prejudice, have so perverted the Word of God that they have determined that the exact opposite of what He has revealed is true. xv. And now they are going to kill Paul, an apostle of their Messiah and Everlasting King, because of their rebellion and their racism. c. [Slide 10] 30 - Then all the city was stirred, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. i. As we pointed out last week, this time period was right in the middle of the escalation of hostility between Jews and the Roman Empire. ii. Although we are still 13 years away from the fall of Jerusalem, the conflict begins in AD 66 which is only 9 years away. iii. Not only that but Festus, a character we will meet in a few chapters, will actually spend two years making peace with the Jews and effectively kick the can of the revolt down the road… iv. Adding all this together we can see that even though the fall of Jerusalem is 13 years away, it is not a stretch for us to consider that at the moment Paul walks in the temple of Jerusalem, the divide between Jews and the Romans was nearing its peak. v. Knowing this, we can see quite easily why the crowd would respond to Paul the way they did. vi. Loyalty to the temple was closely tied to patriotism and Jewish Nationalism. An attack on the temple was an attack on Judaism. vii. And Paul is the lightening rod for all of this. viii. They took him out of the temple, because they could not commit violence and shed blood within the temple courts ix. To avoid this the guards close the doors. x. The temple guards could have stopped the violence. Instead, they closed the doors. d. [Slide 11] Summary of the Point: Throughout the book of Acts Luke has portrayed the Jesus movement as the next step in Judaism. To confess Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messiah of God and eternal heir to the throne of David is to take the next and final step in the redemptive history of Israel. In Acts we've seen many Jews embrace this New Covenant, which was ratified in the death and resurrection of Jesus proving Him to be the Messiah. He is the Son of Man prophesied in Daniel. He is the suffering Servant prophesied in Isaiah. And yet, as clear as this was to many, it remained repulsive and offensive to many more. The offense of the gospel drives natural man to terrible things. Jesus predicted that the disciple is no greater than the master. Meaning that what they did to Him, we can expect the same to be done to us. Paul is actually living out that experience in the pages of the passage we just saw. They accused Jesus of blaspheming the temple. And here Paul is accused of defiling it. We can expect the same to come to us. If we are to preach the gospel, we should both expect it to be offensive to the world and that we will be falsely accused of doing evil things because of it. So, what is our response? Our text this morning does not include Paul's response to all of this. Mainly because his response is quite lengthy. But generally speaking, we can see as Paul raises his defense of the gospel and his ministry, that we too must be ready to give a defense for the hope we have in us. Transition: [Slide 12 (blank)] But surely someone in the crowd will have the sense to question Paul as to whether these things are true? Surely someone will have the courage to say – yes but Paul is still a Jew and can go into the temple himself. So surely he doesn't deserve to die? Let us see if anyone among them will do this. Perhaps the Romans will if the Jews won't? II.) Because of the offense of the gospel men will revile and persecute us, so we must be ready to give a defense for the hope we have in us. (31-36) a. [Slide 13] 31 - While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 - At once he took along soldiers and centurions and ran down to them; and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. i. Luke doesn't tell us who took the report to the commander. Perhaps one of Paul's companions or the church reported this to the Roman officer? ii. A Roman cohort consists of 1000 men. It is roughly 1/6 of a Roman Legion. iii. Within each cohort there were there were Centuries which would be 100 men, and each of them would be lead by a Centurion. iv. As a Roman officer in Judea, your one job is to make sure that these generally rebellious Jews paid their taxes and didn't revolt. v. During festivals, when Jerusalem was full of Jews on pilgrimage, it would be all hands on deck. vi. We see that this commander wastes no time, at once taking soldiers and their centurions down to where the beating was happening. vii. The Anatolia fortress was located on the Western side of the northern wall of the temple mount. Two stair cases down led to the outer courts. viii. So they were probably there quickly. ix. It is hard to know how many men he took with him, but we can assume at least a couple hundred since he took centurions (plural) with him. x. Assuming that is the case, 200 fully armed Roman soldiers running down the steps to the temple would be quite an intimidating sight. xi. No wonder the Jews stopped beating Paul when they came marching down. xii. But if the relations of the Romans and the Jews are so strained, how would the Roman Commander make sure that this doesn't look like the Romans are once again coming in to tell them how they should practice their religion? b. [Slide 14] 33 - Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. i. The Roman Commander has Paul bound in chains, probably to two separate guards. He then asks who the man was and what he has done. ii. The concept of innocent until proven guilty is not a universal ideal. iii. The Romans certainly did not consider prisoners innocent until proven guilty. iv. In fact, as we've seen in the study of the book ok Acts, their subjects especially those who were not Roman citizens, could be beaten and imprisoned, and in some cases even killed without charge. v. This Roman commander shrewdly assumes that the man being beaten is guilty and asks the crowd for the information regarding his guilt. vi. If the answer he got was that clear – that Paul had defiled the temple – the Roman officer probably would have let them kill Paul. c. [Slide 15] 34 - But among the crowd some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. i. This is the very definition of mob mentality. ii. Most of these people had no idea why they were hitting this man, they just knew that he had done something worth hitting him for. iii. When emotionalism and extreme rhetoric wins, the most natural thing we humans do, is follow the crowd of people who scream the loudest. iv. We'll always find something to be outraged about, and if it isn't what the crowd is outraged about – that's ok – we'll just vent our frustration in the convenient opportunity the mob has provided. v. Like when we burn a city when a football team wins… or also if they lose the big game???? vi. Such in the case here. vii. Seeing that the crowd has no idea who this person is or what he did, the commander chooses to escort the man to safety so that they could interrogate the prisoner himself. Which we will see him attempt to do in a few weeks. d. [Slide 16] 35 - And when he got to the stairs, he actually was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; 36 - for the multitude of the people kept following them, shouting, “Away with him!” i. Even today, tactically speaking, stairs are what are called fatal funnels. ii. They are essentially hallways forcing you to change altitude and keeping you from flanking to safety. iii. These stairs are probably the first flight of stairs up to the Anatolian fortress. They would have been quite wide, but would have been difficult to navigate especially with a large crowd of people following them trying to get at their prisoner. iv. The Roman soldiers are forced to pick up and carry Paul up the stairs because the crowd continued to try to assault Paul on the way up. v. They call out “away with him” which is a great literal translation of the words, but idiomatically this certainly was their cry for Paul to be put to death. vi. We are reminded of the crowds call to “crucify” someone after He too entered the temple offering something that no one wanted. vii. Scholars sometimes press the similarities too far, but I think it is obvious that Luke sees the similarity of Christ's experience in Jerusalem during his passion week and Paul's experience here. Although they do not end the same of course. e. [Slide 17] Summary of the Point: Although Luke makes it clear in the book of Acts that the Romans saw no threat posed to the empire by the Christians, we should note that that doesn't mean that the Romans would always ride in and save Christians from persecution. In fact, this particular Roman commander not only arrested Paul without any idea what Paul did, he also, as we will see in the following weeks, intends to beat Paul some more in order to find out what happened in the temple. And these Jews, while not being in agreement as to why Paul was being beaten, all agreed on one thing… he needed to die. Again, we compare Paul's experience to our Lord Jesus'. He too was not rescued by the Romans. And the people cried out for Him to be killed too. Paul is suffering the same way Jesus suffered. If it can happen to Paul, and all the apostles, and countless others throughout the church's history, then it most certainly can… and will happen to us. If we faithfully preach the gospel men will revile us and persecute us. Why? Because the gospel is offensive. But again, what do we do when this happens? We must be ready to give an answer for the hope we have in us. Conclusion: So CBC, what have we learned today and how shall we live? Basic Concepts for Faith and Practice: [Slide 18] The gospel is by nature offensive to natural man. The religiously zealous Jews and the Roman pagans alike, both despise what Paul teaches and seek to silence it. And the world goes about silencing those who speak the gospel in two ways presented in this passage. They falsely accuse those who preach the gospel of evil things. They accused Paul of defiling the temple and teaching against the law of Moses. They will also revile and persecute those who preach the gospel. We see them beat, arrest, and call for the execution of Paul, to silence his teaching of the gospel. What does that mean for us? They will hate us too. Even if we are nice. Even if we are kind. Even if we are loving. They will still hate us. They will falsely accuse us of some of the most terrible things. And they will revile us and persecute us. What then should we do? We must be ready to give an answer for the hope we have in us. Even as they usher us through the door to that hope. These are the basic concepts of faith and practice in this text – but let's us dive a little deeper into them today. 1.) [Slide 19] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that the gospel is offensive to natural man. a. Why is it offensive? b. It teaches that every single person, whether they are moral, immoral, religious, irreligious, wealthy, poor, powerful, powerless, strong, weak, regardless of nationality, tribe, language, political party, every person is spiritually dead in their sin. c. They are… as the bible calls them… children of wrath. d. Slaves to sin. e. Every single person lacks all agency to do anything to save themselves or even to seek God to save them. f. This is what Paul says in Romans chapter 3 and this is what Augustine of Hippo defended in his treatise On Grace and Free Will against the Pelagian heresy. g. Mankind is not naturally equipped in their will to choose God or pursue Him in any way. They are given commands by God but are unable to accomplish them without God giving them grace to do so. h. There are two things I have found in my life that seem to be universally true of we humans. i. We hate being told we are wrong ii. And we hate being told we can't do anything about it. iii. Not only do we hate being told these things… we reject these things entirely. i. But the gospel tells us both and to the most extreme degree. i. It isn't just that we are wrong… we are dead wrong. So wrong that we have committed treason against the highest court of the highest kingdom on whose throne sits the highest God, Yahweh. ii. And we not only can't do anything about it… we don't even want to. Men love darkness and hate the light because their deeds are evil and they want to keep doing them. iii. There are none righteous and there are none who seek God. You are children of wrath of your father the devil and slaves to sin. iv. Just to quote a few j. All of this is the preamble of the gospel. k. It's funny – to the world that doesn't sound like good news at all. l. But to we who have been made alive in Christ… To know we are sinners and deserve nothing but judgment and wrath… That truly is good news. m. Why? n. Because Christ died for sinners! Just like you. Just like me. o. But until God gives a new heart and enables a person to see their own wickedness, they will continue to hate the gospel and fundamentally disagree with its accusations against them. p. As Matthew Henry once said, “Men hate Christ because they love their sin.” q. From our discussion last week – fear that the gospel may be right leads them to hate it. And what do we humans do with things we fear? We either flee them or we fight them. r. And that leads us to something we must deny. A lie we must dismiss especially now in the culture we are in… 2.) [Slide 20] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that religious toleration for the true gospel is normative. a. Although it is a much easier sell today than it would have been a few decades ago, because we still have relative freedom to continue to worship God in the way that He has commanded us to, we tend to find it difficult to connect with warnings about coming persecution. b. One other general human trait that I have observed is that we as humans tend to believe that all of life will continue as it has. We assume that because we live in a country where we are free from constant persecution against our beliefs that this will always be true. c. However, we know from the words of Christ that if we are His disciple then we should not expect anything less than the same rejection He experienced. d. If Men hate Christ because they love their sin – it stands to reason that they will hate any who follow Christ and are calling them to repent of their sin. e. This is why the “God loves you and is just wanting you to love Him back” gospel message is so popular today. Because it doesn't actually call anyone to abandon their sin. Instead, the message conveys the idea that God would be really lucky to have you if you would just say yes. f. And because of this message being out there, the real gospel message of God calling all men to repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord – is reviled and despised. g. And just like Paul was accused of blasphemy against the temple and even betrayal toward his own kinsmen, we too will be slandered. i. We spoke last week how the church is seen as homophobic or transphobic because we agree with God about sexuality and gender. ii. We are accused of hating democracy and freedom because we advocate for our laws to be based on God's moral will. iii. We are accused of intolerance because we believe Jesus when He says He is the only way to the Father. iv. We are accused of hating women because we believe God's word when it tells us of gender roles and authority structures within the home. v. In short, the world will rebrand us as arch villains because we have the audacity to see, through the lens of ancient Scripture, that their cherished practices are sin. vi. And we may, in the most loving and compassionate way we can, call them to repent and trust on Christ for the forgiveness of sin and new life… vii. But remember men love darkness rather than light for their deeds are evil. viii. God must give them a new heart in order for them to receive the gifts of repentance and faith. h. And unfortunately, men's hatred of the gospel and those who preach it will not just stop at slander. As it did with Paul, slander was the vehicle used to harm, revile, and persecute Paul. We too should expect the same. i. It is only a small step from where we are to where many other countries are in relation to persecution. ii. We may be tempted to think that such things could never happen in our country or that if they do, we are decades away. iii. But my friends, it would not surprise me to wake up tomorrow and learn that it is no longer legal to preach certain scripture passages or certain interpretations of scriptures passages. iv. It seemed like overnight governors of states were commanding churches not to sing to God in their services. v. And there isn't a party that exists today that has a biblical worldview. So just like Paul could not look to the Romans to save him, so too we cannot look to the Republicans to save us. vi. We will be persecuted on all sides. Not just from liberals. We will be persecuted by people who call themselves Christians. Perhaps even some in this very room will be the ones turning us in to the authorities. i. I don't know when the hammer will fall. I don't know how long God will allow for us to worship Him in peace with the culture around us. But I do know that from where the country started to where we are – our trajectory is on a nose dive headed straight for persecution. j. It does us no good to put our heads in the sand and continue to deny that such things would or could happen. k. We must even now ready ourselves by counting the cost and whether we are willing to pay it. l. But what is our response to persecution? Should we resist? Should we fight back? 3.) [Slide 21] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must take every opportunity to give a defense of the hope that is in us. a. Interestingly, in this text, there is not a single example positively of what we are to do, nor is there a direct command in this passage associated to what is happening in the text. b. Before the end of this chapter Paul will respond. c. And originally in my sermon planning I did include verses 37-40. d. But in order to understand Paul's response we would need to look into what he says which would mean looking at MANY more verses. e. Paul actually begins his first of 6 defenses of his faith and ministry that are recorded in the last 7 chapters of the book of Acts starting in chapter 22. f. Now without looking at the first defense in its entirety let alone looking at all 6 defenses, we can still draw a very general application from what we know of the remainder of the book of Acts. g. And quite simply that is that we should take every opportunity we are given, in the midst of persecution, in the midst of slander, in the midst of opposition and hardship from all sides, we should take the opportunity we are given to give a defense for the hope that is in us. h. We cannot afford to fight back, resist, or get even when persecution comes. Why? Because we always have a responsibility to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ. i. Paul was gravely assaulted by these people, but he will stand before them and 5 more hostile audiences in the next 7 chapters, and will boldly decare the gospel of Jesus Christ. j. We must do the same. k. And maybe you are thinking… wow. I don't think I can do that. l. That is just not my default setting. Someone takes a swipe at me, my natural impulse is going to be to swipe back. m. So, the real discussion is, how do you fight that natural impulse and do what Jesus commands you to do? n. I think it starts with what Jesus says should be our perspective on persecution in general. 4.) [Slide 22] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must rejoice and be exceedingly glad when we are persecuted for Christ's sake. a. Although you'll have to forgive me for going outside of our text this morning to snag this application, because the scriptures are one, I don't think I am doing any disservice to Luke's account by tossing this little aside in. b. [Slide 23] Matthew 5:11-12 c. After reading this text, tell me you don't see Paul's experience all over Christ's teaching here in the sermon on the mount! d. Paul was slandered. Paul was reviled. Paul was persecuted for Christ's sake. So, what should Paul's response be? What should our response be? e. We must rejoice and be exceedingly glad. f. What? Why? g. Because we are blessed. We are favored of God when this happens. h. How does that compute? How does this comfort us? 5.) [Slide 24] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” Our reward in heaven is great and we are in good company. a. God's kingdom and His righteousness is constantly opposed by a kingdom that is perishing. b. In the Old Testament, God's prophets were treated this way. And time proved that they were right. c. In the New Testament, His apostles were treated this way and time has proved out that they were right. d. My friends, if you are truly slandered, reviled, and abused for the sake of Christ and His gospel… You are blessed. e. You are blessed because your reward will be great in the Kingdom and in that kingdom there will be many, just like you, who were hated for the gospel. f. So, rejoice and be exceedingly glad. g. You are in good company. [Slide 25 (end)] Let me close with a word of prayer from the English Reformer Thomas Cranmer Merciful God, you grant all peace. You are the giver of all good gifts, the defender of all nations. And you desire us to count all people as neighbors, to love them as ourselves, and not to hate our enemies. Rather, you want us to wish them well, and also to do them good if we can. Look down upon us and see this small portion of earth where the name of Jesus Christ is proclaimed. Give to all of us the desire for peace, unity, and calm. Make us weary of all war and hostility, weary of bitterness toward those we call enemies. May we and they praise your holy name with one heart. May we all remake our lives according to your way. Grant, O Lord, that our children's children may know the benefit of your great gift of unity. May you discredit all those who work against it. Diminish their strength and punish those who interrupt godly peace-or rather, convert their hearts to the better way, and make them embrace unity and peace, which will be for your glory. Put away from us all war and hostility. But if we are driven to it, be our shield and protection as we seek peace. Do not look on our sins, Lord, or the sins of our enemies. Do not give us what we deserve, but remember your abundant, infinite mercy. Do this, O Lord, for your Son's sake, Jesus Christ. Amen. Benediction: May the God Who changes not, Who has no shadow of turning, And Whose compassions fail not, Preserve you by His loving kindness, So that you might know, Great are His faithful acts, they are new every morning. Until we meet again, go in peace.

Afflictions and struggles are apart of life, to be sure. With that said, In Christ we have a glorious future to look forward to in heaven. Pastor Ed Taylor believes keeping an eternal mindset is a key to living victoriously and making it through the suffering we're bound to face. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/302/29

For This Cause 2025 Part 4: What does it mean to suffer according to God's will?

Since our God comforts the downcast, we can move from turmoil to comfort and joy.1. Afflictions outside and inside. (v.5)2. God comforts His people. (v.6)3. Rejoicing still more. (v.7)What does being downcast look like?Where do we turn when the cares of our hearts are many? Ps. 94:19.Who has promised to comfort us? Isaiah 49:13How do we move from being low to rejoicing? James 1:9

Title: Prayer in the Afflictions of Life  Speaker: Dr. H. T. Spence Event: Wednesday Evening Sermon Date: February 19, 2025 Summary: This message on prayer was preached on the eve of the Annual Prayer Day at Foundations.  The apostle Paul prayed for healing that never came, yet he entered into a rest about this continued affliction he bore. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 Length:

In this episode, Matthew Lilley continues his teaching on Psalm 132, exploring the themes of God's presence, David's vision for a dwelling place, and the implications of the Davidic covenant. He discusses the importance of waiting for God's presence, the tension between the kingdom of God now and not yet, and the afflictions faced by those who seek to pioneer God's presence. It concludes by discussing the promise of God's kingdom through Jesus, the greater David.Listen to part 1 of this teaching here.

✝️ "The old account was settled long ago—and the record is clear today." In this powerful sermon, Pastor Roderick Webster dives into the life-changing truth of justification by faith and how it anchors believers through life's fiercest storms. Discover:

Time frays at the edges, shadows move on their own, and something unseen waits beneath the floorboards of the Alaskan Hotel.Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version of #WeirdDarkness: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateIN THIS EPISODE: The Alaskan Triangle is already known for strange and bizarre activity – so it should be no surprise that a hotel located in the triangle might experience a few bumps in the night. (The Demonic Haunting of the Alaskan Hotel) *** After picking up a sex worker to assault and murder, a serial killer made the mistake of underestimating the determination of his victim to stay alive… and lost his own life in the process. (The Hooker Who Stopped a Serial Killer) *** Chucky the doll isn't real. Neither were any of the dolls that came to life on shows like “The Twilight Zone” and “Outer Limits” – but that doesn't mean real haunted dolls don't exist, and it's not just “Annabelle” and “Robert” on the list. (When Haunted Dolls Attack) *** Ilse Koch was a female concentration camp guard and she was so ruthless and evil even the Na*is had her arrested. (Ilse Koch: The Witch of Buchenwald) *** They reside atop dizzying heights and are often unnoticed by human eyes but ever watchful of our movements. They have 'observed' us for centuries. We'll look at the history and purpose of gargoyles and grotesques. (In The Protection of Gargoyles) *** Outside of Washington, D.C. lies an abandoned institution with a thoroughly disturbing past. We'll look at the history and horrors of Forest Haven Mental Asylum. (The Afflictions Of Forest Haven Asylum)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00.00.000 = Introduction00:01:12.945 = Show Open (Coming Up In This Episode)00:03:20.449 = The Demonic Haunting Of The Alaskan Hotel00:15:21.499 = The Hooker Who Stopped A Serial Killer00:22:01.048 = When Haunted Dolls Attack00:45:24.870 = Ilse Koch, The Witch Of Buchenwald00:57:00.094 = In The Protection of Gargoyles01:04:25.779 = The Afflictions of Forest Haven Asylum01:11:53.958 = Show Close, Verse, and Final Thought01:12:57.056 = BloopersSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…“The Demonic Haunting of the Alaskan Hotel” by Marcus Lowth for UFO Insight:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8w47e9“The Hooker Who Stopped A Serial Killer” by Roger Kim for Unspeakable Times: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2ffhcv4n“Ilse Koch: The Witch of Buchenwald” by Laura Allen for Weird History: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yr3a4dvy“In The Protection of Gargoyles” by Angela Sutherland for Ancient Pages: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3j94t765“The Afflictions Of Forest Haven Asylum” by Gary Sweeney for The Line Up: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/34p6fe79“When Haunted Dolls Attack” by MD Bastek for Horror Obsessive: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yckuhxk6=====(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: March, 2022EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/AlaskanHotel

Since Jesus loved us and reconciled us to God, we believers have a committed love for each other. 1. love seeks truth, resulting in closer fellowship. (v.2)2. love does not condemn others, but goes through life together. (v.3)3. love bubbles up into joy, even during times of affliction. (v.4)When there is genuine love, what are the natural results?How long did Paul spend in the city of Corinth? Acts 18:1,11What is the true test for love? John 15:13Why might Paul boast about a church? 2 Thess. 1:4

Discussing how to work through afflictions like addiction, heartbreak, and self-hatred, Krishna Das gives spiritual guidance to listeners. Today's podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das explains:Learning to chant the Hanuman Chalisa Working with addiction as a part of the spiritual path Developing the ability to stop hurting ourselves Looking within, not without, in order to do spiritual work in all parts of our daily livesComparing Hanuman with the Holy Spirit Remembering that nothing lasts in this worldRelationships as a neurotic need rather than true, deep loveThe universal experience of heartbreak and all situations as impermanent Opening the heart, quieting the mind, and connecting to a deeper place within ourselves Considering others and doing what we can to help About Krishna Das:Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga's “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda' (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.KD spent the late '60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass' own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017.MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas“We have to develop the ability to stop hurting ourselves because we have the soul. If we're just hurting ourselves and engaging in addictive, dangerous, destructive behavior, it's like we're beating ourselves up. This program that's running, this self-hatred program that's causing this behavior, it is spiritual work to try to free yourself from that.” – Krishna DasSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Messianic Torah Observer Podcast, Rod Thomas discusses the significance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and shares his experience delivering a teaching to orphaned students and Sabbath-keeping brethren in Kenya. Rod emphasizes the importance of fasting, self-denial, and afflicting the soul to get God's attention. Tune in for insightful biblical references and a call to action to support the Qumran Family Foundation.

How is the mic?Collin has problemDog presentation brainstormEncyclopedia set!!!Nasal afflictionsBrandon busted out the ancient knowledge - salt waterAnd can't see Reacher 3New unifying costuming theoryGASP!! And bought bootsHaiku:Worlds at my doorstep—Pages whispering secrets,Six bucks well-spent joy.Check out our other episodes: ohbrotherpodcast.comFollow us on InstagramCheck us out on Youtube

The trials of life is what tries our faith! Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all.Support the showhttp://www.gwafgbc.org http://www.gwafgbc.org/storehttp://www.gwafgbc.org/givehttps://vimeo.com/manage/videos

The Afflictions of the RighteousSupport the show: https://christianityworks.com/channels/adp/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us are in the midst of trials and afflictions and with that comes 2 common struggles: Not feeling loved by God and Losing Our Sense of Purpose.  In today's episode, I share some things the Lord has encouraged me with in the midst of my own trials.   Resources mentioned in this episode: Link to podcast episode search bar Raising Boys to Men Book Raising Boys to Men Audiobook The Unhurried Homeschooler The Unhurried Homeschooler Audiobook Unhurried Grace for a Mom's Heart The Four-Hour School Day Give Send Go (link to my fundraiser) Ecclesiastes Series: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2lpOv8MddcJqkrXz11L8i2?si=4xx0ZkDMS660haf-b9n3Ng   Venmo-@Durenda-Wilson Great is Thy Faithfulness Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father; There is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand hast provided; Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.  Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.  Ecc. 9:7 Romans 8:35,37-39 He Giveth More Grace Listen Here 1. He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength as our labors increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials He multiplies peace. 2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources Our Father's full giving is only begun. 3. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision, Our God ever yearns His resources to share; Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing; The Father both thee and thy load will upbear. 4. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

A guest preacher for SRPC, or Rev. R. Bruce Parnell in a sermon apart from his main series, preaches from the Word of God. A ministry of the Stillwater Reformed Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, Oklahoma, glorifying Jesus Christ through biblical teaching.

Explore the enigmatic Dark Ages, a period filled with mysterious and bizarre practices. Discover whether the medieval times were as grim as often portrayed, delve into the peculiar world of medieval barbers, and learn about the unexpected roles of jesters. Uncover fascinating and shocking facts about this intriguing era. 00:00:00: Were the Dark Ages Really That Dark00:10:13: Bizarre and Bloody Practices of Medieval Barbers00:21:48: Afflictions in a Medieval City00:33:48: Medieval Junk Food00:43:33: Commoners Meeting Royalty in Medieval Times00:54:01: How Medieval Peasants Spent Their Free Time01:06:16: Day in the Life of a Medieval Executioner01:17:00: Life of a Medieval Crusader01:28:38: Life as a Medieval Jester01:39:08: Being a Knight During Medieval Times01:48:25: Life in Medieval Castles #DarkAges #medieval #bizarrepractices #medievalbarbers #jesters #MiddleAges Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TDA  The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com Garth Heckman    Whats your prediction on the fight Clubber Lang?   Romans 5 1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God (so things should be good now… we got peace - Right?) because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.         Afflictions = (i.e pain, problems, suffering, lack)  Do you know how biologists evaluate life? It is in terms of the capacity to experience pain, the more the pain, the higher the life form. The highest life form not only feels pain the most, but can also feel others pain as well.    **When we deny pain we deny being human and how God has created us to be and learn.    Society wants you to avoid pain.. yellow teeth, single, overweight, wrinkles, financial lack, loss,    The sophistication to avoid pain in todays world has become world class.  Here is how most of us deal and avoid pain. Deal with it - “its your fault” Avoid - anything that distracts the purpose of pain (spending, bitterness, money, overeating, joining a cause, exercise, hobbies….)   C.S. Lewis - pain is Gods megaphone to a deaf world… but we learn to put in earplugs.      Pain forces you to face your deepest issues keeping you from being like Christ.    So God tells us rather than avoid, blame or run we should rejoice.

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Afflictions and struggles are apart of life, to be sure. With that said, In Christ we have a glorious future to look forward to. Pastor John Randall believes keeping an eternal mindset is a key to living victoriously and making it through the suffering we're bound to face. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1368/29

Transform your perspective on life's challenges and embrace happiness with the wisdom of our sages in the latest episode of the Jewish Inspiration Podcast. Discover how afflictions and suffering can be reframed as opportunities for profound spiritual growth and pathways to salvation. Rabbi Wolbe shares powerful stories of individuals who have turned tragedy into triumph and teaches us to recognize setbacks as possible divine interventions designed for our ultimate benefit. Through the lens of Jewish teachings, you'll learn how accepting pain with love and understanding exemplifies godliness and fortifies your connection to Hashem.Experience the joy found in sacred moments and elevate your celebrations with the presence of the Creator, particularly during Shabbos and Yom Tov. We provide a glimpse into the unparalleled joy that awaits in the world to come, illustrating that even the greatest earthly pleasures are mere reflections of eternal delight. As we conclude day 69 of this enlightening journey, prepare to embrace peace and gratitude by understanding the beauty and purpose of our unique life paths. Join us in anticipation of continued exploration and inspiration in the days to come._____________This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)Recorded from a live audience presentation in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studios (B) in Houston, Texas on September 24, 2024.Released as Podcast on February 7, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.orgPlease visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#JewishInspiration, #RabbiAryehWolbe, #Happiness, #Afflictions, #Suffering ★ Support this podcast ★

Transform your perspective on life's challenges and embrace happiness with the wisdom of our sages in the latest episode of the Jewish Inspiration Podcast. Discover how afflictions and suffering can be reframed as opportunities for profound spiritual growth and pathways to salvation. Rabbi Wolbe shares powerful stories of individuals who have turned tragedy into triumph and teaches us to recognize setbacks as possible divine interventions designed for our ultimate benefit. Through the lens of Jewish teachings, you'll learn how accepting pain with love and understanding exemplifies godliness and fortifies your connection to Hashem.Experience the joy found in sacred moments and elevate your celebrations with the presence of the Creator, particularly during Shabbos and Yom Tov. We provide a glimpse into the unparalleled joy that awaits in the world to come, illustrating that even the greatest earthly pleasures are mere reflections of eternal delight. As we conclude day 69 of this enlightening journey, prepare to embrace peace and gratitude by understanding the beauty and purpose of our unique life paths. Join us in anticipation of continued exploration and inspiration in the days to come._____________This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)Recorded from a live audience presentation in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studios (B) in Houston, Texas on September 24, 2024.Released as Podcast on February 7, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.orgPlease visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#JewishInspiration, #RabbiAryehWolbe, #Happiness, #Afflictions, #Suffering ★ Support this podcast ★

Richard Baxter:"Your afflictions may be sharp, but they are short. Your deliverance will be eternal.""Our sufferings are but God's tools to carve His image more clearly upon us.""Affliction opens our ears to the voice of God, and shuts our hearts to the allurements of the world."William Bridge:"Every affliction is a messenger from God, teaching and correcting the soul for its eternal good.""The worst that God ever does to His children, is to whip them to Heaven.""The waters of affliction, are often the means by which we are carried nearer to Christ."John Bunyan:"In times of affliction, we discover the sufficiency of Christ and the shallowness of the world."Thomas Brooks:"The promises of God, shine brightest in the furnace of affliction."Jeremiah Burroughs:"The bitter cup of affliction, is sweetened by the pierced hand that gives it.""Sanctified afflictions, are spiritual promotions.""The burdens God lays on us, are designed to press us closer to Himself."Stephen Charnock:"God's greatest mercy, is sometimes wrapped in His sharpest judgments.""Affliction is God's flail, to separate the chaff from the wheat.""In the furnace of affliction God burns away the dross of self-reliance, and reveals the gold of His sufficiency.""Afflictions drive the soul to its knees, where it finds the richest treasures of grace."John Flavel:"The believer's afflictions are God's pruning, not His lopping. They are to make them fruitful, not to destroy them.""God's strokes are strokes of love, meant to awaken our souls and draw us closer to Him."William Gurnall:"The greatest honor God can put on a soul, is to place it in the school of affliction."

IN THE WORLD TODAY ONE MIGHT ASK WHY SO MUCH TROUBLE-SUFFERING-AFFLICTION-SORROWS-GROANING-GRIEF-DESPAIRING OF LIFE-BEING PRESSED OUT OF MEASURE-AND-WHY THERE SEEM TO BE NO PEACE IN THE WORLD-AND-LOCALLY IN OUR OWN COUNTRY?-ONE MIGHT ASK-IF THERE IS A GOD-WHY IS THE WORLD THIS WAY?-WELL, BECAUSE OF THE SIN OF MAN IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN-SINCE THE BEGINNING OF MANKIND-GOD HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH MANKIND-GOD HAVE SUFFERED -WITH OUR AFFLICTION-AND ASSAULTS AGAINST THE BIBLE-&-OUR DISRESPECT FOR THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS-WE HAVE CAUSED GOD SORROW-GROANING-GRIEF-DESPAIRING OF THE LIFE OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST-WE HAVE BRUISED THE LORD-STRICKEN THE LORD-SMITTEN HIM-SPAT UPON HIM-KILLED GOD ONLY BEGOTTEN SON-PRESSED THE LORD OUT OF MEASURE-AND MOST OF MANKIND TODAY FEEL NO REMORSE -NOR FOR THEIR OWN SINS CURRENTLY-SOME STILL CRUCIFY CHRIST AFRESH EVERY DAY-MANKIND CONTINUE TO LIVE ungodly LIVES AND THEN WE SEE THE WORLD GOING TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET-SIN IS NOT A RESPECTOR OF PERSONS-OR-POLITICAL PARTY-IT HAS NO REGARD FOR NATIONALITY-COLOR-ORIGIN-PEDIGREE-PERSONALITY-OR-PAY GRADE-COLOR OF SKIN-NOR FOR WHAT CALIBER OF FIREARM YOU CARRY-WHILE MANKIND IS SEEKING TO DO OTHERS-SOMEONE IS SEEKING TO DO MANKIND-WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH-THAT SHALL HE REAP-BELIEVE THAT-SIN MUST RESPECT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS-AND-THAT IS WHERE THE WORLDS DILEMMA LIES-THERE ARE MANY IN THIS WORLD CLAIMING TO SERVE A god-MANY CALL THEIR god MANY NAMES-SOME OF WHICH ARE NOT IN THE KJV BIBLE-WHICH SHOULD BE A CLEAR INDICATOR ON WHY THEIR god IS NOT WORKING OUT FOR THEM-I WOULD NOT SERVE A god-THAT TELLS ME TO KILL-AND TERRORIZE-AND COMMIT SUICIDE-WHILE KILLIING OTHERS INCLUDING MY OWN FAMILY FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE-OR-EVEN DRIVE CARS DOWN STREETS AND RUN OVER PEOPLE-AND-MANGLE THEM FOR A BETTER CAUSE IN THE NAME OF PEACE-OR-EVEN GUN DOWN MY OWN NEIGHBORS IN THE STREETS-&-ON THE SIDE WALKS LIKE A SPORT DAILY AND EVEN THE MORE ON CERTAIN HOLIDAYS-OR-I WOULD NOT SERVE A god THAT OPERATE WITHIN HATE-WHERE DOES THAT LEAD TO BUT BACKBITTING-DEATH-AND-THE GRAVE-YET MANY DO SERVE THIS KIND OF god-THE god OF THIS WORLD-AND-THERE WE HAVE THIS WORLD IN ITS CONDITION-NOW AFTER THE CHURCH IS GONE-IT WILL GET WORSE-WELL-I GUESS IT IS TOO SIMPLE FOR MANKIND TO BELIEVE IN THE KJV BIBLE-THERE IS A GOD-ONE GOD IN CHRIST JESUS-OUR LORD WHO DESIRES ALL MANKIND TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND LIVE IN PEACE-IT MUST BE EASIER TO HATE THAN TO LOVE-OR ELSE SURELY NO ONE WOULD WANT TO CREATE A WORLD OF HATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN-MAYBE ONY IF THEY FELT THEIR HATE REIGNED SUPREME-WELL,NEVER UNDER ESTIMATE THE DEGREE OF ANOTHER MAN GREED OR HATE-NOW, I AM GLAD I LOVE GOD IN CHRIST JESUS-IT WILL NOT EXEMPT ME FROM THIS WORLD-IT SURE WILL ALLOW ME SOME SANITY WHILE EXISTING WITHIN IT-GOD IN CHRIST JESUS IS STILL WORKING IT OUT FOR ALL WHO WHOLE HEARTEDLY DEPEND UPON THE LORD-I MUST ADMIT IT IS INTERESTING WATCHING THIS WORLD UNFOLD THE BIBLICAL WAY-WHATSOEVER YOU DO TO SOMEONE-IT SHALL BE DONE TO YOU-I IMAGINE MY HERITAGE BEING BROUGHT OVER IN CHAINS-AND NOW-PEOPLE JUST WALK ACROSS -THEY ARE FREELY BORN IN THE COUNTRY AND ARE NOW  CITIZENS-WELL THAT IS GOOD-IT WORKED FOR ME-AND EVERY ONE ELSE THAT HAS EXISTED WITHIN  THIS COUNTRY-WHY IS EVERY BODY BENT OUT OF SHAPE-THIS COUNTRY WAS BUILD ON BLOOD-HATE-MURDER-TO THE WORSE DEGREE-NOW-IT IS SO WRONG WHEN SOMEONE ELSE DOES IT-WELL SOMETIMES-DEPENDING ON WHO IT IS-SOMETHINGS NEVER CHANGE UNTIL GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CHANGE IT-THE BIBLE IS SO REAL UNTIL-THE BIBLE ALONE SHALL CONVINCE MAN AT LEAST THAT GOD IN CHRIST JESUS KNOWS IT ALL-THE END FROM THE BEGINNING AND IT AINT OVER YET!!-WELL ENOUGH CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK-THE GREAT SMELTING OF MANKIND CONTINUES TO LIE AHEAD-WE LOOK FOR PEACE IN A MAN-THAT MEANS SOME ONE WHO SHARES OUR  VIEWS-AND-THAT MIGHT WORK UNTIL ungodly VIEWS BEGIN TO RULE-AT THE MINDS OF THE MAN-TRUST IN GOD IN CHRIST JESUS-GOD IS LOVE AND HOLY-TRUST NOT IN MAN. 

Your purpose & plans are awaiting you to pursue & obtain them. Afflictions may have limited you in the past, but now you will overcome by Faith & Grace!

Brad's sermon preached at First Presbyterian Church in Eden, NC, on Exodus 5:1-6:1.

12/19/2024 | Today's daily devotional by C. H. Spurgeon on SermonAudio: Title: Afflictions, But No Broken Bones Subtitle: Faith's Checkbook by Spurgeon Speaker: C. H. Spurgeon Broadcaster: Prince of Preachers Event: Audiobook Date: 12/19/2024 Bible: Psalm 34:20 Length: 1 min.

St. John Chrysostom and Bishop Flechier on God's mercy as displayed in our afflictions and tribulations. From "Half Hours With the Saints and Servants of God"

Paul is facing a death sentence and will be beheaded soon but at the time he is writing this letter to the church at Philippi, he thinks he may be free some day and get to go see them again. At the end of chapter 1 Paul tells the church they are in this together and they are to remember their home is heaven, not here. Why? Because persecution is from the enemy and it tries to get one to give up the fight and lose all hope. Paul writes to them to keep unity with one another, to encourage them to keep fighting for one another, and when their battle is over, they will be in heaven with Jesus forever!

In this heartfelt devotion, we explore the powerful lessons from Psalms 119 and how we can trust God's plan for our lives. By reflecting on the scripture, we learn that God is always in control and everything happens for a reason. Through both good and difficult times, we are reminded of God's faithfulness and love. Join me as we dive deep into the word of God to find encouragement and strength in our spiritual journey. Let's understand why 'God did it' and how this realization can bring peace and joy to our lives. Continue to trust and serve the Lord no matter what challenges may come your way. 00:00 Introduction and Purpose 00:38 Theme and Sub-Theme: God's Faithfulness 01:09 Psalmist's Confession and Testimony 02:10 Union with God: Romans 8:28-30 03:30 God's Sovereignty in Affliction 05:47 Attitude Towards Affliction 08:07 God's Sovereignty and Righteousness 10:52 Conclusion and Encouragement

Join us as we delve into the joyous experience of studying and sharing the word of God. Reflecting on Psalms 119:73-80 and Psalm 107, this devotional addresses the afflictions we face and how they are part of God's plan to steer us towards His purpose. Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, we explore the idea that afflictions are not punishments but divine interventions aimed at realigning our paths. Rejoice in knowing that despite many afflictions, the Lord delivers the righteous and uses these trials to bring us closer to Him. 00:00 Introduction and Joy of Sharing the Word 01:17 The Hymn: My Father Planned It All 01:58 Exploring God's Faithfulness 05:51 Personal Testimony of Business and Faith 08:02 Afflictions of the Righteous 10:03 Conclusion and Encouragement

As Christians, we will face problems and afflictions, but we can trust that God will deliver us out of them. Subscribe to daily devotions e-mails: https://wcm.link/ddsub

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | Because You Care Page | H.O.T. Bible Study [podcast] | Divine Blessings | Exhort One Another Daily | The Return of Christ | The Joy of Fulfilling the Great Commission | The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold | Lie of the Ages (book) | Soul Damning Sins (small book) | Why We Need not Fear Death | Revelation Bombshell!HOMEPAGE:   https://safeguardyoursoul.com/MAKE PEACE WITH GOD NOW: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/peace-with-god/SUPPORT:  https://safeguardyoursoul.com/support/STORE:   https://safeguardyoursoul.com/store/ABOUT:  https://safeguardyoursoul.com/about/email Todd:  info@safeguardyoursoul.comBackground Music by: Thad Fiscella https://www.thadfiscella.com/ Support the Show.Support the show

BestPodcastintheMetaverse.com Canary Cry News Talk #777 - 09.25.2024 - Recorded Live to 1s and 0s 777 JACKPOT | Election Afflictions, M5M Capitulation, AOD4 Release Deconstructing Corporate Mainstream Media News from a Biblical Worldview Declaring Jesus as Lord amidst the Fifth Generation War! TJT Youtube (backup) Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJoyspiracyTheory The Show Operates on the Value 4 Value Model: http://CanaryCry.Support Join the Supply Drop: https://CanaryCrySupplyDrop.com Submit Articles: https://CanaryCry.Report Submit Art: https://CanaryCry.Art Join the T-Shirt Council: https://CanaryCryTShirtCouncil.com Podcasting 2.0: https://PodcastIndex.org Resource: Index of MSM Ownership (Harvard.edu) Resource: Aliens Demons Doc (feat. Dr. Heiser, Unseen Realm) Resource: False Christ: Will the Antichrist Claim to be the Jewish Messiah Tree of Links: https://CanaryCry.Party   Join the Canary Cry Roundtable   This Episode was Produced By:   NEW BARON OF THE CANARY CRY ROUNDTABLE Sir Dylan, Baron of the Wailing Avian   CANARY CRY ROUNDTABLE Sir Joe G, Knight of the Fatherless The Lady Shield Knight Sir Menace Sensei, Knight of the Samurai Babies Dame iAnon, Daughter of Adonai El Roi   Executive Producers Sir Jacob Hi-Line Hoss and Knight of the Issachar Pursuit*** Haley F*** Joe G*** Miranda L***   Producers of TREASURE (CanaryCry.Support) Sir Dylan Knight of the Wailing Avian, Raoul S, Stopher, Sir LX Protocol V2 Knight of the Berrean Protocol, Sir Marti K Knight of the Wrong Timeline, Elle O, Sir Ike, Sir Casey the Shield Knight, Sir Morv Knight of the Burning Chariots, Mrs Tinfoil Hat Man, Veronica D, Sir Scott Knight of Truth   Producers of TALENT (CanaryCry.Art) Little Owen, JonathanF, Dame Miss G if the OV and Deep Rivers, Nomenprunte   Producers of TIME Timestampers: Jade Bouncerson, Morgan E Clippy Team: Courtney S, JOLMS, Kristen Reminders: Clankoniphius Links: JAM   SHOW NOTES/TIMESTAMPS Podcast T- 3:59 from rumble HELLO, RUN DOWN 14:12 V / 10:13 P   EXECS 16:31 V / 12:32 P   KAMALA 24:01 V / 20:02 P Clip: Charlie Kirk shares CNN clip of panel slamming Kamala's visit to border (X) → Trump tweets about Kamala visiting the Border (X)   TRUMP 32:53 V / 28:54 P Trump briefed on alleged assassination threats by Iran, his campaign says (Reuters) Trump briefed on Iranian Assassination Attempt, highlights bipartisan consensus (X)   BBB 44:45 V / 40:46 P Congressional Constitutional amendment in case of “mass casualty event” (SCNR) → 3000 Capitol hill staffers Info Leaked on Dark Web (Newsweek)   PRODUCERS 1:03:44 V / 59:45 P   ALEX JONES 1:18:24 V / 1:14:25 P Judge to approve auctions liquidating Alex Jones' Infowars to help pay Sandy Hook families (AP)   WATER 1:28:55 V / 1:24:56 P Federal Court rules against EPA fluoridating water (CBS)   BEAST SYSTEM 1:34:58 V / 1:30:59 P Sarco suicide pod is used for the first time as US woman, 64, uses the capsule to die in Swiss woodland - prompting police to swoop and detain staff (DailyMail)    SPEAKPIPE! 1:37:52 V / 1:33:53 P OUTRO 1:49:15 V / 1:45:16 P END 1:55:36 V / 1:51:37 P

Peter Leithart, James Bejon, Alastair Roberts and Jeff Meyers discuss Deuteronomy 28:45-68. _____ GIVE TO THEOPOLIS theopolisinstitute.com/give/ Get the new Theopolis App! app.theopolisinstitute.com/menu Use Code "theopolitan" to get your first month free! Sign up for In Medias Res mailchi.mp/0b01d726f2fe/inmediasres

The way to make your life an eternal success is to do with it just what Jesus did with his. Fill up his afflictions. -------- 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.

With the capture of Lander One, major military operations on Palisade have seemingly come to a close. Most of the remnants of the Bilateral Intercession's forces have been captured or have turned themselves in—though some, like those now under the sway of the re-emergent Motion, have seemingly disappeared altogether. There are, remain, however, some loose and chaotic threads splayed across the planet: The Nidean forces who have wormed their way into the protection of Wakeful, the so-called scattered shards of Divinity (including the Afflictions and the Chimeric Cadent), and, of course, the treacherous Witch of Glass, Clementine. This week on PALISADE:  A Palette of Colors Pt. 8 Haven't had a dream in a long time Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora  Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Text by Austin Walker Cover Art by by aurahack (aurahack.jp) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, chocoube, Clark, DB, deepFlaw, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Nich Maragos, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, and weakmint for their support For the finale, we are playing Questlandia 2nd Edition. This season we played Armour Astir: Advent with additional playbooks from Strangers in the Night and 106th Astir Squadron. If you enjoy the show, consider supporting the TTRPG.  This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.  

IN THIS EPISODE: The Alaskan Triangle is already known for strange and bizarre activity – so it should be no surprise that a hotel located in the triangle might experience a few bumps in the night. (The Demonic Haunting of the Alaskan Hotel) *** After picking up a sex worker to assault and murder, a serial killer made the mistake of underestimating the determination of his victim to stay alive… and lost his own life in the process. (The Hooker Who Stopped a Serial Killer) *** Chucky the doll isn't real. Neither were any of the dolls that came to life on shows like “The Twilight Zone” and “Outer Limits” – but that doesn't mean real haunted dolls don't exist, and it's not just “Annabelle” and “Robert” on the list. (When Haunted Dolls Attack) *** Ilse Koch was a female concentration camp guard and she was so ruthless and evil even the Na*is had her arrested. (Ilse Koch: The Witch of Buchenwald) *** They reside atop dizzying heights and are often unnoticed by human eyes but ever watchful of our movements. They have 'observed' us for centuries. We'll look at the history and purpose of gargoyles and grotesques. (In The Protection of Gargoyles) *** Outside of Washington, D.C. lies an abandoned institution with a thoroughly disturbing past. We'll look at the history and horrors of Forest Haven Mental Asylum. (The Afflictions Of Forest Haven Asylum)YOUTUBE TIME STAMPS…00:00.00.000 = Introduction00:01:12.945 = Show Open00:03:40.082 = The Demonic Haunting Of The Alaskan Hotel00:16:44.041 = The Hooker Who Stopped A Serial Killer00:23:11.025 = When Haunted Dolls Attack00:45:54.222 = Ilse Koch, The Witch Of Buchenwald00:57:17.203 = In The Protection of Gargoyles01:04:59.291 = The Afflictions of Forest Haven Asylum01:12:14.997 = Show Close01:14:25.387 = BloopersSOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…“The Demonic Haunting of the Alaskan Hotel” by Marcus Lowth for UFO Insight: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8w47e9“The Hooker Who Stopped A Serial Killer” by Roger Kim for Unspeakable Times: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2ffhcv4n“Ilse Koch: The Witch of Buchenwald” by Laura Allen for Weird History: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yr3a4dvy“In The Protection of Gargoyles” by Angela Sutherland for Ancient Pages: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3j94t765“The Afflictions Of Forest Haven Asylum” by Gary Sweeney for The Line Up: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/34p6fe79“When Haunted Dolls Attack” by MD Bastek for Horror Obsessive: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yckuhxk6Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. = = = = =(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness.= = = = =Originally aired: March, 2022

Rebecca Crumpler was the first Black woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. She also wrote one of the first, if not the first, medical texts by a Black person in the United States. Research: Allen, Patrick S. “‘We must attack the system': The Print Practice of Black ‘Doctresses'.” Arizona Quarterly: A Journal of American Literature, Culture, and Theory, Volume 74, Number 4, Winter 2018. https://doi.org/10.1353/arq.2018.0023 Boston African American National Historic Site. “Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler.” National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/people/dr-rebecca-lee-crumpler.htm The Boston Globe. “Boston's Oldest Pupil.” 4/3/1898. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Rebecca Lee Crumpler". Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Jan. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rebecca-Lee-Crumpler. Accessed 7 February 2024. Cazalet, Sylvain. “New England Female Medical College & New England Hospital for Women and Children.” http://www.homeoint.org/cazalet/histo/newengland.htm  “The Colored People's Memorial.” The News Journal. 17 Mar 1874. Crumpler, Rebecca. “A Book of Medical Discourses: In Two Parts.” Boston : Cashman, Keating, printers. 1883. https://archive.org/details/67521160R.nlm.nih.gov/mode/2up Granshaw, Michelle. “Georgia E.L. Patton.” Black Past. 12/19/2009. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/patton-georgia-e-l-1864-1900/  Gregory, Samuel. “Doctor or Doctress?” Boston, 1868. https://digirepo.nlm.nih.gov/ext/dw/101183088/PDF/101183088.pdf Herbison, Matt. “Is that Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler? Misidentification, copyright, and pesky historical details.” Drexel University Legacy Center. 6/2013. https://drexel.edu/legacy-center/blog/overview/2013/june/is-that-dr-rebecca-lee-crumpler-misidentification-copyright-and-pesky-historical-details/ Herwick, Edgar B. III. “The 'Doctresses Of Medicine': The World's 1st Female Medical School Was Established In Boston.” WGBH. 11/4/2016. https://www.wgbh.org/lifestyle/2016-11-04/the-doctresses-of-medicine-the-worlds-1st-female-medical-school-was-established-in-boston Janee, Dominique et al. “The U.S.'s First Black Female Physician Cared for Patients from Cradle to Grave.” Scientific American. 11/2/2023. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/americas-first-black-female-physician-cared-for-patients-from-cradle-to-grave/ Klass, Perri. “‘To Mitigate the Afflictions of the Human Race' — The Legacy of Dr. Rebecca Crumpler.” New England Journal of Medicine. 4/1/2021. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2032451 Laskowski, Amy. “Trailblazing BU Alum Gets a Gravestone 125 Years after Her Death.” Bostonia. 8/7/2020. https://www.bu.edu/articles/2020/rebecca-lee-crumpler-first-black-female-physician-gets-gravestone-130-after-death/ Markel, Howard. “Celebrating Rebecca Lee Crumpler, first African-American woman physician.” PBS NewsHour. 3/9/2016. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/celebrating-rebecca-lee-crumpler-first-african-american-physician "Rebecca Lee Crumpler." Contemporary Black Biography, vol. 89, Gale, 2011. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1606005213/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=0b5b3c23. Accessed 7 Feb. 2024. Sconyers, Jake. “Dr. Rebecca Crumpler, Forgotten No Longer (episode 200).” HUB History. 8/30/2020. https://www.hubhistory.com/episodes/dr-rebecca-crumpler-forgotten-no-longer-episode-200/ "SETS IN COLORED SOCIETY.: MRS JOHN LEWIS IS THE MRS JACK GARDNER OF HER PEOPLE--MISS WASHINGTON A LEADER IN ARTISTIC CIRCLES--MEN AND WOMEN IN BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WALKS--THE PROMISE OF A POET." Boston Daily Globe (1872-1922), Jul 22 1894, p. 29. ProQuest. Web. 8 Feb. 2024 . Shmerler, Cindy. “Overlooked No More: Rebecca Lee Crumpler, Who Battled Prejudice in Medicine.” New York Times. 7/16/2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/16/obituaries/rebecca-lee-crumpler-overlooked.html Skinner, Carolyn. “Women Physicians and Professional Ethos in Nineteenth-Century America.” Southern Illinois University Press, 2014. Project MUSE. muse.jhu.edu/book/28490 Spring, Kelly A. “Mary Eliza Mahoney.” National Women's History Museum. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-mahoney Tracey, Liz. “The ‘Doctress' Was In: Rebecca Lee Crumpler.” JSTOR Daily. 3/9/2020. https://daily.jstor.org/the-doctress-was-in-rebecca-lee-crumpler/ Wells, Susan. “Out of the Dead House: Nineteenth-Century Women Physicians and the Writing of Medicine.” University of Wisconsin Press, 2012. Project MUSE. muse.jhu.edu/book/16736 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.