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Welcome to a new episode of the Meditative Prayers Podcast, guided by the insights of Zach Clinton. Today, we embark on an enlightening exploration centered around a sentiment that resonates deeply with all, especially our fellow travelers on the path of faith: the profound sense of being cherished. Within the intricate tapestry of our spiritual journey, we encounter junctures where the burdens of life threaten to dim our spirits. Yet, take heart, for in the presence of our Divine guide, we unearth the strength to transcend challenges and uncover a wellspring of resilience. Join us as we draw wisdom from the timeless verses of Luke 12:24-26 in the revered King James Version, delving into their depths to navigate and rise above moments of vulnerability.If you're seeking to enrich your spiritual journey and immerse yourself in more Christian meditation, heartfelt prayers, and peaceful sleep content, we encourage you to download the Pray.com app.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Welcome to another enlightening installment of the Meditative Prayers Podcast, thoughtfully guided by Zach Clinton. In this episode, we embark on a transformative journey, uncovering the art of embracing each day with grace and purpose. Within the intricate tapestry of our faith expedition, we encounter instances where the weight of life's trials threatens to cast shadows on our path. However, take solace in the knowledge that, with the Lord as our unwavering companion, we possess the inherent ability to rise above adversity and discover renewed strength. Join us as we draw wisdom from the timeless words of Matthew 6:34 in the revered King James Version, delving into its profound teachings to navigate and transcend moments of vulnerability.If you're seeking to enrich your spiritual journey and immerse yourself in more Christian meditation, heartfelt prayers, and peaceful sleep content, we encourage you to download the Pray.com app.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Welcome to a fresh edition of the Meditative Prayers Podcast, under the thoughtful guidance of Zach Clinton. In this installment, we embark on an insightful voyage to uncover a universal emotion that resonates deeply with many, especially our fellow brethren in Christ: the invaluable essence of encouragement. Within the tapestry of our faith journey, there emerge junctures where the weight of life's challenges threatens to overshadow our spirit. Yet, take heart, for the promise of hope and resilience awaits. As we stand alongside the Almighty, we unearth the ability to ascend beyond adversity, discovering newfound vigor. Join us as we draw from the timeless wellspring of Proverbs 12:25 in the revered King James Version, peering into the depths of its wisdom to illuminate our path.If you're seeking to enrich your spiritual journey and immerse yourself in more Christian meditation, heartfelt prayers, and peaceful sleep content, we encourage you to download the Pray.com app.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This sermon examines Stephen's defense in Acts chapter 7 as a comprehensive recap of Israel's history, tracing the covenant from Abraham through the Exodus and the establishment of the tabernacle. The central argument highlights the consistent pattern of Israel resisting the Holy Spirit and rejecting God's appointed leaders, culminating in the murder of Jesus. The speaker emphasizes the theological significance of God's sovereignty over physical structures, noting that the Almighty cannot be contained by a temple built by human hands. Through this historical lens, the sermon convicts the audience of spiritual obstinacy and hypocrisy, urging believers to recognize the danger of resisting divine guidance. The narrative concludes with the hope found in Stephen's final vision and the ultimate forgiveness extended to those who participated in his martyrdom.
In today's special episode of Pray.com's Meditative Prayers podcast with Zach Clinton, we address a topic that resonates deeply with Christians all around the world: The need for Comfort. Our spiritual journey brings both moments of strength and times of vulnerability. For every woman of faith who has felt the weight of the world, remember that comfort is close by. With the Lord as our guiding force, we can navigate and overcome these feelings of anxiety. Rooted in the wisdom of Psalm 94:19 from the King James Version, we offer insights and solace to uplift and rejuvenate the spirit during life's trying times.If you're seeking to enrich your spiritual journey and immerse yourself in more Christian meditation, heartfelt prayers, and peaceful sleep content, we encourage you to download the Pray.com app.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Welcome to Day 2958 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2958 – Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 7:6-27 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2958 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2958 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Twilight Trap – A Tragic Drama of Seduction and Slaughter. On our previous podcast, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Seven, we explored the ultimate defense strategy against the devastating fires of moral compromise. We learned that the only way to defeat the deceptive allure of the world is to elevate God's truth to the highest place of honor in our lives. Solomon urged us to guard divine instruction as fiercely and instinctively as we guard the pupils of our eyes, and to invite Lady Wisdom into our homes, loving her like a cherished sister! Today, as we step forward onto Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Eight of our ongoing journey through God's Word, we advance into the remainder of Proverbs chapter seven, covering verses six through twenty-seven. In this extended passage, Solomon changes his teaching style. Instead of delivering direct commands, he takes us over to the window of his royal palace and asks us to watch a tragic, real-life drama unfold in the streets below. He paints a cinematic, heartbreaking picture of a young man who failed to make Wisdom his sister, and instead, wandered blindly into the arms of a predator. Over my seventy years of life, and my fifty years of studying the Scriptures, I have learned that moral failure rarely happens in a sudden, unpredictable vacuum. It follows a distinct, predictable pattern. And today, Solomon outlines that exact pattern, step by fatal step. Let us open our minds and hearts, and stand at the window with the king, as recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the vivid, contiguous thoughts found in Proverbs chapter seven, verse six, verse seven, verse eight, and verse nine. While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. Look at the scene Solomon sets! He is looking down through the lattice of his window, observing the crowds, when his eyes fixate on one particular individual. He describes this individual as a "naive young man" who "lacked common sense." In the original Hebrew, the phrase is chaser lev, meaning he was completely lacking a heart, devoid of moral direction and discernment. Notice the deliberate, geographic progression of his failure in verse eight! He wasn't suddenly attacked in a safe place; he intentionally placed himself in the danger zone. He was crossing the street near the house of the immoral woman, casually strolling down the path by her house. He was playing on the edges of compromise, testing how close he could get to the fire without getting burned. Then, look at the brilliant use of time and atmosphere in verse nine! "It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell." The physical descent of the sun perfectly mirrors the spiritual descent of his soul. He didn't start in total darkness; he started in the twilight—that gray, ambiguous area where the boundaries between right and wrong begin to blur. But twilight never lasts; it always gives way to the deep, blinding darkness of night. In the cover of this darkness, the trap is sprung. Let us examine the predator who emerges, linking together the thoughts in Proverbs chapter seven, verse ten, verse eleven, and verse twelve. The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. Here, the seductress steps out of the shadows. Verse ten tells us she approached him, "seductively dressed and sly of heart." She is dressed as a prostitute, broadcasting her intentions, yet her heart is hidden, guarded, and entirely calculating. Look at the psychological profile Solomon provides in verses eleven and twelve! She is brash and rebellious, driven by a chaotic, restless energy. She is "never content to stay at home." In the Ancient Israelite worldview, a peaceful, ordered home was the ultimate sanctuary of covenant blessing. But this woman rejects that sacred order; her feet are loud, unquiet, and wandering. She roams the streets, the markets, and the public squares, lurking at every corner like a hunter waiting for prey. She is the dark, distorted counterfeit of Lady Wisdom, who also calls out in the public squares, but calls men to life, not death. The narrative now accelerates as the physical and emotional trap is closed, connecting the contiguous thoughts in Proverbs chapter seven, verse thirteen, verse fourteen, and verse fifteen. She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, “I've just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows. You're the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are!” Listen to the shocking audacity of this encounter! In verse thirteen, she physically assaults his senses, throwing her arms around him and kissing him with a brazen, shameless look. But the most terrifying aspect of her seduction is what she says next in verse fourteen: "I've just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows." To fully grasp the horror of this, we must view it through the divine-council worldview. A peace offering—a shelamim—was a sacred sacrifice made at the temple to celebrate fellowship with Yahweh! The worshipper would offer the animal, God would accept the blood, and the worshipper would take the choice meat home to eat in a joyful, holy feast. This woman is weaponizing religion! She is taking a sacred, holy meal meant to celebrate covenant fidelity with the Creator, and she is using it to underwrite her adultery! She uses spiritual language to soothe his conscience, flattering his ego in verse fifteen by whispering, "You're the one I was looking for!" She makes him feel special, chosen, and desired, completely blinding him to the fact that she was looking for anyone foolish enough to take the bait. Having dismantled his spiritual defenses, she unleashes an overwhelming sensory attack, weaving together the logical thoughts found in Proverbs chapter seven, verse sixteen, verse seventeen, verse eighteen, verse nineteen, and verse twenty. “My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen. I've perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let's drink our fill of love until morning. Let's enjoy each other's caresses, for my husband is not home. He's away on a long trip. He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won't return until later this month.” Look at the intoxicating web she spins! She appeals to his sight and touch in verse sixteen with beautiful blankets and luxurious, imported Egyptian linens. She appeals to his sense of smell in verse seventeen, claiming to have perfumed her bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon—expensive, exotic spices designed to intoxicate the mind. She invites him to drink deeply of love until the morning light. Then, in verses nineteen and twenty, she removes the final barrier: the fear of consequence! She assures him, "for my husband is not home. He's away on a long trip... and won't return until later this month." She offers him the ultimate illusion: pleasure without accountability. She convinces the young man that the master of the house is far away, completely unaware. But as we learned back in Proverbs chapter five, verse twenty-one, the true Master of the house—Yahweh Himself—sees clearly what a man does, and examines every single path he takes! The husband may be on a long trip, but the all-seeing eyes of the Almighty are burning through the darkness of that very room. Solomon now reveals the tragic, fatal conclusion of this seduction, linking together the profound thoughts in Proverbs chapter seven, verse twenty-one, verse twenty-two, and verse twenty-three. So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her...
Welcome to a brand-new installment of the Meditative Prayers Podcast, led by your host, Zach Clinton. Today, we embark on a profound journey into the realm of prayer, delving into its transformative power to illuminate our faith path. Join us as we navigate the intricate tapestry of spirituality, where moments of vulnerability and unease are met with a divine remedy: the art of prayer. Amidst the contours of our faith expedition, there arise junctures where the weight of life's challenges can leave us feeling diminished and besieged. In these instances, we find solace in the unwavering companionship of the Almighty, enabling us to not only endure but to flourish. This episode is a guiding light, revealing how the practice of prayer, rooted in the timeless wisdom of Philippians 4:6 within the revered King James Version, empowers us to transcend these fleeting moments of fragility.If you're seeking to enrich your spiritual journey and immerse yourself in more Christian meditation, heartfelt prayers, and peaceful sleep content, we encourage you to download the Pray.com app.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:12 Is not God in the height of heaven? God dwells in heaven in I Kings 8:30, 39, 43, 49; Psalm 2:4; 11:4; 33:13; 103:19; 113:5.Look also at the distant stars, how high they are!- God is so exalted that He is far above the most remote and massive star. The emphasis is on the greatness of God and the majesty of His dwelling place. In Ps. 113:5-6 God even lowers himself to look upon the affairs of men. God's exalted nature is a call for reverence for Him (Isa. 40:22, 26; 57:15). Jer. 23:23-24 says God is both near and not far off. He is above and beyond us and He fills heaven and earth. God is more distant than the farthest star or remotest planet and yet He is nearer than the air we breathe (Acts 17:27).22:22 Please receive instruction from His mouth- Instruction is the word torah. Torah often indicates God's revelation through Moses. This is the only time this word appears in Job. What does the Torah consist of here? It is used to describe wisdom teaching (Prov. 1:8; 3:1; 4:2; 6:20, 23; 7:2; 13:14) and wisdom, knowledge, and understanding come from His mouth (Prov. 2:6). In Proverbs the verb receive, lakah, often describes one's response to wisdom teaching (1:3; 2:1; 4:10; 8:10; 10:8; 13:10; 21:11; 24:32). 22:24 And place your gold in the dust- He accuses Job of putting trust in material possessions (Ps. 119:36; Prov. 11:4). Wisdom is more valuable than silver and gold (Ps. 119:72, 127; Prov. 3:14-15; 8:10-11, 19; 16:16). Job disavows any sin in this matter of trusting in wealth in 31:24-25. And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks,- Ophir was apparently the most valuable gold (Job 28:16; I Kings 9:28; 10:11; 22:48; I Chron. 29:4; II Chron. 9:10; Ps. 45:9; Isa. 13:12). We have not been able to identify where Ophir was with certainty. Eliphaz is telling Job to put back his riches where he obtained them. Doing these renounces any claim upon him that gold has and will involve giving up all the sins that Eliphaz has accused him of in 22:6-9.There are a couple of significant wordplays in this verse. The word translated gold is the word beser. The word translated among the stones in the next line is besur. The word dust, aphar, sounds like the word for Ophir, which is transliterated from Hebrew. 22:25 Then the Almighty will be your gold- God is a blessing more precious than gold (Ps. 73:25-26). Rid yourself of all treasure and make God your treasure (Matt. 19:21). Was Job content to let God be His treasure? (1:9-11). It is interesting that it is Eliphaz who utters this line. Eliphaz' statement reflects the meaning of his name; My God is gold. And choice silver to you- While great wealth brings great security (at least imagined; Prov. 18:10-11) and can bring honor, God has more to give to give Job than that (II Chron. 25:8-10). 22:26 For then you will delight in the Almighty- The verb delight, anog, is also used in Ps. 37:4 and Isa. 58:14 for delighting in the LORD (Ps. 1:2; 112:1; Isa. 61:10). Eliphaz is pointing to a transformation of Job's desires.And lift your face to God- 10:15-16; 11:15. The sins of Ezra and his people made him embarrassed to lift up his face to God in Ezra 9:6. If Job delights in the Almighty, he will once again be able to lift up his face to Him. Lifting up one's face indicates victory in battle (Judges 8:28; Ps. 27:5-6) or acceptance by a superior (Esther 2:9, 17; Jer. 52:31). It means to be able to look at one with a clean conscience (II Sam. 2:22).
Job suffers a series of devastating losses, including the destruction of his possessions, family, and servants. Why God would allow such suffering to not only Job, but Job's family and children. Satan's accusations that Job's faith is only motivated by his material blessings, and that God is the same as an idolatrous god. Satan's desire to one-up God and prove his intelligence is above the Almighty. Satan's role in causing destruction - his partnership with human beings in bringing about evil in Job's life. The episode encourages listeners to choose between following the adversary, Satan, who brings destruction, or the one true God, who gives blessings and salvation. Related Episode: 2 Chronicles 24:15-27 - Idolatry NEVER Brings Success 2 Chronicles 33:1-9 - Idol Worship Is Always a Cheap Imitation for the Worship of Yahweh 2 Chronicles 28:16-27 - Why Idolatry Always Breeds Selfishness Don’t just check out one… Take a look at them all! YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle Check out LifeAudio for other faith-based podcasts on parenting, studying Scripture, and more:www.lifeaudio.com Need help memorizing Scripture? Check out Verse in the Chorus: https://www.youtube.com/@VerseintheChrous Become a member to gain access to The Bible Explained on Fridays: https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this message from our Who We Are series, Pastor Robey Barnes takes us into Revelation 19, where John hears a great multitude cry out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.” Heaven is celebrating the marriage supper of the Lamb, and the bride has been granted fine linen, bright and pure. We could never make ourselves worthy of Jesus—it had to be given to us through the sacrifice of the Lamb. Then, in the middle of that worship, John falls at the feet of an angel and is told, “Worship God.” If even John needed that reminder, none of us are exempt. We can be consumed by a relationship, a goal, or a circumstance—even by worship itself—instead of Jesus. Revelation reveals Jesus as the groom we were made for, the judge who gives us our validation, and the King who returns crowned with many crowns. When we keep Him at the center, we are being made ready for Him.
Revelation 1:8New International Version8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come,the Almighty.”“For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].”Ephesians 2:10 AMPChttps://bible.com/bible/8/eph.2.10.AMPC“Then I said, Behold, here I am, coming to do Your will, O God–[to fulfill] what is written of Me in the volume of the Book. [Ps. 40:6-8.]”Hebrews 10:7 AMPChttps://bible.com/bible/8/heb.10.7.AMPC
When Sukkot Doesn't Go as Planned Welcome to Daily Bitachon. We are currently celebrating Sukkos, and it is a very different kind of Sukkos this year due to the heavy rain brought on by a nor'easter. Many people were fortunate enough to get some of their meals in, while very few managed to eat all of them in the sukkah. Most people could not sleep inside, and some even had their sukkahs blown away. So, what should we be feeling right now? What emotion should be in our hearts and minds? Should we feel sad? Should we feel frustrated? Or should we simply tell ourselves, "Well, we just have to be happy because it's Yom Tov— ושמחת בחגך (and you shall rejoice on your festival)" ? What is our attitude truly supposed to be? The Sun, the Sukkah, and the Kick To understand this, we turn to the famous Gemara in Masechet Avodah Zarah (3b). The Gemara describes Hashem judging the nations of the world at the end of days, systematically refuting every argument they present. Finally, Hashem says, "You know what? I will make it easy. I will give you an accessible, inexpensive mitzvah: make a sukkah, and let us see how you do." Everyone goes up to their roofs and builds a sukkah. Hashem then brings out an intensely hot sun, making conditions unbearable. In response, they kick their sukkahs and storm off. The Gemara asks: "Wait a moment— מצטער פטור מן הסוכה (someone who is in distress is exempt from sitting in the sukkah). Why are they faulted?" The Gemara answers: "True, they were exempt, but you do not kick the sukkah on your way out." Kicking signifies anger, irritation, and frustration that things did not go according to plan. That is not the Jewish way. The Jewish approach is: "I walk out with humility. I tried, but my service was not accepted." As the Gemara in Masechet Sukkah teaches, when it rains on Sukkos, it is compared to a servant coming to pour a cup for his master, only for the master to splash the pitcher back in his face. What does the servant feel at that moment? He is humbled: "I wanted to serve my master, but I am unworthy. For reasons known to Him, it was rejected." When you internalize that lesson, you grasp the true essence of Sukkos—humility. You can acquire humility by dwelling in the sukkah, and you can acquire humility by having to leave the sukkah. The objective is to walk away without frustration or resentment, fully humbled, hoping to serve the Master in whichever way He truly desires. Tamar vs. Eishes Potifar: Pure Intentions Under Pressure Rav Wolbe explores this theme through the contrast between Tamar and the wife of Potifar (Eishes Potifar). As Rashi notes, both women acted with what they believed were holy intentions: both foresaw through prophecy or astrology that great lineages would emerge from them. Tamar saw Mashiach ben David, while Eishes Potifar saw Mashiach ben Yosef. Rav Wolbe asks: where, then, lies the difference? The difference emerges when the plan falls apart. Tamar made extraordinary sacrifices. She married Yehudah's first son, and he died. She married the second, and he died. She waited for the third, but was put off. Finally, she devised a discreet, desperate plan: she disguised herself as a harlot so she could bear children through Yehudah himself to build the royal lineage. It worked, and she became pregnant. Yet, after all that effort, just as she was on the verge of fulfilling her holy mission, she was accused of adultery and sentenced to death. She possessed the evidence to clear her name by exposing Yehudah, but she knew that publicly embarrassing someone is forbidden. Rather than forcing her mission through by violating Hashem's will, she remained silent and gave Yehudah the space to step forward on his own. At that critical juncture, she faced an immense test. Human nature would say: "I worked so hard for this holy outcome; I must reveal him to save the mission!" Instead, she recognized that she had reached a boundary. She was willing to perish rather than break the rules, humbly thinking: "I tried my best, it didn't work, and I will submit to Hashem's will." Because her dedication was completely selfless and solely for Hashem's honor, she merited becoming the matriarch of the Davidic dynasty. Eishes Potifar, by contrast, also foresaw that she was destined to bring forth descendants through Yosef who would lead to Mashiach ben Yosef. However, she was unaware of the principle that raising an orphan is considered equivalent to giving birth to them. Seeing no children of her own, she concluded, "It must come through me directly." In reality, that lineage was destined to arrive through her adopted daughter, Asnat bat Potifera. She pursued Yosef relentlessly, but when her plan failed, she did not step back with humility. She grew resentful, became furious that Yosef was thwarting her designs, and threw him into prison. That is the litmus test: how do you react when you are patur (exempted or stopped)? That moment reveals whether you are pursuing Hashem's will or your own agenda. The Meaning of Patur: It Is Not About You Rav Dov Landau shares a moving story about the Chafetz Chaim in his nineties. He was frail and sickly, requiring constant care. One afternoon, his caregivers stepped away and left him unattended so they could catch Mincha. When the Chafetz Chaim found out, he was dismayed: "What are you doing? You are patur! That is not what Hashem wants from you—to abandon a vulnerable person just to say Mincha. Tefillah is not an ego trip; you are halachically exempt right now. Accept that and care for the person, because עוסק במצוה פטור מן המצוה (one engaged in a mitzvah is exempt from another mitzvah)." Rabbi Ades offered the exact same guidance to mothers overwhelmed with raising young children and managing their homes who feel guilty when they miss formal prayer: "You are not falling short. You are immersed in a primary mitzvah, and עוסק במצוה פטור מן המצוה applies to you. This is what Hashem asks of you right now. Accept your mission with joy." The Chazon Ish addresses this directly in Sefer Emunah u'Bitachon : What is the real engine behind our actions? Is it our personal satisfaction, or is it seeing Hashem's will fulfilled? The answer becomes obvious when we are declared patur . He tells the story of a host who loved having guests for Shabbat. Every Friday night, he would eagerly bring home visitors from shul who needed a meal. One week, the coordinator inadvertently assigned his expected guest to someone else. The host walked home empty-handed. His family was crestfallen, asking, "Where is our guest? Why don't we have one tonight?" The man gently reminded them: "A guest is a human being in need, not a prop for our spiritual fulfillment. The person needed a warm meal, and he received one. That is all that matters. It is not about our satisfaction or fanfare." A similar sentiment is found in the story of a prominent sage visiting another sage who was ill. Sensing that the visitor was treating the visit like a mechanical checklist item, the sick sage wryly observed: "Excuse me, but I am not your etrog." When we perform acts of lovingkindness, the recipient is not merely an object for our personal merits; we are there to serve their genuine needs. If the need is met elsewhere or we are prevented from helping, we step back peacefully. This lesson applies broadly. Consider someone who runs a vital charitable initiative. If another organization arises and performs that service more effectively, the original founder should not harbor resentment or cling to a monopoly on kindness. If the need is met, the mission is achieved. It is not about us. Similarly, as individuals age and can no longer carry the responsibilities they once shouldered, they can take comfort in knowing they have fulfilled their part and are now exempt. Reward for Stepping Aside Returning to Sukkos: this is the mindset we must carry when rain disrupts our holiday. We designed our sukkahs, prepared delicious meals, and hoped to dwell in them fully—yet Hashem decreed otherwise. We became patur . Passing the test of performing a mitzvah is essential, but passing the test of letting go when exempted is equally vital. The Gemara tells of Shimon HaAmsoni, who spent years deriving practical laws from every occurrence of the word et ( את ) in the Torah, which generally serves to amplify or include additional applications. For instance, in "Honor your father and your mother" ( כבד את אביך ואת אמך ), the word et includes one's older brother. Eventually, he arrived at Devarim 10:20: " את ה' אלקיך תירא (You shall fear Hashem your God)." He paused. There is no one who can be equated with the reverence owed to the Almighty. Faced with this theological reality, he abandoned his entire life's thesis on the spot. His students asked, "What will become of all your previous teachings?" He replied: "Just as I received reward for the inquiry ( כשם שקיבלתי שכר על הדרישה ), so too I receive reward for stepping back ( כך אני מקבל שכר על הפרישה )." The same principle was applied to the Netziv when the Russian authorities demanded the inclusion of secular studies in the famed Volozhin Yeshiva. Believing it would compromise the integrity of Torah study, he made the agonizing decision to close the yeshiva's doors. He understood that when Hashem closes a path, standing down is the required service. Finally, when Rav Matisyahu Salomon organized the historic gathering on technology at Citi Field, rain was predicted. When asked if he was worried, he answered simply: "I am not doing this for myself; I am doing this for Hashem. If He desires rain, let there be rain." That is the hallmark of true servitude: throwing yourself fully into your responsibilities, yet stepping aside with deep humility the moment Hashem indicates that the plan belongs to Him.
In today's episode of Pray.com's Meditative Prayers podcast hosted by Zach Clinton, we explore a sentiment that touches many, including our brothers and sisters in Christ: the feeling of feebleness. As we walk our faith journey, there are moments when we might feel weak or overwhelmed. But the good news is, with the Lord by our side, we can rise above and find strength. Drawing inspiration from 1 Peter 5:7 in the King James Version, we delve deep into understanding and transcending these moments of frailty.If you're seeking to enrich your spiritual journey and immerse yourself in more Christian meditation, heartfelt prayers, and peaceful sleep content, we encourage you to download the Pray.com app.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
God Asks September 27, 2026 Elwyn N. Johnston 1 Kings 17: 1 – 7 Verse of the Week: “Elijah was a man like us. He asked God not to let it rain. And for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.” James 5:17 1. Will you speak for Me? “Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord's sight, even more than any of the kings before him….he married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and he began to bow down in worship of Baal. First Ahab built a temple and an altar for Baal in Samaria.” 1 Kings 16:30 - 32 “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 1 Kings 17:1 2. Will you hide with Me? “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.” 1 Kings 17:3 “hide” – sathar – to conceal, to be covered, to be tucked away out of sight “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 “God will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble” Psalm 27:5 “Cherith” – a cutting, a separation 3. Will you depend on Me? “you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.” 1 Kings 17:4 “provide” – kul – to sustain “ravens brought Elijah bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook.” 1 Kings 17:6 “It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.” 1 Kings 17:7 To keep our focus on God, not the brook. New lessons about ourselves and our insufficiency and God and His sufficiency. That God desires to take us to new places to do new works.
In this compelling episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, led by the insightful Dr. Tim Clinton and available on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of realizing our spiritual aspirations—a pursuit that deeply resonates within our Christian community. Along our spiritual journey, there are moments when the yearning for purpose takes center stage, surpassing mere accomplishment as a paramount desire. These moments not only enrich our faith but also breathe life into our relationships, propelling us toward the fulfillment of our individual dreams. The steadfast truth endures: guided by the Lord, we possess the innate ability to grasp these aspirations, discovering renewed hope and deepened purpose in our journey. Grounded in sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience.For those seeking guidance in aligning with their spiritual purpose along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for purpose within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of realizing our spiritual aspirations and discovering the extraordinary sense of purpose that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Dr. Tim Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of persevering on our spiritual journey—an endeavor that deeply resonates within our Christian community. Throughout our walk of faith, there are moments when overcoming challenges and experiencing personal perseverance becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only strengthen our faith but also fortify our relationships, propelling us toward our individual dreams. The enduring truth remains constant: with the Lord as our steadfast guide, we possess the inherent ability to persevere through trials, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing deep inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience.For those who seek guidance in persevering along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for perseverance within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of persevering on our spiritual journey and discovering the extraordinary sense of endurance that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Dr. Tim Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of securing protection for our spiritual aspirations—an endeavor that deeply resonates within our Christian community. Throughout our spiritual journey, there are moments when attaining our goals and ensuring personal protection become paramount desires. These moments not only enrich our faith but also fortify our relationships, guiding us toward our individual dreams. The comforting truth remains unwavering: with the Lord as our steadfast guide, we possess the innate ability to secure these aspirations, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing deep inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience.For those seeking guidance in safeguarding their spiritual aspirations along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for protection within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of securing our spiritual aspirations and discovering the extraordinary sense of protection that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, Dr. Tim Clinton, a wise and insightful host, delves into the profound theme of cultivating prosperity in our spiritual journey. Accessible on Pray.com, this episode explores the deep yearning for spiritual prosperity within our Christian community. Along our path of faith, there are moments when realizing prosperity and experiencing abundant blessings becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only enrich our faith but also invigorate our relationships, propelling us toward our individual dreams of spiritual fulfillment. The reassuring truth remains constant: with the Lord as our steadfast guide, we possess the innate ability to manifest prosperity, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience.For those seeking guidance in cultivating spiritual prosperity along their faith journey, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for prosperity within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join Dr. Tim Clinton in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of cultivating spiritual prosperity and discovering the extraordinary sense of fulfillment that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Revelation 4:1–114 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings[a] and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Introduction – Look UpI. John Sees the Throne of God (vv.1–3) II. John Sees Worship Surrounding the Throne (vv.4–8) III. The Elders Cast Their Crowns Before the Throne (vv.9–10) IV. God Is Worthy Because He Created All Things (v.11)Application: How We Worship
In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Zach Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of experiencing divine provision in our spiritual journey—an aspect that deeply resonates within our Christian community. Throughout our quest for spiritual growth, there are moments when receiving God's abundant provision and recognizing His gracious care becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only strengthen our faith but also revive our relationships, propelling us toward the fulfillment of our unique spiritual dreams. The reassuring truth remains unwavering: with the Lord as our steadfast guide, we possess the innate ability to witness His generous provision, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing deep inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience.For those who seek guidance in embracing God's provision along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for divine provision within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of experiencing God's provision and discovering the extraordinary sense of fulfillment that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
September 20, 2026 Steve Barbee
Welcome to Day 2953 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2953 – Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 6:20-29 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2953 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2953 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Lamp of Instruction and the Fire of Immorality. On our previous podcast, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Two, we exposed the covert anatomy of the worthless scoundrel, examining the subtle body language of deceit and the seven abominations that Yahweh utterly detests. We learned how a heart that plots evil ultimately manifests in a person who deliberately sows discord within a family or a community. Today, as we step forward on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Three of our ongoing trek through God's Word, we advance into Proverbs chapter six, verses twenty through twenty-nine. In this passage, Solomon transitions from the external threats of the scoundrel and the sluggard, bringing us back to the most critical internal defense system we possess: the living light of parental instruction! He then takes that brilliant lamp of wisdom and uses it to expose the deadly, burning trap of adultery. Having spent over fifty years focusing on and studying Biblical wisdom, and having accumulated seventy years of life experiences—watching men and women build beautiful legacies, or tragically watch them burn to ashes—I can assure you that the boundaries God places around human sexuality are not designed to restrict our joy. Rather, they are a protective firewall designed to keep us from walking barefoot across scorching coals. Let us open our minds and hearts to the first logical section of this fatherly counsel, as recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the deeply connected, contiguous thoughts found in Proverbs chapter six, verse twenty, verse twenty-one, and verse twenty-two. My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's instruction. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you. Look at the warm, urgent, familiar tone Solomon uses as he calls out to his son! He begins by reiterating a foundational principle that we have seen multiple times on our journey: "obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's instruction." In the ancient Israelite home, both the father and the mother were revered as the primary theologians and guardians of the covenant. They were tasked with passing down the cosmic order of Yahweh to the next generation! Solomon commands the youth to take these words and "Keep them always in your heart. Tie them around your neck." This connects us directly back to Proverbs chapter three, where we were told to tie covenant loyalty and truth around our necks like a royal necklace! But look at the magnificent, dynamic promise contained in verse twenty-two! Solomon personifies this parental instruction, turning it into a living, breathing companion for the traveler. "When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you." Notice the comprehensive, twenty-four-hour cycle of protection! When you are actively moving through the busy marketplaces of life, wisdom acts as a seasoned guide, navigating you safely around hidden traps. When the sun sets and you lie down to sleep in vulnerability, wisdom acts as a vigilant night watchman, guarding your soul from fear and anxiety, much like the unshakeable peace we studied back in chapter three! And the moment you open your eyes in the morning, wisdom is already sitting by your bed, ready to advise your first thoughts of the day! God's instruction is not a static list of ancient rules on a dusty scroll; it is an active, conversational, protective presence in your daily life. Solomon now explains exactly how this instruction functions in the dark, weaving together the logical thoughts found in Proverbs chapter six, verse twenty-three, verse twenty-four, and verse twenty-five. For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life. It will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman. Don't lust for her beauty. Don't let her coy glances seduce you. What a profound, illuminating metaphor! In verse twenty-three, Solomon declares, "For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life." In the Ancient Israelite divine-council worldview, the world outside of Yahweh's covenant order was viewed as a realm of dark, chaotic rebellion. To walk in the dark is to invite disaster! But the Torah—the divine instruction—acts as a brilliant, blazing lamp! This connects us right back to Proverbs chapter four, where we learned that the path of the righteous shines ever brighter until the full light of day, while the wicked stumble in total darkness. Notice the inclusion of "corrective discipline" in verse twenty-three! The Hebrew word is musar, representing the friction of correction and training. We often naturally resist discipline, but Solomon insists it is the very way to life! Why? Because, as verse twenty-four reveals, this illuminated discipline is the only thing that "will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman." We encountered this exact same threat in Proverbs chapter five, where the lips of the immoral woman were as sweet as honey, and her mouth smoother than oil! Solomon issues a sharp, direct warning in verse twenty-five: "Don't lust for her beauty. Don't let her coy glances seduce you." Remember our study on the anatomy of the scoundrel from just a few verses ago? We learned that Yahweh detests "haughty eyes," and that the scoundrel manipulates others with "a wink of the eye." Here again, the battle begins at the eye gate! The coy, seductive glance is a weapon designed to bypass human logic and strike directly at the passions. If your heart is not tightly bound with the protective instruction of God, the visual allure of forbidden beauty will easily drag you off the path of integrity. Solomon now brings this teaching to a terrifying, unforgettable climax, contrasting the brutal costs of sexual sin and utilizing a powerful metaphor of fire, linking together the thoughts in Proverbs chapter six, verse twenty-six, verse twenty-seven, verse twenty-eight, and verse twenty-nine. For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man's wife will cost you your life. Can a man scoop a fire into his lap and not be burned? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? So it is with the man who sleeps with another man's wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished. Look at the stark, catastrophic consequences detailed in verse twenty-six! "For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man's wife will cost you your life." Solomon differentiates between two forms of sexual immorality, both of which are devastating. The first leads to severe material and social poverty—draining your wealth and reducing you to a mere crust of bread, as the original Hebrew vividly implies. However, the second—violating the sacred marriage covenant of another man—is a capital offense in the cosmic order. It will literally cost you your life! In the divine-council worldview, marriage is not a casual, temporary human arrangement; it is a sacred, legally binding covenant sworn before the Almighty. To shatter that covenant is to invite the wrath of God and the violent, jealous vengeance of a wronged husband. To hammer this reality home, Solomon asks two of the most penetrating, common-sense rhetorical questions in all of Scripture! In verse twenty-seven, he asks, "Can a man scoop a fire into his lap and not be burned?" And in verse twenty-eight, "Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?" The answer, obviously, is an absolute, resounding no! You cannot negotiate with physics! Fire does not care about your excuses, your feelings of loneliness, your stress levels, or your rationalizations. Fire consumes whatever it touches! In my seventy years on this earth, I have watched highly intelligent, gifted individuals try to scoop the fire of secret affairs into their laps, genuinely believing they were clever enough, stealthy enough, or special enough to avoid getting burned. But the laws...
Today’s prevailing opinion tells you that as long as you’re sincere, you have a seat at God’s table. As long as your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds, the Almighty will give you a thumb’s up. But that’s not quite right, is it? Jesus’ words, “No one comes to the Father except through me,” may sound restrictive. But if He’s right, His words are actually the key to all of life. In this episode of Live the Bible, we’ll consider how Jesus’ outrageous words are actually the key to discovering true peace and joy. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Zach Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of prioritizing our spiritual aspirations—an endeavor that deeply resonates within our Christian community. Throughout our spiritual journey, there are moments when making our goals a priority and experiencing a sense of personal fulfillment becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only enrich our faith but also invigorate our relationships, propelling us toward our individual dreams. The reassuring truth remains constant: with the Lord as our steadfast guide, we have the innate ability to prioritize these aspirations, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing deep inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience.For those who seek guidance in prioritizing their spiritual aspirations along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for prioritization within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of prioritizing our spiritual aspirations and discovering the extraordinary sense of fulfillment that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Welcome to Wellspring Church!What keeps us anchored when life feels dark, turbulent, or confusing? In this message, Billy Waters begins a series on the Nicene Creed, showing how this historic confession serves as a trustworthy guide because it is firmly anchored in Scripture.The Creed begins by declaring belief in one God—the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. God alone is sovereign and sufficient. Through Jesus, believers are welcomed into God's family and given intimate access to the Almighty as their loving Father.
EPISODE DESCRIPTIONIn 1973, Jack and Janet Smurl moved into half of a double-block house on Chase Street in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. Jack's parents took the other half. For 13 years both households reported the same things through the same wall: knocking, voices calling in the family's own tones from empty rooms, a faceless black shape that walked through the wall and came out the other side. Three attempted exorcisms failed, and Janet said the reason was simple, that the thing crossed to whichever half the priest was not in. Mary Ann Poll tells the Smurls' account the way they told it, gives the doubters their full say, and follows the story to the prayers the family said ended it.EPISODE NOTES● Built on the shared wall. Jack's mother Mary heard the knocking on her side, heard a man and a woman fighting on a night Jack and Janet were not in the room, and watched the faceless shape come out her side after Janet watched it walk into the wall.● Phenomena covered: objects vanishing and returning, stains rising through fresh paint, knocking from inside a switched-off television, family voices calling from empty rooms, screams and pig grunts and hoofbeats, cold rooms, an unplugged radio at full volume, the stench of smoke and rotten meat, the 75-pound German shepherd slammed into a wall, Dawn attacked in the shower at 17, Shannon thrown down a flight of stairs at 8, the bed shaking, Janet pinned to the mattress, and Jack dragged off his knees while praying the rosary.● Their neighbor Debbie Watson reported screams from the house when no one was inside it, and scratching at an upstairs window screen.● The skeptical case is given in full: Paul Kurtz of CSICOP called it a hoax and pointed to the mine shafts under the street, the sewer odor, and the book deal that followed within months. Jack's 1983 brain surgery was raised publicly, and the family declined psychiatric testing.● The Church stayed in the middle. Chancellor Gerald Mullally said they believed the family but did not know what it was, and a diocesan priest spent two nights in the house in October 1986 with nothing happening.● Four days before Halloween 1986 the Smurls said the demons were gone, credited to their own parish and their own prayers rather than the three failed exorcisms. They left Chase Street in 1988, and later residents on both sides reported nothing. Jack died in 2017, Janet in 2026. Approximately 2,414 spoken words.SCRIPTUREPsalm 91:1, 2, 5 (NIV) — 'Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.'SOURCES● Steve Corbett, Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, August 19, 1986● Associated Press and United Press International wire coverage, August 1986● Robert Curran, The Tribune (Scranton), October 27, 1986● Paul Kurtz, 'A Case Study of the West Pittston Haunted House,' The Skeptical Inquirer, Winter 1987● Robert Curran with the Smurls and Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Haunted: One Family's Nightmare (St. Martin's Press, 1988)
Taylor and Andrew finish Jim Carrey's unreal 1994 by watching Dumb & Dumber!
In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Zach Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of fulfilling our spiritual promises—an exploration that deeply resonates within our Christian community. Throughout our spiritual journey, there are moments when the yearning to honor our commitments and embrace the promises we make becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only enrich our faith but also invigorate our relationships, propelling us toward the realization of our individual dreams. The enduring truth remains steadfast: with the Lord as our unwavering guide, we possess the innate ability to fulfill these promises, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing deep inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience.For those who seek guidance in fulfilling their spiritual promises along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for promises within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of fulfilling our spiritual promises and discovering the extraordinary sense of commitment that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Orlando Gibbons: Almighty and Everlasting GodOxford CamerataJeremy Summerly, conductorMore info about today's track: Naxos 8.553130Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc. SubscribeYou can subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts, or by using the Daily Download podcast RSS feed.Purchase this recordingAmazon
Sermon | Isaiah 35:1-6 | Sunday Morning Service, September 20, 2026. Guest Preacher: Kevin Swanson The sermon centers on the command to "behold your God" as the primary antidote to spiritual weakness and distraction in a chaotic world. It argues that the church's current frailty stems from a weak conception of God and a failure to focus on His sovereignty, power, and glory rather than on human effort or external diversions. By examining examples of God's creative wisdom in nature and His redemptive acts in Scripture, the message emphasizes that salvation is entirely a supernatural work of God who comes to save those who cannot save themselves. Kevin calls believers to trust in Jesus' authority and power to perform miracles in their lives, urging them to expect and experience the transformative strength of the Gospel. This exhortation aims to restore a sense of awe, holy expectation, and robust faith in the presence of the Almighty. Visit Benoni Bible Church: www.benonibiblechurch.co.za Address: 149 President Brand Rd, Rynfield, Benoni - view on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oag383xq3U2b7RQN6 Copyright © 2026, Benoni Bible Church. All rights reserved.
Congregation of the Living Word, a Messianic Jewish Congregation
Countdown To Yom Kippur Part 3: Philip's Appointment With The Eunuch - English only. In the Book of Acts, the Almighty directed Philip to keep a divine appointment to share the Gospel. What was Philip's response to God's instructions? Is there a lesson in that story for us at this special time of year? Recorded August 25, 2026. This year, we will observe Yom Kippur on September 21, 2026.
Sermon | Isaiah 35:1-6 | Sunday Morning Service, September 20, 2026. Guest Preacher: Kevin Swanson The sermon centers on the command to "behold your God" as the primary antidote to spiritual weakness and distraction in a chaotic world. It argues that the church's current frailty stems from a weak conception of God and a failure to focus on His sovereignty, power, and glory rather than on human effort or external diversions. By examining examples of God's creative wisdom in nature and His redemptive acts in Scripture, the message emphasizes that salvation is entirely a supernatural work of God who comes to save those who cannot save themselves. Kevin calls believers to trust in Jesus' authority and power to perform miracles in their lives, urging them to expect and experience the transformative strength of the Gospel. This exhortation aims to restore a sense of awe, holy expectation, and robust faith in the presence of the Almighty. Visit Benoni Bible Church: www.benonibiblechurch.co.za Address: 149 President Brand Rd, Rynfield, Benoni - view on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oag383xq3U2b7RQN6 Copyright © 2026, Benoni Bible Church. All rights reserved.
Jesus says we will be known by our love, and our love is to make Him known. But let me ask you a question: Who is the hardest person for you to love? Oh, I know exactly who it is. It’s someone you live with. Someone you work with. Someone in every one of your circles. It’s YOU. You are the person you are hardest on. You know every flaw, every failure, every awkward quirk, every stupid thing you’ve ever said, and every way you think you should be doing better. And because you spend a whole lot of time with you, you’ve become really good at criticizing you. I’m a fan of long-distance relationships. Our time together is short and sweet. It is savored and precious, then you go home. I don’t have to deal with your quirky self on the daily, and let me tell you, girl, you are quirky! You’ve got some weird things you do. Some of y’all label stuff, then alphabetize it. Some of y’all can’t sit and keep your hands still. Some of y’all eat really loud. And some of y’all come up with the craziest cockamamie ideas that no one understands. Oh wait. That’s me. It’s cute for a short amount of time, but then it’s best if we have some space. And that’s the problem. Wherever you go, THERE YOU ARE! You can’t get space from you. You intimately know your struggles. You have to put up with your own darn quirkiness twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. You had a front-row seat to every one of your failures. You don’t even like the sound of your own voice. And let’s not talk about looking in the mirror or seeing yourself in photos. Oh mercy. It’s a real issue. Do you have a hard time loving you? Let’s make this real clear: this is a problem. You will be known by your love, and your love is to make Him known, but you refuse to fully love the one person you can simply never get away from: YOU. I promise you this: you hating you is not an honorable representation of your Creator. You may cover it up as humility, but at its core, it’s hateful. You’re hateful toward you. And you being hateful toward you doesn’t make a single soul say, “Wow, I just gotta know what that girl is doing! I gotta know about the One who helps her hate herself so well. I just gotta know where she gets this deep critical spirit for herself, because I really want some of that too.” Nobody ever says that. In fact, what if your self-hatred is actually telling the world something about your God that isn’t true? Imagine something you own now that you really love. Maybe you love your Roomba. Maybe it’s your Sleep Number bed. How about your Lululemon workout pants? Or your Stanley cup, your Dyson hair dryer, your UGG winter boots, your jacked-up Jeep, your fancy Tesla, or your Dawn Dishwashing Spray (because that stuff is pure magic and gets a three-month-old stain out of your favorite shirt.) You have something you love. Now imagine that product you love started telling you all about how much it disliked itself. What if your UGG boots constantly told you how truly ugly they were? Because let’s face it, those boots are ugly. You know that’s why they’re called UGG, right? Ugg-ly! If every step you took in your UGG boots came with a little voice saying, “I’m so ugly. I hate how I look. I don’t deserve to be worn,” you would eventually start believing there was something wrong with them. ****And there’s certainly something wrong with whoever made those boots, because boots aren’t supposed to talk about how ugly they are. What if your Roomba roamed around on your floors, vacuuming up all that dog hair like she always does, but she started incessantly talking about her clumsiness and her tendency to bump into things? “Oh my gosh, I can never just get from the kitchen to the bedroom without running into everything. I always get stuck under the couch. Gosh, why do I do that? I hate that about my Roomba self. I’m always just wandering around lost, and then I start running low and run out of energy. I just can’t do it all.” If your Roomba started talking like this, you would think the insanely rich creator of the Roomba wasn’t so great after all. Dude, what you made hates itself! Here’s your ah-ha moment: Could that be your representation of God? “Oh, God is sooooo good. He is sooooo faithful. I loveeeeeee God, but I just can’t love me. I’m just messed up. I’m flawed. I’m never good enough. I’m unworthy. But everybody, you should really love the One who personally designed me. He’s great!” Do you see what you’re doing when you are unloving toward yourself? Do you see how it’s totally NOT humble, totally not honoring, and totally not God’s will for you? You see it, don’t you? So when are you going to get serious enough to do something about it? The Bible says in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Girl, you are God’s workmanship, his masterpiece. You are not an accident. You are not a mistake. You are not some random collection of flaws that happened to land on this planet. You were made by a Maker. And the Maker gets to decide the value of what He made. Psalm 139:14 says: “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.” What if you started seeing yourself through the eyes of the One who made you? Not through the eyes of comparison. Not through the eyes of your worst day. Not through the eyes of the person who rejected you. Not through the eyes of the mirror. Not through the eyes of the scale. Through the eyes of your Maker. Because you know what? The person you have spent the most time criticizing is the person God has spent your entire life loving. You have been rehearsing your failures. God has been lavishing you with grace. You have been pointing out what’s wrong with you. God has been calling you His masterpiece. You have been disqualifying yourself. God has been inviting you closer. Romans 8:1 says, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” That little voice in your head that never stops reminding you that you’re not enough? That isn’t the voice of your Savior. Jesus convicts, but He doesn’t condemn. There is a difference between God lovingly showing you something He wants to change – and you continually beating yourself up for being human. One leads you toward Jesus. The other makes you hide from Him. Do you want to know why loving others exhausts you so much sometimes? Because you show up already worn out from the battle you’re fighting with yourself. Before you ever greet your family in the morning, you’ve already beat yourself up for how your body is aging, how your energy is never enough, and how you’ve secretly failed yourself. Maybe you put on a good show so no one else sees it, but you hear it. That little voice in your head just never stops. It’s why we struggle with relationships. We’re looking for someone to fill that empty hole within us, but no matter how much they pour into us, it’s never enough because, girl, you keep poking at the hole. God wants to heal that hole in you. He wants to help you calm the voices. He wants you to receive His love so deeply that you no longer need everybody else to convince you that you are worthy of being loved. He wants you to love yourself in a way that reflects the love He already has for you, so you can show up in this world in a way that glorifies your Creator. Jude 1:20–21 MSG: “Stay right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!” Stay right at the center of God’s love. That’s what we are supposed to do. And we do precisely the opposite of this. Us beloved girls of the Almighty, we tear ourselves down in comparison and shortcomings. We disqualify ourselves from the love of God. All while we are supposed to be building ourselves up in faith and keeping ourselves in the love of God. Instead, we shut down. We shrink and hide. We build walls. And we live on the outskirts of God’s love instead of staying right smack dab in the middle of it. God’s love for you hasn’t changed. But when you continually tear yourself down, you are living outside the reality of the love He is inviting you to receive. THIS IS A PROBLEM. A serious problem. And God wants to change that. What if you started practicing the mindset of being profusely loved by God? Think about that. The mindset of being profusely loved by God. If you knew how much your Creator loved you, you would find it easier to love you too. And if you loved you as you were created, you would represent your Creator in a magnificent way. But instead, sometimes you’re the Roomba, wandering around cleaning floors and blasting to the world about your low battery, your tendency to get stuck, and the corners you constantly miss. It’s hard for me to praise your Maker when you’re continually telling me what He made in you isn’t enough. Whew. Let that one sink in. Beloved, build yourself up and keep yourself in the love of God! Today, practice this mindset of being profusely loved by God. Invite your soul to plunge into His love like a dolphin romping in the sea. Go ahead and get that visual. The dolphin clearly doesn’t hate itself. It swims and jumps and celebrates everything it was created to do. And every single one of us absolutely LOVES watching a dolphin. We all literally delight in seeing a dolphin just being a dolphin and doing its dolphin things. A dolphin doesn’t make a lot of money. A dolphin doesn’t speak eloquently. A dolphin doesn’t run marathons. A dolphin doesn’t have a degree. A dolphin does dolphin-ing, and we love it for it! And I’m telling you, we need to see you living like that! We need to see you plunging into God’s love, building yourself up. We need to see you jumping up, unafraid to be seen, loving how your Creator created you. I need to see Catherine Catherine-ing. Rhonda, you honor your Creator when you are Rhonda-ing. Lynette, please bring your Lynette-ing today. Julie, get your Julie-ing on today. Kristin, girl, only you can Kristin like you Kristin. Jessica, your Jessica-ing and Stephanie, your Stephanie-ing shows me your Creator! You don’t glorify God by becoming somebody else. You glorify God by becoming fully who He created you to be. Actively engage in His unending, extravagant, no-strings-attached affection for you. That’s not bragging, boasting, or showing off. That’s saying, “Hey, I’m an UGG boot, and I’m showing up exactly as I was created to. I was designed to look like this, and the One who made me really likes me!” That’s saying, “I’m a Tesla Model 3, and I’m not going to beat a Porsche 911 GT2 RS in a race, but I’m going to get you where you’re going in my own way!” That’s saying, “I’m a Stanley cup. I can’t make my own water, but girl, I can keep your water cold and I can also keep that coffee hot! I’m magical in my own way!” I’m not like you, and you’re not like me. But we can each glorify our Maker when we adopt the mindset of being profusely loved by our Maker. We can glorify our Creator when, like a dolphin romping in the sea, we plunge into God’s love for us—totally enough, wholly chosen, and confidently placed in a time such as this. I’ll stop everything I’m doing to watch that dolphin naturally doing dolphin things, loving its dolphin life. In the same way, I’ll stop everything I’m doing to see YOU naturally doing your thing, loving your life. Ohhhhh, what a beautiful representation of your Creator you are when you keep yourself in His love! Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com
Presented by Lauren Stibgen You truly can't take it with you. I am sure you have heard this statement before, but do you live it? Let's face it, no amount of accumulation of things, titles, or achievements here on earth can be taken to your heavenly home. How much are you thinking about the past and about the future rather than focusing on just this moment? All this overthinking can lead to feelings of an out-of-balance life and will steal the joy from the moment you are in. This mindset can be difficult. With the ever-present noise and connectivity of our culture, how can you refocus on the present? Job 33:4 reminds us: The Spirit of God has made us, and the breath of the Almighty gives us life. Pause a moment and think about the wonder of your life, and who gives it to you. Do you wake up each day with gratitude for the wonder of the breath in your lungs? Think about this—you do not have any control of your breath. You can't earn your breath. You can't work for your breath. It is a gift that powers your body, which is equally wonderful. If you like scientific variables, a statistical analysis performed on the probability of your unique individual self being born is calculated as 1 in 400 trillion. (Ali Binazir[1]) While I am not a proponent of measuring what God creates, this human statistical analysis gives you an idea of how amazing you are! I can hear you almost saying to me, but Lauren the moment I am in right now it isn't filled with joy or peace or happiness! Understandably, if you are in a season of unexpected loss of a loved one, illness, job loss, you probably want to know when you will move past this time. This is why I have brought the focus down to the gift and wonder your life is! Finding gratitude and a moment of centering on this can help you truly know that God created you for a reason. He created you as a one of one. And, as a follower of Jesus Christ, he chose you as part of his royal family. Pray: God, thank you for the breath in my lungs! Thank you for creating me in your image and loving me so much that I know Jesus Christ as my Savior. I am thankful to be part of your royal family, and I rest in this today. So many things can bring our lives out of balance, but God can help root us in his truths that bring us peace. [1] Binazir, Dr Ali. “Are You a Miracle? On the Probability of You Being Born,” Huffpost, August 16, 2011
Job 38:1–40:5 Not only is God present in storms, but sometimes He even delivers His message through them. Follow along with Pastor Chuck Swindoll to hear how God finally answers Job in chapter 38. Instead of a still, small voice, He speaks from a whirlwind and reminds Job of His care for all He created. Respond to God's providence and power with humility and repentance. Remember His ways are higher than yours!
In this compelling episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, guided by the insightful Zach Clinton and available on Pray.com, we delve into the empowering theme of overcoming our spiritual challenges—a journey that deeply resonates within our Christian community. Throughout our spiritual odyssey, we encounter moments when surmounting obstacles and triumphing over personal struggles becomes a paramount pursuit. These instances not only strengthen our faith but also breathe new life into our relationships, propelling us forward on our unique paths.The comforting truth remains unwavering: with the Lord as our unwavering guide, we possess an inherent capacity to surmount these challenges, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our quest. Rooted in sacred scriptures, we embark on a profound exploration of this transformative human experience.For those seeking guidance in overcoming their spiritual challenges along their faith journey, we extend a sincere invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can commence a transformative journey of faith and resilience, firmly grounded in the enduring presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for overcoming within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength as we navigate our shared spiritual pilgrimage. Join us in this enlightening episode as we journey toward a profound understanding of overcoming our spiritual challenges and discovering the extraordinary resilience that resides within each one of us, hosted by the insightful Zach Clinton.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Yom Kippur is a day of atonement and expiation. On this auspicious day, the Almighty forgives us for all our transgressions and we become purified before God. But the purification of Yom Kippur is limited to sins between man and God. For interpersonal transgressions, there is no atonement unless the aggressor appeases and secures forgiveness […]
Job 38:1–40:5 / September 16 - 17, 2026 Follow along with Pastor Chuck Swindoll to hear how God finally answers Job in chapter 38. From the Series: Job: A Man of Heroic Endurance read more
Yom Kippur is a day of atonement and expiation. On this auspicious day, the Almighty forgives us for all our transgressions and we become purified before God. But the purification of Yom Kippur is limited to sins between man and God. For interpersonal transgressions, there is no atonement unless the aggressor appeases and secures forgiveness from the aggrieved. In this sweeping episode we discuss the nature of interpersonal transgressions and the tremendous sensitivity and delicateness required to not cause another person pain or loss; we scour the process of how to gain atonement for interpersonal transgressions; and we talk about the importance and the challenge of forgiving others who have wronged us.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –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!– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletterrabbiwolbe.com/newsletter– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe's PodcastsThe Parsha PodcastThe Jewish History PodcastThe Mitzvah Podcast This Jewish LifeThe Ethics PodcastTORAH 101 ★ Support this podcast ★
Job 22-27 constitute the third cycle of speeches between Job and his friends. It is unlike the others in that Bildad's speech is extremely brief and Zophar has no speech at all. 22:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded,- Eliphaz speaks first for the friends as he did in Job 4-5, 15. Verses 2-5 ask rhetorical questions.22:2 Can a vigorous man be of use to God,- The word of use or profitable was used in Job 15:3 where Eliphaz accused Job of talk that is not profitable. Or a wise man be useful to himself? The LORD will sarcastically taunt Job's claims to wisdom in 38:4, 5, 18, 21. Even the wisest and strongest of men add nothing to God (Acts 17:25), but they are completely dependent upon Him- Jer. 9:23-24; I Cor. 1:25-26. 22:3 Is there any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous,- In I Sam. 15:22 uses this word to tell us that God takes pleasure in the obedience of His people. Whether it is the wisest, strongest, or the most righteous, we cannot benefit God or make God in some way indebted to us. Or profit if you make your ways perfect? The word perfect, tamam, is connected to the word blameless, tam, used to describe Job in the prologue (1:1, 8; 2:3).God is still God whether we are righteous or wicked. He is not obligated or indebted to us because we are so good because He gives us every good thing we have (James 1:17). However, the Bible tells a story of God who loves man (John 3:16; I John 4:7-11, 19) and seeks to save man and longs for fellowship with Him (Luke 19:10; John 4:23-24). 22:4 Is it because of your reverence that He reproves you,- The word reverence is from the Hebrew yirah. Eliphaz used the word in 15:4 telling us Job did away with reverence. Remember Job is described as one who feared, yare, God (1:1, 8; 2:3). 22:5 Eliphaz gives no witnesses or evidence of crime. 22:6 For you have taken pledges of your brothers without cause,- The word without cause, chinnam, was used in Job elsewhere in 1:9; 2:3; 9:17; 22:6. The Satan accused Job of serving God for nothing in 1:9. But the LORD says the Satan stirred him up to ruin Job for nothing in 2:3. Job says God multiplied his wounds without cause in 9:17. 22:7 To the weary you have given no water to drink,- Matt. 10:42; Prov. 25:21-22. Being thirsty is connected to being weary in Prov. 25:25.And from the hungry you have withheld bread. Job denies these charges in 31:17-18. 22:8 But the earth belongs to the mighty man,- This verse unlike those around it is not a specific act of sin but an attitude that led to it. It is also not addressed to Job in second person, but it is in third person. 22:9 You have sent widows away empty,- The idea of sent away, shalach, seems to indicate the widow appealed to him for legal protection. The basic responsibility of caring for these groups is emphasized repeatedly in the Old Testament (Deut. 14:29; 16:11, 14; 24:17; 26:12; 27:19; Isa. 1:17; Jer. 7:6; 22:3; Zech. 7:10). Why does Eliphaz assume that Job is guilty of these sins? Job has lost everything (1:13-19). The fact that God often punishes man according to his sin (lex talionis) leads his friends to conclude that this was Job's sin. 22:10 Therefore snares surround you,- The word snares, pach, was used by Bildad in 18:9 to talk of the minefield God laid for the wicked man
Not only is God present in storms, but sometimes He even delivers His message through them. Follow along with Pastor Chuck Swindoll to hear how God finally answers Job in chapter 38. Instead of a still, small voice, He speaks from a whirlwind and reminds Job of His care for all He created. Respond to God's providence and power with humility and repentance. Remember His ways are higher than yours!
Job 38:1–40:5 Not only is God present in storms, but sometimes He even delivers His message through them. Follow along with Pastor Chuck Swindoll to hear how God finally answers Job in chapter 38. Instead of a still, small voice, He speaks from a whirlwind and reminds Job of His care for all He created. Respond to God's providence and power with humility and repentance. Remember His ways are higher than yours!
In this enchanting episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Zach Clinton and available on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of love within our Christian community. Throughout our spiritual journey, there are moments when expressing and experiencing love becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only deepen our faith but also breathe life into our relationships, guiding us towards a profound connection with our innermost dreams. The comforting truth remains unwavering: with the Lord as our unwavering guide, we possess the inherent capacity to realize these deep desires, uncovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing profound inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on a journey to explore the transformative power of love in the human experience.For those seeking guidance in cultivating love along their faith journey, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the abiding presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for love within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this illuminating episode as we venture towards a profound understanding of cultivating love in our spiritual aspirations and discovering the extraordinary sense of fulfillment that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Job 38:1–40:5 / September 16 - 17, 2026 Follow along with Pastor Chuck Swindoll to hear how God finally answers Job in chapter 38. From the Series: Job: A Man of Heroic Endurance read more
Job 38:1–40:5 / September 16 - 17, 2026 Follow along with Pastor Chuck Swindoll to hear how God finally answers Job in chapter 38. From the Series: Job: A Man of Heroic Endurance read more
Not only is God present in storms, but sometimes He even delivers His message through them. Follow along with Pastor Chuck Swindoll to hear how God finally answers Job in chapter 38. Instead of a still, small voice, He speaks from a whirlwind and reminds Job of His care for all He created. Respond to God's providence and power with humility and repentance. Remember His ways are higher than yours!
In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Zach Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the boundless theme of forgiveness—a concept that knows no limits within our Christian community. Throughout our spiritual journey, there are moments when embracing and extending forgiveness becomes an essential desire. These moments not only deepen our faith but also rejuvenate our relationships, propelling us toward the fulfillment of our individual dreams. The comforting truth remains unwavering: with the Lord as our unwavering guide, we possess the innate capacity to offer limitless forgiveness, discovering renewed hope and purpose in our journey. Drawing profound inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience.For those seeking guidance in extending boundless forgiveness along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the infinite presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for limitless forgiveness within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of forgiveness and the extraordinary sense of limitless compassion that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Zach Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of finding mercy in our spiritual journey—an exploration that resonates deeply within our Christian community. Along our path of faith, there are moments when experiencing mercy and understanding its transformative power becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only enrich our faith but also rejuvenate our relationships, propelling us toward our individual dreams. The comforting truth remains steadfast: with the Lord as our unwavering guide, we possess the innate ability to discover mercy, uncovering renewed hope and purpose in our spiritual journey. Drawing profound inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience.For those seeking guidance in finding mercy along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for mercy within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of discovering mercy in our spiritual journey and experiencing the extraordinary sense of fulfillment that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Zach Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Dr. Tim Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we delve into the profound theme of eternal hope—a subject that deeply resonates within our Christian community. As we continue on our spiritual journey, we encounter moments when the yearning for spiritual accomplishment gives way to a desire for a connection with the eternal. These moments not only enrich our faith but also strengthen the bonds within our relationships, propelling us toward the realization of our spiritual dreams. The comforting truth remains unwavering: with the Lord as our steadfast guide, we have the inherent ability to discover everlasting hope and purpose in our life's journey. Drawing profound inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience. For those who seek guidance on their spiritual journey and aspire to connect with the eternal, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unending presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for eternal hope within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of discovering eternal hope and the extraordinary sense of fulfillment that resides within each one of us.Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Dr. Tim Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this captivating episode of the Meditative Prayers podcast, hosted by the insightful Dr. Tim Clinton and accessible on Pray.com, we explore the profound theme of nurturing hope in our spiritual journey—an endeavor that profoundly resonates within our Christian community. Throughout our walk with faith, there are moments when embracing hope and experiencing a deep sense of purpose becomes a paramount desire. These moments not only enrich our faith but also invigorate our relationships, propelling us toward our individual dreams. The reassuring truth remains constant: with the Lord as our steadfast guide, we have the innate ability to kindle these aspirations, discovering renewed hope and direction in our journey. Drawing deep inspiration from sacred scriptures, we embark on an exploration of this transformative human experience. For those who seek guidance in cultivating hope along their path of faith, we extend a heartfelt invitation to explore the Pray.com app. By simply downloading it today, you can embark on a transformative journey of faith and resilience, deeply rooted in the unwavering presence of the Divine. Together, let us wholeheartedly embrace the incredible potential for hope within us, finding boundless inspiration and strength during our shared spiritual pilgrimage. We invite you to join us in this enlightening episode as we venture toward a profound understanding of nurturing hope in our spiritual journey and discovering the extraordinary sense of purpose that resides within each one of us. Embracing the practice of praying before slumber is more than just a routine; it's an avenue to recenter your heart, aligning it with God's purpose. Let Pray.com's Meditative Prayer be a nightly companion, deepening your bond with the Almighty and settling your spirit for a serene night's rest.Dr. Tim Clinton is from the American Association of Christian Counselors, for more information please visit: https://aacc.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices