Podcasts about ammonites

In this Bible Story, we learn of another hero sent by God, Nehemiah. Nehemiah oversees the rebuilding of Jerusalem's temple. He gives them hope, and encourages them to trust in the protection of God. Yet no wall could truly protect them from their real enemy. This story is inspired by Nehemiah 1-13. Go to https://www.BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Nehemiah 5:19 from the King James Version.Episode 171: As the sun was shining on the Persian Empire, Nehemiah, a servant from the Jewish exiles was serving the King as his cupbearer. When Nehemiah, heard of the return of the exiles and the current state of his homeland, he wept. King Artaxerxes noticed a sadness in Nehemiah and asked him what was troubling him. When it was revealed that Nehemiah wanted to go and help his people, the King gave him leave and sent a team of workers with him. Yet the project was not without opposition, Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, and the Ammonites all did their best to demoralize the people. But God was with them and 52 days later, the wall was rebuilt!Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the ⁠Pray.com⁠ app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd Haberkorn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

August 20, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: What sins should we confess?Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 12:1-25; 2 Samuel 13:1-19:43; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13“Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!'” (2 Samuel 12:7a)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Put yourself in Nathan's shoes. How'd you like it if God sent you to confront the most powerful man in the nation to call him out for a sin –a man who was a warrior who killed thousands of his enemies and had recently been involved in a murder? Nathan had tremendous courage, but also wisdom from on high.Nathan's approach to David offers a master class in how to rebuke sinners. He tells David a story about a rich man and a poor man and gets David angry to the point he exclaims that the rich man is guilty and deserves to die for stealing the poor man's beloved little lamb. Nathan has him right where he wants him, then he springs the trap: “You are the man!” and he unloads on David for his great sins.Nathan not only reveals all the evil David tried to cover up, he also begins to pronounce the punishment that God told him would ensue. Because he used the Ammonites to kill Uriah, they would never cease attacking him. The Lord would also raise up discord in David's own house, and his wives would cheat on him, and it would be widely known.As far as we know, this is the first time anyone tried to confront David for his sin. What would David do? Would he respond in rage and lash out at Nathan? David is an exceptional man in that, even though he had been deluded and engaged in so much evil, he also can now clearly see his sin and is ready to be done with it. Many people will double down and deny and retaliate when confronted, but to his credit, David humbles himself and confesses. And Nathan responds right away: “The Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die.”God sent Nathan to David, not to put him down, but to save him. David was stuck in sin and living in unrepentance. That is the way that leads to death and damnation. God used Nathan to humble David and lead him to confess. Confession and humility is the way that leads to life. “But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”Sinners who turn from their sins and seek help from God will receive forgiveness, and because of Jesus, we will live even though we die. But take note: forgiveness and eternal salvation does not mean we suffer no consequences for our actions in this life. God punished David severely for his actions. We, too, must face the consequences of our sins in this life, but Christ promises a day when we will be free from even this, when we will be like the angels in their innocence, and He will wipe every tear from our eyes.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Amen.Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

Christian kids, do you recall all those old warnings against fantasy fiction?[1. Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash.] Some people implied that if you made up too much stuff, you'd lose track of reality. Alas. For some cases, they’re absolutely right. Too many people are abusing God's gift of imagination. They cast people they do not know as villains in a fantasy world in which they are the big moral heroes. This habit is taking over social platforms and podcasts. How can Christian fans respond with wisdom? Episode sponsors Enclave Publishing: Winter's Dawn by Morgan L. Busse Realm Makers fundraiser for ongoing defamation lawsuit The Talismiths: The Secret Saboteur by M. L. Hodder King Justice: The Legend Begins by Evelyn M. Exley Mission update New at Lorehaven: Conqueror of Shadow and Light review Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Concession stand Some “conspiracy theories” are issues of wisdom, not sin. And in fact, some ideas labeled “conspiracies” turn out to be true! For more, listen to our episode How Can Christians Engage Wisely With Conspiracy Theories? | with Mike Duran Or read Mike's article: Christians Who Engage Conspiracy Theories Must First Believe God's Sovereign Rule Yet we've always had seen conspiracy theories based on fiction. And today more people are building bigger and worse idols. This makes the problem more than foolishness. It's actual sin. And this false accusation hurts true people we know and respect. It also hurts people who still struggle after real abuse and lies. Maybe you've been hurt by a real offense by a trusted someone. In that case, you don't need people weaponizing your empathy. We'll give you strong Bible tools to defend your calling and time. 1. False accusers are hurting true people. By now you may know about the Realm Makers defamation suit. Our friends and allies, Scott and Becky Minor, are suing a defamer. Two weeks ago, they released their need for legal cost support. So far, they've reached nearlry $20,000 of a $50,000 funding goal. We support them with 20 percent of new Lorehaven sponsors. But first, about the opponent, don't just speculate. Donate! Scott and Becky's open letter with the fundraiser: Defamation Against Realm Makers & the Minors Standing Together for Truth: Protect the Realm Makers Community Dear Realm Makers Family, Authors, and Friends, If you've ever sat in a Realm Makers keynote, chatted on the RealmSphere, or exhaled once you found “your people” at our annual conference, you know how much creative Christians benefit from being a part of our community. Realm Makers has always sought to be a safe haven for Christian writers of speculative stories. Today, we're coming to you with hearts heavy with a burden that impacts many members of our creative family. For the past year, we have been fighting a devastating battle to protect not just ourselves, but all of you. But we've reached a point where we can no longer carry the weight alone, and we desperately need our community to stand with us. The Attack on Us All Since early 2025, our authors, Realm Makers, and we (Scott and Becky personally) have been the targets of a malicious campaign of online defamation. A podcast organization has published dozens of episodes leveling unthinkable accusations against us that include fabrications of child trafficking, cyberbullying, running a cult, and engaging in criminal conspiracies. THESE CLAIMS ARE CATEGORICALLY UNTRUE. If you want to take the deep dive into the events that precipitated the battle, we have created a page that should answer most questions here: https://www.realmmakers.com/lawsuit/ Initially, we hoped these claims were too outlandish to be taken seriously. We chose to monitor the situation and proceed prudently through the legal system rather than engage in a public online war. But despite our efforts to do things legally and with level heads, our attackers have only doubled down. New videos continue to be published—with one posting as recently as the end of June 2026—directly threatening not just Realm Makers' reputation, but also questioning the character of prominent members of the Christian writing community. The more we researched, the bigger we realized the issue was–we were just the most recent targets in our accuser's “information” campaign against a growing list of Christian authors. The repeated contact with or calling out of people we know and love goes back to 2012 or earlier. Exclusive statement from author Bryan Davis David Solomon has used multiple aliases over the years, but he has always been consistent in his demonizing of people whom he thinks have crossed him. Ever since I declined meeting with him at my home more than ten years ago because I had to go out of town, he has used various media to publicly accuse me of everything from an alliance with former VP Mike Pence to traffic hundreds of children internationally, to trying to bomb a church, to grooming children in a church I supposedly pastored, to conspiring with famous murderers across the country, and on and on and on. If anyone tries to do anything to stop him or even speak against him, that person becomes a fellow trafficker in his mind and joins in the circle of those he attacks. That's what happened to Scott and Becky Minor of Realm Makers. When David and his allies joined Realm Makers, they started spreading lies about me to other members, so Scott rightfully banned them from the group. Of course, that action made Scott and Becky targets for David's lies, and he found a podcaster who was willing to be a platform for a new round of absurd claims. Hoping to keep Realm Makers safe from attack, Scott started civil legal proceedings against David and the podcaster. As you all know, such action costs a lot of money, but Scott and Becky have stepped up to try to stop this lying grifter from hurting them or anyone else, which is why I support their fundraiser and I am thankful for their efforts. I would like prayer for myself and other authors who have been maliciously attacked by David, that people would not be deceived by him and that he would stop his evil actions. 2. Scripture condemns a malicious witness. This is a real problem, as grown-up people treat slander as truth. Even professing Christians repeat clear lies about whole groups. Whatever their motives, they're crossing into our business: fiction. Yet we know the difference between made-up stories and reality. They don't. Or they pretend they don't. They claim it's all true. These defamers raid reality for spare parts to fit in their narrative. They adapt real people, groups, and plotlines for their “fanfiction.” Who's the star? Often themselves. Or “you,” the faithful listener. But this episode isn't for or even about any specific false accuser. Nor is it about similar accusations, at scale, all over the world. Our audience: anyone who wonders if we must hear “both sides.” And anyone who thinks “better safe than sorry” in wrong ways. So now, let's explore how Scripture condemns all such figures. God’s word says Christians who accuse others have two options. First, if the offense is a personal sin issue, talk with the person. Or then try 2-3 witnesses. Or take the conflict to church leaders. Their job is to attempt to bring reconciliation (Matthew 18). Second, if the offense is about law, you need two-plus witnesses. And you need to take the matter before diligent judges. “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15) Our own justice systems often reflect Old Testament principles. That's because God has ordained the civil magistrate (Romans 13). He also gives stern warnings against “a malicious witness.” “If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you. Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” (Deuteronomy 19:16–21) Defamers, even professing Christians, ignore these biblical laws. Instead they follow (and don't even argue for) a third option. They go onto podcasts to hire you as a backup “elder” or “judge.” But is that our job? To be a church elder or judge over this “case”? Jesus Christ Himself refused to get dragged into that (Luke 12:14)! So before we even listen to an accuser's words, we should ask: Did you take this to your church? Or to the civil magistrate? And if the reply is no: “Who appointed me a judge or an arbiter?” We can also discern a malicious witness who denies plain reality. Some accusers go further and have ulterior motives, like Sanballat. 3. Biblical heroes reject bad actors' attacks. Many biblical prophets and kings faced false accusations. And yet one man comes close to the Christian creator: Nehemiah. Here's a professional, a diplomat, a creative leader of exiled Jews. His book is mainly about his quest to build something new. Nehemiah longs to rebuild Jerusalem's wall and guard his people. Also, he's one of the few biblical authors to speak in first-person! Quick recap: the secular king sends Nehemiah to do this work. Nehemiah's position and calling are legitimate by all authorities. This quickly attracts jeering and slander by several villains. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah 2:19–20) What's their first tactic? False accusation of breaking the law. Nehemiah doesn't record a long defense. Just a quick rejoinder. Here he doesn't record their motives. Maybe people already knew. Commentaries like this one reveal his possible political rivalries. So keep that in mind with all his strategies. None are sincere. One chapter later, the enemies return. What do they do now? Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” (Nehemiah 4:1–4) No more legal threats now. Instead they just troll the builders. Watch now how Nehemiah responds. He knows not to feed them. Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. (Nehemiah 4:5) What's next for Sanballat and co.? He escalates from trolling. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. (Nehemiah 4:7–8) Today's similar tactics: death threats, doxxing, and swatting. Nehemiah responds with both prayer and wise self-defense. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. (Nehemiah 4:9) So after legal threats, trolling, and violence plots, they get sneaky. Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. (Nehemiah 6:1–2) Today false accusers try this tactic: “I just want to meet with you.” “I think we got off on the wrong foot. Now let's talk. On my terms.” And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. (Nehemiah 6:3–4) Nehemiah responds professionally and brushes them aside. He avoids distractions. He focuses on the work he's called to do. This doesn't feel very “Christian.” After all, Sanballat needs God! And yet Nehemiah knows he's a proven bad-faith manipulator. Sanballat repeats the attempt. Nehemiah just repeats himself. No need for new arguments or attempts to persuade the accuser. He sticks to what he knows, grounded on the truth, and says no. What's next? They try the old “people say this about you” trick! In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.' And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” (Nehemiah 6:5–7) It's not Sanballat who says this. It's those other people out there! This is a flagrant appeal to our desire to protect our reputations. And it is “spiritual” concern-trolling of the worst possible sort. Frankly, Sanballat should have led with this one. It's fooled many. Important background: Nehemiah's people did sin against God. So he could have been vulnerable to “spiritual” accusations. Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. (Nehemiah 6:8–9) He didn't buy it. He simply states they made all this up. We get another quick prayer in-narrative. Before one final trick. Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” (Nehemiah 6:10) Again, Sanballat should have tried this strategy earlier. It sounds so spiritual. The house of God! Only it's misused. It's almost persuasive, mixes truth with lies, and appeals to fear. But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. (Nehemiah 6:11–12) Our hero doesn't attempt some “spiritual” argument to Shemaiah. In fact, he refers to his own character and gives a simple refusal. That's because he knows this isn't a spiritual attack. It's political. Nehemiah's enemies resorted to cold hard cash as a motivator. In modern terms, we would say he recognizes foreign collusion. For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid. (Nehemiah 6:13–14) Deftly our hero avoids the trap. And prays to God for divine justice. He even calls out unnamed prophets who tried to intimidate him. One can only imagine the “spiritual” language they may have used. In all cases, Nehemiah knew none of the strategies were sincere. And in the end, he avoids every trap and keeps to the project. Today, similar villains will try any tricks to stop people of integrity. And today they may use what plays well: accusations of abuse. Not even Sanballat knew to try that tactic. It's often effective. That's because Scripture does warn about abusive leaders. But God's word equally warn about the malicious false witness. Against false accusations, apply biblical justice and wise rebukes. One way or another, they will be defeated. And hopefully repent. Com station Top question for listeners Have you had a “Nehemiah” moment of standing up for your calling? Next on Fantastical Truth Now that we've talked the tough topics, let's talk about subjects more epic and fun. Like dragons! Possibly ones in our midst! The author we mentioned earlier, Bryan Davis, doesn't even have time to run all these conspiracies. That's because he'd been too busy with bestselling novels. So next week, we'll finally invite Bryan into the studio to share more about the castle walls he's built over the last many decades.

08/09/2026 Rev. Paul Bang No King in Israel: A Series in the Book of Judges (Part 6): Unlikely Heroes   Judges 3:12-31   English Standard Version     Ehud 12 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 13 He gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amalekites, and went and defeated Israel. And they took possession of the city of palms. 14 And the people of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years. 15 Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab. 16 And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit[a] in length, and he bound it on his right thigh under his clothes. 17 And he presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Eglon was a very fat man. 18 And when Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who carried the tribute. 19 But he himself turned back at the idols near Gilgal and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” And he commanded, “Silence.” And all his attendants went out from his presence. 20 And Ehud came to him as he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber. And Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you.” And he arose from his seat. 21 And Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. 22 And the hilt also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not pull the sword out of his belly; and the dung came out. 23 Then Ehud went out into the porch[b] and closed the doors of the roof chamber behind him and locked them. 24 When he had gone, the servants came, and when they saw that the doors of the roof chamber were locked, they thought, “Surely he is relieving himself in the closet of the cool chamber.” 25 And they waited till they were embarrassed. But when he still did not open the doors of the roof chamber, they took the key and opened them, and there lay their lord dead on the floor. 26 Ehud escaped while they delayed, and he passed beyond the idols and escaped to Seirah. 27 When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim. Then the people of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he was their leader. 28 And he said to them, “Follow after me, for the Lord has given your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they went down after him and seized the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites and did not allow anyone to pass over. 29 And they killed at that time about 10,000 of the Moabites, all strong, able-bodied men; not a man escaped. 30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest for eighty years. Shamgar 31 After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an oxgoad, and he also saved Israel.

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --In 2 Chronicles 19:1-3 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. 3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.” 2 Chronicles 19:1-3 NIVThe Crisis. Armies are coming against Jehoshaphat.The Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles 20:1 NIVVs 1 Jehoshaphat had just got things in order in chapter 19 and here comes three groups of people coming against him and God's people. Just because you have done some good things does not mean that you are exempt for the attacks from the enemy. Well thought out plans do not disqualify you from the enemy's schemes.What is Jehoshaphat's Response to the possible attack?. Prayer and FastingVs 3-4Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 NIV Part of his prayer is vs 15 “Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:15Everything hinges on what you are looking at, what you focus on. Prayer and Fasting are life-giving tools through which believers align their eyes and hearts with God's purpose and experience His transformative power.Divine intervention. After they fasted and prayed, God sent intervention. Vs 14-16 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them.Joel 2:12–13 God promises that when people return to God with fasting and weeping, He will hear and answer. The battle is not yours it's the Lords.Our Response. Praise and worshipVs. 15 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Vs. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.The Word of God demands a correct response from us. The correct response is thanksgiving and praise. God's Resolution. God strategiesVs 21-23 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his[c] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.VS. 27-30 27 Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets.29 The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!” (Psalm 32:1 NLT) Without a doubt, one of the greatest blessings of the Christian life is that our God gives second chances. The apostle Paul wrote, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT). But even if we’ve failed miserably, God gives us the opportunity to put it behind us. He can dramatically turn things around on our behalf. He can forgive us. We have a choice in the course our lives take. We can either confess our sin and turn from it and know the happiness of being forgiven, or we can try to conceal our sin and then reap what we’ve sown. The Bible tells us that God will not bless people who try to hide their sin. Isaiah 3:9 says of such people, “They are doomed! They have brought destruction upon themselves” (NLT). On the other hand, Psalm 32:1 says, “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!” (NLT). Doesn’t that sound better? David, the writer of the psalm, understood this well. David’s story is a classic rags-to-riches tale. David was a shepherd and a musician. He was overlooked even in his own family. When his brothers went off to war, David was given the role of delivery boy. When Samuel the prophet told Jesse, David’s father, that God had sent him to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king of Israel, Jesse didn’t even include David in the lineup. Yet David thrived in the role of underdog. He killed the giant Goliath. He succeeded Saul as the king of Israel. God gave David the chance of a lifetime, and David rose to the occasion. Gradually, though, his attention wandered. His priorities shifted. According to 2 Samuel 11:1, King David sent his men to battle the Ammonites while he “stayed behind in Jerusalem” (NLT). While he was idling in Jerusalem, he saw a woman named Bathsheba taking a bath. David sent for her and slept with her, even though she was the wife of Uriah, one of his most faithful soldiers. When he learned that Bathsheba was pregnant, David called Uriah back from battle, hoping that he would sleep with his wife. That way, people would assume that he was the father of her child. But Uriah refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were still camped on the battlefield. In desperation, David arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle so that he could marry the widow Bathsheba in time to make the baby’s birth seem legitimate. David failed God spectacularly. He committed adultery and murder. And after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan, he felt the weight of his sin. He wrote, “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1–2 NLT). God heard his prayer, forgave his sins, and gave him a second chance. And God will do the same for you, no matter what you’ve done, if you repent and ask for forgiveness. Reflection question: How does knowing that God offers forgiveness and second chances change the way you respond when you fail? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we bring you the second half of a message pastor Jeff began last time, based in Second Samuel, chapter ten. King David is experiencing the good things about being a leader. His army has defeated the Ammonites and the Syrians, and David is riding high. This, of course, comes just before perhaps the Lowest point in his life - his sin with Bathsheba. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/621/29?v=20251111

Nehemiah leaves for a while to go back to the king of Persia. While he's gone from Jerusalem, things begin to change for the worse: Nehemiah comes back to a corrupted temple. The storage rooms were being used as personal apartments for evil men like Tobiah. Nehemiah throws out all of Tobiah's belongings and commands the rooms be used for storage again. The people learn that Ammonites and Moabites are not allowed to enter the assembly of God due to their past mistreatment of the Israelites. However, there are exceptions, such as Ruth, a Moabitess who converted to Judaism and became an integral part of the Israelite community. Nehemiah discovers that the Levites and temple singers have not been receiving their rightful tithes, which has led them to abandon their duties and seek alternative means of survival. Hey! Don't leave before looking at other P40 stuff: 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.

The 1990s were one of the greatest decades in the history of speculative fiction—but which debut novels have stood the test of time?In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim explores the entire decade, selecting one fantasy debut, one science fiction debut, and one horror debut for every year from 1990 through 1999. These are the books that introduced some of the biggest names in the genres, launched beloved series, won major awards, and, in some cases, changed fantasy, science fiction, and horror forever.Every selection follows one strict rule: it had to be the author's very first published novel. That means several famous books didn't qualify, while a number of remarkable—and often overlooked—debuts earned their place on the list.Whether you're searching for your next great read, love discovering hidden gems, or simply enjoy looking back at one of the most influential decades in speculative fiction, this episode has something for every fan.Featured authors include:• Diana Gabaldon• Stephen Baxter• Poppy Z. Brite• Terry Goodkind• Tananarive Due• J. K. RowlingNalo HopkinsonMartha Wells• John Connolly…and many more!

The sermon examines Saul's first test as king in 1 Samuel 11, where he delivers Jabesh-Gilead from the Ammonites. The preacher highlights how the Spirit of God empowers Saul with righteous anger and leadership to unite Israel for battle. This victory demonstrates that success comes solely through divine intervention rather than human strength. Saul's humble response acknowledges God as the source of salvation, contrasting his initial faithfulness with his later pride. The narrative concludes with the renewal of the kingdom at Gilgal, affirming God's chosen leader.

10th Anniversary Special: Interview with Linda Garber The Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast - Episode 348 with Heather Rose Jones An interview with Professor Linda Garber about her research into lesbian historical fiction. Books and Media Mentioned Garber, Linda. 2022. Novel Approaches to Lesbian History. Palgrave. ISBN 978-3030854164 Cruikshank, M. (ed) 1982. Lesbian Studies: Present and Future. The Feminist Press at CUNY. ISBN 978-0935312072 Garber, Linda. 2001. Identity Poetics: Race, Class and the Lesbian-Feminist Roots of Queer Theory. Columbia University Press. Schwartz, Selby Wynn. After Sappho. (novel) Keen, Suzanne. 2003 Romances of the Archive in Contemporary British Fiction. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-0802086846 (credit for the phrase “romance of the archives” which I've been misattributing) Martinac, Paula. Out of Time. (novel) Davies, Stevie. Impassioned Clay. (novel) Friend, Catherine. The Spanish Pearl. (novel) Dickinson (tv series) Gentleman Jack (tv series) Arnold, June Davis. The Cook and the Carpenter. (novel) Faderman, Lillian. 1981. Surpassing the Love of Men: Romantic Friendship and Love Between Women from the Renaissance to the Present. William Morrow and Company, Inc. ISBN 0-688-00396-6 Hall, Radclyffe. The Well of Loneliness. (novel) Portrait of a Lady on Fire (movie) The Favourite (movie) Ammonite (movie) Saturday Night Live “Lesbian Period Drama” (sketch on YouTube) Desert of the Heart (movie) based on Jane Rule's Desert Hearts A Knight's Tale (movie) Giffney, Noreen, Michelle M. Sauer & Diane Watt (eds). 2011. The Lesbian Premodern. Palgrave. ISBN 978-0-230-61676-9 The Belle of Amherst (movie) Gomez, Jewelle. The Gilda Stories. (novel) Giddings, Megan. The Women Could Fly (novel) Korn, Gabrielle. Yours for the Taking (novel) Pérez, Emma. Forgetting the Alamo, or, Blood Memory (novel McCollum, Hilary. As a Lover (novel) McCollum, Hilary. Golddigger (novel) Gagehabib, LaVerne. The Blacksmith and the Doctor (novel) Winterson, Jeanette. The Passion (novel) A transcript of this podcast is available here. (Interview transcripts added when available.) Links to the Lesbian Historic Motif Project Online Website: http://alpennia.com/lhmp Blog: http://alpennia.com/blog RSS: http://alpennia.com/blog/feed/ Twitter: @LesbianMotif Discord: Contact Heather for an invitation to the Alpennia/LHMP Discord server The Lesbian Historic Motif Project Patreon Links to Heather Online Website: http://alpennia.com Email: Heather Rose Jones Mastodon: @heatherrosejones@Wandering.Shop Bluesky: @heatherrosejones Facebook: Heather Rose Jones (author page) Links to Linda Garber Online Website: academic website

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0729db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 29 Amos 1 – 2 Amos 1 1 The words of Amos, who was among the sheep breeders [1] from Tekoa. He saw a vision concerning Israel during the days of Uzziah king of Judah and during the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. 2 He said:     The Lord roars from Zion.     From Jerusalem he sends out his voice.     The pastures of the shepherds dry up, [2]     and the top of Mount Carmel withers. Judgment Against Aram 3 This is what the Lord says:     Because of three sins [3] of Damascus,     because of four, I will not hold back judgment,     because they cut up Gilead with iron threshing boards. [4] 4 So I will send fire against the house of Hazael,     and it will consume the fortresses of Ben Hadad. 5 I will break the bars of the gates of Damascus,     and I will cut off the one seated in the Valley of Aven,     and the one who holds a scepter in Beth Eden. [5]     So the people of Aram will go into exile toward Kir. [6]     The Lord has spoken. Judgment Against Philistia 6 This is what the Lord says:     Because of three sins of Gaza,     because of four, I will not hold back judgment,     because they sold an entire population into exile,     handing them over to Edom. 7 So I will send fire against the city wall of Gaza,     and it will consume her citadels. 8 I will cut off the one seated in Ashdod,     and the one who holds a scepter in Ashkelon.     I will also turn my hand against Ekron,     and what is left of the Philistines will perish.     The Lord God has spoken. Judgment Against Canaan 9 This is what the Lord says:     Because of three sins of Tyre,     because of four, I will not hold back judgment,     because they delivered over an entire population and exiled them to Edom,     and they did not remember a treaty of brotherhood. 10 So I will send fire against the city wall of Tyre,     and it will consume her citadels. Judgment Against Edom 11 This is what the Lord says:     Because of three sins of Edom,     because of four, I will not hold back judgment,     because he [7] pursued his brother with a sword,     and he had no compassion. [8]     His anger kept tearing Israel apart,     and his fury raged without stopping. 12 So I will send fire against Teman,     and it will consume the citadels of Bozrah. Judgment Against Ammon 13 This is what the Lord says:     Because of three sins of the Ammonites,     because of four, I will not hold back judgment,     because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their own territory. 14 So I will ignite a fire against the city wall of Rabbah,     and it will consume her citadels         with a battle cry on the day of war,         with a strong wind on the day of the storm. 15 Then their king will go into exile,     he and his officials together.     The Lord has spoken. Judgment Against Moab Amos 2 1 This is what the Lord says: Because of three sins of Moab,     because of four, I will not hold back judgment,     because they burned the bones of the king of Edom to make lime. 2 So I will send fire against Moab,     and it will consume the citadels of Kerioth.     Moab will die in an uproar,     with a battle cry, with a blast of a ram's horn. 3 I will cut off the judge [9] from her midst,     and I will kill all her officials with him.     The Lord has spoken. Judgment Against Judah 4 This is what the Lord says:     Because of three sins of Judah,     because of four, I will not hold back judgment,     because they rejected the law of the Lord,     and they did not keep his statutes.     Their lying idols led them astray,     the idols that their fathers followed. 5 So I will send fire against Judah,     and it will consume the citadels of Jerusalem. Judgment Against Israel 6 This is what the Lord says:     Because of three sins of Israel,     because of four, I will not hold back judgment,     because they sell the righteous for silver     and the needy for a pair of sandals. 7 They trample the heads of the poor into the dust of the earth,     and they turn aside the claims of the oppressed.     A man and his father go to the same young woman.     In this way they profane my holy name. 8 They stretch themselves out beside every altar         on pieces of clothing they seized as collateral.     In the temple of their gods they drink wine obtained through fines. 9 I was the one who destroyed the Amorites in front of them,     the Amorites, who were as tall as cedars,     who were as strong as oaks.     I destroyed their fruit above and their roots below. 10 I myself brought you up from the land of Egypt,     and I led you in the wilderness for forty years,         so that you would take possession of the land of the Amorites. 11 I raised up some of your sons to be prophets,     and some of your best young men to be Nazirites.     Is this not so, you people of Israel? declares the Lord. 12 But you made the Nazirites drink wine,     and you commanded the prophets, “You must not prophesy!” 13 Look, I am weighed down under you,     just as a cart is weighed down when it is loaded with sheaves of grain. [10] 14 There will be no escape for the swift runner.     The powerful man will not be able to exert his strength,     and the strong warrior will not be able to save his own life. 15 The archer will not stand his ground.     The swift runner will not save himself,     and the horseman will not save his own life. 16 The most courageous among the warriors will flee naked on that day,     declares the Lord. Footnotes Amos 1:1 Or ranchers Amos 1:2 Or mourn Amos 1:3 Or crimes Amos 1:3 A threshing board or threshing sledge is similar to a toboggan, but it has iron teeth protruding from the bottom. It is dragged over piles of grain to cut up the straw and release the kernels of grain. Amos 1:5 Valley of Aven and Beth Eden mean Valley of Wickedness and House of Pleasure. They may be figurative names for the region around Damascus. Amos 1:5 The location of Kir is unknown. It probably lies far to the north or east. Amos 1:11 Edom is referred to by the singular he because it is also a name of Jacob's brother Esau. Amos 1:11 Or he destroyed pregnant women Amos 2:3 Or ruler Amos 2:13 The meaning of the verse is uncertain. It may mean I will weigh you down as a cart is weighed down. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

WISDOM FROM ABOVE  |  JULY 26, 2026Pastor Wes MorrisJames 3:13-18 (NLT) If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.The source of your wisdom determines the direction of your life.√  WORLDLY WISDOM TEACHES US TO TRUST OURSELVES.Proverbs 12:15 (NLT) Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. II Samuel 11:1 (NLT) In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites...However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.√  WORLDLY WISDOM CREATES CHAOS.James 3:16 (NLT) For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.√  GODLY WISDOM LEADS TO PEACE.Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.WISDOM FROM ABOVEI. EXAMINE YOUR HEART.James 3:17-18 (NIV) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure.Psalm 51:10 (NIV) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. II. CHECK THE FRUIT.James 3:17-18 (NIV) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is… full of mercy and good fruit.Is this making me more like Jesus?Does this produce peace or chaos?Is this fueled by pride or humility?Will this bless others or just benefit me?III. CHOOSE PEACE.James 3:18 (NIV) Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.Romans 12:18 (NIV) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Have you ever experienced the thrill of getting what you hoped for, only to realize it wasn't as great as you imagined, or at least, not for long? Approximately 1000 years before the coming of Christ, the tribes of Israel asked for a king. Badgered and beaten by the armies of the Ammonites and the Philistines, the Israelites' memories of deliverance from Egyptian slavery and the felled walls of Jericho faded. Disenchanted with God and His prophets, the children of Israel looked enviously at the neighboring nations. They ignored Samuel's warning and insisted, “Give us a king like other nations have.”

Have you ever experienced the thrill of getting what you hoped for, only to realize it wasn't as great as you imagined, or at least, not for long? Approximately 1000 years before the coming of Christ, the tribes of Israel asked for a king. Badgered and beaten by the armies of the Ammonites and the Philistines, the Israelites' memories of deliverance from Egyptian slavery and the felled walls of Jericho faded. Disenchanted with God and His prophets, the children of Israel looked enviously at the neighboring nations. They ignored Samuel's warning and insisted, “Give us a king like other nations have.”

Have you ever experienced the thrill of getting what you hoped for, only to realize it wasn't as great as you imagined, or at least, not for long? Approximately 1000 years before the coming of Christ, the tribes of Israel asked for a king. Badgered and beaten by the armies of the Ammonites and the Philistines, the Israelites' memories of deliverance from Egyptian slavery and the felled walls of Jericho faded. Disenchanted with God and His prophets, the children of Israel looked enviously at the neighboring nations. They ignored Samuel's warning and insisted, “Give us a king like other nations have.”

Have you ever experienced the thrill of getting what you hoped for, only to realize it wasn't as great as you imagined, or at least, not for long? Approximately 1000 years before the coming of Christ, the tribes of Israel asked for a king. Badgered and beaten by the armies of the Ammonites and the Philistines, the Israelites' memories of deliverance from Egyptian slavery and the felled walls of Jericho faded. Disenchanted with God and His prophets, the children of Israel looked enviously at the neighboring nations. They ignored Samuel's warning and insisted, “Give us a king like other nations have.”

Have you ever experienced the thrill of getting what you hoped for, only to realize it wasn't as great as you imagined, or at least, not for long? Approximately 1000 years before the coming of Christ, the tribes of Israel asked for a king. Badgered and beaten by the armies of the Ammonites and the Philistines, the Israelites' memories of deliverance from Egyptian slavery and the felled walls of Jericho faded. Disenchanted with God and His prophets, the children of Israel looked enviously at the neighboring nations. They ignored Samuel's warning and insisted, “Give us a king like other nations have.”

Some people struggle with defeat. Some people struggle with victory. The Israelite people of Jabesh Gilead were about to be crushed by Nahash and his Ammonite army. They were filled with fear instead of faith. They were weeping instead of warring. They were desperately depending on others for help. God raised up Saul and the Holy Spirit moved upon Saul, and this became the catalyst that led to victory over the Ammonites. How would Saul handle the victory? Would it be seen as an open door to crush his detractors? Would it be a day for revenge or a day for rejoicing? Listen to this episode of Wisdom from Above and find out!

Nathan Rebukes David 12And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms,[a] and it was like a daughter to him. 4Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him. 5Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7Nathan said to David, You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul.8And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. 9Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.10Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.11Thus says the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun. 13David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said to David, The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord,[b] the child who is born to you shall die. 15Then Nathan went to his house. David's Child Dies And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick.

Most times, we end up fighting our own battles. But sometimes, the opposition is just – well, it's overwhelming. Then what? Well that's when we can discover that the battle, belongs to the Lord.   I Can Do Anything I Want In this day and age one of the things that they teach us is to be self reliant. To have confidence in our own abilities. You can do anything you set your mind to they tell us. You can make it, it's all up to you. That's ok to a point I guess. It's a good thing to have some confidence in who we are that God made us to be. But you can take this idea too far and it will bring you undone. The positive turns into a terrible negative. See what happens, when the situation we're in or the circumstances that we're facing are so far beyond our ability to deal with them, that any idea of self reliance is completely ridiculous. What happens when the problem confronting us requires skills and abilities that we don't have. What happens when the career we've chosen just doesn't fit who we are? What happens when the one we love, our wife or our husband or one of our children is going through some tough times. Something that as much as we love them, we can't seem to be able to help them through. An illness, a depression, a crisis. And nothing we can say or nothing we can do seems to make any difference. Well, then what? What happens when a tsunami hits our lives? What do we do when the enemy that gathers around us completely outnumbers and outguns us? Come on. Then what do we do? And this isn't some theoretical exercise. This is life. It's my life and it's your life. Because this happens. It's real. There are times in our lives when the enemy whoever or whatever that is, when the enemy is so much bigger than our ability to survive. It happens in families. It happens in work places. And it happens in our hearts. When sickness hits for no good reason. When a loved one is taken in their prime and the grief overwhelms us. When a marriage falls apart. It happens when retrenchment hits. When the economy takes a nose-dive. When their isn't enough food to feed the family. When people betray us. This is life. It's real life. Let me ask you something. When the enemy is so much bigger and so much stronger than anything that you or I could ever handle, what do we do? Some people panic and they run around in ever decreasing circles wasting their precious energy on panicking. You've seen it I've seen it. You know we've both probably been their too. Some people pull over and stop because they're immobilised by fear. That's what happens you know. But neither of those things cut the mustard. Neither of them help. Running around like a headless chook. It's exhausting. Wallowing in self pity is destructive. What do we do? See I'm a pretty self-reliant kind of guy. I like to think that I can handle most things. BUT – there are times when things happen that are completely and utterly beyond anything I can handle. And in those times to hang on to this notion of self-reliance, this delusion of "I can do anything", that will only make it worse. It's OK to believe in ourselves but the reality is that sometimes, maybe this time, we can't swim against this tsunami. It's too big. It's too scary. I was talking the other day with a young woman. She's extremely competent and confident in her field. Professionally she's a class act in every way that you can imagine. We got onto the fact that she had a couple of young kids. And her demeanour changed. See, as someone who's got kids and now they're all grown up, I'm well and truly past the stresses and the strains of bringing up young children. I love telling parents, "Don't worry it's the first 25 years that are the hardest. After that it's a piece of baklava!" It's my, I guess it's my gift of encouragement. Right?" But like any young mother, this motherhood thing was a struggle for this competent, professional woman. It's so tiring. There is so much that is new and is challenging. There's so much in bringing up kids. It's beyond our control. That's the key isn't it. When we're dealing with things that are under our control and we happen to have the skills and the ability and the inclination to control them, well, it's all good isn't it. But the further things are out of our control the more they look like that tsunami and that wave that we can't ride. Then, then it gets scary. I want to introduce you today to one of the kings in Israel's history. Actually he's the king of a couple of the tribes of Israel, Judah and Benjamin. His name was Jehoshaphat. Ok it's a long name. We don't use that kind of name these days. But he was definitely one of the good guys. And there was a time when he was confronted with an enemy that was way, way, way beyond his ability to fight and defeat. Let's pick up the story in 2nd Chronicles Chapter 20 verse 1. After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; already they are at Engedi. Jehoshaphat was afraid; See this was an army much bigger than his own. The odds were completely overwhelming and Jehoshaphat were facing absolutely certain defeat. To the king that meant death for his people it meant death or slavery or loss of all their possessions and land. Probably rape for the woman. The higher the stakes are the scarier it gets, doesn't it? And for Jehoshaphat the stakes couldn't have been higher. He was in that place well and truly that you and I find ourselves in for time to time. I just want to establish here that old king Jehoshaphat, well he was human like you and me. He's not some super-human king. There were armies coming in against him. He was completely outnumbered and outgunned. This was a life and death situation and it says Jehoshaphat was afraid. Jehoshaphat is just one of us. I remember as a young boy going to the dentist. I'd walk in the front door and there was this staircase leading up to the dentist. And the smell of the dental surgery the moment you walked in the door. And their was a knot in my stomach sitting in the waiting room. Fear is something that disables us. It's not good for anyone when we're disabled by fear. It's not good for ourselves, it's not good for God. It's not good for those who need our help. Jehoshaphat was afraid. But it's what he did in his fear that made all the difference and we're going to take a look at that in just a moment   What Happens When I Can't? Well let's get back into God's word and take a look at what happened king Jehoshaphat. What he was facing in this completely overwhelming odds. Have a listen. We're starting, if you have a bible grab it, in 2 Chronicles chapter 20 beginning at verse 3: Jehoshaphat was afraid; he set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the towns of Judah they came to seek the LORD. Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, "O LORD, God of our ancestors, are you not God in heaven? Do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? In your hand are power and might, so that no one is able to withstand you. Did you not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? They have lived in it, and in it have built you a sanctuary for your name, saying, 'If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before you, for your name is in this house, and cry to you in our distress, and you will hear and save.' See now, the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession that you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. See Jehoshaphat didn't let his fear immobilise him. He didn't get into a flap or into a panic in the face of overwhelming odds he turned to God. Sometimes that's the only way that God gets our attention. I'd like to be able to tell you that I first turned to God because I was wise and loving and understood that Jesus is the Son of God. But if I told you that I would be lying. I needed to be hit across the back of the head with a lump of four by two for God to get my attention. Overwhelming odds. That's what did it for me. I turned to God in the middle of fear. And for me it was the last resort but for Jehoshaphat God was his first port of call. Now a king is supposed to have all the answers. A King like Jehoshaphat should have a powerful army and contingency plans based on a comprehensive threat assessment. He should be self-reliant. A man for the people to respect and to follow and to trust for their safety and their future, but listen again to what Jehoshaphat says when he's praying to God in 2nd Chronicles Chapter 20 verse 12: O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. I relate to this. When I stepped out of the secure, well-paid job as a consultant into full time ministry, that was a step of faith. Leaving security behind to serve God and I can't begin to tell you how many times since then I have been in that place that Jehoshaphat and his people were in. See I started out with this naive notion that if I was going to be about God's work, well lit should be easy. And yet so many times people and circumstances have conspired to be against God's work. Every couple of years our board gets together to do some strategic planning. That's important and the strategic plan always looks good on paper. Gives us a sense of what direction we think that God wants us to head in. And then invariably all hell breaks loose because the enemy wants to overwhelm us. He doesn't want to see God's will done here on earth as it is in heaven. And that's what's going on with Jehoshaphat and Judah. Remember these are God's chosen people. The king honoured God and by all accounts and by all accounts he was wise and competent. But in the face of overwhelming odds he admitted to God, "We do know what to do." So was the solution How did he cope with this? And the same sentence, the same breath, he says "but our eyes are on You." I wonder sometimes when I see people who profess to believe in Jesus running around in panic wasting so much of their energy complaining and worrying and being afraid. See, it takes a lot of energy to be afraid, you realise. I wonder if they spent even half that amount of their energy having their eyes on God, how much better off they'd be. You and I, we can't help but be afraid. Jehoshaphat was afraid. It's a natural human, reaction. I'm not here to tell you somehow to pretend that you're not afraid when fear is rocking you to the very core. That's ridiculous. But it's what we do when fear strikes that makes all the difference. When we panic we burn energy, when we frozen and immobilised that's probably the end of us. That's what fear does. Stop's us dead in our tracks. We go nowhere. Had Jehoshaphat done that, he and all his people would have been dead literally. Or we can just turn and look at God. "You know something Lord, this is so huge, I just know what to do but my eyes, my eyes are on you. I'm just going to wait on you. I don't know what you are going to do, I don't even know if you are going to show up, but no matter what, my eyes are on you." And here's the bit that blows me away about this story. It's this. That God wasn't Jehoshaphat's last resort. God was his first port of call. He trusted in the sovereign grace of God. Jehoshaphat was afraid, but he set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. I wonder how different if things would be amidst our fear, if instead of running around and spending all that energy on panic or instead of running to the phone to talk to a friend, if we first ran to God. If the very first thing we did was to take stock and in our hearts, deep inside somewhere – decided to set ourselves to seek the Lord? God, the first point of call, rather than the last resort!   A Powerful Outcome So how did it end? Was Jehoshaphat's trust misplaced or well placed? Let's take a look. 2 Chronicle 20 beginning at verse 14: Then the spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly. He said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not fear or be dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them; they will come up by the ascent of Ziz; you will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you." Then Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. They rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God and you will be established; believe his prophets." When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy splendor, as they went before the army, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever." As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the Ammonites and Moab attacked the inhabitants of Mount Seir, destroying them utterly; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another. When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; they were corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the booty from them, they found livestock in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They spent three days taking the booty, because of its abundance. Unbelievable I hear you say. How could this possibly happen?? I'll tell you how. Because Jehoshaphat decided that he would stand and wait on God - no matter what the outcome! That's the key. That's the faith that God was looking for. No matter what the outcome. Let's take another look. 2 Chronicles 20:9-12: If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before you, for your name is in this house, and cry to you in our distress, and you will hear and save. See now, the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy – they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession that you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. This is the do or die faith that God is looking for. When we place our faith in God in this way – for things that are completely out of our control – right when that tsunami hits His Spirit and His Word come along and witness His truth to us: This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the LORD on your behalf.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you." (2 Chronicles 20:17) Listen to me. Have you put your trust in Jesus Christ? Have you? Then those times of fear are times when we discover what a beautiful thing it is to trust in the Lord, no matter what is coming against us. No matter what the world throws at us. No matter how overwhelming the odds might be. Those times are the times that we get to stand still and discover in our very own experience that the battle isn't our it's not ours at all. But the battle belongs to the Lord. Can I encourage you that if you feel right now that you're on death row, as though there is no tomorrow, to listen to the words of apostle Paul from his dungeon as he writes in Philippians Chapter 4 beginning at verse 6: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. See that's the word of the Lord for us today. Jehoshaphat knew it and learned it again in his experience. The people of Judah learned it again under the leadership of Jehoshaphat. This overwhelming army came against them. They couldn't win. It was a no win situation. And they discovered afresh and anew the battle was not theirs but the battle belonged to the Lord. And they listened to God through His prophets when he said, "Stand still to see and to watch what the Lord would do for you." Can I encourage you today to remember the battle is not yours. The battle belongs to the Lord. Stand still and watch to see what the Lord will do for you.

2nd Samuel Series  Message: 14 Episode: 3 of 3 Broadcast: July 14, 2026 Key Verses: 2nd Samuel 12:26-31 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz begins "The Kindness of the King…Rejected," teaching through 2 Samuel 12:26–31. As David returns to lead Israel in victory over the Ammonites, this passage marks a transition from personal restoration to renewed kingdom leadership. Yet beneath the military triumph lies a deeper spiritual lesson about how people respond to God's rightful King. Pastor Michael explores the consequences of rejecting God's rule, the seriousness of resisting His authority, and the gracious invitation to surrender to His kingdom instead. This thought-provoking teaching points beyond David to Jesus Christ, the true King, who deserves our wholehearted allegiance. You'll be encouraged and equipped to walk through life as a Christian by embracing God's truth, submitting to His authority, and applying His Word to your everyday life with faith, humility, and obedience. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com  

2nd Samuel Series  Message: 14 Episode: 2 of 3 Broadcast: July 13, 2026 Key Verses: 2nd Samuel 10 & 12:26-31 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz begins "The Kindness of the King…Rejected," teaching through 2 Samuel 12:26–31. As David returns to lead Israel in victory over the Ammonites, this passage marks a transition from personal restoration to renewed kingdom leadership. Yet beneath the military triumph lies a deeper spiritual lesson about how people respond to God's rightful King. Pastor Michael explores the consequences of rejecting God's rule, the seriousness of resisting His authority, and the gracious invitation to surrender to His kingdom instead. This thought-provoking teaching points beyond David to Jesus Christ, the true King, who deserves our wholehearted allegiance. You'll be encouraged and equipped to walk through life as a Christian by embracing God's truth, submitting to His authority, and applying His Word to your everyday life with faith, humility, and obedience. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com  

Text: 2 Samuel chapters 10-14 Supplemental Text: The Fourth Thousand Years chapter 6 BYU Lecture 30 -  Now that Israel is united and has conquered the lands as prophesied, spread from the Euphrates River to the Egyptian border, King David spends his time putting down skirmishes from the neighboring Ammonites and Syrians. While resting in Jerusalem, King David takes a stroll and looks upon Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, one of his royal guard. David is struck by her beauty and invites her to the palace while her husband was away on the battlefield. They become romantically involved and commit adultery, in which Bathsheba becomes pregnant. To cover his sin, David concocts a plan to send Uriah to the battlefront in hopes he is killed, which he was. David and Bathsheba are quickly married, but the Lord wasn't going to let this behavior stay a secret. The prophet Nathan was sent to David and revealed Davd's secret to him and prophecies that David's house will be afflicted by the sword, that evil will dwell within his household and he will lose his wives to others. Bathsheba has her baby and it dies. From this time forward, David writes his mournful psalms. Evil prevails within David's household, as his son Amnon rapes his own sister Tamar. Amnon's brother Absalom is so enraged he murders Amnon and prepares to take the throne of his father David.

Welcome to Be Bold for Jesus MinistriesOur mission is to equip believers to live boldly for Christ with discernment, obedience, andunwavering trust in God—especially in a world filled with false promises of security. Led by LeeArnold and Jaclyn Arnold, Be Bold for Jesus Ministries teaches God's Word with clarity andconviction, calling believers to place their confidence in Christ rather than the temporary securitiesof this world.Today's MessageThe Danger of False SecurityLee Arnold LiveScripture: Jeremiah 49:1–39Jeremiah 49 contains a series of warnings to the nations surrounding Israel—Ammon, Edom,Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam. Each nation trusted in something that made them feel secure.Some trusted their wealth. Others trusted military power, wisdom, geography, or reputation. But allof them shared the same fatal flaw: they placed their confidence in something other than God.Like the residents who ignored the warnings before Mount St. Helens erupted, these nationsmistook past stability for future security. They assumed that because judgment had not come yet, itnever would. But God's warnings are acts of mercy, and His promises always come to pass.Key Takeaways• God's warnings are acts of mercy, not cruelty• False security can be more dangerous than obvious danger• Wealth, wisdom, power, and reputation cannot save us• Pride causes nations and individuals to ignore God's warnings• God often removes the very thing we trust more than Him• Every earthly fortress will eventually crumble• The strongest refuge is a relationship with Jesus Christ• God's judgment is always balanced by His mercy and grace• Repentance leads to restoration• The only security that lasts forever is found in Christ aloneToday's ReminderThe Ammonites trusted their riches. The Edomites trusted Petra. Damascus trusted its history andreputation. The Bedouins trusted their independence. The Elamites trusted their military strength.Every nation believed it possessed something that made it untouchable. Every nation was wrong.Jeremiah 49 asks a deeply personal question: What is your Petra? What are you relying on morethan God? The danger is not having these things—the danger is trusting them. God loves usenough to expose our false securities before they become our destruction. The only refuge that hasnever failed and never will fail is Jesus Christ.Stay Connected• Sunday Sermons – Live on Zoom & Facebook• Wednesday Bible Study – He's The Solution Interactive Discussion• Daily Dose of Boldness – Daily encouragement from God's WordBe Bold for Jesus Conference 2026October 2–3, 2026Tickets & information at BB4J.comSupport the MissionGive at bebold4jesus.org#BeBoldForJesus #Jeremiah49 #FalseSecurity #TrustGod #FaithOverFear #JesusIsTheRock#BibleTeaching #SundaySermon

"Sin's Checklist" From the sermon, these are the ways that sin lies to us: Stir up desire Highlight of benefits Minimize consequences Offer rationalizations Ensure ability to stop Give momentary pleasure Fill with shame Convince to conceal Blackmail with guilt Minimize Jesus mercy Resist repentance Lay low until next time This is the truth instead: Jesus offers grace and mercy to those of us who repent of our sin. ___________________________________________ David and Bathsheba 11In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. 3And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house. 5And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, I am pregnant. 6So David sent word to Joab, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. 7When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab was doing and how the people were doing and how the war was going. 8Then David said to Uriah, Go down to your house and wash your feet. And Uriah went out of the king's house, and there followed him a present from the king. 9But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. 10When they told David, Uriah did not go down to his house, David said to Uriah, Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house? 11Uriah said to David, The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in booths, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing. 12Then David said to Uriah, Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will send you back. So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. 13And David invited him, and he ate in his presence and drank, so that he made him drunk. And in the evening he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house. 14In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15In the letter he wrote, Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.16And as Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant men.17And the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, and some of the servants of David among the people fell. Uriah the Hittite also died. 18Then Joab sent and told David all the news about the fighting. 19And he instructed the messenger, When you have finished telling all the news about the fighting to the king, 20then, if the king's anger rises, and if he says to you, Why did you go so near the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall? 21Who killed Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall? then you shall say, Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. 22So the messenger went and came and told David all that Joab had sent him to tell. 23The messenger said to David, The men gained an advantage over us and came out against us in the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate. 24Then the archers shot at your servants from the wall. Some of the king's servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.25David said to the messenger, Thus shall you say to Joab, Do not let this matter displease you, for the sword devours now one and now another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it. And encourage him. 26When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. 27And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.

Daniel 11:1-45 11And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him. 2And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece.3Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills.4And as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these. 5Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he and shall rule, and his authority shall be a great authority.6After some years they shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she shall not retain the strength of her arm, and he and his arm shall not endure, but she shall be given up, and her attendants, he who fathered her, and he who supportedher in those times. 7And from a branch from her roots one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail.8He shall also carry off to Egypt their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold, and for some years he shall refrain from attacking the king of the north.9Then the latter shall come into the realm of the king of the south but shall return to his own land. 10His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress.11Then the king of the south, moved with rage, shall come out and fight against the king of the north. And he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand.12And when the multitude is taken away, his heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail.13For the king of the north shall again raise a multitude, greater than the first. And after some years he shall come on with a great army and abundant supplies. 14In those times many shall rise against the king of the south, and the violent among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they shall fail.15Then the king of the north shall come and throw up siegeworks and take a well-fortified city. And the forces of the south shall not stand, or even his best troops, for there shall be no strength to stand.16But he who comes against him shall do as he wills, and none shall stand before him. And he shall stand in the glorious land, with destruction in his hand.17He shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he shall bring terms of an agreement and perform them. He shall give him the daughter of women to destroy the kingdom, but it shall not stand or be to his advantage.18Afterward he shall turn his face to the coastlands and shall capture many of them, but a commander shall put an end to his insolence. Indeed, he shall turn his insolence back upon him.19Then he shall turn his face back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found. 20Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle.21In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.22Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant.23And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully, and he shall become strong with a small people.24Without warning he shall come into the richest parts of the province, and he shall do what neither his fathers nor his fathers' fathers have done, scattering among them plunder, spoil, and goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time.25And he shall stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him.26Even those who eat his food shall break him. His army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain.27And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for the end is yet to be at the time appointed.28And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land. 29At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before.30For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant.31Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.32He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.33And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.34When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery,35and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time. 36And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.37He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.38He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.39He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price. 40At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through.41He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites.42He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.43He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train.44But news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction.45And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.

Daniel 11:1-45 11And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him. 2And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece.3Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills.4And as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these. 5Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he and shall rule, and his authority shall be a great authority.6After some years they shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she shall not retain the strength of her arm, and he and his arm shall not endure, but she shall be given up, and her attendants, he who fathered her, and he who supportedher in those times. 7And from a branch from her roots one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail.8He shall also carry off to Egypt their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold, and for some years he shall refrain from attacking the king of the north.9Then the latter shall come into the realm of the king of the south but shall return to his own land. 10His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress.11Then the king of the south, moved with rage, shall come out and fight against the king of the north. And he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand.12And when the multitude is taken away, his heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail.13For the king of the north shall again raise a multitude, greater than the first. And after some years he shall come on with a great army and abundant supplies. 14In those times many shall rise against the king of the south, and the violent among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they shall fail.15Then the king of the north shall come and throw up siegeworks and take a well-fortified city. And the forces of the south shall not stand, or even his best troops, for there shall be no strength to stand.16But he who comes against him shall do as he wills, and none shall stand before him. And he shall stand in the glorious land, with destruction in his hand.17He shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he shall bring terms of an agreement and perform them. He shall give him the daughter of women to destroy the kingdom, but it shall not stand or be to his advantage.18Afterward he shall turn his face to the coastlands and shall capture many of them, but a commander shall put an end to his insolence. Indeed, he shall turn his insolence back upon him.19Then he shall turn his face back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found. 20Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle.21In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.22Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant.23And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully, and he shall become strong with a small people.24Without warning he shall come into the richest parts of the province, and he shall do what neither his fathers nor his fathers' fathers have done, scattering among them plunder, spoil, and goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time.25And he shall stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him.26Even those who eat his food shall break him. His army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain.27And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for the end is yet to be at the time appointed.28And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land. 29At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before.30For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant.31Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.32He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.33And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.34When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery,35and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time. 36And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.37He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.38He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.39He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price. 40At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through.41He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites.42He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.43He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train.44But news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction.45And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.

2nd Samuel Series  Message: 14 Episode: 1 of 3 Broadcast: July 10, 2026 Key Verses: 2nd Samuel 12:26-31 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz begins "The Kindness of the King…Rejected," teaching through 2 Samuel 12:26–31. As David returns to lead Israel in victory over the Ammonites, this passage marks a transition from personal restoration to renewed kingdom leadership. Yet beneath the military triumph lies a deeper spiritual lesson about how people respond to God's rightful King. Pastor Michael explores the consequences of rejecting God's rule, the seriousness of resisting His authority, and the gracious invitation to surrender to His kingdom instead. This thought-provoking teaching points beyond David to Jesus Christ, the true King, who deserves our wholehearted allegiance. You'll be encouraged and equipped to walk through life as a Christian by embracing God's truth, submitting to His authority, and applying His Word to your everyday life with faith, humility, and obedience. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com  

Friday Bible Study (6/26/26) // Nehemiah 4:4-14 (ESV) // Opposition to the Work // 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.7 [a] But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.10 In Judah it was said,[b] “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.”[c] 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”Footnotesa. Nehemiah 4:7 Ch 4:1 in Hebrewb. Nehemiah 4: 10 Hebrew Judah saidc. Nehemiah 4: 12 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain#Nehemiah #BookOfNehemiah #BibleStudy #BibleExplained #Bible #BiblicalStudies #BibleTeacher #WordOfGod #BiblicalLessons #BibleJournal #BibleReading #BibleStudyNotes #biblestudycommunity #ChicagoChurch #BibleVerseWebsite: https://mbchicago.org FOLLOW US Facebook:   / mbc.chicago   Instagram:   / mbc.chicago   TikTok:   / mbc.chicago   Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Web: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch DAF Donations: https://every.org/mbc.chicago PayPal/Credit: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...

Nehemiah: Rebuilding What Matters Most • Friday Service Website: www.PastorTodd.org To give: www.ToddCoconato.com/give 1. Prayer Must Come Before Action Nehemiah 1:4 (NKJV) “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” 2. God Uses People Who Care Nehemiah 1:3-4 (NKJV) “And they said to me, ‘The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.' So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” 3. Favor Comes Through Faithful Obedience Nehemiah 2:8 (NKJV) “And a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy. And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.” 4. Vision Requires Courage Nehemiah 2:17 (NKJV) “Then I said to them, ‘You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.'” 5. Opposition Is Often Confirmation Nehemiah 2:19 (NKJV) “But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, ‘What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?'” 6. Stay Focused on Your Assignment Nehemiah 6:3 (NKJV) “So I sent messengers to them, saying, ‘I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?'” 7. Work and Warfare Often Happen Together Nehemiah 4:17 (NKJV) “Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.” 8. Unity Accomplishes Great Things Nehemiah 4:6 (NKJV) “So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.” 9. Repentance Leads to Renewal Nehemiah 9:2 (NKJV) “Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.” 10. God's Word Must Remain Central Nehemiah 8:8 (NKJV) “So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV) “Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'”

Friday Bible Study (6/19/26) // Nehemiah 4:1-3 (ESV) // Opposition to the Work // 1 [a] Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves?[b] Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” Footnotesa. Nehemiah 4:1 Ch 3 :33 in Hebrewb. Nehemiah 4:2 Or Will they commit themselves to God?#Nehemiah #BookOfNehemiah #BibleStudy #BibleExplained #Bible #BiblicalStudies #BibleTeacher #WordOfGod #BiblicalLessons #BibleJournal #BibleReading #BibleStudyNotes #biblestudycommunity #ChicagoChurch #BibleVerse

Shoftim 11: Finding an Opening Yiftach is back from exile. The elders who expelled him now need him, and he knows it. Before the battle, he attempts diplomacy, dismantling the Ammonite king's historical revisionism with a careful, point-by-point legal argument rooted in the Exodus narrative. The king ignores him, not because the argument fails, but because he refuses to recognize Yiftach's authority. Then Yiftach makes his vow. This shiur examines the most contested moment in Sefer Shoftim: the neder of Yiftach and what happened to his daughter. We work through the machlokes Rishonim, including the Ramban and Ibn Ezra, on whether the vow demanded death or separation, and why the Gemara in Taanis condemns it in the sharpest terms. The deeper tragedy, however, is institutional. Pinchas could have annulled the vow. Yiftach could have gone to Pinchas. Neither moved. A girl died between their competing pride. The Bereishis Rabbah is unsparing. Includes a striking parallel to Iphigenia in Greek tragedy and the haftorah connection to Parshas Chukas. Part of the ongoing Judges in the Nach series.

This shiur traces the theme of rejection and reversal across Shoftim chapters 10 and 11. We examine the enigmatic minor judges Tola and Yair, unpack the Rambam's radical interpretation of "vattiktzar nafsho" (Moreh Nevuchim I:41), and explore what genuine teshuva actually looks like when Hashem says no the first time. We also connect the miraculous retreat of the Ammonites to the pattern of Divine Providence operating through natural events, from D-Day to the battle of Katamon. Who gets called when things fall apart? And what do we make of a society that polices ancient lineage laws while abandoning Hashem entirely? Part of the ongoing Judges in the Nach series.

On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:7 And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber.9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

Zedekiah wants to hear the word of the Lord... he does, and then disobeys it. Jeremiah spared, remains in Judah as exiles are taken away. Gedaliah is the new governor. Mudered. Murderer Ishmael works for Ammonites and brings captives away from Judah, only to be rescued by Johanan.

When the fierce Ammonites were at the door of Israel seeking to invade and destroy the king of Israel feared.  But the second thing that Jehoshaphat did was seek the face of the Lord.  Bill Byers takes us on a journey with Israel and their king and what he did when the enemy of Israel was knocking at their door.  Check it out.  

Today, we're going to look at Jephthah, a seriously flawed leader that God uses to rescue His people from the Ammonites—and what that means for us today. If you've ever wondered whether God can use imperfect people who made foolish decisions, this powerful and tragic story has an answer.Welcome to Antioch Georgetown! We are a church in Georgetown, TX, and our mission is simple--We lead people to follow Christ in a life-changing way.Get Connected:

After the conquest of the Promised Land, Israel moves into the time of Judges. The book begins with the aftermath of Joshua's death and we see the people fall into a cycle of falling away from God, being subject to another nation, crying out to God for deliverance, a judge being raised, and then peace for a period of time before the cycle starts again. A word of warning: Judges can be a violent and often disturbing book. It is an example of how people act when they try to live apart from God and it is not pretty.If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review. If you want to contact the show, the e-mail address is given in the episode. Find Bible Backdrop on Apple, Spotify or wherever podcasts are shown.

Friday Bible Study (5/15/26) // *7 Principles for Effective Ministry* //*Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem's Walls* // 9 Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work.17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim[a] in Jerusalem.”*Footnotes*a. Nehemiah 2: 20 Or memorialWebsite: https://mbchicago.org *FOLLOW US* Facebook: https://facebook.com/mbc.chicago Instagram: https://instagram.com/mbc.chicago TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mbc.chicago Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others *TO SUPPORT US* Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch DAF Donations: https://every.org/mbc.chicago PayPal: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AA74AC7V5WYMJ #Nehemiah #BookOfNehemiah #BibleStudy #BibleExplained #Bible #BiblicalStudies #BibleTeacher #WordOfGod #BiblicalLessons #BibleJournal #BibleReading #BibleStudyNotes #biblestudycommunity #ChicagoChurch #BibleVerse

Was King Saul a type of Christ?Most Christians think of Saul as Israel's failed first king—a man marked by disobedience, pride, and eventual rejection. But before Saul's downfall, Scripture presents him as a deliverer of God's people, raising an important question: does Saul foreshadow the coming Messiah?In this episode of Shadows to Substance, Pastor George Sayour explores 1 Samuel 10–11, uncovering surprising connections between King Saul, Genesis 3:15, the theme of the promised Deliverer, and the broader biblical pattern that ultimately points to Jesus Christ. From Saul's anointing and victory over Israel's enemies to the serpent imagery surrounding Nahash the Ammonite, this study reveals how even flawed figures in the Old Testament can serve as shadows of the greater King to come.Discover how Saul's story fits into the Bible's unified message and why Jesus is the true and perfect Deliverer who succeeds where every earthly king failed. In this episode:• Was King Saul a type of Christ?• Saul's role as Israel's deliverer• The significance of Nahash and serpent imagery • Genesis 3:15 and the promised Seed• Biblical typology explained• How the Old Testament points to Jesus• Why Christ is the greater KingSubscribe for more biblical theology, typology, covenant theology, and Christ-centered Bible study from the Eschatology Matters Network

Was King Saul a type of Christ?Most Christians think of Saul as Israel's failed first king—a man marked by disobedience, pride, and eventual rejection. But before Saul's downfall, Scripture presents him as a deliverer of God's people, raising an important question: does Saul foreshadow the coming Messiah?In this episode of Shadows to Substance, Pastor George Sayour explores 1 Samuel 10–11, uncovering surprising connections between King Saul, Genesis 3:15, the theme of the promised Deliverer, and the broader biblical pattern that ultimately points to Jesus Christ. From Saul's anointing and victory over Israel's enemies to the serpent imagery surrounding Nahash the Ammonite, this study reveals how even flawed figures in the Old Testament can serve as shadows of the greater King to come.Discover how Saul's story fits into the Bible's unified message and why Jesus is the true and perfect Deliverer who succeeds where every earthly king failed. In this episode:• Was King Saul a type of Christ?• Saul's role as Israel's deliverer• The significance of Nahash and serpent imagery • Genesis 3:15 and the promised Seed• Biblical typology explained• How the Old Testament points to Jesus• Why Christ is the greater KingSubscribe for more biblical theology, typology, covenant theology, and Christ-centered Bible study from the Eschatology Matters NetworkWatch all of our videos and subscribe to our channel for the latest content >HereHere

In this Bible Story, David remains home from battle to rest. While his men fight on the front lines of the Ammonites, he eventually grows complacent, and sleeps with the wife of one of his mighty men, Uriah. She becomes pregnant, and David sends Uriah to the front lines to be killed to cover up his sins. This story is inspired by 2 Samuel 11. Go to https://www.BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Samuel 11:2 from the King James Version.Episode 102: It was spring, the time when most kings go to war, but David feeling content and desiring some rest sent Joab in his stead. However, this choice would prove fatal. In his ease, David looked out and saw something he should not have, and gave into desire for another man's wife. This sin would not only taint his kingdom, it would also lead to the death of one of his closest friends as well as their child as a result.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd Haberkorn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Bible Story, we witness the triumph of David over the Syrians and Ammonites. He claims victory after victory in battle, and brings Israel into a place of peace with many surrounding nations. This story is inspired by 2 Samuel 10 & 1 Chronicles 19-20. Go to https://www.BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Samuel 10:12 from the King James Version.Episode 101: David's friend Nahash, king of the Ammonites had died, and his son Hanun took his place. David, wishing to show compassion to Hanun, sent him some servants with gifts to mourn the loss of his father. But Hanun's servants were evil and spoke lies about David's servants in his ears. Believing these lies Hanun shaved the servants, shamed them, and sent them away. This led to a ferocious battle between David and the Ammonites. Many lives were needlessly lost because of the lies Hanun believed.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd Haberkorn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two judges of Israel follow the death of Abimelech, and we know little about them, except that they each judged Israel for over 20 years with no ruckus to speak of. When Israel turns to idols yet again, they suffer under the Philistines & Ammonites. They cry out to the Lord, but he rejects their pleas. When they confess sin and burn their idols, God begins to become weary of their misery. Later, God appoints a ne'er-do-well named Jephthah to deliver Israel from the Ammonites. Sadly, Jephthah doesn't truly know the Lord or His commands, and he makes a vow to the Lord that is abominable in the Lord's sight, standing in direct conflict with the statutes handed down through Moses. Thinking that he is being faithful to the Lord, he makes a heartbreaking decision. Judges 10 – 1:15 .  Judges 11 – 4:56 .  Judges 12 – 13:24 .  Psalm 74 – 16:27 :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In this Bible Story, Saul rises as king. He leads the Israelites into victory over the Ammonites, and all the people rejoice over their new leader. However, a flickering light of pride dwells within Saul's heart. This story is inspired by 1 Samuel 11. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year. Today's Bible verse is 1 Samuel 11:13 from the King James Version. Episode 80: All was well in Jabesh-Gilead, a farming village in Israel, until one day the Ammonites raided them, taking the people captive. The elders of the city begged for a treaty and Nahash, the commander of the Ammonites, gave them an offer of humiliation, pain, and servitude. The elders agreed but requested 7 days for a rescuer to come first. Little did Nahash know that God had given them a King, Saul, who would gather the people and come to their rescue! Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham. Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories. Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living. Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store. Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max Bard Producer: Ben Gammon Hosted by: Pastor Jack Graham Music by: Andrew Morgan Smith Bible Story narration by: Todd Haberkorn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we continue reading from 1 Samuel, Fr. Mike points out how God gave the people a king like they wanted, even though it was not part of his plan. This reveals to us that even when we choose things that God does not want for us, he is still with us. The readings are 1 Samuel 11-12 and Psalm 55. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Jesus  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ ⇒ BECOME A MONTHLY PARTNER: (not tax-deductible) You can find out how to become a monthly partner including how to receive your "thank you" gift - our bonus podcast called "Digging Deeper." God t: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 11:1–8 - Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, [2] from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. [3] He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. [4] For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. [5] For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. [6] So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. [7] Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. [8] And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. (ESV) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Support a daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: https://venmo.com/CareyNGreen  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ NON-ENGLISH VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish CHINESE version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Chinese  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ THEME MUSIC: “King’s Trailer” – Creative Commons 0 | Provided by https://freepd.com/

Today's readings are Judges 9-11, Ruth 4, and Psalm 137. In the reading from Judges, we hear about the rise and fall of Abimelech, as well as the misguided and heartbreaking vow Jephthah makes to God in return for victory over the Ammonites. We also conclude the book of Ruth with the marriage of Boaz and Ruth. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.